Don’t throw away outgrown clothes

Dear Sara: My daughter has grown like a weed over the last year — from a tiny size 8 to a size 14/16 in one year. I now have a ton of used clothing that doesn’t fit her. We don’t know anyone here because we’re so new to the area. There really isn’t a decent thrift store here that sells children’s clothing. Some of these items are very nice and have value. I tried a multi-day garage sale, including advertising on Craigslist and online forums (with pictures), and I didn’t have a single customer! The only children’s consignment store is 100 miles away. By the time I pay for gas, selling there would cost me money. I want this stuff gone. What can I do? — C.L., Mississippi

Dear C.L.: I would ask friends and family if they want any of it, and maybe they can cover shipping if they live far away. Consider donating to a charity, church or shelter, too. You could give them away on Freecycle or place box-lots on eBay. Or try www.thredup.com: You can put a bag/box on your doorstep, then they pick it up and decide what they can sell. Once an item sells, you can claim your money or use it as a credit on like-new kids’ clothing items from the site. A lot of schools do fundraisers and have mom-to-mom type sales where parents bring in their gently used items to resell. See if your daughter’s school is planning anything like this.

Dear Sara: I have to take pasta for my son’s cross-country running dinner — enough to feed 10 to 12 teenage boys. I’m estimating three pounds of dry pasta, plus the other ingredients. I am trying to decide if I should make it myself or just buy pre-made Stouffer’s lasagna. When I price it out, it looks like it would cost about the same either way. Which would you do?

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