How do I calculate the fair market value of my personal possessions, mostly books, vintage computer parts, furniture and such?

[feedingdragon]

I own a considerable amount of vintage computer parts (Commodore 128, Amiga, 1980's & 1990's PC parts.)  I have a single modern computer that would only have been considered new in 2008 or 2009.  I have maybe 100 books, all old and many actually losing spine, or with pages falling out (extremely well read.)  Considerable amount of software, again mostly from the 80's & 90's.  A small amount of furniture (all old,) and a few kitchen appliances.  In doing my taxes and calculating insolvency I put in numbers I felt were fairly large over estimations of these values, but am not sure if that is exactly safe.  Is there any sort of guide to tell me how to calculate the FMV for all of these items, that most people would consider junk, but that a few might consider somewhat valuable?

[MiriamF · Accepted solution]

When you are calculating the value of your assets, think of resale value: if you were to offer your possessions at a garage sale, what would a willing buyer pay for them?

Books with the cover falling off would have a value of less than 25 cents unless they were some unusual collectible; with pages falling out, even less. A 2008 computer would probably have little or no value. Don't put a lot of effort into this. Your best guess will do. If you haven't a clue, go to a Goodwill or Saint Vincent DePaul resale shop and see what prices they put on things.

You can use this Goodwill guide as an aid.