JustAnotherTHou makes a good point. Instead of selling the dress or the stock, you need to take a good hard look at why you are needing to sell either. Are you in debt? If you are, I can relate. I was in debt and I know how hard and scary it can be. Here are some of the things I did to get out of debt 1-I stopped using credit cards, 2- I saved an emergency fund of $1000(I paid the minimums on my CCs until this money was in the bank then I attacked the CCs) . 3-took a second job to supplement my income, 4-i sold things around the house I didn’t need like a bike, a heater, etc. 5-I started taking lunches to work instead of eating out 6- I ate beans and rice and rice and beans (from Dave Ramsey), 7-I got rid of my car payment and got a cheap car that i paid $2600 for (the insurance was cheapter too) 8-I budget every penny every month, i know what i can spend on gas, groceries, etc. But while i was doing this i gave up a lot. I quit going out to eat unless it was someone’s birthday. I only traveled for business when my company was footing the bills. I have fans and ran those instead of an air conditioner. etc. It was hard work but I didn’t get into trouble over night and I knew I wouldn’t get out of trouble over night either.
Dave Ramsey has a good plan for helping folks get out of debt.
Also, on the ClarkHoward forum (clark howard is a consumer advocate with a talk show who helps folks get out of debt and not get cheated on stuff). Anyway, there are folks on that forum in the “Dump your Debt: Don’t borrow it, pay it down” that are very helpful.
clarkhoward.com/p/boards/ch/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=debt&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5
And here is a list of easy ways to save money. It doesn’t sound like much but it really does add up over time.
clarkhoward.com/p/boards/ch/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=debt&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5
I understand your need for money now, believe me I do. But you need to look six months and a year down the road and figure out what the real problem is.
Also, I personally think selling that stock is a very poor decision for two reasons. 1-the economy is in the dumps right now and you are going to take a huge loss on what you put into it and 2-the stock has now where to go but up so they will be worth a lot more soon. I am betting they will at least double in the next 8 - 12 months.
I am no financial expert but I know how to get how of debt and stay that way.
I can’t imagine a used wedding dress making enough for more than going out to eat. If you browse eBay, you will find tons of used dresses going for nothing.