You finally did it: you went ahead and spent $5,000 on a new plasma television. It fits perfectly in your living room, and it works great. You just can't believe that it took you so long to take the plunge. But now you have another problem. What should you do with your old television? Chances are it's not entirely junk, so putting it out on the curb for the garbage collector would be too much of a waste. Here are several other options for you to consider.

1. Move it to a different room
The easiest solution to getting rid of an old television set is to move it to a different room in your house. Consider putting the television in the basement, the den, the spare bedroom, or even a child's room. The advantages of this solution are obvious, but if you live in an apartment or if you don't have a lot of extra space in your home, then you'll have to choose a different option.

2. Sell it
There are always people looking for a bargain when it comes to home appliances, so you have a good chance of selling your old television for some extra cash. There are many sales outlets that you can use these days. Instead of the old classified ad route, why not try eBay? I know, you're probably thinking that there's no way you can ship a television for a reasonable amount. But eBay has an option that allows you to specify local pickup only. When you choose this type of auction, bidders agree to pick up the television on their own.

Another place to sell your old television is on a college campus. Go to the local university or community college campus and put an ad up on the bulletin board. College students are always pinched for cash and would love to save a few bucks on a television, so you'll probably have lots of people calling very soon.

A third option is to take the television set to a pawn shop or consignment store. A pawn shop will buy the television outright with no further commitments on either side. A consignment store will display the set with a price that you specify. When someone buys the television, the store will split the profits with you.

3. Give it away
If recouping some money from your old television set is not a priority, then why not give it away? Call local charities and ask them if they would be interested in the unit. Most charities will be able to find a use for the television, provided that it is in good condition. Just because they're charities doesn't mean they will accept junk. If you can't find a charity that needs the TV, start calling local schools. Schools like to update their AV departments often, and a free television would be appreciated.

Getting a new television set doesn't mean that your old one immediately becomes useless. There are several constructive ways to dispose of a television that can benefit both yourself and another party.