Turn Clutter into Cash
With all the online options, it’s a snap to start earning money from little-used items around your house.
Let’s face it, many of us have been staying home more these days, which means we are looking around our houses more and thinking, why on earth did I keep that? And what is in that box in the storage room that I haven’t opened since I moved? The task can seem daunting at times, but if you take a step-by-step approach, you can slowly clear away that clutter.
The tried but true garage sale is still a good option because it is outside in the open air. You can amp up your game by combining a sale with several neighbors, then sharing photos of items online through the social media of your choice. Make eye-catching signs for passing motorists. A themed garage sale can be unique. For example, a man cave sale can feature tools, lawn equipment or men’s clothing. How about a little mermaid sale, featuring girls’ dolls, clothing and swim equipment? Make up your own theme and spread it across your Facebook Marketplace and any local selling site in your area.
A focused theme also can help you organize what you sell, directing you to cull through your old items that belong to that category. Never tackle the entire basement or storage room at one time. Choose one box or one dresser full of clothes and go from there. Make a list and place it near the clutter. One day, mark off the blue tub, one day mark off the top shelf of the closet, and another day, select large furniture items.
Those items are great for donating to Salvation Army, the American Red Cross or any other thrift shop or donation center near your home. This way, you can get a receipt to take off your taxes, and they appreciate the donation so much. One time we donated a 10-foot, pre-lit artificial Christmas tree that was too big for us to handle, and when I went back to the donation center, they told me a church had it now. That made us want to donate more!
Another tip is to become an ebay aficionado. The process is secure and backed by the company’s security policies. With the nice smartphones we have, you can take professional photos of items such as shoes, purses, jewelry, basically anything. With summer here, feature sandals, swimsuits, your kid’s rafts, life jackets or pool toys. Someone is always looking for that size of jeans or special occasion dress. You can make money with a large number of items, or just sell a few things for a bit of quick cash. This is true for any selling platform in your area. Do a little research and decide which works best for your items. For example, Lee’s Summit Online Garage Sale is a great shareable site.
Decide what motivates you, which is probably money. Consider upcycling furniture or décor and selling some of your clothes and accessories on Poshmark. You may not make millions, but it definitely helps. Ask yourself whether you need to get rid of your clutter quickly or whether you are willing to hold out a bit for a potentially decent payout?
Another moneymaker can be your old electronics. Sell them to stores including Game Stop, V Stock or even pawn shops. The Decluttr app helps you earn money from old video games, CDs, DVDs, cell phones, tablets and even books. Amazon Trade-In takes old smartphones. Swap.com is an online consignment shop for those old children’s clothes and toys.
Consigning items is another great option. Good candidates are items your children no longer use, such as that lacrosse stick on the garage shelf, or the violin that hasn’t been played in years and is sitting in the case in your child’s closet. Or that stack of video games covered in dust cluttering your living room. Other popular items are barely worn designer clothes and children’s and baby clothes. All could earn you a few bucks if you get them to the right people.
The trick to making decluttering less daunting is to plan in your mind what you want to do. Don’t stand back and feel overwhelmed by the shelves full of stuff. Focus on one item or section at a time. And involve the kids. Have them select one or two items from their toy box that they don’t play with or have outgrown. Place a laundry basket or tub in their room and give them time. Then, when the items make money, they can have the fun of picking out a new toy or pair of shoes they’ve been wanting. When you involve them, they will see it as a game and find fun in the process!
An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
Sources: HowStuffWorks.com, ILikeToDabble.com