Sure, you’re always telling yourself that you want to cut the clutter in your home, but it can be really hard to work up the motivation to do it. It’s exhausting cleaning out a closet, the attic, or your garage, not to mention the fact that it takes a lot of time.
But you know what is motivating? Cold, hard cash. Plain and simple. So, how do you turn a closet full of clutter into a pocket full of cash? Depending on the type of items you want to get rid of, you might have a few options. Read on…
Sell on Craigslist
Other than the occasional murderer, Craigslist is a reasonably safe way to sell to your community, as long as you’re not stupid about it. Plus, Craigslist doesn’t take any fees from the sale of your item, so it’s one of the best ways to still make a profit on used items. There are a variety of categories in which to list an item, and listings are free. Many people use Craigslist to sell large items, like TVs, sofas, and desks, but there’s definitely a chance someone is looking for a set of baby items or your old iPod.
Remember that you’ll most likely be making the exchange in person, so always be sure to meet in a public area, or at least have a friend with you. Never let someone into your home; instead, haul larger items into your driveway or garage. There have been several cases where people’s homes were broken into by people who days earlier had bought something from them on Craigslist.
Sell on eBay
The auction site eBay is a great place to sell electronics, memorabilia, and collectibles. It gives you a platform through which you can sell to a global audience, but they also take a hefty chunk of the profits. Remember that you need to be careful about calculating your shipping in advance, or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Sell on Eaglesaver
Eaglesaver is a site that buys used books, DVDs, CDs, and games. You won’t make a lot of money, but the site makes it easy for you, and they pay for the shipping. They will only accept items in near new or very good condition, and they don’t take everything – you’ll need to search each item and add it to a list of things to sell, sort of like a reverse shopping cart.
Hold a Garage Sale
It takes a lot of time and effort to organize, and a rainy day can ruin it, but holding a garage sale is a great way to get rid of a ton of stuff and make a modest amount of money for it. Be sure to advertise on Craigslist, your local papers, and any local social communities. If possible, hold the sale in your front yard so passing cars notice and can stop over.
Sell at a Consignment Shop
Consignment shops work in different ways. Some of them will pick through your items and pay you up front, while others may be slightly less discriminating but only pay you upon the sale of the item, and a small slice at that. However, if you need to get rid of a lot of gently worn clothing, shoes, or accessories, this is the way to go.
Donate
Donating won’t get you any money up front, but it’s reasonably low effort and some charities will even come out and pick it up for you. Make sure you get a receipt for your donation, because you can take a deduction off your taxes.
Give It Away
Got valuable stuff but you just can’t seem to sell it or donate it? See if you’ve got any friends or family who want it. Failing that, list it on the Craigslist free section or haul it out to the curb and forget about it. You tried.
