In my last post, I talked about saving money by using up what you have. Now, you’re ready to go to the next step – well, two steps, really! You can declutter (step 1) AND make some money (step 2) while you’re at it.
This is another simple three-part process:
- Figure out items you don’t want or need
- Decide if it’s worth trying to make money from them
- Sell them!
1. Figure out items you don’t want or need
A great place to start is the lists you created using my last post. While no one is likely to pay you for an old can of lima beans you’ve had way past the expiry date, you may have more bath and body sets than you know what to do with! Or you may have some lovely items – that are just not to your taste.
Go through all of these locations to determine what other extra items are just taking up space:
- Garage
- Closets
- Basement
- Kitchen cupboards
- Other storage areas
2. Determine if anyone will pay you for your unwanted items
This is harder than the first part. It’s not hard to find items you don’t want or need. But just because you don’t want those items doesn’t mean anyone else is going to be willing to pay you for them! Go through this checklist to figure out if it’s worth trying to sell an item:
- Is it in good condition? Unless it’s a rare item, no one is going to want to buy your item if it’s worn out, dirty, etc.
- Is it easily and cheaply available new? If a person can buy a similar item new at the Dollar store for very little, chances are they aren’t going to want to buy it second-hand from you.
- Is it an item people often are willing to buy second-hand? In our society, getting second-hand clothes for your kids is considered quite acceptable (and catching on with adults too!). Other items (such as 20 years old textbooks!) you’re going to have a lot more trouble moving.
3. Time to get selling!
Now that you’ve figured out what you have and if it’s worth trying to tell – you’re onto the final part. You can try any or all of the following options, depending on what you have:
- Garage sale. It can be a good way to get rid of a lot of things at once but it also can be a lot of work for very little return.
- Consignment store. Good for higher-end clothing and accessories (such as purses and belts).
- Online – take your pick. eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji – lots to choose from!
Let’s get going!
No time like the present to start decluttering and earning a little extra money. Nothing feels better than extra space AND cash in hand. Just be sure not to give in to the temptation to spend your hard-earned cash and fill up that newly emptied space!
I bet you’re thinking – come on, how could FIVE words save me money? Someone is trying too hard to justify their English degree! 😛
A lot of people use New Year’s as an opportunity to start new money habits – saving more and earning more! Other common goals include decluttering the house and losing weight. In the next few months, I’m going to do posts about the following:
