Clutter in our homes is not only unnecessary, but it was once said that the state of our homes is simply a reflection of the state of our minds. Who wants to de-clutter their life and mind a little? I do, for sure, so let’s get rid of some physical clutter (and make a little cash while we’re at it!).
Rather than send your unwanted or unneeded stuff to the landfill, consider these two simple ways to de-clutter, one of which might also make you some money!
Sell your Clutter
The first way is to sell it, but the downside is time. It just takes time to post things, respond to potential buyers, sift through the spam and finally meet to make the transaction. Sometimes this option is totally worth it though and it’s always amazing what people are wiling to buy.
The easiest and most widely-used source for selling your stuff is Craigslist. Seriously, what did we do before Craigslist? If you live in more rural areas, this option may not be as viable, but you could always post in the city closest to you if you’re willing to drive in.
Posting on Craigslist is free, easy and convenient. You can post up to eight pictures and include a ton of text. So far my CL experience is limited to bikes, but just about anything you can think of could be sold this way.
Other options include listservs or groups. These have been popping up on Facebook and other groups like crazy, with buy/sell groups specific to location, point in life (moms, etc), and can be really great ways to sell your stuff. I recently used my town group to sell some Snowbabies figurines. I’ve been trying for years to figure out what to do with them. I felt bad donating since they are somewhat valuable, but they have no value to me. Within a day, a lady was interested in buying them all. Easy peasy and I made a bit of cash.
Finally, don’t overlook consignment or second-hand stores for your stuff. For clothing, Plato’s Closet buys gently used, name-brand clothing and the process is really easy. For jewelry (especially gold), you can often sell stuff to reputable jewelry stores. I’ve sold gold this way and it was an easy process. For unique items, do a little research to find the best market to sell it.
Tips:
- Give enough detail on your posts. I go the personal route and say why I’m selling, what I love(d) about the item, how long I’ve had it, what it was used for and how often. I think in terms of marketing and use strong headlines, plenty of colorful detail and all the pertinent info (color, size, condition, etc.)
- Give people easy ways to contact you. I use the route of saying to email, call or text. Young people would rather text and I want to make that option available to reach them. I list my phone number in a combination of numbers and text (222-five five five-9000 for example).
- Pay attention to the posting. Responses early probably means you listed a reasonable price. If you don’t get any bites, consider editing the post and lowering the price. Keep posting it – someone will eventually want it.
- Meet in safe, neutral locations that are easy to find. I like parking lots. I tell them what I’m driving, what time to meet and where. Bring someone with you for added security and only take cash for all items.
Donate your Clutter
The second option is to donate, which is a positive thing to do. This is by-far the easiest way to get rid of stuff. It’s often a quick drop-off, no fuss, no explanation, just a simple way to de-clutter.
Goodwill and similar outfits rely on donations to stock their stores, which supply income to their programs and overhead. Alternatively, donating to your local clothing drive or similar groups can help you give back to your community. Do a little research and ask around for places to donate goods. Many nonprofits accept cars and other random stuff that is like a donation.
Consider the needs of your community and be creative about donations. Blankets could be used by shelters, a collection of art supplies at schools or child centers, gym equipment by volunteer fire departments or community center gyms, etc. If you want to get the most mileage out of your clutter, consider who would most appreciate that item and figure out how to get it to them.
For big-ticket items, get a receipt for your tax deductible donation and bring that with you at tax time to get your deduction. I’m not an expert at this so talk to your tax preparer for more info.
Whether you sell your clutter for cash or donate it to those in need, the goal here is to plant a seed to consider cleaning out that attic or garage, going through that overflowing closet and making your space clutter-free. Good luck!
Have you de-cluttered in creative ways? Share your experiences in the comments.
{Photo Credit: puuikibeach}