Can it make you money?
Spring cleaning might sound boring and tiresome, but what if you could actually turn a profit? It probably sounds a bit more exciting now. Every home is packed with items that the inhabitants no longer use, but other people would love to have. By getting down to business and cleaning out your closets, basement, attic and junk drawers, you can actually make money. Selling items from your spring cleaning is an easy way to make money, and we all know that money is a motivating factor.
How To Get Started
The first step is to actually get moving on your spring cleaning. Start by sectioning off your home, and picking an area to start. For example, pick a day to focus only on the kitchen, then move onto the basement, attic, and other areas of your home that create clutter.
As you clean, create piles for the items you come across. You should have a “keep” pile, a “donate” pile, and a “sale” pile. Be mindful, however, of how quickly your “keep” pile is growing. You want to really look at each item you plan on keeping and decide if you absolutely need it, or if it is an item that can be sold or donated.
Organize your “keep” pile and find a home for each item. Box up your donation items and drop them off where they need to go. The quicker you get the donation box out of your house, the quicker the room will take shape
Now it’s time to deal with the “sale” pile. Go through the pile again and separate your items into three different categories—online sale items, private sale items, and garage sale items. Online items are things like electronics and high-end clothing that you can sell on Amazon, eBay or Poshmark. Private sale items are larger items you plan to list on Craigslist or Facebook. These items might include furniture, for example. Finally, your garage sale items are all the small items you are willing to part with for a low price.
Where Can I Sell My Stuff?
Amazon’s marketplace is growing every day as millions upon millions of people browse the online retailer. Used items, including books that are in good condition, DVDs and used electronics, generally sell well. The listing process is easy, too. Simply sign up and add in your personal information. You can list the item through the portal, and you’ll be notified when it has sold. If you are simply looking to get rid of stuff quickly, you can list them at more competitive prices. Once the item is sold, ship it to the recipient and Amazon will deposit your earnings into your bank account at the end of the month. Each month that you sell items you will get cash deposited right into your account.
For clothing, shoes, and accessories that are in good condition, you can visit your local consignment shops. Often the shops will pay you for items that they know are going to sell. You will likely be offered less than what the item is worth because the consignment shop must make money, too. You can also sell used clothing on Poshmark and ThredUp if you are looking to get more bang for your buck, but you’ll need to do some of the legwork with these online retailers.
Finally, a good, old-fashioned garage sale is a good way to get rid of unwanted items. Plan your sale for when the weather is warm and be sure to advertise on Facebook and Craigslist. Choosing a day when local fairs or festivals are taking place might also help increase foot traffic since potential buyers are already out and about. Don’t be afraid to let your items go for a bit less than what you wanted, and consider offering package deals to your customers. After your sale is over, pack up whatever is left and donate it to a charity. Check with your local charities to see who will pick up your donation if you no longer want to be bothered with the items.
Enjoy Your Clean Home
After you’ve done all the work, shipped all your items, and donated boxes to a worthy cause, it is time for you to sit down and enjoy your freshly cleaned home. Spring cleaning is a whole lot sweeter when you make money while you do it, and now you just have to figure out what to do with your new-found fortune. We suggest using a little for something fun and banking the rest in your emergency savings fund.
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