Create a Plan of Action
Depending on the size of your home, this could be a multi-day project. Get your family involved in this process. Whether you're considering adding money to your savings account or you're going to use the funds raised to do something fun, you should have a plan of action. First, find a single location where you can sort all the items you think you should get rid of and then get to work going room to room, closet to closet, and hiding spot to hiding spot!What Stays and What Goes
Cleaning out our homes is never easy. We often save items simply because we don't want to part with them. Not all items we keep have sentimental value, instead we are determined not to let something with "time left" go to waste. Here are some tips to decide what stays and what goes:- Unworn clothing — if you have items sitting in your dresser or closet which has not been worn for a year or more, think about putting it into the "sell" stack. If something no longer fits, it's a good idea to get rid of it. Make sure to check seasonal clothing which may be packed away.
- Unused toys — children outgrow toys all the time. Unless you're expecting a grandchild in the next year, it's time to consider recycling those toys to help you pad your savings account. You might be surprised at how much a used toy in good condition will fetch.
- Board games — if you and your family stockpiled board games and are no longer using them, it's time to consider parting with them. If all the pieces are intact, put them in a "sell" pile. If there are pieces missing, consider tossing them.
- Previously read books — typically once our bookcases are full, we'll store books anyplace we find an empty spot. If you're going to read a book a second time, or if you have editions you're partial to, hang onto them. Otherwise, it's time to consider selling or donating the books.
Turning Trash into Cash
Now that you've assembled everything you feel can be disposed of, it's time to consider what to do with everything you've decided to part with. There are several options you can consider, including holding a yard sale. Keep in mind however, yard sales are a lot of work and unless you're located on a main road, it could be challenging to get anyone to attend. There are other options that you can and should explore.Facebook allows you to sell items online from your own page. Using this option allows you to show photos, set a price, and people can direct message you if they're interested. When your friends share the images, their friends can also see what you have available.
Ebay is always an option but remember you're going to pay a fee to them in exchange for putting an item up for sale. A better option may be to put an advertisement on Craigslist if you feel comfortable doing so.
Consignment shops can be gold mines to get rid of items that are in great shape. Remember, you'll probably have to share a part of the sale with the owners, but they'll take care of everything on your behalf.
Set a time frame to get rid of everything you have put into your piles to get rid of and whatever remains after that deadline, can be donated. Clothing can be donated to a local shelter, games and toys can be donated to a community center, and books can be donated to your local senior center or library. Remember, whatever you were able to sell is like having found money, and can be used to pay down debt, add to your savings account, or to splurge on a night out with your family.
