There’s a pile of clothes on my dining room table, a pyramid of books collapsing on the living room rug, and a tangle of electronics blocking the front door — all signs that I need to tidy up. I broke the project down into small, manageable chunks, starting with the craziness of my nightstand where a tower of partially read books, an array of charging cables, and stacks of water glasses completely obscured my alarm clock.
I started by putting the items into piles to be returned to their homes. For each item, I asked myself if I had used it in the last three months and if it still worked. If they didn’t, they went to one pile. As for anything I wasn’t sure about, they went to another pile to look again a second time. I continued this pattern for other parts of my home – from the entry table, to the kitchen counter, to the bedroom closet.
After three days of decluttering, I had loads of clothes, books, electronics and small household furniture ready for a new home. Even though these items were no longer useful to me, I knew they had value. It’s not realistic for me to sell every item—that would require taking photos, posting it online, and then coordinating with potential buyers—but I knew there were some worth the extra attention and time.
For example, a Nintendo Switch that has been collecting dust, an almost new winter coat or a modern-looking armchair. I found a happy medium between time spent and money back by thinking about where to take my unwanted items. And in the end, I made $521 while cleaning.
You can also make some money on things you used to love, if you follow the three rules I set for myself when selling junk.
If it’s worth more than $50, I sell it on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
I always set the threshold at $50, but you can change this to your liking. Usually electronics or furniture fall into this category. Invest time in good photos and writing detailed descriptions, especially taking care to show wear and tear. Be prepared for fruitless texting back and forth and low offers. The key is to make sure it’s worth your time by taking these extra steps to get the best return.
I take books and clothes to shops that will resell them.
Many local bookstores will go through your unwanted books and give you an offer on the ones they think they can resell. The same goes for your used clothes. Search online for a local thrift store or bring it to chains like Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, and Uptown Cheapskate. It will be less money than selling each item individually, but it takes a fraction of the time! If you’re visiting a store, ask if they’ll give you a bigger deal in store. Some of these places will even donate leftovers for you.
I’m giving away everything else.
Do a little research if you don’t already have a thrift store. Curbside help is ideal, and if it goes towards a cause you believe in, that’s even better. Request a charitable giving receipt and apply it to your taxes when the time comes.