Decluttering & Selling

If you’re anything like me, you probably have stuff in your house, garage, basement or maybe a rented storage unit that you rarely ever touch. Decluttering and organizing your household items can help relieve stress and get you closer to your financial goals.

With the new year fast approaching, it may be the perfect time to sell and donate some of these items.

Take a few minutes to go through these items that you may be ready to part with.

Put your stuff into four piles:

• Keep
• Throw Away
• Donate
• Sell

If it’s in the keep pile, get those items organized and put away. If it’s in the throw away pile, make sure to put those items out with the trash and that your disposing of them correctly. If you have items in the donate pile, make a quick trip to your local salvation army to donate the items.  Now you can tackle your pile of things to sell.

Ready, Set, Sell!

There are many ways to sell the stuff you no longer want or need.  A few quick tips to make sure it sells fast.

• Make it look great! Wash it, wipe it down and make it look nice.
• Write up an awesome description that makes people feel like they have to buy it.
• Price it competitively.

Now that you’re ready, list your items for sale.  Here are a few options:

1. Amazon Seller Marketplace

Yes, the same site that allows you to easily make purchases also allows you to sell items online, this includes used items, items you’ve made or bought by accident.

2. Facebook Marketplace

Many neighborhoods have Facebook groups where people can list stuff for sale. The great thing about selling stuff through a Facebook group is that your buyers will likely be nearby, and there’s a level of accountability.  Even better most communities have safe, public meeting areas such as police stations or fire stations where you can exchange your items.

3. Poshmark

Poshmark enables you to buy or sell fashion clothing and accessories.  When you sell an item on Poshmark, they’ll send you a prepaid shipping label to send it out. They charge a small commission based on the dollar amount of the transaction.

4. Consignment Stores

Consignment shops might help you get a bit more cash, but you’ll have to wait until your item sells. Consignment shops can be good venues for selling name brand clothing and accessories, as well as household decorative items or furniture.  Consignment stores can be an easy way to get rid of your items as you will be paid on the spot for the items.

5. Let Go

Let Go, allows you to buy and sell items that are secondhand in your area. This company offers a website and app that allows users to buy from, sell to, and chat with others locally.

There are several other ways that you can sell items that are no longer serving you and as a result, you’ll have more money in your pocket to do the things you want to do.  Are you nervous you’ll miss something?  Set the item aside for the next 30 days, if you don’t use it, then you know it’s an item you can sell.  Every dollar you earn by selling things you don’t want or need anymore, puts you one step closer to your financial goals.

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