Do you feel like you are surrounded by a bunch of junk and instead wish you had money for a vacation? In order to complete both goals, you can take the excess stuff in your apartment or home to make extra money throughout the year. Although it will take a bit of organisation and patience, you will soon find that the best way to save money is to sell things you already have as well as reusing your old junk in key ways to save money.
While some items may seem complicated to sell, other bulkier items are surprisingly easy to get rid of while reaping the financial benefits. At the end of your selling cycle, you will look around to find that your home looks airy and fresh; but your pockets will be filled with cash for your next big getaway.
Isolate what is reusable or can be turned into gifts
Many times, one of the best ways to reduce clutter while saving money by avoiding future purchases is by using something you already have in a new way. Making gifts is also a good way to save money throughout the year. For example, a wooden chair with a broken leg can be turned into a swing for a child. Broken jewelry can be easily turned into a refrigerator magnet to give as a gift. An old bike wheel can be cleaned and used to create a mobile for a baby’s crib. An old rake can be hung on the wall to organize hand tools or kitchen utensils.
Figure out what can be sold and what needs to be upcycled
Getting rid of clutter usually means you end up with a few items that are going to be difficult to sell. Typically, this includes items that are not considered sanitary after they have been worn by another person — and sometimes shoes is included in this category. This is especially true if the bottoms of the shoes are losing their tread. Regardless, before you throw the old shoes or broken handbag in the trash bin, consider using them as containers to grow flowers. This not only makes a cute display that neighbors will enjoy, but it also saves you a few dollars on buying large pots that sometimes get broken.
Make a plan for storing the items until they are sold
If you advertise something for sale that takes months to sell, you do not want to finally get an answer to your ad only to find that the item got damaged in the meantime. For this reason, be sure to carefully store each item in a box or bag that is carefully placed inside a sealable plastic bin. For larger items like furniture, be sure to store the item while it is up for sale, and do not allow it to be used.
Determining where certain items will sell best
If your idea is to only use an online marketplace like eBay or a yard sale to sell everything, the problem you could encounter is not selling highly-valuable items. For example, clothes are hit or miss at yard sales, but second-hand retail shops will give you money upfront on most gently-used clothing that is still in style. Other items that might be better off sold upfront for a lower price than expected include decorative interior design knick-knacks that have value, but are not collector’s or designer items.
Expanding your sellers markets
Do not forget that sometimes the best way to sell something is to look at it as scrap. In addition to metal scrap yards for construction debris, there are other types of industries that by smaller types of scrap. For example, some cell phones are still in possession of certain types of scrap parts or metals that are valuable to specific scrap brokers that can be found online. One of the most common ways to earn big money from scrap is to sell old jewelry that is damaged for the valuable metals or jewels it contains.
Be sure to research your markets and try to fit in
If you make a decision to sell online, consider looking up a few articles about those places and what buyers will expect from sellers. For instance, some common tips about selling online include not giving away personal information to protect your identity from thieves. They also will suggest that you use clear photos that are set up in certain ways so that the buyer will feel more confident about trusting you as a new seller. Another tip is to give contact information in a way that is best for everyone. For example, some buyers are more likely to purchase from you if you provide a phone number, but never have the buyer meet you at your home or office.
Do not forget to collect green points with junk removal rebates
Depending on local programs and funding to promote a greener planet, you could end up with more money in your pocket in the long-term if certain types of appliances are surrendered to local authorities. Good examples are old refrigerators and oven ranges. Nevertheless, keep in mind that there are other types of appliances or machinery that are also eligible for these rebate programs, and some will offer cash back. In addition, old vehicles may also be eligible for special cash back incentives depending on local programs.
Giving to charity saves you money on taxes
At the end of your selling cycle, you may find that there are still some odds and ends that were not purchased. While it may appear that they have no value, do not drop them off at the local charity for a donation without getting a receipt. Before you drop off the items, be sure to keep a detailed list of what you donated because it will be required when you file your taxes.
Remember to be patient
One final word of advice when selling second-hand items is to have a degree of patience. If the issue with these items is their presence, consider finding a place to store them until they are sold. In addition to plastic bins, renting a storage unit or space in a friend’s basement can also help to get the items out of your living space until you have sold them to someone else.
