How to Make Money By Turning Your Trash Into Extra Cash

Let's face it, we've all got more stuff than we really need, taking up space in our attics, basements, closets, and unpacked boxes from a past move. If you're looking for a way to add to your bottom line, here are some tips to help you make money by turning your trash into extra cash. Read on.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Get ready. You will need time when you can focus solely on this task (while the kids are at school, napping, or in bed). Designate an area of your home to create a pile for unwanted items to be dealt with later. Grab a box of black trash bags and get going.

2. 

   One step at a time. In order to avoid being overwhelmed, go room to room. This will keep you focused and help you be more efficient. Don't move on to another room until the previous room is finished.

3. 

   Fill the garbage bags. As you go from room to room and gather items for your selling pile (Step 1), be sure to fill your bags with items that are broken or not sellable. Not only will this be an exercise in decluttering, it will enable you to get at the stuff that is going to bring you extra cash.

4. 

   Be honest. This is the hardest part. Everything you own should be looked at with an open mind. If you don't love it, haven't worn it or used it in a year, or don't think you'll use in the future: it's time to cut the ties and let it go.

5. 

   Start upstairs. Bedroom closets are loaded with sellable items. Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, maternity clothes, evening wear, kids’ clothes, bedroom accessories (including name brand, gently used comforters), and designer ANYTHING. Put it in the pile (Step 1).

6. 

   Scour the first floor. The kitchen, dining room, and living rooms are a haven for valuable items that can bring you extra cash. Appliances (both new and unused), dishes (especially name brands), china, collectibles, and glassware are high demand items. Think about all of those unopened or unused wedding gifts just waiting to be sold.

7. 

   Tackle the attic. It can literally be a gold mine. Most of the items in the attic are things that have been packed away and may have vintage value. If it’s in the attic, chances are you haven’t used it in a while and won’t use it later. Perfect opportunity to make money by turning your trash into extra cash!

8. 

   Go down to the basement. Another gold mine, the basement is filled with kids' toys, exercise equipment, and other valuable items.

9. 

   Don’t forget the garage. Sometimes the most overlooked spot in the house, the garage is filled with very marketable items. I’ve sold bikes, tractors, lawn tools, car accessories, and many other things I never would’ve dreamed could bring in extra cash (even a motorcycle).

10. 

    Pay attention to name brand items. Remember all of those house parties (Longaberger, Southern Living, Pampered Chef, etc) you went to and bought items just because you felt like you had to? These items are usually excellent sellers on eBay and believe it or not, sometimes appreciate in value over time so pull them out of the closets and put them in the pile too. Most items with a popular name brand will sell.

11. 

    Assess what you have. Take stock of everything you’ve accumulated in your selling pile. Some items should be sold by themselves (name brand, designer items) however many items can be put together to form a ‘lot’, for example a grouping of baby girl’s clothes size 12-18 months sold together will bring in more money than listing each item individually. If however, you have a pair of gently used Uggs boots size 12-18 months, you would want to sell them separately, as they are worth a lot by themselves.

12. 

    Try online selling first. Sign up for an eBay account, become familiar with the site, do some research and dive in. If you don’t have the time or energy to manage your listings, find an eBay seller in your area and bring them your clutter. You won’t make as much after you pay commission but even a little extra cash is better than nothing.

13. 

    Try consigment or a yard sale. Visit children's and adult's clothing consigment shops, jewelry stores that buy gold, and home decor resale shops or host a monster yard sale to sell items that don't sell online.

14. 

    Bring the remainder to a charitable organizition. Donate the rest of your clutter (to Goodwill or other thrift store) and get a receipt (jot down the items and values) and put it in your tax folder to use as a tax deduction.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative. Do you have bolts of unused fabric? Make some window treatments and throw pillows and sell them!
• Holiday decorations (especially Christmas) typically sell well.
• Not having any more kids? Why not sell your crib and other baby items?
• Remember that nothing is off limits. You'd be amazed at what people buy used. Everything in your home is an item that could bring you extra cash.
• Once you get the hang of selling your own clutter, offer to help out a friend or relative and keep a small commission from the items that sell.

Resources

• How to Emotionally Let Go of Clutter

[dbcomposer]

on 2/27/2009 Very thorough article and well written. It's very motivational as well. I agree with monkabuda, why not include a step for a yard sale?