Make Money Decluttering Your Home

If you’ve moved to a different home a time or two in your life, you are probably familiar with how easy it is to accumulate stuff. It’s common for people to say they will never again have so much stuff, only to find themselves in the same position a few years down the line when they’re ready to move again. It can be incredibly frustrating to feel closed-in by your clutter. You know that downsizing some of your items and organizing things a bit can lead to a more comfortable, less stressful home. Don’t forget that you can actually make money decluttering your home, as well. Selling the things you no longer use can add up to a pretty penny if you know how to do it strategically. Read on to learn some ways to gain both comfort and cash when you declutter your home.

I Speak from Experience

I am not new to decluttering or selling unwanted items. In 35+ years of marriage, we’ve moved several times. Each time we do our best to declutter with the goal of taking few things with us. There is no point in taking what you don’t use or need with you, only till fill your next home. 

We are actually in the midst of our next upcoming move. This time it’s not about moving to a college or new job, we’re moving to what we hope to call our forever home. It important to us to not drag all the clutter with us. We want to decrease our “footprint” and live a less cluttered life. In order to accomplish it, we’re selling, giving away, or throwing out items we no longer need.

Start With the Storage Areas

Where do you keep most of the things you own, but no longer use? Yep, it’s all in the basement, attic, garage, shed, storage unit, or closet. It doesn’t matter where you store your stuff, what matters is the bounty you can find there. Storage bins are also treasure troves of long-forgotten items that may hold some value. Set aside the things you no longer use, but that might fetch a decent price. It’s a great way to make money decluttering your home without giving up items you enjoy displaying in your house.

For me, it’s going through my craft supply stash. Bins, boxes, and drawers filled with supplies I had “plans” to make several somethings but never got them started. I know I’m not the only crafter guilty of stash away lots of supplies. It’s why craft organizing is such a hot topic right now. Unlike some, I don’t have space for just crafts. And, since I’m not crafting full-time as I once did, it’s not on my list of must have’s in the new house. So far I made back over $200 in money I had invested into crafts.

Check Out the Kitchen

Sort your cupboards to see what kinds of finds are hiding in there. Look particularly closely at the bottom cupboards and in the back to discover those gadgets or dishes that may not have been all that handy for you, but that a serious baker or collector would love. 

Think about what you and your family need for cooking and eating. Do you really need multiple mixers, crockpots, and other cooking appliances? What about all those mugs that no one uses? Or the set of dishes you never use. Some items like Tupperware, Pyrex, and China dishes are in demand by people that collect vintage dishware.

Sort Through Your Clothing

Clothes can be worth quite a bit of money if they’re in good shape and are a coveted brand name. Even items without designer labels can add up to a bit of cash if you have a lot to sell. Places like consignment shops, online sites like Poshmark and Facebook groups, or even yard sales are suitable for selling clothing. 

Now, I must confess, I am not an experienced seller of clothing. I do have a friend who has had success selling a lot of her unneeded clothes on Poshmark. The advice I give is this: is selling that item time worth what you’ll make from spending time trying to sell it? Or, will it end up staying with you, cluttering up your home because you either can’t find time to sell it or it won’t sell anywhere? For example, the advice I’ve found about pricing on Poshmark is that it won’t sell for over $15 it’s not worth it due to their high flat rate shipping.

Gather Your Gadgets

Old electronic devices can often maintain their value. You’d be surprised what you can get from even broken gadgets that others can use for parts. Gather up your unused or broken electronics, and then do a little research to see what they’re going for. Amazon and eBay have programs that pay cash for electronic devices or you can market them to individual sellers on the sites. A Google search can lead you to other sites that buy these things. Be sure to take time to compare so you get the highest payout possible. This is one of those categories of items that definitely help you make money decluttering your home.

We have had several positive experiences selling electronics through eBay over the years, including video games and movie DVD’s. I recommend before listing it, look at the sales history of the same items by choosing the options to show just completed sales.  Look at prices and keep in mind the amount you’ll need to pay eBay and transaction fees. Some items end up worth selling while others you won’t make anything after all the fees and shipping are subtracted. 

Wrapping It Up

Selling your old stuff for cash really isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, and it’s frequently worth your time. You’ll be thrilled when you make money decluttering your home and can enjoy an organized house, as well. The final advice I give is this: is selling that item time worth what you’ll make from spending time trying to sell it? Or, will it end up staying with you, cluttering up your home because you either can’t find time to sell it or it won’t sell anywhere? Don’t feel you have to try to sell everything. There are many charities that benefit from your generosity and you can be free of the mess much faster. Ready to get started on your decluttering adventure? Sign up for our free 30 day declutter challenge: Click Here.

More to Read:

• 6 Rules of Decluttering
• Decluttering List of What Not to Do
• How Decluttering Can Improve Your Life
• How to Handle Decluttering Overwhelm