Get past you fear & mindset issues to start your online business

Ever look around your house and it’s like someone took the blinders off? For the first time in a long time you’re aware of how much “stuff” is in your home and you feel overwhelmed…and possibly a bit claustrophobic?

I’ve been there several times in my life and am there again right now. Granted, I live in a multi-generational household that’s good sized. But it means that there are three generations all with different needs, interests, and accumulations.

Sometimes it’s so overwhelming I want to scream.

However, since screaming does no good and since I don’t have my loud teacher voice any more, I’m finding it time to skip the screaming and go straight to decluttering.

Most of us can recall a time, either when our home was new to us, or when visiting a hotel, when there was clear space. We can probably also remember how it felt to look around and not be distracted by stuff in every nook and cranny.

tidy dining room and kitchen

Even if you’ve been through this process in the past, it’s common for us to find ourselves covered up again at some point in the future.

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Decluttering is not a “one and done” kind of thing.

But living in a home that’s clutter-free and organized is such a stress reducer. But did you know that it can also reduce your stress and fatten your wallet? Read on for a few tips to help you do both.

Storage Areas Tend To Be “Catch All’s”

Whether it’s a closet, garage, attic, basement, or storage building, odds are high that there’s lots of miscellaneous stuff that’s been stored there…and possibly forgotten about. 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. Once you’ve gotten enough items, it’s time to hold a garage sale (or simply donate if garage sales aren’t your cup of tea.

Lots Of “Stuff” Hides In The Kitchen

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

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 swap sites or even yard sales are suitable for selling clothing. Again, eBay and Craigslist are also options, but they could be more time consuming.

middle aged woman holding up two items of clothing

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.

Check Out Sales Websites

I’m always surprised at the number of websites that allow you to upload a photograph of your used items and list them for sale. And you could always make a deal with yourself that if an item doesn’t sell in a specified length of time that you’ll simply donate it and get a receipt for the tax write-off. What you don’t want to do is hold on to items indefinitely when your goal is to clear out space. Cash is great but peace of mind and serenity are pretty awesome too.

Poshmark: resell clothing

The RealReal: designer clothing and handbags as well as jewelry, fine art, and home furnishings

Facebook Marketplace:

Replacements.com: china, crystal, sterling silver, jewelry. I’ve sold several bit ticket items here and gotten more money than I’d likely have gotten any place else.

ThredUp: consignment clothing

Decluttr: for technology items

middle aged woman holding cash

Selling your old stuff for cash really isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, and it’s frequently worth your time. Fortunately, these days you can go as low tech as a garage sale or skip the trouble and sell your items from the comfort of your computer. You’ll be thrilled when you have the cash in your pocket and a clutter-free home, as well.

More before you go…

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