A really good motivator for me to declutter the house is to set a goal for what I can do with the cash I earn from selling my no longer needed items. For example this summer my husband and I paid cash for a camping trip for just the two of us. These goals make me more willing to part with my items as I am going to build memories by selling them instead of focusing on the days gone by that the items represent.
There are so many ways to make cash from tossing clutter here are 10 of my favorite ways and the posts in which I share tips in how to benefit the most from that cash making avenue.
(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)
1. Facebook Buy & Sell Groups
Currently are one of my absolute favorite ways to convert clutter to cash fast. Sometimes it does take days to find a buyer but other times I have sold my items in less than 30 minutes.
2. Gamestop’s Trade In Program
If you use Gamestop’s trade in program you won’t get cash in your hand but you will get store credit. With two teenage boys in the house this is the fastest way for them to convert their old games they don’t play anymore into new games they will.
3. Amazon’s Trade In Program
If you love books and purchase and read current titles a great way to receive cash for new books is to take part in Amazon’s trade in program. It is easy and quick and you will receive payment in the way of Amazon gift card cash that you can spend on new books.
4. Yard Sales
If you want a large sum of cash quick, often your best way to go is to throw a yard sale. I have earned as much as $600 in one day off our tossed clutter by following my 10 tips. The more you toss the more you can earn.
5. PaperBackSwap
Here is another avenue for book lovers. is PaperBackSwap . PaperBackSwap is a great way to trade in good shape books old or new for titles on your want to read list. Homeschoolers this is an good program for finding books on your children’s recommended reading lists that come with many curriculums.
6. Consignment Stores
You might have to wait a while to get money from consignment store selling but your return will be greater than if you sold the items at a yard sale and best part, they find the customers for you.
If you prefer an online consignment store ThredUp is a great one. It made my list of 7 places you can sell your clothing.
7. Consignment Sales
Consignment sales usually take place over 2 to 3 days and although they take a bit of prep work and perhaps a few hours of volunteering, the amount of money earned makes it all worth it.
8. Craigslist
Once or twice a year my husband and I throw a Craigslist blitz weekend and sell off our big items that we are no longer using. It is always well worth the time we put into taking pictures, posting and then dealing with emails, texts and phone calls.
Typically after I attend our areas secondhand curriculum sale I post all the school books that didn’t sell on eBay and am able to sell them off.
10. The Simplest Way I Know To Sell Your Stuff
By far my favorite way to sell my stuff is also the easiest way. My friends use to tell me all the time AFTER I sold stuff “oh I wish I had known you were going to sell your………..I would have bought it for that price”. Now I let them know first.
Do You Need Motivation To Get Started In Tossing Clutter? Read this book, I read it years ago and after I got several chapters in I was so motivated to start parting with my stuff that I had to put it down and proceeded to purge 2 truck loads of stuff out of my home!
Not sure where to even begin gathering your clutter to sell? This free 2 page printable checklist available to those who subscribe to my weekly newsletter can help! Grab your copy by signing up below!
Feel like you would love to get rid of the stress your cluttered home is causing you, but you simply don’t know how you could squeeze time to declutter into your already cram packed life?
I recommend taking Make Over Your Mornings and/or Make Over Your Evenings. These are 15 day, video driven courses that come with a workbook for you to complete. Each day’s lesson consists of a five minute video, five minutes of reading and a five minute workbook activity.
The information I learned in the Make Over Your Evenings course gave me 30 minutes each and every morning without getting up earlier. The Makeover Your Mornings course is just as full of great time saving advice that can help you carve out time to rid your house of clutter and finally make your home the haven you know it could be.
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FAQs
The easiest way to make money when you declutter and sell stuff. You can sell clothes, furniture and electrical items online using apps like eBay, Vinted or Depop. If you have larger items that you don't want to post try local Facebook Marketplace groups, Gumtree or Preloved.
How do you turn clutter into cash? ›
Local Groups/Apps: Explore private groups or apps tailored to your location for selling items quickly and easily. This makes for a convenient way to connect with buyers in your area. Secondhand Shops: For higher-end clothing, accessories, baby items, or furniture, consider consigning your items to local shops.
How to throw things away as a hoarder? ›
Remember, consent is key. Getting your loved one's permission on every item you discard is not just the right thing to do, but it will help them learn how to control their compulsive collecting to avoid repeating their hoarding behavior.
How do you simplify clutter? ›
Here are some ideas:
- One in, two out. Make it a rule: for every new item that comes into your life, you need to remove two. ...
- Limited storage. ...
- Clear floors and flat surfaces. ...
- Designate a home for everything, and be fanatic. ...
- Regular decluttering sessions. ...
- Reduce your desires for more. ...
- Change your habits.
The 20/20 Rule streamlines decluttering by asking if items can be replaced for under $20 and within 20 minutes. Apply it across living spaces like kitchens, wardrobes, and garages to keep areas tidy. Regular reassessment and mindful purchases ensure spaces remain functional and pleasant.
How to make money out of junk? ›
Make your junk get to work by putting it up for sale and inviting the neighborhood over to take something home. Be sure to price your items fairly and be prepared to accept offers. For a successful sale, display your items in an orderly fashion and aim for hosting the sale during good weather.
How do you make cold cash? ›
Cold, hard cash
Freeze the money in a block of ice. To do this, you will want to take a container and fill it halfway with water. Put it in the freezer. Once frozen, put the bill on top and cover with a little bit of water and return it to the freezer.
How do you keep cash hidden? ›
Here are the Top 10 secret hiding places for money we've found:
- The Tank. There's plenty of room in the toilet's water tank for a jar or some other watertight container stuffed with cash or jewelry. ...
- The Freezer. ...
- The Pantry. ...
- The Bookshelves. ...
- Under the Floorboards. ...
- Old Suitcases. ...
- Closets. ...
- Bureaus.
Indicators include difficulty parting with redundant items, excessive shopping for items already in the home or not needed, accessible stairs, doors, and windows, no noticeable odors in the home, little to no visible clutter on surfaces or in walkways, and sanitation and cleanliness existing within the home.
What are the 5 stages of hoarding? ›
The five stages of hoarding are minimal clutter, mild clutter, moderate clutter, severe clutter, and extreme clutter. Signs of hoarding include acquisition, clutter, difficulty discarding, disorganization, difficulty with decision-making, social isolation and impairment.
- Get inspired. ...
- Use a decluttering calendar. ...
- Examine your motivation. ...
- Follow the 80/20 rule. ...
- Make a list of acceptable “must-keep” things. ...
- Come up with a concrete way to use the items. ...
- Move it out before you toss it out. ...
- Start out in a simple spot.
Start by choosing a room, closet, corner, or drawer and follow four simple steps: Clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. First, you'll clear out the space you've chosen so you can start with a blank canvas. Then, group every item by category, cutting out (or donating) items you don't need to keep.
What is the golden rule of decluttering? ›
Take it room by room: Start decluttering one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Focus on a specific area before moving on to the next. Sort methodically: Divide items into categories (keep, donate, sell, discard) and work through each category systematically to prevent decision fatigue.
What is the rule of 5 decluttering? ›
The Decluttering Rule of 5 is a focused approach that simplifies the decision-making process when clearing out unused and unwanted items. It lets you evaluate whether you've used an item within the last five years. If not, it's likely you won't need it going forward.
How do I start decluttering to sell? ›
Room-by-room decluttering checklist to sell a house
- Entryway: Remove coats, shoes, hats, pet items. ...
- Kitchen: Clear surfaces, drawers, cupboards, magnets. ...
- Living room: Take away excess furniture, family photos. ...
- Bedrooms: Open space in closets, drawers, under beds. ...
- Bathrooms: Organize towels, storage, bath and sink areas.
But if you do not need the money, just give your things away. Reselling your clutter adds time and energy, anxiety and frustration to the minimizing journey. But giving things away, especially to local charities whose values align with yours, brings a joy and fulfillment to your soul that money can never buy.
How long does it take to get your money from declutter? ›
In most cases, payments are processed on the business day after your items pass Quality Assessment.
Is decluttering a good business? ›
You can make money by following your passion. You'll be able to help other people to improve their lives through decluttering. You can choose when you work and how much you work. You'll have the opportunity to work with lots of different people on a variety of projects.
