That little pup up there is going to be you after you sell all your junk!;)

If you’ve ever seen an episode of Hoarders, you may be inclined to sit through the broadcast telling the people involved exactly what to do. But when it comes to our own stuff stored in the basement, the attic, and every closet in our home, it may not be as easy to see the solution to your clutter and your financial issues.

How To Make Money Selling Your Crap… 

The truth is, you may be sitting on a pile of cash you just never realized, and that cash can be better spent on resolving your debt problems. You also get the bonus of a more organized home. The only real skill involved in turning your trash to cash is making a concerted effort to get started.

Start Right Now

To make the processes relatively easy to start, set an empty box in most rooms of your home. When you come across an item you no longer have a need for, toss it in the box. This will prevent you from delaying the process because you are short on time during the work week and over the weekends. When the boxes start to fill up, take time to sort through the belongings and decide where to go to turn it into cash while you chill out in front of the TV or listen to your favorite music.

There are quite a few options for your items to be sold or traded. Between the Internet and local connections, you should test out several items to find what works best for you. Here are a few choices to get you started:

Pawn Shops/Consignment Stores – This is a great choice for items that have value and are still in good condition. Jewelry and quality clothing can be turned into cash through pawn shops instantly. Consignment stores will pay you (minus their commission) for items when they are sold.

Craigslist/eBay – These websites are a good choice for items that hold value as collectibles or hard to find items. Beware of the dangers of meeting with people in person through Craigslist postings (go with a friend and if you get a weird vibe throughout any of the interactions then be sure to trust your gut), and consider the sometimes substantial costs for mailing eBay items.

Garage/Yard Sales – If you have the space and the time, you can set up your own sale at home. Offload your items for a considerable discount to get rid of the clutter. You may not make a ton of cash with such drastic discounts but it can certainly be a fun way to earn some money to get that debt paid off or to put some additional funds into savings. Get friends and neighbors involved in the event planning and make a weekend of it.

Thrift Stores – After the yard sale is done and you still have a few boxes of stuff leftover, now is a good time to visit the local thrift store or Salvation Army. You can donate your belongings including clothes and housewares for others in need. Get a receipt of an estimated donation amount to be used for a tax deduction at the end of the year.

Swaps/Barters – There may be local places or online portals where you can trade your items in for something else that may be of use to you. This is not meant to give you a license to gather more junk but meant to help you remain frugal by getting things you actually need without spending any money. Swaps are fun to do with books, baby gear, craft supplies, accessories you name it! Swaps are a really fun way to get new-to-you items without spending a dime.

So, do you think you might be making some money off your crap anytime soon?

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