The holidays have come and gone, and it’s time to refresh your home. Spring cleaning isn’t just about clearing out those dust bunnies and polishing that heirloom furniture you love so much – it’s also a great opportunity to make some extra cash. Online and off, there are quite a few ways to transform clutter into money you can put to good use!

• Start with the Big Stuff

Is there a car you’re not driving or a big piece of furniture you’re tired of? Clearing a big space feels good! There are a few ways to get rid of old cars: for example, selling to a dealer is an option, particularly if the car is in good shape. If your old car isn’t a good candidate for sale or for use as a trade-in, you can sell it for scrap or donate it and receive a tax break that’s almost as good as money in the bank. Both methods are fairly easy, and both clear up a huge amount of space in your garage.

What about furniture? Start by ensuring that everything is clean and in good repair, and then scout around to see how much others are asking for similar items. Check to see how much it costs to place a classified ad, or cut costs by listing your items online via a free site like Craigslist or Facebook. Be sure to protect yourself if potential buyers will be coming to your home – if you live alone, for example, ask a friend or two to keep you company.

• Get Rid of Books

Books take up quite a bit of shelf space that you could use to display other treasures. If you have books to sell, you’ll be glad to know that there are a few great options available. Amazon allows the resale of used books, as does eBay. Bookscouter.com and Powell’s, are two of the best places to sell used books online. If your community is home to a used bookstore, you may want to see whether you can trade your old books for cash on the spot!

• Sell Jewelry Online

Pawn shops don’t offer much for jewelry – even diamond engagement rings go for very little in most areas. If the idea of parting ways with old jewelry has ever crossed your mind but you’re not keen to sell it at a serious markdown, you’ll be glad to know that there is an excellent alternative. Worthy is an online auction house where you can sell diamond jewelry securely. The company enjoys an excellent rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have your diamonds professionally photographed and graded by the GIA, before putting them up for auction to a network of professional buyers. Thanks to the competitive bidding, they ensure that sellers receive fair market value for their items. If the auction doesn’t meet the minimum price the seller agreed to, the jewelry is simply returned.

• Consign Expensive Clothing

Most of us have a few suits or sweaters taking up closet space. Local and online consignment stores typically accept gently worn apparel in classic, wearable styles. Check out Thredup if you think you have items you’d like to sell. The company accepts tens of thousands of brands, and happily pays an added premium for designer items. Clean out kits are free, and they come with a pre-paid shipping label. The company recycles anything that doesn’t sell, and you get cash for the rest. Just like Worthy, Thredup has an excellent rating from the Better Business Bureau, and all transactions are completely secure.

• Host a Garage Sale or Get a Spot at a Flea Market

Once you’ve sold items of greater value, it’s time to get rid of everyday items such as pots and pans, smaller furnishings, old paintings, and other things you no longer want or need. If you have lots to get rid of, consider hosting a garage sale. You’ll attract more visitors if you invite neighbors to join you; multi-family garage sales tend to draw plenty of attention. If you have a smaller amount to get rid of, consider renting a table at a flea market during a busy weekend. Sure, you’ll have to sit there and collect the cash, but this is a tried-and-true method for making quick money. Pack up items that didn’t sell and drop them off at a charity or thrift store.

Clearing clutter feels good! And now that you know how easy it is to make money by Spring cleaning, you may feel more motivated to begin. So grab a bag or a box and start clearing! You’ll soon find yourself relaxing in a fresher, cleaner home while celebrating the benefits that come with a bigger bank balance.

Sources:

https://www.worthy.com/blog/worthy-living/how-spring-cleaning-can-make-you-money/

https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2015/03/19/make-money-spring-cleaning/21154415/

https://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-a-car/

https://www.wheelsforwishes.org/sell-your-car/

https://wellkeptwallet.com/26-best-places-to-sell-textbooks-for-the-most-money/