Streamlining our belongings and getting rid of clutter in our homes can greatly simplify our lives. Of course fewer knick-knacks and chotskies sure to help the cleaning process as well! Sometimes it’s difficult to know what to do with those extra items so check out this list of ways you can can clear out the clutter and possibly make some extra money in the process.
- Paperback Swap – Log on and list 10 books that you would be willing to mail someone and, in exchange, you will receive credits to order books that will be mailed to you…for FREE! When someone wants one of your books, you pay for shipping (which is usually between $2-$3). Before I buy any book, I always check out Paperback Swap first. Even for textbooks. They don’t always have the book I need (especially new releases) but it’s worth a shot. I’m a huge fan and have had a great experience with them.
- Amazon – Did you know you can sell stuff on Amazon? It’s very easy to set up an account…almost as easy as buying! Shipping costs are involved when using Amazon so I prefer to utilize this method for small items.
- Craigslist – If you have large items or multiple items to sell, Craigslist is a great resource. If you give thorough descriptions and upload pictures, your items are more likely to sell.
- Yard Sale – Some people love to have garage sales. Others aren’t exactly sure if hosting yard sale is worth the time and effort. Garage sales do take work, but there are are a few things you can do to simplify the process. Check out what Simply Staci and Money Saving Mom have written about hosting a successful garage sale.
- Cell Phones For Soldiers – If your like me and have some old cell phones hanging around, you can donate your old cell phones and clear out some space.
- Shoes2Share – My husband just got back from Haiti and he took so many pictures of those adorable children. But, most of them don’t have any shoes or the one pair they do have is about to fall apart. I was thrilled to find out about the Shoes2Share challenge on Impress Your Kids. We can clean out our closets and mail them here by August 10 so they can be shipped to Haiti.
- Soles for Souls – If you aren’t able to mail your shoes, Soles for Souls has convenient drop off locations across the country.
- Dress for Success – I used to wear suits almost every day to work. When I had my child, I needed to find out a way to clear those work clothes out of my closet. That’s when I found out about Dress for Success. It’s a fantastic organization that provides professional attire and career development tools to help underprivileged women thrive in work and in life.
- Refugees International – If you’re a deal shopper, you know how you can stock up on enough household items to last a lifetime! There are some things though, like medicine & toiletries, that have an expiration date. Instead of storing them, you can donate those items to Refugees International, an organization that provides assistance and training for those dropped off in the US without a dime to their name or a place to stay. Of course, they are in need of everything needed to start a household so just about anything in your home that’s not needed can be donated.
- Your Suggestions – What’s your favorite way to get rid of unwanted clutter in your home?
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Linked to OhAmanda & Amy’s Finer Things
iDreamOfClean
I’m a wife. I’m a mom. And I don’t like to clean! With a house full of boys, though, cleaning is inevitable. That's why I've made it my mission to find the best organizing and cleaning tips. Hopefully, those tips will help us spend less time cleaning and more time with the ones we love.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
A friend recently told me about Half.com for selling books. It’s an eBay company, and she said it’s worked great for her!
Oh, Half.com is a good one! I forgot about ebay classifieds as well.
This is so helpful! We are moving soon and are raising money for our deposit by selling our appliances, clothes, etc. This is very helpful!
Allie
What a great idea! Hope it goes well!
This is a great list. I’ve never tried out the Paperback Swap, but I’ve heard good things.
Like Mary, I have sold a lot of books using Half.com and have found it to be easy.
I highly recommend paperback swap!! It’s hard to find new releases and textbooks but sometimes if you put them on your request list they are listed fairly soon.
Every winter we donate jackets to Salvation Army. Also, this is more of an exchange, but most of my girlfriends and I just swap out maternity clothes. I have one full bin myself, but each time I’ve been pregnant, I end up with an additional two bins of clothes – at least! It’s pretty great. You get new-to-you clothes without the cost or hassle of keeping them after the baby is born!
Love the idea of swapping maternity clothes! I’ve been wanting to do some kind of exchange w/ my friends just to get rid of some of the clothes that don’t look good on me, I don’t have anything to go with, etc. Might need to get on that soon!
That’s a great list!! Good reminders and some new to me too!
I try to have one section of my stockpile things that I can easily grab to donate (like if a Boy Scout knocks on the door). I put stuff in this section that I have wayyyyy too many of, or my family tried and doesn’t like, or something that’s nearing it’s expiration date, or just stuff that I’ll happily give away. When we have friends over, I hand them a bag and tell them to go “shopping” in this section! My friends and family are always thrilled to get these freebies, and I love to get rid of them.
What a GREAT idea! Very intentional!
What a great list of tips! I’m trying to clear out my house after two summers of not having any energy to do it. I’m going to see if paperback swap works in Canada.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Annie Kate
PS This post would be a perfect fit with Tightwad Tuesday which has just moved to my blog.
http://homeschoolblogger.com/reviewsandmore/2010/06/tightwad-tuesday-has-moved-to-tea-time-with-annie-kate/
I LOVE Paperback Swap. In fact, I have two books on the way to me right now!
Thanks for linking up!
Annie Kate, home of Tightwad Tuesday
Buffalo exchange is a great way to either sell your clothes or down size and exchange several items for fewer items. The clothes/shoes may not be new but is it is to you.
I love using Glyde.com for my boys extra electronics and games. I’ve sold our old cell phones, ipod, movies, and bought a used Ipad with our Glyde income. It’s so easy.
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