6 Easy Ways to Cash in on Your Clutter and Unwanted Items at Home
It feels so good to declutter — but what to do with all that extra stuff that’s still perfectly useful? Great news: Your junk is someone else’s gold! Here are six easy ways to cash in on your clutter at home.
Double your take by choosing the right username.
“Whenever you sell anything online, you’re required to create a username for the website that you’re selling through. So after a lot of research — and trial and error — I discovered a username secret that increases the likelihood that my items will sell quickly. “The trick: I start my name with the letter A or the number 1 and tailor it to the items being sold. For example, if I’m selling a bundle of classic books, I’ll create a username like ‘ABookworm’ or ‘1BookEnthusiast.’ “Why it works: First, it shows buyers that you’re passionate about what you’re selling, so they’ll assume your items are in good shape — that makes them feel confident buying from you as opposed to another seller. Second, starting the username with an A or 1 guarantees that your listing comes up first when potential buyers search for books. This method always works out great for me!” — Jamie Novak, author of Stop Throwing Money Away (Buy on Amazon, $13.79)
Make more with this trick.
“After selling thousands of dollars worth of items over 14 years on eBay, I’ve found it’s best to do a 7-day auction starting on Sunday by 7 pm PST. That’s when the most users are on the site. And always start an auction at 99 cents — people find that price irresistible!” —Danna Crawford, founder of PowerSellingMom.com
Sell your stuff to a targeted crowd.
“Social sites like Meetup.com are a great resource for selling stuff. People join groups of like interests — a hiking or photography club, for example. When you have an item that might not ship well, such as camera equipment or camping gear, search for a local group and email the administrator a note about what you’re selling. Usually, they’re happy to share the information at a meeting.” — Jamie Novak
Include the original price on these items.
“When posting clothing or accessories, include the price you paid when you bought the item. When buyers see that in the listing, they immediately feel like they’re getting a really good deal and want to snap it up. You also want to make sure the items you’re selling are clean, then take clear photos and display accessories like sunglasses or a scarf on a pretty background or with some silk flowers to make them stand out.” — Jessica Kay, founder of MyCubicleChic.com
Make your item descriptions urgent.
“It’s easier than ever to list items on Facebook sale sites — I’ve made more than $4,000 this way. There’s a lot of competition to sell there, so you want to make it seem like your item is a hot commodity. Create a sense of urgency by including words like ‘won’t last’ or ‘must go today’ in the post. To find sale groups near you, log on to Facebook and search for ‘buy, sell, trade’ and the name of your city and state.” — Christina Hidek, professional organizer at StreamlinedLivingOH.com
Keep your listing short and sweet.
“For items that are too fragile or too bulky to ship, like dishes or appliances, post on free apps like Letgo and OfferUp, which connect you with buyers in your area. But since people are likely viewing the listing on their cell phones, which have smaller screens, it’s a good idea to give your item a title with 30 characters or less so the title can be read in its entirety on a phone. Plus, most people only scan the first few words when deciding whether to click on it and you want to lure them into clicking on yours.” — Joan Concilio, blogger at ManVsDebt.com
This article originally appeared in our print magazine, Make Money From Home (Buy on Magazine Shop, $12.99).
First For Women aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Questions? Reach us at shop@firstforwomen.com
