Statistics presented in a Wall Street Journal article stated that Americans spend $1.2 trillion on goods and services annually. Additionally, the Orlando Sentinel reported that nearly one out of 10 American households rents a storage facility. Of those who rent, 65% have a garage, 47% have an attic, and 33% have a basement.
Based on these statistics, an article on Clark.com concluded that most Americans own too much! If you fit that description, you might want to consider selling some of this “stuff” to either unclutter your home, eliminate the cost of a storage unit, or to have some extra cash.
If you want to rid yourself of these unused items, there is a common process to help you choose what to keep and what to sell or give away. Typically, if you haven’t used or worn something in at least two years, that is a good clue that you really don’t need it. After completing the two-year test, search on the internet to get an idea of their worth.
Online Sales
Now that you’re ready to place these household items for sale, common places to start are online marketplaces such as eBay, eBid, and Facebook. In addition to the Facebook Marketplace, there are thousands of local Facebook yard sale groups you can join to advertise and sell your items.
If you like to use apps, four popular ones are Decluttr, LetGo, OfferUp, and SocialSell.
In-person Sales
Many prefer not to sell online or want to mix online and face-to-face. Having a yard sale is easy and convenient since it’s at your house. For high-value items, visit consignment stores and pawn shops to determine their worth and possibly find a buyer. Though you probably won’t get the most money compared to selling directly, it’s faster, and they would most likely have buyers willing to pay top dollar. Consignment stores are great for selling furniture; pawn shops are ideal to sell musical instruments, collectibles, gold, jewelry, and firearms.
Another alternative is Craigslist. This is a great resource to find a buyer but proceed with caution. Always meet the buyer in a public place such as a gas station or a department store parking lot. Some cities offer a safe place at their police stations. Another caution is to accept cash only.
If you didn’t find a buyer for all items, box them up and donate them to a local church, homeless shelter, or other community non-profit. By donating to a non-profit, you will be able to claim a deduction on your income tax return. When you’ve completed this task, you’ll find that it is the perfect way to live lighter while you earn extra cash!