Turn Your Quarantine Clutter Into Cash

There is a good chance that you may have lots of clutter around your house from the last 12 months during the Covid-19 quarantine. Well, if you are looking to declutter your house, why not make some money? There are many things in your home that you may be able to sell for cash. Here is a look at how to get started.

Quarantine Clutter Than You Could Sell

First, let us take a look at the “clutter” around your home that people may want to buy. Here is a look at five of the most common items that you may have around the home.

1. Clothes

   Everything from your old clothes to your children’s clothes may find a new owner somewhere. You will want to pay special attention to vintage items as well as items that are unique. You could get a surprising amount of money for clothes that have simply been sitting in your closet for months or even years.

2. Electronics

   Do you have an old tablet that you do not use anymore? Perhaps you have a flat screen TV that doesn’t get much use. People are always looking for affordable electronics. Be sure the items are in working order and remove any personal information before putting them up for sale.
   

3. Furniture

   You will be surprised by people who may have an interest in some of your old furniture. Everything from desks to bookshelves to dressers could find a new home. However, if you want to get a little more for your money, consider doing a little touch up work on the furniture items before offering them up for sale.

4. Toys and Games

   The chances are that your kids get new toys and games with every birthday and holiday season. There may be many toys that they do not play with anymore. Instead of throwing away those video games or toys, you can try to sell them.

5. Bicycles

   Bicycles are usually a popular item to sell during the spring and the summer months. If you have an old bicycle in the garage or closet, you may want to consider selling it. However, be sure to check the bicycle’s tires, frame, chain, and brakes before offering it for sale.

Where to Sell Your Quarantine Clutter

There are several options that you have when it comes to selling your quarantine clutter. Here are some of the top options for you to consider.

1. Facebook Marketplace - If you are looking to sell your stuff locally, you may want to consider the Facebook Marketplace. You can target your items for sale by zip code and should be able to get some offers pretty quickly.

2. LetGo - LetGo is an app where people sell their items. You can sell your stuff locally and have people pick it up. LetGo is an especially good app if you know how to photograph your items well.

3. Craigslist - Craigslist might be a good choice for selling your bicycles or other high-ticket items. That’s because you don’t have to pay any listing fees, and there is a big audience on the site. However, you may want to meet the buyer at a neutral, safe location to make the transaction.

4. Next Door - Next Door is a neighborhood focused social media site that has its own marketplace section. You can sell items to your neighbors, which can make it easy for you. The fact that Next Door only allows people who have been invited onto the platform makes it a little safer than other options.

5. eBay - eBay is a tried-and-true place where you can sell just about anything. It may be a good idea to sell your smaller and lighter items on eBay. The big advantage of eBay is that you can sell your items to just about anyone in the world.

6. Consignment stores - Another option is to consider a consignment store. With a consignment store, your item is placed for sale, and you split the profits with the consignment store. This option takes lots of work out of your hands and may be a good choice if you are busy.

7. Garage/Yard sale - Finally, you may want to consider holding a garage sale, sometimes called a tag sale or a yard sale. It will take some time to set up, and you will have to dedicate a whole day to the event. The biggest advantage is that the sellers come to you, allowing you to get cash quickly and there’s no additional fee to cover shipping or transaction fees with other options.

What to do with your new found cash

Now that you have cash in your hands, you may want to consider the best ways to utilize that cash. Here are five options for you to consider.

1. Build an emergency fund - It is always a good idea to have at least six months of money in an emergency fund in case of job loss or other financial emergencies. Then, you can put that cash into your savings account and keep it for a rainy day.

2. Invest - You can take that money and make it work for you. You can invest your new found cash in a low-cost index fund that appreciates in value over time. You can get started with investing using no-commission broker apps.

3. Pay down high interest debt - Have any high interest debt? Then you may want to take care of those right away. Paying down high interest debt can help sure up your financial situation.

4. Buy bulk items - Are there items that you use daily? If so, then you can save money by purchasing those items in bulk. For example, items like toilet paper, paper towels, rice, beans, and oats can last a long time and offer significant savings when purchased in bulk.

5. Invest in acquiring a new skill - One of the best investments you can make is in yourself. You can use your new found cash to invest in a skill that can help you increase your income. The skill can be related to your job, or you can acquire a whole new skill that can lead to a different, higher-paying career.

Getting Cash for Your Stuff

When you turn your quarantine clutter into cash, you not only potentially create more room in your house. You are also putting cash into your pocket. So get started selling your items today to potentially increase your bank account tomorrow.