Tips for Selling Items to Accumulate Extra Cash
Experiencing periods of financial strife has happened to almost everyone. When it happens, it can bring on feelings of worry and anxiety. But one way to make some quick money is to sell some belongings you don’t use or no longer want.
From big ticket items to clothing, you might be surprised what you can sell to thicken your wallet. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Follow these strategies to make the most from your sales:
- Consider selling almost everything. Make a list of the items you’ll sell room by room and jot down reasonable prices to ask. Don’t worry; you won’t miss them once they’re gone.
- Are your rooms over-stuffed with too much furniture? Sell your least favorite pieces.
- Sell that extra recliner in the back bedroom that’s piled with junk. Sell the junk on it, too!
- Consider selling your SUV that eats too much gas.
- You don’t use your bread maker anymore? Sell it to someone that will.
- What about wrong size clothes or those you dislike? If you don’t wear them, sell them.
- Remember to sell those long-unused items in your garage as well.
- Create ads. For larger items worth more money, write quick ads to sell them.
- Take a look at how ads are written on Craigslist and in your local paper’s “For Sale” section. It won’t take long to create several. See these examples for Craigslist:
- 1997 Ford F250, automatic, good condition, $3,500
- 20 Foot ladder for sale, $100
- Nicole Miller strapless dress, $25
- On Craigslist, you’ll be given the opportunity to select how you prefer interested people contact you, either by phone number or e-mail. Also on Craigslist, you can upload a picture of the item for sale, which will help the item to sell more quickly.
- In the event you’re writing ads for your local newspaper, you’ll be required to keep to a certain number of words, particularly if the newspaper offers free “For Sale’ ads. Here are some samples of “For Sale” ads for the newspaper:
- Sofa & chair, black leather, 3 tables, excellent condition. $325, 555-0100
- Queen bed with white wicker headboard, great condition $300, 555-0100
- Pool table, regulation size, American Heritage Classic, $1,000, 555-0100
- Take a look at how ads are written on Craigslist and in your local paper’s “For Sale” section. It won’t take long to create several. See these examples for Craigslist:
- Have a yard sale for the smaller items. For your items that are too small for Craigslist or newspaper ads, put together a yard sale. If you don’t have enough items for a sale on your own, get together with your neighbors to share in one.
- Gather your gold. Look through your old jewelry and separate out pieces you don’t like or wear anymore. Cufflinks, tie clasps, pierced earring backs, bracelets or the like can bring in some cold, hard cash. Take your items to the local gold exchange to see what you can get for them.
- Follow safety protocol: avoid allowing anyone to leave the room with your jewelry. If a staff member at the gold exchange says the scale is in the back, go to another shop or state you’ll not let the gold out of your sight. If the place is reputable, this will not be an issue as the scale will be located on the counter for all to observe.
- Collect cash in a large envelope. Obtain a large envelope and label it “Sales Profits.” Accumulate the money from your sales into it and then deposit the profits into your bank account. This way, you won’t be tempted to just use up the cash as you receive it and you can designate it for whatever purpose you need.
Selling items you no longer want or need is a great way to pave the way for your new and improved financial life. Make your list, post ads, gather your gold, and get that envelope ready to save toward a bright, shiny financial life.