Spring Cleaning Part 3: Sorting to Sell

So now that you have been cleaning out closets, cupboards and drawers.  It is time to create a sorting area in a dry corner of the house or garage.  Keep a box for clothing that does not fit or feels uncomfortable when you wear it.  Another for books and movies you have out grown.  And another for items you have not used in a long time or do not intend to use again. 

If you think there is enough items for a yard sale, start thinking of a date.  Maybe you have family or neighbors who would like to join you in this venture.  Advertising for multi-family yard sales often turn out more customers!

If you are shying away from a yard sale consider different possibilities for liquidating those spare items into extra cash. 
Look for: 

• Used bookstores that buy books. 
• Consignment shops that purchases clothing, furniture or house hold items.
• Mom2mom sales are very popular for selling (and buying) used children’s items.  Often you can google mom2mom sale and your city to pop up a list for your area.  There is a fee to rent space so you will want to have a lot of items to sell, or a friend to go in with. 

If you are tech savvy there is always ebay, Amazon used books and many other sites.  But make sure you understand the shipping costs and fee structure before you jump into online selling for the first time. 

And if you remember what we have been talking about, this is not windfall to go spend on more stuff.  Use it toward the financial goal you are working on diligently, like paying off a debt or saving up emergency savings.  (see January 31, 2012: Pick a Goal, for details). 

Seeing progress and results, will bring more peace of mind.  Happy Selling!

Spring Cleaning Part 2: Pay it forward

Have you ever noticed phrases like “what you put out there comes back to you” or “what you reap is what you sow,” tend to be true?  

So why not be givers?  Giving is part of a healthy financial plan.  Every unloved item in your house is an opportunity to bless others, and that action will come back to bless you. 

When doing your spring-cleaning, there are many ways to give.

• Pass it along:  Gather clothing of the same size and pass them along to someone you know that could benefit from them.  This works especially well with children’s clothing, but can sometimes work for adults.  Make sure the clothing is not stained, or torn first.  Then have a conversation to make sure the receiver is open to experienced clothing.

• Re-gifting: Keep a storage tote or drawer for items in excellent condition that you would feel comfortable giving as all or part of a gift (birthday, Christmas, mother’s day, etc).  These items could be books, music cd’s, movies, picture frames, knickknacks, or any unloved still in the box item you have no use for.  You will want to carefully choose a gift the receiver will like.  I often go into my storage tote for random thank you gifts.  It is a nice way to give back and not spend a lot of money.

• Donate: There are many places in your local area to give to others in need.  You may also want to pick up a tax write-off form, because giving to a charity is tax deductible. 

Church thrift shops

Salvation Army thrift shops

Clothing and shoe donation boxes around town

 Clothing closet charities that help people with employment

Remember giving is one aspect of a healthy life and healthy finances.  It feels good to help others and you can move unwanted clutter back into circulation to benefit others.  Try it today!

Spring Cleaning Part 1

The sun is shining and plants are poking out of the ground in the Midwest.  Many people start spring-cleaning to get winter’s dust out of the corners.  In addition to that, I like to look for hidden treasures and stagnant belongings.  Every unloved item is an opportunity in disguise.  You can turn it into cash for your financial goal or gift it to someone else.  For now we will focus on liquidating… I smell yard sale season coming soon!

Cleaning does not have to be a one day event, mine is often ongoing.  As I make my way room by room, through closets and shelves, I keep a jar and a box handy.  The jar is for found money.  Sorting through drawers and under the couch cushions is bound to turn up some loose change, maybe a forgotten gift card or check.  You may be surprised! 

The box is for everything I find that does not fit, does not work, that I do not like anymore, or the likelihood of it being used is very low.  Look for big items that you can list for sale in a local free ad or online for quick cash.  That is a good way to see reward for your efforts and gain momentum.  There are many things we can do with the small stuff.  

To be continued... 

Are You a Vending Machine Victim?

Hunger happens.  But are you prepared?  Are you the type of person who will end up in a drive through or pushing buttons at the nearest vending machine to combat hunger and thirst?  If so that lack of planning and that can add up to unnecessary financial drain and you may not even realize it.  Calculate the cost of that snack or bottled drink per week and compare it to the same item bought in a multi pack at a grocery store.  How much money could you re-route toward your financial goal per week? 

Here is a better plan.  Next time you are at the grocery store, purchase 2 different kinds of fruit, 5 pieces of each.  Pack one of each Monday through Friday on your way to work or school.  Now you have a morning and an afternoon snack.  I like Bananas because they are very inexpensive and come in their own wrapper.  For my afternoon snack, I alternate between crisp apples and juicy pears.  Bringing a beverage from home costs less as well.

Planning ahead will keep you away from vending machines, impulse buys and unhealthy snacks.   
It may not seem like much, but once you start putting a few of these tips together the savings can add up quickly.  A goal that seemed so far away comes into fruition much sooner than expected.  So the effort is worth it.