How to Make Money on Old Stuff

If your home is bursting at the seams with old, unwanted items, consider selling them to make some extra money. One man's trash is another man's treasure, as they say. You can easily turn your unwanted belongings into some extra spending money. Consider one of these ideas.

• Have a garage sale. If you do not have a garage, have a yard sale or sidewalk sale. Clean out your closets, garage and basement for items that you wish to sell. Take the time to sort the items and clean them. Price them to sell and arrange tables and blankets so that you can display them to potential buyers. Advertise your sale in local classified ads or online, and post colorful signs the day of. Consider offering inexpensive refreshments, such as lemonade, to help draw in a crowd.


• Sell items online. You can use sites such as craigslist or eBay to easily sell your unwanted items and make some extra cash. Include pictures and a detailed description of the item that you have for sale. Price your items competitively. You could also consider selling on Amazon. It is often free to post an ad, but some companies will keep a percentage of your sale price or charge you a fee for selling your item through their website. Read the fine print before you create your ad.


• Sell your belongings through a consignment shop. If you have anything worth value, such as vintage furniture or clothing, consider using a consignment shop to sell your items. Consignment shops will display your items in store. They typically keep a percentage of the sales price in exchange for displaying and selling your belongings.


• Donate your items to charity. You can donate clothing, household goods or larger items such as furniture or even cars. Consider reputable charities such as Salvation Army or Goodwill. Donations are tax deductible, so you will save money at tax time by donating your unwanted items.