May Challenge: SELL OFF

For our first challenge, I thought it would be appropriate to try and make some $$ to start us off on the right foot! (Yeah...yeah...I know it isn't technically May yet, but I thought I should give us a little head start.)

May is SELL OFF Month!

*Week One: ORGANIZE THOSE TREASURES!! As you decide what items are getting the boot from your valuable space divide them into FIVE CATEGORIES.

1. Craigslist~This is where you should put firmly priced items that are large/awkward/difficult to ship. No local craigslist? Is there one nearby that you could make arrangements to meet with buyers on a predetermined date to sell your goodies? You can put the pickup date right in your ad to limit interest only to those that can meet your schedule. (Note: Please carefully read the craigslist guidelines before posting your ad or it may be flagged.)

2. Ebay~This is where you should put easy-to-ship, high interest items. CDs, DVDs, video games, children's clothing & shoes, and maternity clothing are all great items for this category.


3. Yard Sale~ This is great place for books, smaller kid's toys, all those weird candleholders your MIL gets you each Christmas... (Can't host a yard sale at your house? What about teaming up with a friend, family member, or co-worker and having it at their home?)

4. Freecycle/Goodwill~ Have some stuff that you aren't sure you can sell, but don't want it to wind up in a landfill? Try Freecycle. (Now this isn't where you try to unload broken beyond repair items, but I believe that you can offer "fixer" items on here if you clearly describe the problems. Check the rules of your local Freecycle before posting. This is also a good place to offer up things that didn't sell at your yard sale!) Don't want to mess around with people picking up? Drop off your good used condition items at your local Goodwill. (Don't forget to keep a record of your donation because it is tax deductible!)

5. Repurpose/Recyling Bin/Trash~I wish there was a way to avoid this category, but in reality you may have some things that just cannot find another home.
This is obviously not the place for things you simply don't want around anymore, but if it is broken beyond recognition or otherwise unusable this might be the right spot. If possible, take items apart and recycle or reuse parts of them and try and keep your trash bag as empty as possible. For example, have some super stained t-shirts that are unwearable? Cut them up for great cleaning rags! Have some damaged children's picture books that are missing some pages? Cut out and "laminate" the remaining pages using clear contact paper and use them as cute placemats! (They can be used to create great artwork for your child's room as well!)

TIPS:
**Don't think you have anything to sell? I didn't think I did either until I made several hundred dollars selling things I wasn't using daily. Look around at the things you use less frequently and ask yourself if you already have another item that could serve that purpose. If the answer is yes, SELL IT!

**As you organize your stuff, keep a running price list either on your computer or in a notebook so you aren't creating double work.