Do you have a bunch of clutter around your home that you want to get rid of? Do you know what to do with it all? There is a lot to take into consideration when deciding How to Get Rid of Your Stuff.
There are people in this world that are minimalists and there are people that are maximalists. No matter which camp you find yourself in, there is something that both have in common - at some point everyone has things they need to get rid of.
That can be overwhelming though, right? Not only do you have to go through all of your stuff, you have to find a way to remove it from your home. So how do you get rid of your stuff?
How To Remove Unwanted Items From Your Home
Questions to ask yourself when deciding how to remove items from your home:
- Is my item valuable?
- If it is valuable, how do I sell my item?
- How quickly do I want the item gone?
Once you have answered those questions, then you can make some decisions about what to do with it.
How to tell if your item is valuable
2 words Google Lens. Google Lens is a visual search tool that you can use in conjunction with the camera on your phone. It is used to do an image search which brings up similar items that have been/are being sold on the internet. And it's super easy to use.
- Download the Google app to your phone.
- Launch Google on your phone.
- In the Search field at the top of the screen, tap the camera icon which will bring up Google Lens.
- Take a photo of the item and let it search. I took a photo of a butter mold.
- Google will supply similar items and their web location.
- Look at the results to gauge the value of your item. I didn't know butter molds were worth that much! Woo hoo!
- Decide if you want to sell it. In the case of my butter mold, I do not want to sell it. I will keep it in my collection, thankyouverymuch!
Tip: We all have an emotional connection to our items, so we may think they are more valuable than they are. Using Google Lens is an emotionless way to gauge the value in each item.
How to sell your unwanted items
If you decided to sell your item, there are a few different ways to do so. Each way has their own pros and cons to them.
- Ebay and Etsy
- FB Marketplace
- Yard Sale
Ebay and Etsy. Ebay and Etsy are online selling platforms. They both have large name recognition meaning that everyone knows about them.
Pros of Ebay and Etsy: excellent search capabilities within the platform, sellers can be connected with the right buyer that is prepared to pay more for specific items.
Cons: must create an account with banking and tax information, must be rated well by customers in order to create trust, have to deal with shipping and handling (even though these platforms will walk you as a seller through it step by step)
FB Marketplace. The marketplace is a selling platform on Facebook. It is done by geographic location.
Pros of selling on FB Marketplace: free, easy to use, great place to sell large sized items, can request seller come right to you.
Cons: the possibility of scams, must negotiate with public, must meet them in public or have them come to your house, have to trust sellers and buyers to do what they say they'll do.
Tips for selling/buying on FB marketplace
- Never give out your phone number. Always negotiate on FB messenger.
- Always take someone with you for a pick up.
- Never give someone all the money for an item up front.
- If you are meeting, meet in a public meeting place like the police station.
This is a printable Yard Sale Sign. Feel Free to download and print it if you're planning a yard sale.
Yard Sale. We all know what a yard sale is- it is selling items right in your own yard or garage. You set out items in your yard or garage, set the prices and the customers come right to you.
Pros of selling at a yard sale: no travel, no packing, no shipping, no overhead, you can remove a lot of items all on one day.
Cons: not as profitable, time consuming to organize and host sale, must deal with weather elements, must have cash on hand to make change, must be able to negotiate with public, sometimes you have a bunch of leftovers that you then have to deal with.
How to Get Rid of Items Quickly
If you want to remove your items quickly, selling is probably not the avenue you want to take. To quickly get rid of items in your home, donate them.
Find a place local to you, read their list of acceptable items and either drop them off or schedule a time for them to come pick up. A lot of donations are tax deductible as well. Check with the store/online to learn how to claim your tax deductible items.
I am a big thrift store shopper and also a big thrift store donator. I usually keep a donation box in my garage and once it's full, I go to the Goodwill Donation Drop off drive thru and drop my items in the bin. It's really a win/win. I get rid of things that are no longer serving me and they get items that are sellable.
Things not to do when getting rid of your stuff
Ok we've talked about all of the things you could do when you want to get rid of stuff at your home. But this wouldn't be a full post without talking about things not to do!
Do not take your items to an antique or consignment store, without an appointment. Most people working the check out at antique stores are employees and do not have the ability to purchase your items. The vendors of the antique store are the ones you need to speak with. If you do go to a store, ask the employees if they have a communication book. They will take your name and number and the items you are hoping to sell. The vendors will then check the notebook and contact you directly if they are interested.
Do not be emotionally attached to your items. When you are emotionally attached, you will overlook the flaws of your item and expect much higher compensation. Sometimes you have to be ruthless if you really want to get rid of your stuff.
Do not assume you will make lots of money. I know we've all seen episodes of Antiques Road Show where a family member found an item in their grandmother's attic and are able to sell it for $10,000. I hate to tell you this but sometimes the things you see on tv aren't real. :) Selling items takes a lot of knowledge, lots of work to clean it up, lots of work to list it and lots of work to find the right buyer. Did I tell you that selling things takes lots of work? Ok good.
Hopefully this post helped you be more informed with How To Get Rid of Your Stuff!
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