Getting rid of clutter

Before I go any more into de-cluttering, I thought it would be a good idea to brainstorm all of the things we can do with items we no longer want or need. We're not doing any actual de-cluttering right now, just making plans on where to take our clutter once we decide we don't want or need any more.

Following is a list of ways you can get rid of your clutter, some of which can be quite profitable.

Friends and family: If you have items in excellent condition, you may want to ask your friends and family if they might want those items. This is a way I like to go with some items that I really like but don't need anymore. If you go this route, though, you may want to consider giving the items for free or asking a lower price. These are your friends and/or family members, after all. Plus, you'll get to watch them enjoy the items, which is a huge bonus!

Ebay: If you have items in good condition, you can try to sell them on Ebay. Some people are able to make enough profit off of Ebay selling that they consider it a business for them. I'm not that good at it, and the fees drive me nuts. I have sold a few items on Ebay, though, and did enjoy putting a little extra money in my pocket. Before taking the time to list an item, do some research to see how many other identical items are being sold and how much they have sold for. From there, you can decide if it will be worth your time. Don't forget to figure out shipping costs as well.

Craig's List: Craig's List is essentially an online classifieds ads site. Once on their site, you can locate the page for your area. It doesn't cost a penny to post your items for sale on Craig's List which is a huge benefit. I do know some people who have done very well selling items on Craig's List. Be very careful, though, with meeting people when selling an item. Use common sense.

Resale shops: I personally don't have any experience with selling my items at resale shops. I have friends who swear by them, though, with their baby items. This may be a good way to go if you have children's items that are in good condition and brand name. You may also want to consider this if you have larger baby care items. Before taking your things in, though, I suggest deciding how much you want for each item. That way, if they offer you less, you can try your hand at selling the items on Ebay, Craig's List, or at a yard sale. A benefit to resale shops, though, is there is a whole lot less work required on your part and you can make money on your items quickly.

Yard sales: A yard sale may be for you if you don't mind people haggling with you and you have a weekend to set aside for the actual sale, in addition to the prep time. I know many people are able to make a lot of money off of yard sales. We've only hosted one yard sale, and that was because we had way too much stuff (right before our first move) to haul off to Goodwill. We did make a decent amount of money and got rid of tons of stuff. If you have a whole lot of baby clothes and items, this may be a great way for you to go.

Freecycle: This is a great way to go if you have odds and ends that someone else may be able to use, but the items aren't ones thrift stores would take. Freecycle is a fantastic group where you list items you no longer want, and those who are interested contact you. You then pick who gets the item(s) and they come pick it/them up. The main requirement is that everything offered is free. I've passed along clothes hangers, baby food jars, and lots of packing paper and moving boxes. I've even seen broken electronics offered for anyone who may be interested in the parts. You can find your local Freecycle group at freecycle.org. Something to keep in mind... be sure to be smart about meeting people you don't know. I prefer to set the item outside my closed garage when my husband is home, just to be on the safe side.

Thrift stores: If you have items you don't want to try to sell, you may want to consider taking them to a thrift store. Thrift stores such as Goodwill will accept most donated items, give you a receipt so you can take a tax deduction on the items, then the store will sell the item. If you itemize donations on your taxes, this can be a great way to go. One things to keep in mind, though, is to be sure you document everything. You don't want the IRS asking you to prove your donation and then not have anything to back up your claim. We like to take items to thrift stores when we don't want to wait to get the items out of our house. Also, this is a great way to go if you have items such as adult clothing that just doesn't sell well.

Garbage: Finally, if it's true trash, into the garbage it goes. If it's stained, broken, smelly, etc., throw it away. If you would be embarrassed having someone else take the item, that's a good sign you need to throw it away.

Do you have other ideas of what to do with items you no longer want or need? What are your secrets?

Today's task: make a plan deciding which methods you will use to get rid of items you no longer want or need