Summer Declutter Challenge: How To Make $300+ Selling What You Don't Need
With summer here, it’s time to swap out your wardrobe and your decor. The only problem? Your closets and corridors are too cluttered with items you don’t need or use anymore. While it’s not trash, it could help you get some treasure: Decluttering wisely could help you earn an extra $300 this summer.
Gathering everything up in boxes is only the first step. Next, you’ll need to know where you can sell it, not to mention how to price different items. Don’t worry — MoneyLion is here to help. We did some research and developed a summer decluttering challenge that just might let you earn hundreds of dollars.
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Start With a ‘Sell-Worthy’ Reality Check
In your mind, everything you’ve ever owned has value. But before you list it all for sale, you should take a more objective look: Focus on what’s actually worth the time and effort to sell for a decent price.
To make the most money upfront, search for these types of items first:
Brand-name clothing and accessories
Electronics and small appliances
Furniture and home decor
Collectibles, vintage items or toys
Tools and outdoor equipment
One thing to note: If that brand-name shirt is heavily worn, or that chair has a broken leg, you’re better off donating or junking it. You can’t use it in its current condition, which means other people likely can’t, either.
Price Wisely and Have Reasonable Expectations About What You’ll Earn
Once you know what you’ve got at your disposal, you’ve got to price it all. Garage Sale Supply suggested that different categories of items have their own earning potential; understanding this reality can help you set solid expectations.
Here’s what the experts at Garage Sale Supply think you could expect to earn across different categories:
Clothing is “high-volume but low profit. Expect to make $1 to $3 per adult clothing item and $0.50 to $2 for kids' clothes ... The exception is designer or brand-name items, which can bring $10 to $25 each.”
Furniture is “where real money happens. Quality furniture pieces can bring $50 to $200 each.”
Electronics and appliances that work well could be worth $20 to $100 each, depending on the item. However, Garage Sale Supply added that “a working laptop might sell for $100 to $200, kitchen appliances for $15 to $50, and gaming consoles for $50 to $150.”
Tools and sporting equipment could net you $10 to $50 for most items. However, quality power tools might bring in $50 to $100.
Toys and baby items “are hit or miss. Individual toys might sell for $1 to $5, but larger items like bikes, play kitchens or baby gear can bring $20 to $75 each.”
You’ve got to price your items based on their real-world value — not how much they’ve meant to you. A solid rule of thumb is to set prices at roughly 10% to 30% of their original retail value to attract buyers.
As hard as it is, you must remove emotions from the process. If you’re really struggling with parting with an item, that might be a sign you should keep it for now.
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Use Photos That Actually Sell Your Items
Your items for sale are ready for their close-up. Having good photos can be the difference between a quick sale and an item lingering in your hallway for weeks on end. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to get a strong image. The process can be simpler than you think:
Use natural light
Shoot against a clean background
Show multiple angles and any flaws
Include scale or dimensions for clarity
With a clear photo, you can help your listing stand out in a crowded online marketplace.
Choose the Right Selling Platform
Where you sell can matter as much as what you sell. The prevalence of online marketplaces makes it easier to connect with buyers. But all marketplaces aren’t created equally — at least when it comes to selling certain items.
Here are our suggestions for where you can sell certain items:
Furniture and bulky items: Facebook Marketplace (local, no fees)
Clothing: Poshmark or Depop
Electronics and collectibles: eBay
Everyday items: OfferUp, Craigslist and Nextdoor
Ideally, selling online will be fun and lucrative. That means showing extra caution by always communicating through the platform, checking the buyer’s public profile and meeting in a well-lit public place.
The Bottom Line
With a smart strategy — and a willingness to dig deep into your closets — you can declutter your way into hundreds of extra dollars. Your unused items can help you make some cash for summer fun and savings.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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