5 Ways to make spring-cleaning Pay
Winter has come and gone and we are all happy to see the back of it. It’s time to open the windows again: time to purge, clean and organise.
It’s spring-cleaning time!
For some, spring-cleaning may seem daunting and downright tedious, but it can also pay off, if you do it right! Here are some tips for turning your spring-cleaning blitz into some extra cash!
1. Cash in for Fashion
We all get that feeling when the weather warms up of wanting to race out the door and go on a shopping spree. But first things first – clean out your closet and see what you already have. You might find some pieces that you dearly love and forgot all about over those cold winter months. While cleaning out the closet, I also try to apply my “6-month rule”. If it hasn’t moved from the hanger in 6 months, it’s time to part ways.
This is where your online entrepreneur skills kick in. Sell items on sites like eBay (the big multinational Queen of auction sites) and Gumtree (the plucky little local competitor where listings are free) and unload all your unwanted stuff to make a bit of extra money. Even if it’s not worth anything, you can advertise it “free to anyone who picks it up”.
The key for these online auction sites is: clean it up, photograph it well, write an engaging ad (copy others that caught your eye if you’re not sure what works), and price it competitively. Here are some tips for writing a good listing – from eBay and from “eBay for Dummies”.
Of course, there is always the old-fashioned garage sale too. Garage Sale Trail is a great website that lists all the garage sales around the country each week – so make sure you’re on there. For an interesting discussion on the different merits of Gumtree vs eBay vs garage sale, click here.
Prelovefashion.com is another Aussie site that’s all about hustling and selling your wardrobe using online classifieds. This includes all your clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories, whether pre-loved or brand new. Just like the Sunday markets, but online!
2. Why stop at clothes?!
All of the above also applies to old toys, books and any furniture you no longer want or need. Even recycling has its modern-day online version.
A good trick when you have clothing and other goods you no longer want is simply to jump on Google and search ‘consignment and second hand selling’. Even type in your postcode to show stores that are just near you.
Decluttr.com is a US website for selling your old DVDs, CDs and Games online. It’s the easiest website, where you just enter the barcode and they advise how much they will buy it for. But it is overseas so you have to pay postage. I am continually on the search for websites like this in Australia so I will be sure to keep you updated!
3. Start small – Clean out your wallet and handbag
My wallet is always so packed and busy with receipts and loyalty cards that sometimes I can’t find the important stuff – cash! Last time I cleaned out my wallet, I even found a hidden $5 note. Cleaning them out reminds me of all those unused Loyalty cards – for months I had $20 off my next purchase at the local Chicken Shop just sitting in my wallet.
4: Get out those Gift Cards and Rewards Cards
How many Rewards Cards and Gift Cards do you have that you have not been using? Clean out the back of that drawer and find those cards, put them in your wallet so you’re ready to use them when you are out. Otherwise it’s just like leaving unused money in your junk drawer.
If you have decided those cards are no use to you and they’re international brands such as iTunes, then head to Cardcash.com where you can sell unused or unwanted Gift Cards. It’s an easy alternative to sell Gift Cards online for cash.
5. Set yourself up for the new Financial Year
Spring also means a new financial year. During your spring clean, why not get yourself organised for the year to come? Start with collating all your records to cut tax bookkeeping fees, keep all your receipts and organise records. If you still haven’t done your tax, do it now! Don’t waste one cent of your hard–earned money on unnecessary taxes. Some little tips to help make next tax time as simple as possible:
- Mark your work expenses with highlighters
- Sort different categories such as vehicle or travel into separate envelopes
- Make sure each envelope is clearly labelled
- Store your records in order, by month if you wish or the most recent on top
