{"id":2288,"date":"2015-02-17T08:40:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-17T15:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/?p=2288"},"modified":"2022-09-14T09:50:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:50:46","slug":"cash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/cash\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Steps to Turn Your Clutter into Cash"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"5<\/a><\/p>\n

It took me a long time to create a savings account, or should I say, it took a long time for me to make it important.<\/p>\n

Why you need an emergency fund<\/h2>\n

When you turn your clutter into cash, you can use it for anything, but I recommend starting with an emergency fund. Things happen. Cars break down. Dishwashers explode, and other things that we don’t typically budget for come up. When there isn’t a safety net, panic ensues, stress builds up, and credit cards swoop in to save the day.<\/p>\n

Emergency funds may not\u00a0prevent emergencies, (although if you buy into Murphy’s law, they might), but they do alleviate the pressure of making decisions during an already stressful time, and they prevent emergencies from\u00a0derailing your money goals of saving, or giving.<\/p>\n

These 5 steps will help turn your clutter into cash for giving, spending, paying down debt, or creating an emergency fund.<\/p>\n

\"5<\/a><\/h2>\n

1. Collect $1000 worth of clutter\u00a0that you can sell<\/strong>
\nKeep your sanity and only include things that are $25.00 and up. Donate the rest unless you can bundle it into $25 lots,\u00a0grab bags, or other offerings. Place all the stuff for sale in one central area. Clean it up and make sure everything works.<\/p>\n

2. Do the math<\/strong>
\nIf it doesn’t seem like you have $1000 worth of stuff, do the math and work with the facts. Start with the higher priced items. If there is something you can sell for $1000, you only need to sell one thing to fund a $1000 emergency fund. Two $500 things, or ten\u00a0$100 things will work too\u00a0… you get the idea. When you put the numbers on paper, you’ll see this is more realistic than it sounds. Check eBay to see what similar items are selling for. Your clutter might be worth more than you think.<\/p>\n

3. Simplicity summit<\/strong>
\nIf you are turning clutter into cash\u00a0with a partner, or family, include them in the process with a meeting, or simplicity summit<\/a>. Talk about why you want an emergency fund, or why you want to be debt free. Talk about gifts or other items that\u00a0you want to sell. Ask them if they have any suggestions or concerns.<\/p>\n

4. Sell that\u00a0stuff<\/strong>
\nDecide how you want to sell your stuff in 30 days or less. Keep the time frame short or you’ll start to feel like you’ve turned your home into a flea market. Sell what you need for your emergency fund or to pay down debt, and then close up shop and donate the rest of your clutter so you can get on with your life.<\/p>\n