By Holly Hammersmith
GOBankingRates.com
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) Could you be sitting on a goldmine in your closet? Ok, let’s not get carried away, not a goldmine but yes, a couple of extra bucks? When it comes to women and money, there are plenty of creative ways to put a spring in your step. Especially right now as spring cleaning season gets under way…..When cleaning out, know before you throw!
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Spring cleaning season is in full swing, so slap on some gloves, open the closet door and get ready to dig, trash and clean long-forgotten items. But before tossing unwanted items in the trash, think secondhand.
Consider these do-it-yourself ideas and spring cleaning tips to help you earn a little bit of cash and maybe even save on future gifts and home projects.
RESELL NAME BRAND CLOTHING
Have a closet full of last year’s clothing trends? If your clothes are in gently used condition, less than 3 years old and have tags emblazoned with hot name brands, you can make a pretty penny selling to specialty clothes stores like Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor.
Gather freshly laundered items and fold them neatly in a basket or box, and don’t forget accessory items like shoes, belts and handbags. Bring your clothes to the store to have a cashier sort through them; they’ll give you cash for items they want to put up for sale.
ThredUP offers a similar service online, except you mail in your clothes to have it sold online.
SELL ON EBAY OR CRAIGSLIST
Need a catch-all resale option for everything from ski pants to antique furniture? Both eBay and Craigslist provide low- to no-cost opportunities to sell nearly anything online. On eBay, sell items that can be shipped without hassle and for cheap. For larger items, like a ladder or used appliance, try Craigslist to sell to local buyers who can pay in cash and pick up at your convenience.
SWAP UNUSED GIFT CARDS FOR CASH
While spring cleaning and rifling through desk drawers, you’re liable to encounter unused gift cards. These can be sold online or in stores for cash. Websites like CardCash.com will pay up to 92 percent of the value of a gift card. Use the site’s online selling tool to enter gift card information and then select a method to receive payment. If opting for cash, a check will arrive a few weeks after you mail in the gift card.
TURN BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS INTO CASH
Create a designated space in the garage or kitchen to store containers, then redeem them for cash during your spring clean, and going forward. Residents in states with container deposit laws can turn in used soda bottles, cans and containers for cash. Earn anywhere from 2 cents to 15 cents per container.
HAVE A GARAGE SALE
Hosting a garage or yard sale is a traditional but lucrative option to sell used and unwanted belongings. Spring is the prime time to have a sale. Advertise the yard sale on Craigslist and in the local newspaper. Ask neighbors to participate the same day to draw in more shoppers.
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