Yard Sale - this one seems obvious, but lots of people forget about it OR don't know how to run a successful yard sale. Top tips:
- Go through every inch of your space looking for things to sell,
- Look for things on Freecycle to sell
- ADVERTISE - on Craigslist, put up flyers at your local grocery stores and churches, run an ad in the local paper, put up signs two days ahead of time.
- Price things to move - many people overprice their items....you're looking to make a quick buck and declutter, not retire in Maui, so price things low enough to move
- Donate what doesn't sell to a local charity and BE SURE TO GET A RECEIPT for your taxes!!
Consignment Stores - for those nicer items that you don't want people "pawing" over in your front yard, find a local consignment store to sell them
- Consignment stores like newer, clean, in-style items - Clothes on hangers
- Many stores also consign furniture and some will pick up nicer items
- Check your yellow pages or Swagbucks search for your local stores
- Call ahead and find out what the stores "rules" are - Do they charge a fee? What's the minimum you must bring in to sell? Do they give you cash upfront or only after your item sells? What season are they currently taking?
- I've made a nice bit of extra money on consignment stores (and bought some really nice items for only a few dollars, too).
Used Books Stores - Not just for college students anymore!
- Once you find your local store, ask what they are taking and what their policies are
- Go through all your old books, video games and DVDs - box them up and head over to the store
- Know that you're not going to get TONS of money, but you might get enough to pay the water bill or a decent dinner out
- Paperbacks are not usually worth anything, but many stores will donate them to local hospitals, schools, mission trips, etc. so your old pulp fiction novel can be enjoyed by someone once again
Sell Plasma - yes, I'm serious. I did this for years in college and made a nice little side income.
- Find your local plasma center (use swagbucks or the phone book) and ask about hours, rules, payment policy, etc.
- Your plasma goes to a good cause - it's usually used in premature babies, burn victims and heart attack patients
- They actually separate your "red" blood from your "yellow" plasma and put the blood back in (you can sell plasma twice a week) - YES, it's totally safe...you're blood never leaves your side (you're hooked up to the machine) and they change all the tubing every time. No, Mom, you won't get AIDS or Hepatitis doing this.
- Please note: these plasma centers are NOT typically in good parts of town, so be aware...however, if you live in a college town or near a decent sized college, I'm 99.9% sure you can find one in a safer part of town (lots of college kids make money this way - a testament to how easy it is!).
On-line surveys - Easy money, if you get hooked up with the right ones. Beware, because some will only lead to lots of spam. You aren't going to become wealthy on these, but it does add up pretty quickly and you could easily earn $30 - $45/quarter just on surveys alone. Here are the ones I recommend:
- DollarSurveys - Take free surveys and earn a dollar for each survey you complete! Visit everyday for more surveys Click Here
- Panda Research - offering a $5 bonus right now Click Here
- Snap Dollars - paid to read short emails, offering a $5 bonus right now Click Here
- My favorite - Inbox dollars - you literally get paid to read a short email, they send about 3 a day, but all you have to do it click at the bottom "confirm read email". They also offer survey opportunities. They'll send you a check when you reach $30 (easy money). Click here
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