If you are like me, you have several sheds in your back yard and hang onto things with the idea of making something out of that wood you have been saving. (Or any other item for that matter.)
Begin by looking at what you have accumulated and categorizing them by the following:
- Can you sell it?
- Can you donate it?
- Can you use it to barter for something you do need?
- Can you use it within the next month? If not, see above.
Here are several things I recommend to do.
Sign up for Craigslist so that you can list stuff for sale or to barter. Sign up for a PayPal account. You will need your checking account information or you can sign up for their “debit” card to spend the money you make.
Sign up for ebay. If you can sell it, make sure you give it a bath or clean it up to take a picture of it. Once you have your picture, decide how soon you want to get rid of the item. If you want to get rid of it quickly, I suggest using Craigslist and list it for sale.
If you just want to get rid of the item, post it under the free section of Craigslist or use Freecycle. Either way you do this, be prepared for people to email or call you if you post your telephone number. This happens even if you put specific instructions in your posting.
I would use ebay if you want to sell something for a specific amount as you will reach a higher audience and they will have to bid of it. Just know that ebay and paypal will take a certain amount of your sales profit from your asking price. You can add shipping fees on top of your asking price so it does not eat into your bottom line. It also allows you to see how many people are bidding on it or if no one is. (Do your research to see if what you want to sell, is already selling on ebay and if it does sell.)
Back to making money, you can advertise a yard sale on Craigslist to get rid of things you have. It might even be worth your time to check with neighbors to see if they would like to join you. Yard sale attendees do like to arrive early and will barter with you regardless of the price you place on your items. Be prepared to make change and to provide bags for small items or to sell small items by the box. (Sell the box “as is” without allowing them to pick through it.)
Sometimes you can find swap meets where you can bring your stuff with you to swap if for the things you need. Or, you can post it on craigslist under the barter section or if you need something to post your need under the “want” section.
