Like most people you probably accumulate a lot of things that you don’t use anymore, or at least very infrequently. A lot of this stuff probably sits around in storage or closets since there “may” come a time when you’re going to need or want it again. If this scenario doesn’t describe you, you most likely know someone it does.

Every now and then it’s a good idea to sort through your collective accumulation and assess whether you actually still need some of it. Not only can you significantly simplify your life and reduce clutter, you may be able to raise a little cash. There are many ways to rid yourself of extra “stuff” and profit from it at the same time.

Ebay is always a popular venue for selling your unused items. It’s a fairly user-friendly interface which is pretty easy to pick up. You can also list items on Craigslist which allows you to target a specific area. Craigslist is great for larger items that would need to be picked up in person by the buyer. If either of these options is too unfamiliar to you, you can always hold a standard garage sale. If you’re really enterprising, you can organize a neighborhood sale which will attract more buyers.

Another option is to donate items to local charities and organizations. You can also just give things to individuals who you think would like or could benefit from them. An expansion of this idea would be to offer an item up for a blog contest as a way to drive traffic. This is an option that I’m considering (stay tuned), but I’d only use items that are “almost new” or in great condition.

These are by no means the only ways to rid yourself of clutter and benefit at the same time. What are some ideas that have worked for you or someone you know?

 Subscribe to Fiscal Musings | Digg This! | Stumble it!