Spring Cleaning For Cash

Introduction

• Thinking about spring cleaning? This year, rather than merely dusting and organizing your possessions, take stock of what you have and consider selling what you don’t need.

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Introduction

• “I would estimate people have between $3,000 and $5,000 worth of stuff in their house that they’re not using,” said Gail Mc Meekin, author of "The Power of Positive Choices: Adding and Subtracting Your Way to a Great Life.“

• The easiest way to start is by breaking down what can be sold in four major rooms -- the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and the attic or garage.

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Living Room

• Many of us inherit furniture from our parents or grandparents, and it clutters our living spaces. “We don’t get rid of such items because we feel ashamed,” says Debbie Mandel, stress-management specialist and author of "Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life." She recommends taking a picture of heirlooms before you sell them, so you keep the memory without having the furniture crowd your house.

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Kitchen

• Many of us have appliances that we bought with the best intentions -- the massive juicer, the still-in-the-box bread maker -- but never use. “Start by getting rid of old appliances that just take up space,” says Mc Meekin.

• Appliances will fetch some decent cash, especially if they're in mint condition. But the objects that will sell for the most money are old dishes and glassware, especially from the 1930s or 1940s.

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Bedroom

• The most obvious item to sell in bedrooms is old clothing and jewelry, which can be easily offloaded at consignment shops. Kearns recommends bundling clothing together -- even if it is ripped or has stains -- and selling it in bulk on eBay. “As long as you’re clear on the condition and quality, people will buy it,” she says. This

• works especially well with baby clothing, which children grow out of quickly.• Old clothes and jewelry that aren't name brands? The older, the better. A high

quality 60s era dress without a pedigree could earn a seller $15-30 or more. Day dresses from the 1940s are easily worth $50, if they're in great shape. Eighties clothing can sell nicely, but must be a common size and very reminiscent of the decade: $5-15 per piece is typical, though some will fetch far more, Kearns says.

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Attic & garage

• One thing that fetches particularly good money is nursery ware, which you might be storing merely for sentimental reasons. Don’t sit on them, however; Abrams says vintage pieces can fetch prices of $200 and up. She suggests looking for D. E. Mc Nicole thick plates that have nursery rhymes, animal images and baby bunting themes; and Cocks ville's ceramic Raggedy Ann and Andy tableware.

• Less valuable items include dishware with characters from Curious George, Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse. But even if the items only bring in $15, the cash you will make from them is better than nothing.

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