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- Do your belongings spark joy? That’s what Marie Kondo is asking people to consider when they try to declutter their lives.
- This method of organization has gotten a lot of buzz, and there’s definitely something to be said about the power of a tidy space.
- If you have a lot of stuff, decluttering can do more than just make you more organized — it can also make you money.
- Here are seven reputable sites you can go to when you want to get rid of some old stuff and get paid for it.
If you’re a Netflix buff, neat freak, or have just been keeping up with the latest headlines, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about Marie Kondo and her life-changing organizational method, KonMari. Kondo first came onto the scene as a professional organizer, then became a best-selling author on the subject, and now has a heart-warming Netflix series where she helps individuals find joy through decluttering their lives.
As a perpetually messy person, tidying up is always on my agenda, and decluttering is usually where I try to start. I say "try" because my attempts almost always fail. When it comes down to it, I have trouble getting rid of things. I get attached to material items, saving them for sentimentality’s sake or with the hopes that one day I’ll put them to better use. What I end up with is cluttered drawers full of old gadgets, clothes I don’t really care for anymore, and other odds and ends I never got around to tossing.
My messy mindset may be why I’ve been so drawn to the buzzing world of Marie Kondo, who offers some unique insight on how to get organized for good. One of the main tenants of Kondo’s famous KonMari method is to only keep items that spark joy. While this might mean something different for everyone, the general idea is that if something you own doesn’t make you happy, you should get rid of it.
But just because something doesn’t spark joy for you anymore doesn’t mean that it won’t make someone else happy. More importantly, there are probably a lot of people that would pay good money for some of your stuff. So, if you have a bunch of old stuff lying around, there’s no better time than right now to start digging through and seeing what you could get rid of. And, if the feeling of being tidy isn’t enough incentive, you can actually make some serious money selling your old things online.
Here are seven reputable sites where you can get rid of your old stuff and make some money in the meantime:
ThredUP
thredUP Instagram
Clean out your closet with ThredUP
How it works: ThredUP makes your closet clean out process simple with three easy steps. First, thredUP sends you a free kit which you can fill with any women’s and kid’s clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories you’d like to get rid of — so long as the items are from thredUp’s list of accepted brands. Then, you send your bag back to thredUP, where it will be processed. Once processed, you’ll earn cash or credit for whatever thredUP chooses to accept.
ThredUP usually only accepts 40% of items in the average Clean Out Bag, but you can choose to have the rejected items recycled or sent back to you. ThredUP also offers two different payout options to help you get the most out of your sales (either immediately or after your items sell, the latter of which may earn you slightly more), as well as the option to donate your cash earnings.
Why you’ll love it: ThredUP accepts over 35,000 brands including everyday wear brands like Gap to luxury designers like Gucci. They handle the photography and listings, so really all you have to do is clean out your closet, fill up your box, and leave the rest to the professionals. While relinquishing control means you may not make as much money as you could on some other sites, it also means that you can save a ton of time, and reap the rewards with minimal effort.
ThredUP also has a great new collaboration with one our favorite minimalist brands, Cuyana. With the Lean Closet initiative, you can earn Cuyana credit and discounts when you use the special Cuyana x thredUP clean out kits.
Where you can get started: Start selling on thredUP here.
Luxury Garage Sale
Luxury Garage Sale Instagram
Consign with Luxury Garage Sale
How it works: Luxury Garage Sale is an online consignment shop that specializes in pre-owned and vintage pieces from designer brands. If you have any luxury goods you want to get off your hands, you can have a Luxury Garage Sale rep pick them up for free (if you live near one of their boutiques), drop them off at one of their boutiques, or ship them in to be consigned for free. Then, the Luxury Garage Sale team will check to make sure your pieces are in great condition and are authentic. They’ll come up with a price recommendation proposal for your approval. From there, a stylist team will handle the listing and selling of your piece.
Why you’ll love it: When selling a very expensive piece, you want great service to help with any of your questions and make sure you’re getting the best price. Luxury Garage Sale gives you this from the moment you sign up to consign, when they’ll match you up with an account manager. This is your point of contact throughout the consignment process and they’re there to answer any questions you may have and make your selling process a breeze.
Where you can get started: Start selling on Luxury Garage Sale here.
The RealReal
The RealReal Instagram
Sell luxury goods on The RealReal
How it works: The RealReal accepts luxury and designer goods, but not just in fashion — they’ll also take home decor and fine art. Simply choose to have your goods pick up at home (for free), ship them in to be authenticated with a free, prepaid label, or visited one of their Luxury Consignment Offices for a free valuation and drop-off. Their team of over 90 experts (including gemologists, art curators, and horologists) will evaluate and authenticate your pieces. Then they’ll photograph, price, and list your items on the site for you.
Why you’ll love it: If you have a lot of luxury items to sell, The RealReal is for you. They offer rewards for different commission levels, so the more you sell, the more you’ll earn. You can also choose from three different payment options: direct deposit, a mailed check, or site credit which rewards you an extra 5% each month. If you like to shop on the site, this is a nice bonus. Most items on the site sell within three days, so you can expect a quick turnaround on your pieces — and the accompanying gratification. The RealReal also frequently offers heightened commissions on certain categories, which can work in your favor depending on what you have to sell.
Where you can get started: Start selling on The RealReal here.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – rrosmarin@businessinsider.com (Remi Rosmarin)