5 satisfying ways to de-clutter and get rid of everything you don’t want
Instead of letting your old belongings gather dust in the spare room, why not make it a priority to remove those old things that you don’t use anymore. Follow our tips below where we show you five different ways to get rid of unwanted items (and maybe even make a little money in the process).
Sell, sell, sell
eBay is a great place to start for items such as stereos, CDs, vinyl, mobile phones, or clothing (even better if it is a well-known brand).
When it comes to books, try checking out Amazon as they have a huge market for second hand items. It’s best to use this for quality books or rare items that have people looking for them. Old cookbooks or romance novels are best offered to the charity shop.
You can easily move your quality pieces of furniture through antiques stores or local second hand shops. Most offer a pick-up service for larger items that they want to sell.
If you have lots of odds and ends, a garage sale can be a good option. If you’re not sure that you have enough, consider asking a friend or neighbour if they want to host a sale with you.
Give a gift
If you’re holding onto things because they are worth something, but you don’t actually need or want them – why not give them away as a gift?
Your old record collection or suitcase full of toy cars may be just gathering dust but would be well received by the right person.
The only exception is an item such as artwork which has appreciated significantly in value while you owned it. In this case the recipient would owe capital gains tax if they sold it later.
Make a donation
Your local charity shop will always be happy to take donations of good quality clothing, blankets, shoes, toys and homewares. You can feel good knowing that you are helping needy people in your local area. Some charity stores can’t accept electronics or large pieces of furniture, so it’s best to check before you arrive with a loaded up trailer.
You can also donate books and recent magazines to your local library or hospital.
Liquidate It
If you want to get rid of all of the furniture (for instance if you are selling a house of a deceased relative) you could consider using a liquidator. These businesses take care of the sale of each item and then take a percentage of the sales. Be sure to ask around for any recommendations before you choose one, as it’s always advisable to go with a liquidator with a good reputation.
Toss It
If it’s not really something that you can sell or donate, the last stop is to throw it out. Be sure to recycle anything that you can – and check with your local council as most offer a free clear up service at least once a year to save you a trip to the local tip.
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