Got a cupboard bursting with things you no longer want or need? Don’t let the mess get you down – better yet, make money off them! While there’s always the option of donating, of course, there’s a thrill that comes with selling your preloved goods as well as the pleasure of earning some spare cash.
Here are 8 creative ways to profit off your unwanted items:
Exchange household products you no longer want or need such as computers, musical instruments, TVs and electrical appliances for instant cash at cash converters around the island. They also make house calls, so you don’t even have to leave your home to get your money’s worth.
Before you bin your well-worn or even torn clothes and textiles, take them to the nearest H&M store and receive a 15 per cent discount voucher in return. This eco-friendly initiative converts unwanted fabrics to viable energy and other usable products.
Get the white glove treatment with sites like Styletribute.com and Reebonz.com.sg for fuss-free ways of selling off your preloved luxury brand items, with a small commission of course. Simply tell them what you’re selling, schedule a free pick-up service at your convenience and let them do the marketing for you. All that’s left to do is wait for your money to roll in.
Apps like Carousell and websites like Gumtree.sg are great for pre-owned items or that dress you bought but never wore. Simply snap pictures of individual items and post a listing on the app or website. You just need a little patience for the right buyer to come along.
Let your things continually make money for you! List your car, appliances, party items and more on Renttycoons.com and have someone else enjoy it for the day or week. For special-occasion designer dresses that you hardly wear anymore, try Covetella.com where you will receive a cut of the revenue each time your dress is rented.
Rent a booth at a flea market around town to sell your new or secondhand items. Go solo or better yet, combine collections with your girlfriends so you can take turns manning the stall. Not only are you guaranteed potential buyers, you also get to network and learn from other sellers.
If you have the luxury of space, sell from the comfort of your doorstep by holding a good old traditional yard sale. Keep it simple and efficient by grouping items under one price, or pricing as they go. Don’t forget to self-advertise online or on signboards around the neighbourhood like bus stops and along main roads.
Upcycling is a way of converting things into products of higher sellable value. It takes commitment to see the products through, but it’s a great way to revive old things that you might otherwise have thrown away. Whether it’s beautifying a frame or creating storage boxes out of old books, put them for sale on sites like Etsy and get cash out of your old things!
Related: 6 Clever Space-Saving Storage Solutions
Related: 10 Signs You’re A Hoarder
Text: Elizabeth Liew / The Singapore Women’s Weekly June 2016
Photo: The Rekindled Page on Etsy