Open the windows and light a lemon-scented candle - it’s time to get to work! (Well, you are getting paid.)
Sell clothes and shoes to an online consignment boutique
That sundress you haven’t worn in years? Your son’s tennis shoes he outgrew two years ago? Take all of the items that you no longer wear and list them on Poshmark or thredUP. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or copywriter to make a listing. Take photos of your items in natural light, if possible, and use the description to your advantage by telling buyers how they can use the item (“This light cardigan is great for an early-spring brunch on the patio!”) and by including details about snags or stains.
Sell used textbooks
Whether you graduated last semester, or it’s been at least a decade, you probably have a stack of collegiate textbooks and required reading stacked in the guest room closet. Pull them out, dust them off, and list them on Cash4Books, BookFinder, or eBay. Like with clothing, you’ll want to be descriptive and include information about already-highlighted pages or beat-up book spines.
Sell old furniture that’s no longer getting any use
It’s finally time to get rid of the bulky dining hutch you have to squeeze past every night just to get to the dining table. (Especially if it’s stuffed with old receipts and tax forms from 2011.) List it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace and wait for the messages to roll in.
Host a yard sale
Whatever didn’t sell on the consignment and resell sites above can be gathered for a neighborhood yard sale. Convince the kiddos to ditch the video games for a couple hours to set up a lemonade stand with refreshments for shoppers; they can even use some of their profits to open a savings account.
Donate things you no longer need and receive a tax deduction
If the yard sale isn’t a huge hit like you hoped or if you don’t want to take time to make listings for your clothing, textbooks, and furniture, you can donate your items to a local organization you care about. You won’t get any money right away, but if you keep your receipts, you can list the donation as a deduction on your taxes next year, which will decrease the amount of eligible income you can be taxed for.
Check in on the costs of major fixed expenses
This action won’t yield a few extra bucks the same way finding a ton of coins in the sofa and laundry room will, but it can help you save big in the long run. Each month, you pay for cable, Internet, cell service, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and a gym membership. Pick up the phone and call your service providers to see if they can lower your monthly rate. Should they be unable to adjust your current payment, you still have shows to watch, music to listen to, and five other ways to make money while spring cleaning.
It might be hard to get motivated to deep clean your home at the turn of a new season but making a little extra money to kick off the warm weather months will afford you a both a bouquet of tulips and the opportunity to invest.