Selling my stuff - is that the answer?

Miffi_2

I'm not having much joy at finding a second job, the part time jobs in my area are all during the working week, which is no help for me at all. But I will carry on looking.

I've been thinking that maybe as a short term fix I need to sell my stuff. I don't own a huge amount, but have books, cds, knick knacks etc that I could try and get rid off on ebay. Is that the answer short term? It wont give me huge amount of money, but I thought I could try and use that to live off (for things like petrol etc) rather than tap into my account/debt any further?

I've already sold bits and pieces on ebay and via our staff for sale board here at work, but I've not been ruthless.

Is a minimalist life the answer? Should I just go for it...?

domesticgoddess

i think only you know the answer to that, if you feel you have a lot of clutter then apply the 6 month rule, also get a copy of life laundry from your local library.

what you have to bear in mind is that your possessions will not have the same value to someone else, so when selling don't take anything personally

Good Luck

halloweenqueen_2

Its really helped me! I'm raising money for mortgage overpayments, selling off unwanted stuff has contributed quite well. The books are much easier to sell on amazon if they are on their lists. Click on sell your stuff, you put in the isbn number, check its the right one, put in the price you want and sit and wait, i sold 2 books within 24 hours of listing them, my first attempt!
I am really pleased to be getting rid of some of my clutter!

Miffi_2

Thanks. It isn't so much as clutter I have to sell, but things I probably would otherwise keep, but doesn't help me at all with my current financial problems.

I'm afraid I've never been a good hoarder, so in the past I have been quite ruthless and got rid of stuff one way or another. But that was before I got myself into a mess like I am in now.

I just keep reminding myself that it is stuff (no family heirlooms) that can be replaced in the future. The big sacrafice will be my books, but its my problem, I shouldn't have screwed up my money!

Has anyone else done this - just got rid of everything?

domesticgoddess

in the past I gave away a load of stuff to charity, loads od CDs and old videos.

I'm slowly going through things at the moment and asking myself if I 1)need it, 2)use it. I then put it aside to sell if the answers are no. I have a family so I couldn't sell everything, think the kids would object. But I'm selling some really nice things that my OH got me with his permission.

I think if they are not as you say family heirlooms then go for it, make sure you find the best place to sell them and if not successful at first try again.

Selling bits and bobs on ebay has really helped me get things for the kids and my first rule now is can I get it cheaper elsewhere or second hand. This is better for the enviroment too

HTH
DG

lynzpower

We are having our FINAL cull tonight, and leaving no stone unturned.

Personally, I think having excess belongings weighs on your spirit, Im a bit of a nomad at heart and extra stuff brings me down.

So this is it.

What doesnt pay rent must move out or be sold - who used to have that in thier sig, I do love that phrase

lady_fuschia

If you have stuff that really doesn't have much value to you- CDs you bought for one song, books you'll never read again, that handbag you bought for a wedding and haven't used since, then by all means sell for a little extra cash, its not like they're doing you much good cluttering up your house- but- unless you happen to own something valuable, don't expect to make enough to live off for much more than a week or so. And its really not worth selling things that you have an emotional attachment to, or that you actually use/ enjoy. The money you get is unlikely to be enough to ease the pain of parting from them.
I've been down this route myself, encouraged by programmes like cash in the attic (if only!) and Moneyspinners, and the universal advice that its a great way to raise cash quickly. Unfortunately I found it wasn't quite that simple. I sold off 25 (good condition) books for just £5 (which covered my bus fare to the shop and lunch), and have been trying in vain to sell off my CDs for over a month now, I can't seem to give them away! Same story with my old push bike. Apparently its not just me either- Dad did a car boot sale recently and made £20 selling one item (better than a kick in the teeth), had to take the rest back home with him. Have a friend who did a yard sale and didn't sell a single thing!
CDs in particular are a bit of a pain to sell- on ebay most recent albums seem to go for less than £2- unless you've got a huge amount to sell you might feel like its not worth the hassle (although if you do have a lot try selling in lots of ten or twenty and you might have more luck).

Not that I'd necessarily say DON'T sell. But don't expect it to provide guaranteed cash, or a decent amount. I think if you have something lying around that you genuinly don't need or want, then yes, you may as well see what you can get for it- though it might be worth questioning whether if you don't want it, why anybody else would! A few quid in your pocket is better than a cluttered living room after all- but please don't part with anything that you actually like, it will be worth less to you in cash than it is in pleasure.

I think its great that you're looking for a second job- its another of those things that TV programmes make sound easier than it is (Sometimes wonder if the large BBC camera hanging over the interviewer has anything to do with it!) but eventually if you keep looking you'll find something- and the money is at least guaranteed, and you know for sure how much it will be. In the meantime, why not put up a card in a local shop, or even your staffroom at work, advertising your services as a babysitter, housecleaner/ sitter, dog walker- anything you can think of. Last year friend of mine with a maths degree made a little money out of giving GCSE students extra tuition, which might be appropriate for you- its something I'm looking into myself at the moment.
Glad to see that you're tackling the problem head on- hope you find that job soon!

lynzpower

Not so though

You can list on amazon and greenmetropolis for books/ cds it doesnt cost anything to list them. I have 2 boxes of books under my desk, when they sell they get sent, end of.

3.75 per book on greenmetropolis, and Im feeling like its never going to be a stream I rely on, but I have 20 in there, will clear that out soon enough. Its OK for very little effort.

I think car booting - definately worth asking on the bootsales & amazon/ ebay board, plenty of people there said "dont go to that one, its dead, go here instead" and I had a overwhelming decision from that board where to go, we made 180. I think research your market.

lady_fuschia

Agreed, it is important to research your market. When I took my CDs down to the first second hand shop, I guessed I wouldn't get much, but I assumed that they would at least take them- but apparently they're over run with people trying to sell their old record collections (what with rise of the ipod and downloads) and won't even look at anything that isn't limited edition. Internet selling is better- you will at least normally get a sale of some sort eventually. Not a good way to get cash in a hurry though, even if you do have something valuable- what with the time it takes for someone to notice your listing, make bids postage and receiving payment. I think you should see selling goods as a way of earning "extra" rather than something you can rely on.
Admittedly some car boots are more popular than others, and you increase your chances by going to a good one- but if you haven't got anything worth buying its unlikely you'll make a killing- naff old ornaments (other than antiques), board games based on 80's TV shows and betamax videos are never going to be that attractive. On the other hand, decent clothes and accesories, good condition kitchen equipment (particularly in student areas), and quality exercise equipment (rowing machines etc) does do quite well. I would look honestly at your stuff, decide what you think someone would really be prepared to pay for it (don't be too generous) and weigh this up against the cost of petrol, price of listing/ table, emotional attachment, and sheer bother of doing it, then make a decision about whether to sell, and where/ how to do it.

lady_fuschia

Have you tried looking for evening work- in a pub for example?

postingalwaysposting

well i would say do it, i did regarding my laptop (this was a gift to me when i passed my college course, it was insured and brokedown the shop upgraded and changed it and i didnt like the new modal) i sold it on ebay, it ended up paying cc1 and cc2 off and then other ebayed 'junk' payed off my mum if you armnt going to miss it and its able to be replaced in the future do it, what have you got to lose?