How to Declutter and Make Money Doing it

Over the last few years there's been such a craze over decluttering and minimalism. Although I could never be a minimalist (I like shopping too much), I still have the desire to own less, reduce clutter, and have more room to breathe. But, at the same time, I have a conflicting desire to aquire more at times. Maybe some of you feel this way, too. I think this is where the old adage comes into play "out with the old, in with the new." Who doesn't want to try something new that interests them, or update their wardrobe to be more current.

I've heard a lot about the Mari Kondo method based on her best-selling book, The Art Of Tyding Up. I haven't read her book but I've learned a lot about her suggestions and tips for decluttering through the internet.  I like a lot of her tips but also find that some of them don't work for me. So I take what I like from her methods and make my own decluttering journey, as we all should.

Sometimes, I find that I can conquer my closet or the kitchen and do fairly well. Although, Mari Kondo probably wouldn't agree with that statement. Other times, I feel like I just can't let go of anything but I know that I need to.

Here are some tactics that I use to help myself declutter:

1. Get real with yourself and toss those old, expired products. Think food, skincare, makeup etc.

2. Ask yourself: Do I need it? Do I love it? Has it been used recently or is it just taking up space? Can someone else get better use out of this? Can I make some money with this?

3. Keep what you love and/or need. Do you have duplicates of some items that perhaps aren't necessary? 

4. One question I love to ask myself is "would I buy this in the store today?" If not, get rid of it or sell it
5. Try to adopt a 1 in 1 out policy. If you buy some new items, try to get rid of some old items
6. When you've done all the purging that you think you can, revisit the decluttering concept in a more gentle way. By this I mean, try and find one item per day, from any area of your home that either needs to be thrown away, donated, or maybe you want to sell it and make some of your money back

7. Another tactic, is to do this weekly and try to find 7 items at the end of each week. Then take the items to be donated at the end of every week or month. Whataver works for you. This decluttering tip of mine is meant to take the pressure off, so nothing is set in stone, do your best and you will get ahead.  By using this method I recently got rid of some old cell phones, packaging I no longer needed, old electronic parts that didn't have a partner, some shoes I don't wear, blankets and pillows that needed to go, etc. 

8. Tackle one area at a time and recruit your family members to tackle their areas, too. If they aren't eager to participate, the incentive to make some money or buy something new with that money might just be the nudge that they need

9. It's a good idea to keep a list as you go of items that you need to purchase to fill a need or replace items that were discarded but are still wants/needs

Note: Animal Shelters can always use your old towels, blanket, etc. It's a much better way to re-purpose those items than dropping them into a donation bin where they will probably end up in a landfill.

Also, there are a lot of Women's Shelters, and Shelters period, that can definitely use a lot of our unwanted items.

After the initial declutter, I try to keep on top of things by letting go of items that I no longer need or want. Making room for new things that I do want or maybe even need. "Use it or Lose it" has become my new motto.

You can also make money with the items that you declutter, especially if they are in good condition. Or, maybe they are vintage or collectable. You'd be surprised what you can find in the depths of your drawers, closets, basement, garage, and even on your bookshelves that you could make money with. From jewelery to shoes and even fitness gadgets and the like. 

My favourite places to sell items

• Facebook Marketplace and FB groups
• Poshmark (Get $15 with code poshsummergirl on sign up page)
• Varage sale (App)
• Letgo ( App- in USA, no longer in Canada sadly)
• Kijiji
• Ebay
• Pawn shops
• Amazon (I've sold a ton of books and DVDs on there)
• Garage sale (when permitted or by appointment due to covid)
• Plato's closet - they pay on the spot. They are choosy and want items in good condition and current trends. They don't pay much but if you don't have the time to sell your own items, they are a good option
• Other local consignment shops
• There are lots of other Apps to sell your unwanted goods. Just check your app store

Once you've decluttered your home, you'll probably make more conscious choices about future purchases and what you are bringing into your home. Either way, unless you are a true minimalist, the process of letting go of items that no longer serve you will most likely become something that is ongoing as we are usually bringing new things into our homes. 

#declutter #makemoney #minimalism 

How To Declutter Your Closet | Tips, Tricks and Hacks!

So, I kinda Mario Kondo'ed my closet! I say kinda because I used some of her ideas but I didn't follow all of her methods. I can't believe how many things I had that no longer fit, didn't fit well, or I never wore. 🙈 I tend to declutter my wardrobe every season and it was overdue!

I love getting tips from others on how they declutter and what makes them decide to part with something. I figured I'd share my tips on how I tackled my current declutter and ways that I made money so I could purchase some new items.

I did not take all of my items and throw them in a pile per the Marie Kondo method. That might work for some but I have too many things. Instead, I broke things down into sections.

Sections:

• I started with all of my undergarments and tried on EVERYTHING. Yep, even underwear. I couldn't believe how many bras and undies no longer fit or were just uncomfortable!
• Outerwear was another category I did on its own. Again, I tried everything on
• Next, I tackled my dresser and started with the top drawer and worked my way down
• I went through my closet. Starting at the back and trying on each garment
• Next were shoes, again, trying everything on
• On another day, I went through my jewellery, hair accessories, purses, scarves, hats, and other areas of my home

Try Everything On:

I pretty much tried everything on. I especially recommend this if your body seems to change over time like mine does. Even when I got to an item and thought "nope, no need to try this on, I already know I love it." I forced myself to try it on and low and behold many of the items that I thought I'd never part with, I decided to let go of after trying them on.

Factors To Consider:

• I asked myself "does this spark joy?" taken from Marie Kondo, but often they didn't but they were perfectly good clothes that I use to sleep in, lounge in, clean the house in, run errands in etc. This method may work for some but what worked better for me was to ask myself "Would I buy this in a store today?" If the answer was no, I got rid of it.
• Do I like it?
• Does it fit well/ is it flattering?
• Is it your style?
• Is it damaged? Can it be repaired? Is it worth repairing?
• Is it associated with any bad memories? If so, get rid of it.
• If you are still uncertain about a piece, take a selfie and that often can help you make the final decision. I used this method a lot!

What to do with the get rid of pile:

• Give to friends and family
• Donate
• Garbage or better yet, use anything too beat up to donate as rags
• Sell

How/ Where to Sell:

• Consignment shops (Plato's closet, local shops etc.)
• Online Consignment Apps (Poshmark, Depop)
• Other Apps: I have a lot of luck with Letgo, there is also Kijiji, Varage sale and more. You can find plenty in the App Store on your phone
• Garage Sale
• Facebook Marketplace 
• Swap (was recommended to me by an online buddy but I've never gone to one)

I donated anything that I didn't think I could sell, which really wasn't much. I sold everything else that was new or like new, which helps me purchase new items 😁 You'd be surprised at what will sell and how easy it is. Although, I will admit that it can be time-consuming. 

Selling inexpensive items in bundles is a great way to make a sale for items that would be difficult to sell on their own. I was able to sell the majority of my items this way, especially the inexpensive clothing from shops like Old Navy etc. Not knocking Old Navy, it's actually my favourite store!

Through consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Apps like LetGo, I was able to sell the majority of my unwanted items. Anything that was of a higher value, I sold on its own, while inexpensive clothing was sold in bundles as described above. I sold everything from shoes, to hats, and even an old jewellery box as well as unwanted makeup!

Decluttering always makes me feel good as I have more open space and room to breathe, but inevitably, the spaces slowly get filled again. 🙈

I didn't touch on storage or organization in this post as this post would be far too long, so I'll save that for another day. What I will add is that bins and vertical space are your friends. :)
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I hope you found some of my tips helpful! Let me know if you have any tips for decluttering! 💗 

Happy Friday and happy decluttering if you plan on tackling your home!

Plato's Closet- Where Have You Been All My Life!? (Oakville, Ontario) #Review

If you have an addiction to fashion like I do, you'll want to read this post!

 I have had a clothing addiction from an early age. I can remember coming home from school for lunch when I was about 6 years old and my Mom had gone shopping and bought me some new clothes. I recall it like it was yesterday. Inside I was jumping up and down and squealing, and probably doing so on the outside too! Ever since that day, I went home with a bit of excitement and wonder if my Mom had more new clothes waiting for me when I got home. So, I'm not sure what fueled this obsession with fashion, I can only assume I was just born this way. I love my fashion, but I've always gotten bored with my new items really fast and wanted some more new threads, like now! Before I go on, I'd like to say, the first step is admitting that I have a problem. The second step is going to Plato's closet!

I had heard of Plato's Closet before, but I didn't know that one had opened about 40 minutes away from me. I thought they were only in the USA and some other Provinces in Canada.  I was happy to find out that there was one I could go check out, as I had a pile of clothing left after cleaning out my closet (something I do seasonally, if not more.) I had sold many items at my garage sale before I found out that I had a Plato's Closet within driving distance. But, I also had many items that I didn't want to sell at my garage sale where I get very little for items, even if they are new with tags. In hindsight, there are some items I did sell at my garage sale that I'm pretty sure now I would have received more money if I had taken them to Plato's Closet. 

For years, I had been trying to sell my clothes online and using apps with very little success and a lot of work. It's tough to sell clothing online. You have to factor in that the potential buyer doesn't know if the item will fit, plus there's postage and handling.  If it's not a designer piece that you want to sell, it's most likely not worth selling online, at least here in Canada where shipping prices are sky-high!  I've also tried consignment shops, which are few and far between, plus you only get paid if and when the item(s) sell. At Plato's Closet, they pay you cash, right there on the spot! What can get better than that?  This is just the kind of place for someone like me who gets bored of my clothes quickly and is always itching for something new. Then there are the clothes that I was supposed to fit into someday, but that day hasn't come, again, this is where Plato's Closet comes in.

I didn't want to make a trip in vain, so I called Plato's Closet before I left to get the scoop. They told me that they only accept clothing that is either new or like new condition. Plus, they only want items that are between 1-1.5 years old and within the current fashion trends. This means that for fashion obsessed people like myself, it will not only be a great place to sell but also to shop! ;)  I asked if I needed an appointment and they said no appointment necessary, just come on in. So, I packed up all my clothes and shoes and headed out.

Front Entrance

Once I got there, I saw how well laid out and organized the store was. Overhead signs at the front desk (not shown) direct you where to go. I was greeted by the staff and they placed all my items in a bin and told me I was 3rd in line to have my items looked at. I took a look around the store while I waited and somehow the denim rack found me- stalker! So, I had to try on some jeans, duh! I happened to find a pair that fit like they were made just for me! They seemed like new and were only $14. Sold! *Excited

The store is brimming with the latest fashions and categorized by type and then sizes. Again, since they don't accept outdated items, you know that everything in the store is on-trend. They are really marketing to teens and young adults, but as long as you like fashion and have a youthful spirit, I think this would be a store for you. On the other hand, if you're looking to buy or sell business wear, this wouldn't be the right shop for those types of items. 

They have some great jewelry and accessories too!

Once it was my turn to have the staff go through my items, I went up to the desk and watched as they carefully inspected and selected the items they wanted. Luckily for me, that turned out to be most of my items! The really do have quite high standards regarding what they accept. This doesn't mean it has to be name brand or anything, just that the items are still trending now, and in great or like new condition.

Going into this, I had no idea what to expect as this was a new concept for me. I was really happy with how things went. I did quite well for my first time. I came home with some extra cash in my wallet and a great fitting pair of jeans! Not to mention how great it felt to get rid of some items that didn't work for me and were just taking up space, and turning that into cash.

If you're a clothing recycler like I am, and you have a casual or trendy style, you really need to check this place out. They've really got something that the market desperately needed. It's like having all the latest clothing and shops in one store. If you love cleaning out your closet and revamping your wardrobe over and over again like I do, you will love this shop!

I've been donating my clothes for years and enjoy doing so. But, sometimes I have items that are still new with the tags and I can't return them for various reasons and I also need some extra cash. Plato's Closet is my answer. All I could think after I left was "Where have you been all my life?!"

All the staff were super friendly and helpful, from the fitting room to the cash and selling process. I had such a great experience buying and selling at Plato's Closet, so I will definitely be back for more. The location I went to was in Oakville, Ontario Canada. Soon there will be 2 more locations opening up that are even closer to me; one in Mississauga and another in Brampton (both in Ontario, Canada.)

The staff were kind enough to allow me to take some photos of their store.

I wish I had taken more pictures but it all happened quite last minute. I was so happy with my experience at Plato's Closet that as I was leaving I thought, I just have to share this, it's too good to keep it to myself. So, I got permission and quickly took a few shots of the store.

If you have some new to like new clothes that you don't wear, what are you waiting for? Check out Plato's Closet and turn it into some cash!

For more info, here is a link to Plato's Closet in Oakville.

Disclaimer: Plato's closet has no idea who I am nor do they know that I am writing this article.

Amy