Side Gig: How to Make Money from Your Stuff

Have you heard? Minimalism is in, less is more, and you don't need all that extra stuff that's taking up space and bringing you exactly no joy. If you're clever, however, it could bring some cold, hard cash. Investor or not, who wouldn't love more cash? Here are eight ways to help turn your old stuff into a bigger bank balance.

There's always eBay: The granddaddy of online marketplaces is still going strong — and it's still one of the best places to sell toys, games and collectibles. Search for items like yours to get an idea of the going rates. A little research on that vintage Monopoly game could mean more cash and a quick sale.

Facebook is the new eBay: Facebook Marketplace, meanwhile, has absolutely exploded since its launch in 2016. Subheadings sort everything — furniture, kids' stuff, clothing, vehicles — making searching a breeze and selling as easy as uploading a photo and sitting back to wait for buyers.

Your old phone(s) might be a gold mine: Stop holding on to six generations of phones (not to mention their tangled charger cords). Instead, visit dealer sites like Gazelle and Nextworth. Buyers are most often after the parts, but in the mix are keen collectors willing to pay top dollar for your high-school flip phone. A 2007 Nokia, for example, reportedly sold in 2016 for almost US$2,000.

See if you can trade up: Big-box stores like Walmart and Best Buy, as well as tech shops like GameStop and Apple, often have trade-in programs. Before you throw out that boom box, swing by the mall to see if retailers will swap used electronics — provided they work and are in moderately good shape. You may be able to score a gift card towards something new. (Pro tip: wipe clean or factory reset all tech before passing it on. If you don't know how, search online for instructions.)

Bunzing is the new selling: Thus far we've covered ideas to get cash, but you can also swap your stuff for goods and services through Bunz in your city. You could end up with anything from subway tokens and dog walking to house plants and even dinner leftovers. There's an app you can download, or you can check out the website.

Apps make selling easy: Before you ditch a bag of stuff at your local thrift shop, know there's no shortage of apps that connect sellers of gently used clothes to thrifty buyers seeking vintage and designer finds. Five million sellers use Poshmark. Letgo is another option, and Tradesy stocks the swankest designers, like Louboutin and Valentino.

Try a consignment store: If navigating these apps feels like a lot of work, outsource the hard stuff to a local consignment store. They'll store and sell your used items and split the profits with you. (Most will want about half, but savvy negotiators know that this number's never set in stone.)

Giving makes you feel good: All's not lost if you can't make a cash profit. There's good karma to be had in donating quality things to people who need them. Try taking books to your local library, clothes to the Salvation Army, and appliances and furniture to shelters. Call ahead to see what they'll accept. Maybe your stuff will have a second life in your community — and avoid a lifetime in a landfill.

Once you've got your house in order, how about your portfolio?