Easy Ways to Turn Clutter Into Cash
Is your home being overrun with clutter? Are you ready to chuck everything in a dumpster just to get rid of it and have your house back? No need! You can actually turn that clutter into cash and really feel good about getting rid of it!
Here are a few simple tricks to get rid of your clutter, empty your house and fill your pockets:
Start by going through the house one room at a time. This will help you not feel overwhelmed by the process. Start in the closet of each room and go from there. Taking on the clutter one room at a time, makes the process seem far less daunting.
Separate and organize your stuff. I use a 4 pile system.
- CLEAN AND IN EXCELLENT SHAPE – This is the pile that the items will go in to be sold
- GOOD SHAPE – These items should be donated as they are more difficult to sell
- BROKEN or OTHERWISE USELESS – Everything in this section should be thrown in the trash
- STAINED OR RIPPED CLOTHING OR TOWELS. This is a tricky pile, because you can throw them out or you can turn them into rags for cleaning. These are good to store in the cleaning supply closet or garage.
Once you have thrown out the trash and made a run to your favorite charity, it’s time to put the other stuff up for sale. Here are a couple of tips to make selling more successful:
- USED BOOKS – If you have extra books that you want to part with, I suggest using Amazon to sell these. Amazon is the world’s biggest bookseller and you will likely find a buyer!
- ELECTRONICS – If your electronics are in good working order, selling should be easy! Smaller electronics such as iPods, MP3 Players and cell phones are easy to sell on online marketplaces such as Ebay. However, if you are selling larger items (receivers, speakers, TVs, etc) you should consider placing your for sale ad on Craigslist or on Facebook for sale pages. The shipping charges on these larger items make it more difficult to sell to a distant buyer.
- CLOTHES – If you have nice clothes that are in great condition you have several choices. Sell them to high end thrift stores (Plato’s Closet, etc). They pay for name brand clothing on the spot. You can sell on Ebay as well. Another great avenue is to sell via Facebook for sale group sites. I have seen a lot of clothing sold this way.
- DVDS and VIDEO GAMES – I like to use Amazon for selling these. It is very easy to trade them into Amazon in exchange for credit and they pay for shipping!
15 Fun Family Reunion Games & Activities!
Summer time brings families together. Sometimes that means a TON of people! Family Reunions are so fun and a great time to socialize with those family members you don’t see often. However, it can be hard to find games and actives for large groups of people. If you’re having a Family Reunion this summer, here are a few games and activities that would be perfect for your family!
- Slip N Slide Kickball- Switch up normal kickball and add some slip n slides and kiddie pools! First put a kiddie pool for each base (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home) Second, you will need 1 or 3 slip n slides. If you want to go the easier route just place one slip n slide from 3rd base to home base. If you want more, then place one from home to 1st, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to home. You will also need a kickball. This is a fun, unique game for everyone to enjoy, especially younger kids!
- Sing Alongs- If anyone in your family knows how to play a musical instrument (guitar, banjo, harmonica, etc.) have them bring it along. Print out the words of the songs you will be singing. This will help more people feel comfortable in singing along.
- Hungry Hungry Hippo Human Version- You will need 4 skateboards, 4 containers (large enough to fit a few balls in them, and 100 or more plastic balls. Split up into 4 teams. Place all the balls in the center. Have 1 person per team lay face down on the skateboards. Another team member will then hold the legs of the person on the skateboard and direct them towards the balls. The person on the skateboard will place the container over as many balls and they can get and bring them back to their spot. Winning team gets the most balls. You can see a demonstration here.
- Water Balloon Games- Water Balloons are such a fun way to cool things off when it’s hot outside. Check out this article that was posted earlier for great ideas.
- Cupcake Wars- Pre-make Cupcakes and have a variety of decorating tools, frosting and items to put on top. Then have a panel of judges to give out prizes.
- Frisbee Golf- Each person needs a frisbee. Set up a course as you go. Start all together and have the first person pick an object that everyone needs to hit with their frisbee. Take count on how many times it takes until you hit the object. The person with the fewest throws gets to pick the next object. The person with the fewest throws at the end wins.
- Relay Games & Races- This is a classic competition game perfect for reunions. This is one that can be spur of the moment with items that you have around your location. Here are a few suggestions: Wheel Barrow Races, Two-legged Races, Tug a War, or the Spoon and Egg Race.
- Skittle Game- All you need is a BIG bag of Skittles…and who doesn’t love Skittles?! You can have a small group or a big group. First, pick a color of Skittle to be “it”. Have everyone get in a big circle. Then pick a person to be in the middle bringing the skittles to each person. But make only the person in the middle can see the Skittles. Each person in the circle grabs one skittle and has to keep it in their mouth without swallowing until they get the “it” color. When they do they can swallow. The person goes around the circle until you want to stop. See how many Skittles can be crammed into your mouth! This is best with teenagers or even adults.
- Guess Who- Have a few people write an experience that they had when they were younger. It could be the most embarrassing moment, how you met your spouse, or a childhood experience. Let the rest of the group guess who it is. They can ask yes/no questions (Does this person have blonde hair? Does this person have a hat on? Is this person bald?) Once they guess the correct person have them finish the story.
- Family Skits- Divide into individual families and create a skit. You can have themes per family or have each family draw out of a hat what their skit will be. Have random dress-ups and accessories that each family can use as well.
- Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest- Competitions are pretty fun. Have everyone line up at a line and spit as far as they can go.
- Karaoke- Build a small stage and you can have a real microphone or just a spatula to sing in. Now days, it’s super easy to have music anywhere you go. Bring a phone, iPod and turn it up. Try to include a good mixture of older/newer songs that more people will know so it’s more fun for everyone.
- Classic Night Games- Bring out the fun classic games like Kick the Can, Steal the Flag, Ghost in the Graveyard, or Sardines (1 person hide and everyone looks for that person. When you find that person you stay and hide with them. Game is over when the last person finds the group.)
- Craft: Handprint Shirts- Grab a shirt for every kid. You can find good deals of bulk shirts at Michaels, JoAnnes, Hobby Lobby or even Walmart. Then get paint and have each kid make a handprint on every shirt. By the end they have a shirt full of handprints from cousins.
- Craft: Rock Painting- This is a super easy craft that only requires a rock, paint and brushes. Each person can go on a rock hunt and pick their rock. Then have them paint whatever they want! This is fun for any age.
Do you have any fun games or actives that you’ve done at your Family Reunions? Leave a comment and let us know! 
How to Save On Back to School Supplies! And Stock Up Price Points You’ll Want to Watch For!
Can you believe we’re already in July? We’ve already seen all those awesome sales for back to school supplies and clothing start to pop up and if you’re not ready it might just catch you off guard. Here are a few ways you can save while back to school shopping!
- Check Your Own Closet – First thing you’ll want to do is see what you already have. Open your drawers, check in your closet and on your desk for all the office supplies you have. Then make a note of what each kid will need for their class and if you’re running low in your closet. You’ll also want to go through your kids’ closets and see what you’ve already bought for this coming year. This is a great time to sort out what doesn’t fit and donate it too!
- Set Limits/Make Your List – Once you know what you already have, mark off anything you won’t need to buy this year. If you’ve stocked up on enough pencils, make sure you cross that off your list. If you’re going to need a couple of new pencil boxes, make sure you mark that down on your list.
- Make a Budget – This could be different for everyone but you’ll want to sit down and make a budget. Set aside some money for clothing your kids might need and supplies you’re going to need to purchase. Don’t forget to look at their backpacks and see if they need new ones this year.
- Use Coupons & Shop The Ads – We’re going to start to see printable coupons as well as school supply coupons in your local newspaper. Make sure you’re watching for those and set them aside to use when you see a sale. Pairing these coupons with sale prices will score you some killer deals on your back to school basics.
- Buy in Bulk – Once you know something you need is going to be on sale, stock up on enough to get you through the year and even a few extras to donate if you can. This is where you need to know your own budget and how much you can spend on each item you need.
If you don’t know what a good price is and when to stock up on your basic back to school supplies you can checkout this previous post! These are your stock up prices you’ll want to watch for when scanning the ads!