Something about the newness of the calendar year begs for a similar freshness in our surroundings, so while it may be too early for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning, a little dedicated decluttering will make that task easier when it comes. There are just about as many ways to declutter as there are ways to acquire; however, one of the best and most intentional methods is to focus on the purpose behind the object in question, which can save money both now and down the road.   

Decluttering

The real work starts here. Laying everything out, giving yourself a certain time limit on decision-making, and the universal “keep, donate, toss” are all time-honored pieces of advice, but nothing has ever really made it easy to part ways with our things. Attachments to material goods are very real and should be honored. Whether it’s because having backups gives us a sense of security or the object represents a loved one’s thoughtfulness, it’s helpful to remember the feeling an item gives and to further remember that those feelings—happiness, security, the affection of friends—are not dependent on that item. Broadening our perspective can further help in a practical sense; don’t look at an item in isolation, but consider where it fits alongside other items on a scale of least to most—be that a scale of usefulness, sentimentality, or future need.

It can also help to ask if the item’s purpose is being fully realized where it is. In a very real sense, we’re caretakers of material goods, a role that is both a blessing and a responsibility. If an item is broken or forever gathering dust, it’s appropriate to ask if someone else could be getting more out of it. If clothing isn’t being worn, it’s not fulfilling its primary purpose, and the same for games that are never played or books that are never read. If an item carries significant and helpful sentimentality, then it’s still fulfilling a constructive purpose—as long as that benefit isn’t out of proportion with the energy needed to store and keep said item. As far as future need, the idea of the Hope Chest carries a helpful guideline in that it limits the space for acquisitions. Determine the space you’re willing to set aside for backups or must-have decor pieces that don’t fit your current space, and then let that be your guide, both for choosing items to keep and determining which items to acquire. With a better awareness of your space and what fills it, you’re already more likely to save money when considering future purchases.

Selling

A more immediate way of saving money can be selling the results of your decluttering. There are obviously different levels of time and energy that can be expended on such a task. Many platforms online offer involved methods of selling that can bring the most money for your items. However, even if you’ve only got time for packaging and dropping off, there are still ways of making a return on your items while giving them a second life. 

• If you’re decluttering clothing, Thredup is a popular option to keep in mind. They offer free shipping for sending in gently used women’s and children’s items from higher end brands, including H&M, Sonoma, and Madewell. You’re not guaranteed any money, but the process and your percentage of the consignment are clearly explained, and you’re likely to get some level of return on a good-sized shipment of clothing. (Edited: there are now certain fees associated with Thredup’s services–you can learn more about them here.)

• On the media side, sellbackyourbook.com accepts certain CDs, DVDs, and of course, books. Unlike with consignment, payout comes on the front-end of things (if items pass quality standards) and there are free shipping options. It’s important to note that your estimated order has to hit $7.50 before they’ll accept it, and it can be hit or miss what items they take and for how much. Some items can be in the pennies while more recently released items run into dollar amounts. However, if you have a sizable stack of media in the donate pile, it’s not too much trouble to run the ISBNs through their website and see if your items meet the threshold. If they do, all that’s left is printing a packing slip and label, boxing them, and dropping them off. This can be an especially appealing option for students with textbooks. 

Donating

How can donating items save money? Well, if you’ve ever saved money by shopping secondhand, you’ve done so through the donations of others, so donating is an easy way to become a more integral part of this regenerative cycle and help someone else down the line to save. Most towns have a thrift shop or charity store handy to accept donations, and you can be satisfied that your items can help their next owner as well as the charity that accepts them. Make sure the items are clean, free of bugs and smells, and in good working order. Other options to consider are Buy Nothing groups, which can use your items to knit the community together even more closely. 

Lastly, though it can be a difficult and confusing process in many places, recycling and responsible disposal is often a necessary last stage in our story of ownership, a story which hopefully leaves us with renewed appreciation for material goods, the help they gave us, and the labor and innovation that produced them.