Cash advice – top tips

With spring being well and truly here, it’s time to declutter. But rather than throwing it away, why not cash in on your clutter? The Financially Fabulous team share how to boost your cash...

1 ONLINE OPTION

eBay is a great starting point. Take good pictures of what you’re selling and research what similar items are selling for before you name your price. And always ask buyers to pay you via Paypal.

2 KEEP IT LOCAL

Add your items to Facebook Marketplace, where users browse what’s for sale nearby. It’s best for items too bulky to be posted and there are no fees. But there’s no protection in place if the buyer doesn’t show or changes their mind. Always put your personal safety first, though, and ask a friend to be present with you at the collection point.

3 SELL YOUR STORIES

If you’ve accumulated too many books over the years, then rather than letting them gather dust around the house, see if you can sell them. Try websites ziffit.com or musicmagpie.com to sell old books, DVDs, CDs and games. You may not get much (anything from 10p to £1), but if you have boxes of unwanted reads, the money could really add up. Plus, there’s no postage to pay, as both Ziffit and Musicmagpie have local drop-off points.

4 DRIVE YOUR WAY TO A PROFIT

Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure – so why not try your luck at a car boot sale and attempt to sell all your unwanted bits in one go? Go to carbootjunction.com to find the next nearest boot sale to you. Call ahead to check it is still going ahead as advertised, and be prepared for a very early start. There may be a fee to enter as a seller.

5 DONATE TO A GOOD CAUSE

Giving your unwanted goods to charity can be very rewarding – and many will collect large items. If you’re a tax payer, check if the charity is registered for Gift Aid, which means it can claim the tax back and make extra money. You’ll have to fill out a short form.