As a country we’ve gotten so cluttered, certain retailers exist just to sell storage and containers just so we can control and organize all of our stuff. Instead of being sold new ways to organize, get rid of that clutter altogether. Here are a few ways you can get rid of all your extra junk AND make some extra cash.

eBay

You can sell just about anything on eBay. Listing items is simple and will help you lure bidders. Remember that eBay buyers are almost always looking for a deal, so don’t overprice your items or they won’t get sold. You might also want to stick to smaller items, such as clothing and books that are easy and cheaper to ship. You can restrict large items, like furniture, to local pickups only, but you’ll also limit your bidding pool.

Craigslist

Websites like Craigslist make selling items locally easy and free. The key to selling items quickly on Craigslist is to include pictures of items and to keep your prices reasonable. Just because your scratched armoire has sentimental value to you, doesn’t mean it will be worth anything to a stranger. Also, when listing and selling on Craigslist, (or any site like this), take reasonable precautions when allowing strangers to come to your home or when dropping your items off to them.

Swapping Websites

For items like books and clothing, several websites offer the opportunity to swap your unwanted items for items that you can use. Websites like BookMooch and PaperBack Swap allow you to list and swap any unwanted books you have lying around. You can also earn points for giving books to others; with those points, you can receive other books that interest you more. For children’s clothing and toys, websites like thredUP allow you to list and sell your unneeded children’s items. Use that money to buy items listed on the site that you need, or simply pocket the cash. You can also check out websites like Swap.com, which lets you swap pretty much anything locally for free. This site also lets you swap items by mail if you’re willing to pay for shipping.

Goodwill

If all else fails, you can always donate to organizations like Goodwill, doing something good for others, and also receive a tax deduction. While it does not put cash in your hand immediately, those donations can really add up and result in a lower tax obligation for the year.

Getting rid of unnecessary clutter in your home can give you a sense of peace and calm. Clearing out your closets may also fatten your wallet with extra cash that can be used to redecorate your newly de-cluttered house. With all the options available to you to earn money from your clutter, you should have no trouble trading your junk for cash.

When you do your spring cleaning, will you be throwing away or looking to make some extra money? Where will you go?

Jessica Bosari is a PerkStreet Customer Columnist, as well as the Site Manager and Editor for billeater a blog with money-saving tips to lower your bills. When she’s not gathering money-saving tips, Jessica is feeding her geeky side with sci-fi movies, tech gadgets, useful apps and productivity tricks, just to keep things interesting. Read more of Jessica’s great financial advice on Perkstreet’s blog, or view her other money-saving tips at billeater.com.