Money Matters: Boost you income with the post-Christmas de-clutter
In this week's Money Matters column, Wrekin's Debt & Energy Manager Dan Bebbington shares his tips on how to make money from a post-Christmas declutter
Finances can often be tight immediately after Christmas, and many of us will now be looking for quick ways to pocket a bit of extra cash to help ease the strain a little as we head into the new year.
It’s also the perfect time for a sort out, to get rid of items that are no longer used as well as any unwanted presents, and start the new year with a decluttered home.
Old CDs, DVDs, games and books can be traded in for cash on sites like Music Magpie, Ziffit and WeBuyBooks.
You usually just need to scan or type in the barcode to get an instant valuation, and most sites offer a free postage or courier service.
They then send the money straight to you either by bank transfer or Paypal – but make sure anything you flog is in a good enough condition, or you won’t get paid and won’t receive your items back either.
Selling your old tech items, such as phones, tablets, laptops and games consoles is another avenue to explore, and can be quite lucrative. Music Magpie also buys these items, as does second hand electronics retailer CEX and many local independent shops.
With the pace technology moves at these days, most of us have unused boxes, cables, remote controls and so on stuffed in drawers or packed away in lofts.
Who would want them, you might ask. Well, some people need replacement accessories for older gadgets.
Others buy boxes and manuals for devices they want to sell so they can increase the asking price.
Bear in mind that how much you can earn for these kinds of items depends on their condition, demand and how scarce they are.
If you have kids who have outgrown old toys, you can sell them through sites like Toy Exchange, which will buy Lego, Scalextric, and Sylvanian Families by weight. For example Lego goes for £6 a kilo.
The site also buys certain vintage toys and action figures.
There are many other sites you can flog old Lego on, but the prices offered vary, so shop around.
Alternatively you can sell any of the above, as well as clothes, furniture and other household items you no longer need, through eBay, Vinted or Facebook Marketplace. You can often make more money this way, but bear in mind the extra time it takes to photograph, list, respond to messages and arrange postage or collection. For eBay you’ll also need to consider seller fees.
Don’t have anything to sell? If you’ve got an eye for a bargain, you can buy things cheaply at car boot sales or through selling sites and then re-sell them for a profit.
You can use carbootjunction.com or carbootsales.org to find your nearest car boot sale.
22nd December 2023