Month: October 2020

decluttering checklist

A Decluttering Checklist for Better Living Today, Not “Some Day”!

When there’s too much of everything in the house, it’s time to begin ticking off the action steps on a decluttering checklist!

 

Let’s face it: having too much of anything is not always a wonderful thing (apologies to Ms. Mae West)! 

Once we’re over 50, it’s time to start making different choices with what we stow in our homes. It’s common to hang on to things long after their utility has ended. But how to start decluttering when overwhelmed?

It calls for simple steps to begin … and a powerful plan to keep on going. When you dive into my decluttering checklist, you’ll start executing on a routine that opens up breathing room now

Don’t wait any longer … start clearing space so you can begin creating your next life chapter today!

decluttering checklist
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Today's Post Discloses A 6-Step Decluttering Checklist To Make Room For What Matters Now!

declutter checklist
Image by Karolina Grabowska

Step 1: Pick A Dedicated Time

Ever hear this one? After all, tomorrow is another day!”  

It’s none other than Scarlett O’Hara, our Gone With The Wind leading lady! My point is that unless you start with a plan for exactly when to insert your decluttering into your daily routine, it’s too easy for it to land on the back burner and languish.

We certainly start with the best of intentions. But invariably, our intent gets overridden when something else more tempting crops up.

So in order to maintain your decluttering goal, it’s critical to treat it seriously by assigning a specific time of day.

Give thought to when you can dedicate 30 minutes. In fact, having it “stacked”, or coupled with another habit will really ensure this becomes your new routine. This means doing it right before or immediately after another activity you do without fail.

For example, try decluttering first thing right before showering in the morning or immediately after dinner. Pairing two habits together creates a powerful association.

As a result, you will be more apt to declutter daily without having to overthink it.

declutter your home checklist
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Step 2: Select A Small Area

Next on the decluttering checklist? Target only small spaces in your home. For example, work on one drawer, a shelf, a counter or a closet.

It’s tempting to tackle an entire room. But odds are, it will start to feel onerous. You get bogged down with decision fatigue. Or you encounter sentimental things right off the bat. Now it feels heavy to keep going, ugh!

For this reason, I recommend that your decluttering checklist focus should be on tiny areas. Then mix it up to keep it interesting. Don’t stay in the same room unless that works better for you.

In the beginning, you will likely encounter the easy stuff: things that belong somewhere else or are clearly not worth keeping. These easy “wins” will strengthen you for making tougher decisions as you get into stuff “sticky” with sentiment.

There will be times that you feel angst or uncertainty with certain items. But your discomfort will be short-lived, thanks to focusing on just a small space for less than 30 minutes.

declutter a room in 30 minutes
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Step 3: Sort and Box Clutter

I advocate using with a very elementary two-step approach.

There are several other decluttering methods and they each have their pros and cons. You can always modify how you dispose of your belongings as you get proficient with sorting. But for now, do this!

 

Gather three grocery bags, bins or laundry baskets

The containers don’t have to be fancy and they don’t even need to match! Just use what you have on hand. You’ll start by designating them as “trash”, “donate” and “relocate”. So far, so good?

Sort on the following basis

  • Trash” is for anything broken, expired, torn, or missing parts.
  • Donate” is for anything you no longer use, like, or need but still has life in it.
  • Relocate” is for anything you’re keeping but belongs somewhere else in your house.

By the way, did you notice how this last bin will result in a neater space? Two birds, Baby … I told you this was a stellar decluttering checklist!

Don’t overthink as you examine your belongings. Generally, your first instinct is correct.

In fact, approach your decluttering with the idea that you’re sorting to keep what matters most now, instead of looking to reject what used to matter. In other words, have an upbeat mindset while working your decluttering checklist!

 

where to start decluttering
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Step 4: Dispose of Your Clutter

When your session is done, immediately deal with your bags or bins.

Toss the trash into your garbage can so that you don’t start second-guessing your decision. Do the same with your donations by stashing them in your car trunk. Once your trunk is full, make a run to your charity of choice. Out of sight, out of mind!

Lastly, put away your relocate items now, if you have extra time. If not, set the bin aside in a designated spot.

You may opt to put those things in the proper place once a week or every couple of days … you choose!

More importantly, this bin will start to create a mindful approach for you to put things where they belong the first time … pretty crafty, eh?!

decluttering and organizing
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Step 5: Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

When you’re done with your session, now do something to keep score of what you did.

Again, these are tiny steps so it will be the accumulated actions over time that become visible. So start a record of your results. For example, some folks like to use a wall or desk calendar to mark with stickers, stars, colored pens, etc. Imagine how gratifying it will feel to see your steady commitment to clearing space!

You may decide to track only the daily sessions completed. Or you might prefer to register the number of items leaving your house. Ultimately, it’s up to you to capture which decluttering aspect deserves a high five.

When you look back, you’ll be amazed with how the steady sum of small steps added up!

minimalist decluttering checklist

Step 6: Repeat As Needed

With this decluttering checklist, you have the beginnings of a new space clearing habit!

Decluttering is never a one-and-done process. But don’t let that deter you from starting or from continuing.

Instead, embrace the practice as part of being an individual who is always looking to improve and shift into a new phase of your life.

There will be times that it’s difficult to make space clearing choices. Yet this is why keeping your sessions short and frequent will enable you to release stuff you don’t need anymore. Over time, you’ll make peace with letting go of something that you couldn’t part with before.

You can do this … I believe in you!  

The Wrap with Mary V
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The Wrap: This Post Provided a 6-Step Decluttering Checklist To Release Your Past & Embrace Your Future ... Now!

Creating and adhering to a new habit requires resolve and commitment.

  • Many talk about doing something but few follow through.
  • Starting small and repeating regularly is the key!
  • As you start to see results, you’ll find it easier to keep on going. 
online selling platforms

8 Tried and True Online Selling Platforms for Offloading Your Excess Stuff

With so many online selling platforms to choose from, how do you know which ones will be the best choice for you?

The app field is crowded and it can be confusing! So today, I’m sharing 8 online selling platforms that have stood the test of time.

The key is to match what you have to sell with the platform that will maximize your return in a reasonable amount of time.

Selling your stuff is not your full-time focus, right? That’s why it’s critical you select the best venue to showcase your stuff and sell it quickly. Because you have other things to do, too!

So grab your coffee, have a seat, and let’s check out your options!

online selling platforms

Today's Post Reviews the Pros and Cons of 8 Online Selling Platforms So You can land on the best place to sell your stuff!

best platform to sell online
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Online Selling Platforms | Option 1: eBay

eBay is a pioneer in online selling, having been around for over 25 years.

It’s a gigantic auction house where over 168 million active buyers can bid on your items! With bidding situations, it can take time to receive your desired price.

In contrast, you may choose to list your item as “Buy It Now“, meaning it’s a fixed, non-negotiable price.

There is an enormous buying audience for your goods but the competition is stiff. You’re competing not only with other individual sellers. In fact, there are wholesalers and corporation, too … not to mention fierce competition from China, as well!

eBay has a built-in algorithm, geared towards helping buyers locate specific items which can also be good for sellers.

But on the flip side, customer protection …even in falsified complaint situations …. can be at the expense of a legitimate seller.

Also, it’s not free to sell on eBay. You do get 40 free listings per month, but there are additional fees. For example, there is typically a 10% transaction fee (including shipping & handling) to use this venue. Your net profit is released three days after your tracking shows delivery.

However, if you enjoy an auction-like outcome and you have the time and patience to wait for the right buyer bid, eBay is your venue.

For eBay selling details, check out the step-by-step guide here.

Or, listen to this tutorial over here.

 

where is the best platform to sell online
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Online Selling Platforms | Option 2: Amazon

Amazon has evolved from an online bookstore into one of the world’s most visited marketplace websites.

It boasts massive traffic volume with separate retail websites in 15 countries! This means more buyers for your stuff.

Additionally, the “Fulfillment by Amazon” service handles both customer service and shipping on your behalf. Amazon has a traditional retail structure so you sell your items at a set price. You pay a fee only when  your item sells. But all this comes with higher fees and brutal competition.  

In comparison to eBay, Amazon has a better reputation for customer service and offers buyer perks such as same-day or two-day shipping. But the humongous size of both these online selling venues result in the risk of getting lost in the sea of sellers

Lastly, go directly to Amazon for the latest facts on selling right here. 

online selling items
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Online Selling Platforms | Option 3: Etsy

Etsy takes us into a narrower market when it popped on the scene in 2005. 

It’s positioned as an online platform for crafters, artists and vintage aficionados. Currently ranking as #3 behind eBay and Amazon,  it’s an ideal venue if you have handmade, vintage or highly unique items. Think crafting and jewelry supplies, specialty fabrics or handmade personal products.

Still, despite the exclusive focus, this venue attracts some 30 million shoppers worldwide! Similar to eBay, you’ll pay a listing fee but your Etsy listing will last for 4 months instead of just 10-30 days. This fee is charged whether or not your item sells.

The fixed pricing model is also cheaper and simpler than that of the above two powerhouses.  So keep Etsy in mind if your items fit this handmade, one-of-kind product profile.

To further explore this online selling platform, head here.

 

top online selling platforms
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Online Selling Platforms | Options 4 & 5: Bonanza and Ruby Lane

These two online selling platforms are still relative newcomers.

Nevertheless, they are on the rise and worth checking out if your items fall into the Etsy categories of unique, vintage, antique, or quirky.

Both are smaller than the preceding platforms but they have respectable reach along with more reasonable fees. They specialize further in the following sub-categories:

  • Bonanza
    • Think garden gnomes or taxidermy (although product diversification has been creeping in)
    • Fixed price items as opposed to a bidding situation
    • To get started, click here.
  • Ruby Lane
    • Specifically for actual antiques and vintage-style goods
    • Excellent customer service reputation
    • To get started, go here.
Facebook and OfferUp
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Online Selling Platforms | Options 6 & 7: FB and OfferUp

Facebook Marketplace groups are  definitely trumping Craigslist these days!

Simply enter terms to find and join local groups. For example, type in “Scottsdale, AZ Buy and Sell” in the FB search bar if you live in Scottsdale, Arizona. When you click to join a group, others will be suggested to you, as well.

These groups are very popular with buyers such as young moms or small community residents looking for online garage sale deals. The sky is the limit for what goods are offered.

You are on your own with seller protection but you will also avoid listing and shipping fees. You need to “bump” or refresh your listing to stay current.

OfferUp merged with LetGo  in July 2020 to create one big mobile marketplace.

It provides an easy way to sell locally with payments tendered with either cash or via Stripe, the electronic payment processing partner. There are some fees involved to consider but it’s still a compelling way to sell just about anything online.   

The scoop on using OfferUp is right here. 

what is the best online selling platform

Online Selling Platforms | Option 8: Craigslist

Craigslist is the world’s largest online classified ads website!

You can sell almost anything here. It’s super basic with no fees and no frills but you’re completely on your own to work with buyers.

Craigslist requires that you sell locally, unlike eBay and Amazon. This means that you arrange for pick-up and drop-off of your items.

When all else fails, you can shift your items to the “free” section, which can come in handy. You need to regularly refresh and repost your listing to ensure you are at the top of the category. So you save on the listing and shipping fees with this venue but you lose protection with questionable buyers, i.e., passing off counterfeit money.

Craig’s List has been around for a long time but contends with stiff competition from other online selling platforms such as FB Marketplace and OfferUp. However, it may still an active player in your community…so why not check it out?

Find a simple video with a Craigslist tutorial over here.

The Wrap with Mary V
imge by content pixie from pexels

The Wrap: Today's post shared 8 online selling platforms to help you rehome your stuff and to deposit some dollars back in your wallet, as well!

There is definitely cash to be claimed using any of these or other online platforms.

But first do your homework! Review your things to sell with a critical eye. Realize that you have a history with the items so your emotions may skew your pricing decisions. Research how similar items are selling. Finally, understand what is entailed to close the deal.

Are you ready to turn your excess stuff into cash?

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