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Spring time should be known for more than heightened allergies and losing an hour of sleep. It’s that time of year when even border line hoarders get the urge to purge through the mounds of unnecessary clutter in their homes. But instead of just throwing everything out, why not put a little planning into getting rid of clutter and make some extra money!?!

If you’re like most over consuming Americans, there are definitely valuable items lying around your house that you or your family no longer put much value in. It’s reported that the average American has almost $900 worth of unused “stuff” sitting around their home. Think about it:

What could you do with $900 right now?

Do you have an emergency/opportunity fund?

Do you have a kid that needs books next semester?

Want cash for your summer vacation? .

Well, what are you waiting for? Get up already and start cleaning!

Disclaimer: This is not just for “unwanted” stuff because folks love to talk about how they “might” use something “one day!” This is about clearing out unused items. If you haven’t used something in 12 months, much less 5 years, I think it’s safe to say you can live without it.

Here are 5 ways spring cleaning can jump start your savings:

1. Sell Old Gold – I know you might think that you’re saving the gold nugget ring from ’78 or perhaps that coveted rope chain from the 80s just in case they come back in style, but the reality is if you’re in debt or don’t have any savings, it may be best to see if your prized collection of tangled necklaces and broken clasps can earn you some cash. There are tons of places that allow you to just mail the items in and wait for a check, but I suggest stopping in to a local “Cash for Gold” store front and getting an estimate in person and up front.

2. Cash in on Gift Cards – Are you still hanging on to those unwanted gift cards you got for Christmas? It’s estimated that in the $90 billion gift card industry, an average of 10% of gift cards goes unused each year. Check out sites like plasticjungle.com or cardwoo.com to turn your unwanted gift cards into cash. Depending on the demand for the card, you can earn up to 90% of the value.

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