Household Items You Should Sell and Not Throw Out

 

A cleaning binge or a simple walk through your house can turn up all kinds of items that you may want to toss in the garbage. Throwing them away, however, could be like throwing money away.

With a little effort, you could sell various household items online, at local consignment shops or during a garage sale, among other options. Below are some used items that probably take up extra space in your home, but could net you some cash:

Electronics
Old cellphones, computers, tablets and other electronic devices can have too short a lifespan and fill up a drawer or clutter a room fast.

Websites such as Amazon, Gazelle and Decluttr buy old electronics, possibly paying $100 or so to help you buy the next gadget you want. To get the best price, cellphones should be in working order with no major cracks or other damage and with only some light wear and tear.

Books
If you’re not attached to your books and keep too many around the house, it can be worthwhile to try to sell them at your local bookstore. You might not get much money for them, but finding them a new home will help declutter your house and give you some cash to buy a new book to read. Consider having your children bring their old books, too.

Some books can bring in some real money. Textbooks, first editions and volumes from popular authors can be sold on Amazon, Decluttr and other places online. To find the best price for your books, try BookScouter. It searches dozens of buyback vendors to find the best price for a specific book you want to sell.

Appliances
If you’re looking to upgrade your home appliances, try selling your old ones on Craigslist or eBay. Landlords in your area may be looking for affordable appliances that will be used in student housing, or new homeowners may be looking for a deal.

Toys
Craigslist and eBay are also good places to sell used toys, but a garage sale may be your best bet. No matter what route you choose, be sure to get your kids’ permission first.

Clothing and Accessories
Instead of giving away your old clothes and accessories to a thrift store, which is still a good idea if it’s a charity, you may be able to make some cash by selling them.

Popular accessories, such as designer handbags, that you no longer want can still be desirable to other potential buyers. For example, the website Bag Borrow or Steal verifies that handbags are authentic designer items (not knockoffs), and will either buy them outright from you or consign them.

Unique Tips to Get More Movement in Your Day

 

Experts say that “sitting is the new smoking” and that a sedentary lifestyle can have some serious side effects to long-term health. These clever tips can help you get in those steps each and every day.

Office Games
A healthy twist on a classic game is just what you need to get in that extra exercise at the office. Make a predetermined list of triggering events and their exercise consequences. For instance, any time the copier is jammed, do 10 squats. Every time someone “replies all” to an email do 5 jumping jacks. Make it an office-wide game for added fun.

Be the “Yes” Man
Go ahead and volunteer for those errands no one wants to do. Picking up lunch for your department meeting or dropping off those files to the front desk all provide additional opportunities for a short walk and some extra steps. Plus, you’ll likely benefit from being so helpful around the office.

Put up a Fridge “Cover Charge”
If you are at home for long chunks of time, you may be tempted to grab a snack to satiate your boredom more than your hunger. If you find yourself heading to the fridge just to find something to do, put up a “cover charge” and roll a die. Each possible number corresponds with a set of exercises. It can be a fun way to add some extra activity without taking too much time from your day. 

Create a “No Sit” Hour
Specify a time once a day to avoid sitting on furniture. You can walk or stand, but you must conduct your daily business while avoiding a chair. Use a standing desk (or make your own with a few books or boxes), take a walk while on your conference call or simply use a treadmill while watching your favorite show. However you decide to take your hour, make sure it’s not your traditional exercise or gym time. This should be a separate portion of your day dedicated to light movement or standing.

Whether you are hoping to get a beach body or you are simply hoping to feel a little more energetic throughout your day, a little extra movement can do wonders for your goals. 

Why You Should Update Your Will or Make One If You Haven't Already

 

Your will explains how you want your assets distributed after your death and who you want to be your children’s guardian. Circumstances can change and the instructions you gave in the past may no longer be relevant. Review your will at least once a year to make sure it reflects your current relationships, assets and preferences.

Relationships May Change
You may get married, separated or divorced. You may have or adopt children, or other family members or friends may have or adopt children that you would like to include in your will in the future. You may have a falling out with someone and decide to reduce or eliminate that person’s inheritance. You may decide to leave some or all of your assets to a charitable organization, school or religious body that is important to you.

If you get married, update your will to name your new spouse as a beneficiary. You should also change your will if you get separated or divorced. If you don’t, your former spouse may be entitled to an inheritance in some states.

Update your will following the birth, adoption or death of a child or grandchild. You may need to adjust the distribution of your assets to other beneficiaries. If you don’t name an individual in your will, he or she may challenge the will in court.

If the person you designated as your children’s guardian passes away, becomes disabled or moves away, or if you no longer want that person to be your children’s guardian, update your will. You may want to make other changes when a child turns 18.

Someone you named as a beneficiary or executor may pass away. If so, adjust your distribution of assets or name a new executor.

Your Assets May Change
Your net worth may increase or decrease significantly. That may affect the way you want your assets to be distributed.

If your will stated that you wanted an individual to receive a specific piece of property, such as an antique watch, but you no longer have the property (because it was lost, stolen or destroyed), update your will. If you don’t, depending on where you live, the person who was supposed to receive the item may receive something else from your estate, or he or she may get nothing. 

Talk to an Attorney 
Federal and state tax laws change often. An attorney can explain recent changes in tax laws and may advise you to set up your will in a specific way to reduce the tax burden on your beneficiaries. 

State laws differ on matters related to inheritance. If you move to a different state, consult an attorney in the new state and update your will as necessary.

If you don’t have a will, now is the time to make one. If you pass away without a will, the court system may decide how to distribute your assets and who will get custody of your children. Don’t leave such important decisions in the hands of strangers. Make your wishes known.