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how to sort like a pro: advice from a professional Organizer

7/7/2018

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​Whether you are organizing one room in your house or decluttering a home full of stuff, knowing how to efficiently sort is crucial to your success.  Professional Organizers use the tips and tricks on this checklist to help clients, and now I'm sharing those hacks with you. 

Ready to learn a professional organizer's tips for Sorting? Read on...

Set yourself up for success

Before starting any organizing or decluttering job, make sure you have all the supplies you need before you get started. ​
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
  • Post-it notes (consider the heavy ones) and/or painters tape
  • Color coded dots (for larger jobs)
  • Sturdy boxes/Packing materials/Packing tape
  • Sharpies
  • Trash Bags (preferably heavy duty)
  • Sturdy Step Stool
  • Work gloves
Logistics to Consider:
  • Work when not hungry or tired
  • Set small attainable goals
  • Make work area safe (trip hazards, pets, temperature, pests)
  • Clean as you go or do regular spot clean-ups

Keep

The first step is to sort your "keepers" into a pile or one area. Keep items that you love and actively use.  Items that aren't actively used should be moved into a long term storage area, such as a basement or attic. 
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
  • archival photo boxes and vital document storage
  • long term storage solutions (like large Rubbermaid bins)
  • short term storage solutions to sort into
Logistics to Consider:
*available space in actively used items
*temperature variation in for long term solutions
*transporting “keepers” to new location, if applicable

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Sell

Don't love it, but you'd like to make a little money from it?  Consider selling online or offline.
Tools/Supplies Needed:
  • Internet connection
Logistics to Consider:
  • Selling online?  Think about packaging and shipping costs for the item.
  • Consigning locally?  Research how to transport items to the shop, the details of the contract, and how unsold items are disposed of.
  • Safety first!  Use caution when meeting strangers and exchanging money. 
Related Articles
6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore
Nobody Wants Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You.
​
Gift These 5 Wonderful Experiences To the Ones You Love..Instead of Buying "Stuff"

Donate

Have items that don't need to live with you anymore, but are still in great condition?  Give to a local charity. 
Tools Needed:
  • Post-its or colored dots
  • Bags or sturdy boxes to transport the itmes
Logistics to Consider:
  • Document, document, document.  Itemize your donations if giving a large amount.  Check outhow to easily keep track of donations here.
  • Whenever possible, schedule a pick-up for items at your home.  
  • No pick-ups available?  Immediately put the donations in your trunk and drop off on your next round of errands. ​

Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat

Discard

Some things just need to be discarded.  If the items can't be sold or donated, its time for the trash/ recycling bin.  ​
Tools Needed:
  • heavy duty trash bags
  • floor protections for larger jobs (spills and scrapes)
  • broom/dustpan and vacuum
  • recycling bins
Logistics to Consider:
  • Household hazardous waste disposal
  • City trash + recycling pick-up and standards
  • Rental of a dumpster
  • Bulky item collection
Related Articles
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
with free printable How to Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet

5 Tips to Sell Your Stuff Online
with free printable How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet

YOU'RE ready to sort like a pro!

Using this checklist, you now have the tools to Keep, Sell, Donate or Discard when you are decluttering and organizing. 

Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat

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5 steps to sell your stuff online (with printable cheat sheet)

4/10/2018

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5 tips to sell your stuff online with printable cheat Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Mother, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney sheet

When you are ready to declutter your home and start selling some of your items online, you’ll want to do a little bit of research, have a flexible timeline, and have a basic amount of technical savvy.
​
Today we are sharing our top 5 tips for selling your stuff online, and as a bonus, we’ve created a free download of How to Sell Your Items Online Cheat Sheet.

Are you Ready to Learn How to Sell Your Stuff Online? Read On.

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Just for our readers, we’ve created this nifty How to Sell Your Items Online Cheat Sheet.  Download and enjoy!

​

​Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”

The first and easiest way to figure out how to sell your stuff online is to simply Google it.

You want to list your item on the site that has the biggest audience of potential buyers. For instance, if you were selling a set of golf clubs online, Ebay may be the best bet.  But if you were selling custom hand-embroidered tea towels, Etsy is where you want to be. Selling antiques and collectibles often is easier on sites dedicated to those items.
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The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon
​

It will come as no surprise that selling your stuff online on Ebay and Amazon are popular methods.

Both platforms have incredibly large audiences, thereby increasing your chances of selling your item quickly.  There are fees associated with using both services, so be sure you are aware of what you are agreeing to before listing your items.  
Related Articles:   
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms
With Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
With How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet ​
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.

Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com
​

As mentioned above, Etsy is a great site for selling handmade and craft items online. If you have beads, buttons, fabrics, and vintage items to sell, be sure to give Etsy a look.

Ebid is a site that is similar to Ebay, but doesn’t have the same amount of traffic. If you’re selling on Ebid, you’ll want to market your items elsewhere, too.  On the plus side, however, EBid has lower fees than the big guys.

Bonanza is a great option for selling more unique and quirky items.  Bonanza has a large audience, has no listing fee, and a low commission percentage compared to Ebay.

Collectors.com is a great option to sell your collectibles online.


Local Options: Craigslist or Facebook Groups

The best thing about selling your stuff online locally is that you pay zero fees for listing and selling.

If you live in an area that has an active Craigslist community, try listing your item there.  Photos are key to selling your items. Use common sense and caution when meeting with buyers: only accept cash and meet in public places.

If you live in a community without a lot of Craiglist action, selling your stuff in Facebook Groups is a great option.  Find local Facebook groups to list your items and be sure to follow all the rules. You’ll keep all the profits of selling via Facebook
Related Articles:
​E
state Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap

Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc.
​

There are several apps that let you create accounts and list your items for other members to see.

Apps like LetGo, OfferUp, and 5Miles, etc. are certainly options, however, many users complain about spammers, failure to show up to buy, etc.  Be sure to read reviews from users before signing up for an app.

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You Can Sell Your Stuff Online!

Learning how to sell your items online takes a little bit of research, a flexible timeline, and some technical savvy, but it also can get you the best price. If you are ready to declutter your home and make a little money in the process, try one of our five steps above.  

Leave a comment to let us know how your sale went!
Related Articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
With Room-by-Room Checklist

Download your free How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet here. 
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    ​I'm Candi.

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