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Cash For Trash

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You have all heard the saying “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”  Well this holds true.  How many items are around your home that you don’t use?  Appliances, furniture, clothes and books are often left sitting unused because they no longer work right, no longer fit, don’t match the décor, etc.  Take a look around and make a list of everything you no longer use. Put everything unused on the list, don’t second guess yourself… just write it down, you’ll be amazed at what other people are willing to buy.

Organize your junk

After writing out your list look it over and organize it into categories such as appliances, furniture, metal, non-working parts, wood, clothes, etc.  This makes it easier to turn your junk into cash because different piles will need to be dealt with differently.  Name the categories anything you want, just don’t get carried away. Remember to K.I.S.S. (Google it.)

Sell your organized junk

Many people get stuck on this step because they’re way better at accumulating stuff than getting rid of it.  There are countless ways to do it and I could list them all here but instead I’ll point you to the best resource I know of to help you sell your crap and make some money.

Trade for things you need

You don’t necessarily have to get cash for your items, you can trade some of it for things you need.  Trading can save you from having to spend time and cash buying things new.  You can also profit from trading items if you practice up on your negotiating skills. Some shops will take your clothes and allow you to take something from their shop in return.  I once traded in five pairs of generic jeans that didn’t fit for two nice pairs of name brand jeans that fit great. Me sexy! Consignment shops are everywhere these days… when’s the last time you’ve been in one?

Some appliance stores will take your old appliances to repair and re-sell them.  Why not see if they will exchange your unneeded appliances for something you do need?  There are also internet sites like Craigslist that allow you to trade items you don’t want for things you do.

Sell, sell, sell

Junk removal businesses will come to your home, help you organize your junk, then take it to the appropriate scrap yards or stores and split the cash with you.  This takes a lot of the work out of your hands while still delivering a profit – nice.  Do your best to check the reputation of the businesses performing these services to be sure they’re reliable. Check their rates too; some charge more so compare costs and services offered and go with your gut.

Call your local scrap yards for current price lists of what they’re willing to take.  Try to get rid of as many items as possible at each place so you limit travel costs. Commonly accepted items include: old junk batteries, wire, aluminum, small engines, steel, cast iron, copper… the list goes on.  You’ll be surprised what they take and pay for.  Always check to see if they have free pick up, that will save a lot of work and money.

Websites like Craigslist and eBay allow you to open your junk yard to the world wide web.

Donate to the needy

If you’re going to give something away be sure the person or organization wants or needs it. Call around to your local homeless shelter, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. and ask for a list of items needed. Providing for the needy makes you feel good, it’s the right thing to do, and you can write it off on your taxes.

Go get started!

Like Matt said in point 4 of yesterday’s article, getting rid of stuff is hard at first… but it feels great when you’re done and it gets easier as you go.

What are you waiting for? Quit reading this and go give your unused stuff a new home – I promise it will make you feel good.

Using Cash [It’s the Only Way to Go]

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More and more people are giving up on credit cards. Sick and tired of the endless bills, late fees, interest rate hikes and annoying spending requirements, there is a growing movement of “cash only” consumers. Some are going a step further and getting rid of their bank accounts in addition to their credit cards. No interest is a small price to pay compared with the cost of high fees. Cash only living has the advantage of protecting cash from digital thieves, who are becoming much more sophisticated. Another advantage is eliminating the time it takes to manage a checkbook every month.

People who live on a cash-only basis do not have to wait for checks to clear or for credit card balances to be charged. Paying for everything in cash eliminates all of the time spent waiting for the financial system to move money from one account to another. Living a cash only life has many advantages, especially for recovering spendthrifts or compulsive buyers. Cash only offers several advantages to the newly or established frugal consumer. Aside from the loss of both convenience and hassle, cash only living can help people gain control over their financial lives. Here are four big advantages that convince many people to go cash only and bank-free.

Using cash makes budgeting easier

With a cash only budget, it is easy to keep track of every expense and how much money goes to that expense each month. Running a budget is much simpler when credit cards and bank accounts are eliminated. Every single expense can be tracked, and the various small expenses that can sneak up on even the most careful budgeter are eliminated. A budgeter on a cash only financial diet is often surprised by the savings that can result. Going cash only provides an incentive to minimize expenses, which can itself lead to a more fruitful experience.

Using cash reduces debt and stress

Living a life without any debt or even the prospect of debt is liberating. The legal apparatus associated with debt can be intimidating, such as debt collectors, bankruptcy courts, debt management agencies and credit counselors. Avoiding debt altogether by going cash only can be a great stress reliever. Paying for everything in cash gets the budgeter control of his money instead of having his money control him. Being at the mercy of credit card companies is a very unpleasant experience. Cash only eliminates the many pernicious forms of debt and makes financial affairs less of a burden.

Using cash can lead to happiness?

In this modern world of one thousand and one entertainments, it is easy to lose track of the important things in life. An extravagant spending lifestyle is often financed by debt, and getting rid of the debt and the credit can reveal how hollow this lifestyle is. A family that cuts back on spending has to improvise and find ways to spend more time together. This can improve the relationships between family members. By making the choice willingly, everyone approaches their common situation with a sense of being in it together.

Using cash promotes personal growth

Debt allows someone to live beyond his means. When this is embraced as a way of life, personal behavior tends to deteriorate. Getting rid of the debt, in addition to increasing personal and familial happiness, can result in self-improvement and personal growth. Debt is a tremendous temptation that can ruin inner self-respect and self-esteem. Society still remembers the days when debt was looked upon as practically sinful. Attitudes have moderated since then, but a remnant of the old stigma remains. Going cash only can have emotional, even moral benefits, if done appropriately and for the right reasons.

How To Pack Light and 400 Years of KJV

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In a few hours I’ll be leaving for Washington D.C. to attend the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.  I read the King James Bible and am proud of its historical significance and affect on my life.  In this article I’ll share tips I use to pack light, along with a few cool stats about the good ole KJV.

Tips on packing light

Since my trip to D.C. will be 3 days total, this article – complete with video – will offer tips on how to pack light for a trip of several days.

As promised, here are links to the book I’m reading “Economics in One Lesson“ along with my pocket-sized Leatherman Juice XE6 (the ULTIMATE pocket knife/tool) and the Flip UltraHD video camera used to shoot the video.

When packing for any trip I employ the following as standard procedure to help keep it light:

  • Check weather and pack accordingly.
  • Use small versions of needed items (like my pocket-sized umbrella.)
  • Match the amount of days to outfits needed – don’t pack more outfits than days.
  • Try to multi-task your clothing by using the same piece in several outfits.
  • Pack a low number of high quality, high functioning items.
  • Keep colors basic so multiple items match.
  • Don’t assume clothes are dirty after one wearing.
  • Wear layers, they always reduce bulk and increase versatility.
  • Utilize community by sharing items amongst yourself and others traveling with you.
  • Take advantage of courtesy items and amenities at your destination.
  • Reduce and rework until everything fits in one bag.

There are obviously other tips to help pack light, but these will help get you started.  If you have tips I missed, be sure to share in the comments section below.

Highlights about the King James Bible

Here are a few notes on the historical impact and significance of the King James Bible:

  • It is the best selling book of all time.
  • More translations of the KJV have been made than any other book.
  • It is older than the United States of America by more than 100 years.
  • The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights had an impetus born out of its pages.
  • Soldiers have found  hope and comfort in it for centuries.
  • It is read at our weddings and by our gravesides.
  • Presidents and Kings have quoted from it for aid in domestic disputations, and for clarity amidst diplomatic challenges.
  • Its words are plastered in our public buildings, referred to in our music, and acted out in our movies.
  • It is a cornerstone of English literature.
  • It has solidified the English language, and spread it’s verbiage across the globe.

This is just a small taste of the history and influence of this greatest of books.  Please join me in celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

PS… I used to attend the church that formed the Bible Nation Society, who is spearheading this remarkable event.