Less = More

I am enjoying my experiences with finding creative ways to make money. Here is one of my experiences...

I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, that the Lord is helping me in my preparations for what is to come, (whatever that is). One thing that I have been impressed to do lately is to simplify and organize our home. Two months ago, I received a few promptings to cleaning out our "storage room" (aka the most disgusting, dust collecting, junk filled room we have had). I didn't act on the promptings right away, but before long, I discovered why it was such a good idea. 

One month later, my father needed a place to stay. His lease was ending and he had a hard time finding another place to live that was in his price range and in an area of town that he wanted to live. We invited him to live with us until he could find a home of his own. We had to clean out that storage room in order to clean out two other rooms for him and build a bathroom.

The rule that determined our simplifying decisions is if we haven’t used it in 6 months and don’t have definite plans to use it within the next three to six months, get rid of it. I dumped drawers and into boxes to sell or donate or take to the dump, and took out any items that I wanted to keep. Eventually, the only things that we will have left in our house are things that we use regularly. No more someday craft projects, no more clothes that may fit better someday, no more junk lying around for us to trip over or dust off or take up space. It feels great!

“Let’s turn our dust collecting, space taking items into money.” That’s what I said to my husband. Luckily he was on board. I am happy to report that most of the things in that junk room were treasures for others, who paid money to take them off our hands. A Yard Sale… It’s a lot of work, but honestly, it was worth it. Indoor/Online yard sales are great too if you want to take time to post pictures on those sites or Facebook pages. Our outdoor yard sale lasted three days. We took everything that didn’t sell to the D.I. and TAG at the end of each day. TAG is a Thrift Store that pays a small amount of money for your donations. 

I also found some things that I was able to cross off of our “Survival Shopping” list and I am making room for the things that matter most. “Things” don’t really matter, so de-junking hasn’t been difficult. What we have left now from our pile of things to get rid of, are items that are the most valuable, things that people don’t pay enough money for at yard sales. Those items will be on e-bay this week, auctioning off for the most amounts possible; like my husband’s golf clubs and my leather, Harley Davidson jacket.

We are using the extra funds to purchase food and other items that we have been wanting to add to our storage.

Our 4-yr-old daughter wanted to help us with our yard sale, but didn’t want to give up some of her stuff, even though it was stuff that she has grown out of and never plays with any more. So I made her a deal; “When someone buys your stuff, you can have the money to buy a new toy!” She also sold orange juice, donuts and candy.

One month later, my father is living with us. Our basement will be finished soon, which will increase the value of our home if we ever decide to re-finance or sell it. We have had that “someday” goal since we moved in 10 years ago. Things are working out better than I thought was possible. Where there’s a will, there’s a way; I have always believed that.