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Value-Added?

7 Steps to Improving Cash Flow and Adding Value to Your Life

If you bought something that doesn't work, or if your children received clothing the wrong size for their birthday, return the item for a refund. If you can't return it (because you've had it too long), consider passing on the item as a gift to a friend who can use it. Perhaps your old books and magazines might be nice additions to a nursing home or hospital library. Your children's clothes might be helpful for a teenage parent program or women's shelter. You may be able to deduct the fair market value of your donations on your income taxes. Find a store that will sell your better items for you on consignment. Clothes, toys, electronic equipment and more can all be sold on consignment. You can often fetch very good prices on your maternity and nursing clothes this way. It is not as bad as you think. You can price things individually, put up signs ("All items on this table are $1"), or not price them at all ("Make me an offer.") You can have a short garage sale (9:00-1:00 or 1:00-6:00). I was amazed how much money I made at my first garage sale. I earned more than $250 in seven hours. Sell it in the classifieds, or seek out collectors of similar items who might buy it. If your item is not giving you value and it is not of value to someone else, throw it away! The less you go shopping, the less you will buy. Choose a limit (maybe five purses), and whenever you want to buy a new purse, give one of your other ones away.

With a little effort, you can improve your cash flow and surround yourself with things that actually do add value to your life.