We’re calling on all you wannabe Marie Kondos out there to embrace the spirit of the decluttering movement and find untold treasures lurking in the deep recesses of your attic, linen cupboard or garage. Transform your trash into charitable treasure. Here’s how.

We all have those things that we hold on to but never use. Instead, we leave them stacking up in storage to be dealt with later. Or maybe we tell ourselves that we will use them again one day. But that day never comes, does it?

You don’t have to be a master of the KonMari method to declutter your house or flat, or to know the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. If you are looking to live lighter and clear space, you can double the joy impact and donate what you no longer need to a good cause – or sell it – and donate the money. Here’s how:

Fashion

Whilst it is true that clothes do come back in fashion – (one word: dungarees. Yes, really.) it’s unlikely you’re going to wear your Year 12 formal gown or that brightly coloured shell suit again. But there might be someone out there who will love it!

Hold a garage sale, join your local Facebook Buy, Swap and Sell, or head to an online auction or sales sites like eBay or Gumtree, which make it easy to flog your goods online. If you fancy using this as an excuse to revamp your entire wardrobe, check out shopify, which lets you build your own online store.

DVDs and Games Consoles

You may not know it, but that old Friends box set, your retro cool Atari from 1986, or the PlayStation your kids never use can rack up a bit of cash. Head down to Cash Converters Australia and see what wealth you can recover from your old entertainment stash.

Furniture

Re-purposing old furniture is a great way to give. Not only can you donate the proceedings to a good cause, you can also feel good that your unwanted three-piece-suite has gone to someone who could not afford a brand new one. Or you simply might not have the space to accommodate your Gran’s old Chesterfield sofa.

You can take the furniture straight to charities like Vinnies (call first) who may accept your furniture to sell on through their retail outlets. The proceeds then go straight towards supporting people in need. Although you won’t receive payment for your goods, you can be grateful that their future sale will be used for good. You might also like to take your items to places like Reverse Garbage.

Or you can sell your furniture for cash. If you are based in Sydney, Bradys Used Furniture pay cash for your used furniture and pick up six days a week. In Melbourne, Swifter allow you to list your items online, and then they will arrange delivery to the buyer. In SA? Adelaide Furniture and Electrical will help you out. In fact, there are people willing and wanting to buy your second-hand furniture in most places around Australia. Google it, and get selling!

Jewellery

Whilst you will want to keep hold of your most precious items, you may also have trinkets that can go to a good home. There are various ways to sell jewellery, whether it is done through a private sale (like eBay or Etsy), through a dealer, or at an auction. Before you jump in with a sale, check out these tips from the Jewellers Association of Australia.

Now – what to do with your thrifty, de-cluttered cash?

If your employer provides workplace giving you can donate to your charity of choice by signing in here. Otherwise, you can donate directly to your charity of choice through their website.

To celebrate #GivingTuesday, we are asking Australians to give a little and then share their efforts with a photo or post on Facebook or LinkedIn. All you need to do is tag @good2give #GivingTuesday with your post.

Next