The 5/$500 Challenge

Special kudos to my good buddy Claudine over at Simply Claudine for coming up with this challenge. It started out as a challenge to make some cash for Christmas, but it's also an excellent way to do a little decluttering around your home. And the cash doesn't have to go for Christmas -- pick your own goal and run with it!

The Plan
The idea behind the 5/$500 is to find 5 things to sell each day 5 days a week for 5 weeks, with the goal of making at least $500 after shipping and fees. Most of us are selling random items from around the house that we don't need anymore, such as outgrown baby clothes and toys, clothes we don't wear anymore, home decor items, old sporting goods and exercise equipment, books, DVDs and CDs. I know a few people who are actually making things to sell -- crafts, foodstuffs and the like. Really, anything goes. For our sake here at Modern*Simplicity, I'm all about decluttering and finding homes for those items you don't really use anymore. If you think you don't have anything, look again. I bet you do.

The official dates for the challenge I'm participating in are Sunday, August 9 to Sunday, September 13, but you can start anytime. Technically, I jumped the gun and already started my selling listings!

How/Where Do I Sell?
You've got lots of options for this. eBay, Craigslist, local neighborhood and mom's group boards, garage sales, thrift stores, consignment shops -- be creative!

How It Works:
5 items a day (to list for sale)
5 days a week (that you're working on the challenge)
5 weeks (duration of challenge)
$500 (the goal amount of money!)

Could you use an extra $500?

Would a contest make it more enticing?

Contest!
Keep track of how many items you sell and how much cash you make, then shoot me an email at contest@modern-simplicity.com. I'll do prizes for whoever sells the most number of items AND whoever sells the most cash-wise! Challenge ends September 13 and deadline for entries is September 15. GO!