A large down payment on a home can make the difference between a mortgage you can afford and one you can’t. We know saving for a down payment can feel overwhelming – but we’re here to help! In this ongoing series, we offer a simple tip each issue on how to save for that down payment and meet your homebuying goals. Today’s tip: make your trash another’s treasure…and earn money!   

Those patio chairs you don’t like anymore? That Gucci bag you never use? The vase that no longer goes with your décor? Don’t think of them as castaways but as cash. In our modern online society, selling is often as easy as uploading a photo. What sites work best? That depends on what you want to sell, but consider the following: Facebook Marketplace for electronics, appliances (and more); Chairish for higher-end furniture; Bookscouter for unwanted books; Poshmark for clothes; Nextdoor for all kinds of items. And if you’re old school, don’t forget Craigslist and consignment shops for clothes or furniture in your area.