Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. And when it comes to saving money, it’s a mix of both.

Obviously if you are trying to cut down on expenses, going out and buying a McMansion or a luxury vehicle isn’t going to help. Downsizing your house, car, material possessions are the big things. And for that, I’d recommend talking to your financial planner or banker. Because the big things are super important, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings.

It might just blow your mind.

Doing the math each week on these little tips has been so eye opening {and alarming} for me. I’ve been throwing money away for years! So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

Given that we’re in full-blown New Year’s Resolution mode, I thought it might be fitting to kick off our money saving ideas with one that might also check an item off your resolution list: decluttering and organizing! Cleaning out your closet might not seem like a great way to SAVE money, but it is. Cleaning out your closet will leave you with a pile of clothing worth something. Turn that money into cash, set that cash aside for your clothing or personal spending budget for the year and WALLAH! You’ve saved yourself a substantial amount on your yearly budget already!

After you’ve gone through your closet and plucked items that you are willing to part with {Check out 10 Ways to Cut Closet Clutter}, you have to decide which route you’d like to take to make those old clothes work for you. Here are my top 5:

Sell Your Clothes Online

A few years ago, this one would not have topped my list {or even been on my list}, but the internet has changed how we operate. There is some serious cash to be made selling your stuff to others via the interweb! So many new sites have popped up over the last few years, but there are few tried and true sites that have stellar reputations and I think will earn you the highest amount for your old clothing and accessories! Tradesy.com, ThredUp.com, Craigslist or eBay are my favorites. Turn those threads into some serious cash with just a little bit of work. You can do this with your kid’s closets as well and increase your earnings.

Sell Your Clothes to a Resell/Consignment Store

Load all of your clothes up and find a local shop that buys and sells used clothing. These stores are gaining popularity. If you are in need of new clothes, they often give you a higher percentage for store credit, but almost all of the stores I’ve been to give cold hard cash. Google is your friend here to find a store buying used clothes near you.

Host a Swap Party

So I guess Swap Parties are all the rage these days. Who knew?  I might not keep up with trends, but this sounds kind of cool. You pick a night and invite all of your friends {and have them invite their friends- the bigger the turnout, the more successful the swap}. Everyone cleans out their closets and brings all of their gently used clothing and accessory items they no longer need or wear. All items are displayed and you essentially swap what you no longer need for some great need items. Best thing about it: zero out of pocket cost for a potential new wardrobe!

Have a Garage Sale

While this one might take the most work, it also might yield the most money. And if you get a few neighbors together to host the sale together, it might be a fun friend’s afternoon as well. As a bonus, you can get rid of a lot more than just your clothes! Check out my tips on How to Sell Your Stuff at a Garage Sale.

Donate for a Tax Write-off

This one is the most appealing for me because it requires the least amount of work. Load clothes into car. Drive to donation sight. Drop off clothes. Pick up receipt for accountant!  If you donate clothing or household goods, you can get a tax credit or use it as a deduction. In many states, if you donate to a youth charity, you can get an additional tax credit. The savings won’t be immediate, but this will ultimately save you money each year.

So there you have it. With just a little work, you can create a cash fund that can virtually eliminate your clothing budget for the year!

How Much Can You Save: $500+ This varies widely depending on how much of a clothing fanatic you are, but experts suggest an average of $500 can be made by selling your closet cast-offs.

Do you sell your clothes for cash? What method do you use?

~Mavis