How to Declutter the Marie Kondo Way (and Make Good Money)

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Ready, set, declutter!

Winter has finally gone with its bitter winds and mounds of snow. Spring marks the beginning of warmer weather and extended daylight hours, the blooming of flowers, and the time for spring cleaning. We know what you’re thinking — tidying up is such a tedious chore! But do it like Marie Kondo and it can change your life for the better.

Who is Marie Kondo?

Marie Kondo, also known as KonMari, is a Japanese organizing consultant and best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and several other critically acclaimed books. Kondo is the genius behind the KonMari Method, a revolutionary idea of organizing category-by-category instead of room-by-room. She also has a tremendous track record for helping clients stop themselves from holding on to nostalgia (hoarding), proving change is possible underneath layers of stubbornness.

Today, Kondo has become a global sensation by visiting American homes in need of her organization skills on Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, her very own show on Netflix. Now everyone wants to clean their home using Kondo’s simple, yet effective method.

What is the KonMari Method?

The KonMari Method is a minimalism-inspired approach to cleaning and organizing by category rather than by room. To get started, you need to understand the six basic philosophies (via konmari.com):

  1. Commit yourself to tidying up
  2. Imagine your ideal life
  3. Finish letting go first
  4. Tidy by category, not location
  5. Follow the right order
  6. Ask yourself if it sparks joy

The five categories you must tackle are:

  1. Clothes
  2. Books
  3. Papers
  4. Sentimental items
  5. Komono (a.k.a. miscellaneous Items)

Many people associate the KonMari Method with tidying, but it’s more about cutting nonvaluable items from your life. To find out which to keep or discard, Kondo begins by asking you to remove everything in your closets and drawers (category #1), all the books on your shelves and coffee table (category #2), and all the unnecessary paperwork on your desk (you get the idea).

Once you accumulate a large pile, you will reevaluate each item and think about whether it sparks joy. While Kondo agrees that this step can feel awkward or unnatural at first, she assures her Netflix viewers and book readers that it is an essential part of the journey towards a decluttered life. And, you will get better at identifying what sparks joy as you go.

After discarding items that no longer serve their purpose from each category, you should have a smaller pile of remaining possessions, in which you can organize back into your closet spaces, shelves, and boxes. Take note that you must finish one category before moving on to the next one.

While tidying and recognizing the amount of stuff you own, Kondo encourages you to envision the life you want to live — to be less distracted and stressed, for example — and what steps you need to take to get there. Anything that blocks your path isn’t worthy of you or your space. And since you are actively choosing to keep items that spark joy and getting rid of what doesn’t, the KonMari method helps you achieve a clutter-free home that can attract more joy and prosperity into your life.

How to Make Money from Decluttering

After making a conscious decision to let go of what no longer gives you happiness, it’s time to remove them from your life permanently. Some items that no longer serve you, such as old art pieces, electronics, and antique furniture, may be the missing piece to someone else’s home.

Here are the top three ways you can make fast cash from your spring cleaning efforts.

1. Have a garage sale

Having a garage or yard sale may be the most labor intensive option to make money from decluttering, but it hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from having a sale almost every spring. To streamline the process and avoid headaches, follow a plan from beginning to end. The critical steps to a successful garage sale are: (1) set a date, (2) gather your goods with no strings attached, and (3) check on permits to avoid getting shut down and fined. A well-planned garage sale often means a more triumphant one, which means more money in your pocket at the end of the day.

In addition, you can spend a bit of cash on advertising your garage sale in the newspaper. Better yet, draw people in for free by posting about your event on social media.

2. Sell your preloved items online

Speaking of social media, Facebook and Instagram still prove to be the greatest platforms to sell pre-owned goods. Online selling is especially helpful if you have an extensive network of friends and followers. You may also want to consider selling on e-commerce websites, such as Craigslist and eBay where people are always looking to buy.

3. Go to Biltmore Loan and Jewelry

The problem with garage sales and online selling is the possibility of trading your items at underwhelming prices. Here at Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, we offer you the most for your high-end valuables. When we established our business, our vision was to provide the ultimate upscale collateral lending or outright selling experience. We knew that to achieve this goal and make it our long-term promise, we had to give each person who walks through our doors the highest level of customer service and the most competitive prices for their valuables.

Our staff includes certified experts in the purchase and appraisal of almost every type of luxury item. We are the best source for spring cleaners who want to sell art, designer watches and handbags, jewelry, collectibles, and so much more. Complete our form to get a free appraisal.

Does It Spark Joy?
The beauty of the KonMari Method is that you never have to follow strict rules, such as “if you haven’t used it in a year, throw it out” or “three pairs of jeans is all you need.” Instead, it relies on your intuition and considers how you feel about your possessions. At the end of your efforts, you are left with only the things you love. Marie Kondo’s ingenious method allows you to develop a new and healthy relationship with your belongings, so try it this spring to experience the life-changing benefits.


The beauty of the KonMari Method is that you never have to follow strict rules, such as “if you haven’t used it in a year, throw it out” or “three pairs of jeans is all you need.” Instead, it relies on your intuition and considers how you feel about your possessions. At the end of your efforts, you are left with only the things you love. Marie Kondo’s ingenious method allows you to develop a new and healthy relationship with your belongings, so try it this spring to experience the life-changing benefits.