Financial problems? Start selling
We are living in the age of extreme consumerism. We are too focused on material things and their value, on which we judge our own innate value and the value of others.
There are many of us spending far too much of our salaries on clothing, accessories, household goods and toys (usually bought on a whim).
Even when we’re saving it’s often for our next big purchase. If this behaviour sounds familiar then you’re likely able to look around your home right now and find a number of things you don’t need or no longer use.
Keeping up this type of behaviour not only means you have a house full of stuff but that you’re likely to end up in some kind of debt. This is a sweeping statement but many South Africans are in debt because our consumer mentalities and salaries don’t equate. At the end of 2015, BusinessTech reported that the National Credit Regulator noted an increase of R1.63 million in consumer debt across our country. In the same article, they mention that 45% of South Africans with consumer debt are struggling to make payments.
So, debt is a real problem for many.
But, your stuff can help you out of a money pickle
Let’s once again consider the stuff you’ve bought and are now housing but not using. There’s always the option to sell these goods and make some of your money back. The second-hand goods market is an active one. Many suburbs have created online social media communities (especially on the likes of Facebook) in which they can advertise their unwanted goods and connect with potential buyers. There are also websites such as Gumtree and OLX which are both popular and free to use as a buyer or a seller. You could even go the old fashioned route and simply have a garage sale – it doesn’t have to take place in your garage – invite the neighbourhood for a Saturday afternoon and tell them to bring cash.
You might want to inform your local neighbourhood watch so that they can assist in keeping the peace and the unsavouries out.
Once you start selling it can be difficult to stop
Once you’ve managed to connect with some second-hand goods buyers you’re also likely to keep in touch. This is also a good way to do an annual purge of your home and keep any hoarding tendencies in check. What’s more, many people start to sell off their unwanted things and then begin to look for items they’d consider selling. Because cash is truly king when you find yourself in a bind.
An excellent example of this is the slowly growing trend of two-car households becoming on-car homes. With the likes of Uber and even our BRT system up and running, many people are getting rid of one of their vehicles. Cars cost a lot of money, even if you’ve finished paying it off, the petrol and maintenance can be debilitating if you’re struggling with debt. But entering the private car sales market is tricky business.
If you decide to get rid of one of your vehicles in this way then make sure to research your options and safety suggestions well. There’s a lot of money at stake and there are people out there, also desperate, who’ll take advantage of your trusting nature if you’re not careful.