Retirement is a great time to sort through items and declutter your space. Getting rid of things you don't have room for if you downsize or things you just don't need anymore can be therapeutic.
But knowing where to start can be a challenge. Following are a few items you might consider tossing — or perhaps selling so you can earn some extra cash.
Work clothes and shoes
If you worked in a buttoned-up office for years or even decades, you likely won't need all those suits and skirts anymore.
Sort through your closet for things that you want to save, such as a nice suit or two for formal engagements like weddings or parties. Then, create a donation pile for any work items that you don't need anymore.
Doing so will free up space in your closet and give you a decluttered sense of accomplishment.
Employment paperwork
You likely have work papers that have piled up over the years that you can toss now that you have retired.
Just be careful. You may not want to get rid of important papers related to taxes, life insurance, or health care coverage.
Make three piles for papers you need, papers you want, and papers destined for the trash. This will help you organize the process.
Transportation passes
Go through all those extra public transportation passes you collected and toss out expired ones.
If you still have current monthly passes, use them up by enjoying all the places you never got to visit while you were working.
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Your second car
Now that you're retired, you no longer need a car to commute to and from work. If you are a two-car household, consider getting rid of one car.
Doing so can save money on car payments, insurance, and monthly gas costs. It will likely be even easier to ditch your second vehicle if you and your spouse are retired.
Business travel items
Are you tired of getting on a plane every week to travel for work? The good news is that you don't have to do that anymore.
Think about ditching your work suitcase that you've shoved into too many overhead compartments.
Trending Stories
Household items
Retirement might also mean it’s time to move or downsize. If so, eliminate things you won't have room for in your next home.
Consider holding a garage sale to sell these items. Or, find places where you can donate your old furniture. You can also post these items online and offer to give them away for free.
Items in a storage unit
If you have items in a storage unit, now is the time to sort through them or figure out what you want to toss. By doing so, you might eliminate that extra cost of storage you have been taking on.
Books
If you have books related to work — such as books about marketing, mechanics, or leadership — they will probably just collect dust on your shelves now that you are retired.
Consider donating them to a local library. You can pass on some of the things you've learned over your career to someone else.
Old electronics
Retirement is the time to get rid of work-related electronics, from cell phones to computers and chargers.
Collect all of your old electronics and do a little research on how to dispose of them properly. Remember that things like batteries or certain types of old technology may require special disposal.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Kitchen gadgets
You now have the time to use your kitchen to make lunch and eat dinner at home. As you do so, you might notice that some kitchen gadgets rarely get used.
Sell things like the blender you never use, and toss or donate your mismatched silverware.
Sports equipment
Is there a treadmill in your basement and bedroom that's going unused and taking up space? Get rid of it.
To stay active, join a gym or a neighborhood club for walkers, bikers, or runners. Ditch the stuff cluttering up your home space that isn't getting used.
Outdated media
Perhaps you have VHS movies or CDs that are collecting dust. If so, toss that outdated media, or find places to donate it, such as your local library.
Bottom line
Whether you decide to retire early or start your golden years a bit later, now is the time to take advantage of your freedom and spend some time decluttering.
Create a list now of charities you can donate to or join local free groups where you can give away items. You have freed your mind from work responsibilities, and now is the time to rid your home of clutter, too.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.