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The money sweep that beats donating everything

• Treat spring cleaning like a money sweep, not a purge, by identifying items with resale value and using eBay to quickly check what theyre actually worth before donating anything.

• Sell smarter by choosing the right platform and pricing to move, not sit, bundling low-value items together and listing slightly below market to cash out faster.

• Boost profits by timing sales, flipping high-demand items, and using store credit options like Platos Closet to get instant value with less hassle.

Spring cleaning usually feels like a chore. You pull everything out, make a mess, and end up with a few donation bags and a vague sense of accomplishment.

But heres the missed opportunity: most households are sitting on hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars in unused stuff, and instead of treating spring cleaning like a purge, smart shoppers treat it like a short-term side hustle.

If you approach it the right way, youre not just decluttering your home, youre actually converting forgotten items into real cash, store credit, and even future savings.

Heres how to do it the smart (and profitable) way.

Start with a 'money sweep,'not a cleaning session

Before you grab a trash bag and start throwing stuff in it, slow down.

The biggest mistake people make is decluttering too quickly and tossing or donating items that actually have resale value. Instead, you want to do what I call a money sweep, where your only goal is identifying items that can turn into cash.

Walk room by room and pull anything that fits into these categories:

• Items you havent used in six to 12 months.
• Duplicate items (kitchen gadgets, tools, decor).
• Clothing with tags or barely worn.
• Electronics collecting dust.
• Kids items your family has outgrown.

Create three piles:

• High value ($20+)
• Low value ($5$20)
• Bundle or donate

The best way to determine somethings value, and what pile it goes in, is to use the eBay app. The app allows you to snap a picture of the item, then it shows you what the item has recently sold for. No typing required, and no more guessing what the item (or brand) actually isthe app does all the work for you.

Sell smarter, not harder (platform matters more than you think)

Not all resale platforms are created equal, and where you list something can impact how fast it sells and how much money you make.

Use this cheat sheet:

• Facebook Marketplace Best for furniture, baby gear, home goods (no fees, fast sales).
• eBay Best for electronics, collectibles, tools (auction or buy-it-now pricing).
• Poshmark Best for name-brand clothing and shoes.
• OfferUp Good backup for local sales.

If you want to earn max cash, and are not in a hurry to sell, list on platforms like eBay and wait. If you want fast money, price stuff slightly below market on Facebook Marketplace and youll move it quickly.

Price stuff to sell (not to sit)

Most people overprice their items because theyre thinking about what they paid for it back in the day, not what the market is willing to pay for it now.

Instead, try this:

• Search for your item on the platform.
• Filter by sold listings (especially on eBay).
• Price your item 1020% below similar listings if you want it gone fast.

If it doesnt sell in 4872 hours, then you can drop the price or send out offers to prospective buyers ata lower price.

Pro tip: The first 24 hours is when your listing gets the most visibility. If its priced wrong initially, youre going to blow your best window to sell the item.

Bundle low-value items into high-value listings

This is one of the easiest ways to make more money with the least amount of effort.

Instead of selling five shirts for $5 each, consider bundling the five shirts for $25$30. Especially if theyre all similar styles and the same size.

This works because buyers love convenience and bundles creates just that.

By doing this, youll find that items sell faster, youll reduce messaging and meetups, and it will increase your total payout.

Turn clutter into store credit (often faster than cash)

Sometimes the smartest move isnt selling unwanted stuff for cash, but to get some store credit youll actually use down the road.

In particular, consider these places:

• Platos Closet Trendy clothing
• Once Upon A Child Kids clothes and gear
• GameStop Games, consoles, accessories
• Play It Again Sports Sporting goods, fitness gear, shoes

Youll often get less money than selling yourself by using one of these stores, but the sell will be instant, and have zero hassles attached.

Pro tip: Its very smart to take store credit instead of cash when possible. Many stores will offer you 2030% more value in credit.

Time your listings like a retailer

Retailers dont just sell things willy-nilly. They make sure to sell stuff at the right time to maximize profits and you should do the same.

• List lawn equipment, camping gear, and patio items in early spring.
• Sell winter gear at the tail end of winter (not in the summer).
• List back-to-school items in late July/August.

By considering the timing of the sale, you can easily increase your price by 20% or more.

Use 'cleaning momentum'to find hidden money

Once you get started selling stuff, youll often find that the momentum will kick in.

Thats when you should go after the overlooked categories:

• Old phones and tablets (check out Costco trade-in).
• Gift cards you never used.
• Tools sitting in the garage.
• Small appliances in cabinets.

Pro tip: Old electronics are especially valuable. Youd be surprised that even broken ones can sell quickly for parts on eBay.

Flip your own stuff (yes, really)

Heres where things can get really interesting.

As you declutter, youll start to recognize items that sell well.

Heres a popular example:

• You sell a coffee maker for $25.
• You start to notice that similar ones sell consistently.
• You find another one at a garage sale for $5.
• You quickly resell it for $25.

Now youre not just decluttering, youre actually making money with a legit new side hustle.

Make your listings work harder

Keep in mind that a great listing basically sells your item for you. It also avoids you having to constantly answer questions about the details of the item.

Use this formula for success:

• Have clear title with keywords (Nike mens running shoes size 10).
• Use bright, natural lighting for photos and take pictures of any defect.
• Create a simple and honest description.
• Include exact model number, measurements, materials, condition, and the brand.
• Also, be sure to include the year of manufacturer if you know it.

Pro tip: If possible, take photos near a window with exterior lighting. Good lighting alone can increase your chances of selling by quite a bit.

How this tech could impact future prices

• Walmart can now update prices instantly at many stores, meaning deals (and regular prices) may change faster than shoppers are used to.

• While Walmart says its not using surge pricing, the tech allows more flexible, data-driven pricing, which has some shoppers concerned about future changes.

• Shop smarter by scanning items in the app, grabbing good deals when you see them, and comparing prices more often since they may not stay the same all day.

Walmart has officially rolled out digital price tags across its U.S. stores, with a full rollout expected by the end of 2026. These will replace the traditional paper shelf labels with electronic ones that have the ability to update prices instantly.

At the same time, newly surfaced patents show the company is experimenting with systems that use machine learning to recommend pricing based on demand, inventory, and other factors.

Walmart says it does not use surge pricing and has no plans to automatically raise prices based on when you shop. Instead, the company says the technology is designed to improve efficiency, speed up markdowns, and help employees manage pricing more effectively.

Still, this is a meaningful shift. For decades, in-store prices were relatively static. Now, they can change in real time.

Heres what that means for your wallet along with some tips to stay ahead of the change.

Whats actually changing

The biggest difference is new flexibility for Walmart. Meaning they have way more control over when and how prices change than before.

With digital shelf tags:

• Prices can be updated storewide in seconds.
• Promotions can start and end more precisely.
• Markdown timing can be more targeted.

That doesnt automatically mean prices will go up more often. In fact, Walmart says the goal is to improve pricing accuracy and reduce delays in lowering prices, especially on items like produce or seasonal goods.

But it does mean pricing could become more fluid, rather than something that stays the same all day or week.

Why some shoppers are concerned

The concern isnt what Walmart is doing today, its more with what the technology could allow in the future.

Other industries are already using dynamic pricing:

• Airlines adjust ticket prices constantly.
• Hotels change rates based on demand.
• Ride-share services increase fares during peak times.

Walmart says its not moving in that direction. But the combination of real-time price tags and AI-driven pricing tools has raised questions about how pricing strategies could evolve over time.

For now, though, the bigger impact is simply that prices can change faster than before.

How to shop smarter right now

If youre used to treating store prices as fixed, its worth adjusting your approach slightly.

1. Scan items as you shop:Use the Walmart app to scan products and confirm the current price. This gives you a second reference point and helps catch any discrepancies.

2. Take a quick photo of big-ticket prices:If youre buying something expensive, snapping a picture of the shelf price can help if theres a mismatch at checkout.

3. Dont wait on good deals:If you see a strong price on something you already planned to buy, grab it. Waiting could mean missing it if pricing updates happen faster.

4. Check prices online before heading in:Sometimes Walmart.com pricing can differ slightly from in-store pricing. Use it as a benchmark before you shop.

5. Compare across retailers more often:If pricing becomes more dynamic, the gap between Walmart and competitors could shift more frequently. A quick price comparison can pay off, especially on larger purchases.

Where this could actually help you save

This isnt all downside, as digital pricing can also work in your favor:

• Faster markdowns on perishable items like meat, bakery goods, and produce.
• More frequent clearance adjustments on seasonal products.
• Better timing on sales events, since prices can change instantly.

In other words, deals may show up faster but they may not stick around as long.

Smart tips to stay ahead:

• If possible, shop earlier in the day, as many retailers push updates overnight or early in the morning.
• Track your repeat purchases (like groceries or household items) so you can easily spot pricing patterns.
• Stack savings whenever possible by using cash back apps, Walmart+ benefits, or credit card rewards to offset small price fluctuations.

The new pill offers a needle-free option as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to surge

• The FDA has approved Foundayo, a once-daily GLP-1 weight loss pill from Eli Lilly.

• It offers similar benefits to injectable drugs but without needles or strict timing rules.

• Early data shows meaningful weight loss, but side effects and cost are still factors.

For millions of Americans, weight loss medications have typically meant one thing: injections. But thats starting to change.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new option from Eli Lilly called Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily pill designed to help people lose weight by mimicking a hormone that controls appetite and fullness.

The approval marks a major shift in the fast-growing GLP-1 market, where demand has surged but access and convenience have sometimes lagged. With Foundayo, patients now have a needle-free alternative that could make treatment more approachable for people who are hesitant about injections or looking for a simpler routine.

"People living with obesity need treatment options that meet them where they are and for many, a once-daily pill that can be taken with no food or water restrictions can offer them greater flexibility in how they approach their treatment," Deborah Horn, DO, director of the Center for Obesity Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, said in a news release.

"With Foundayo, we now have an oral option that delivered an average of 12.4% weight loss at the highest dose in clinical trials addressing both the clinical realities of obesity and the practical challenges patients face every day."

What makes Foundayo different

Foundayo works similarly to well-known GLP-1 drugs by helping regulate appetite and slowing digestion, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.

But its biggest selling point is convenience: its taken as a daily pill and doesnt come with the same strict timing requirements as some competing oral medications.

In clinical trials, patients lost roughly 7.8% to 12.4% of their body weight over about 72 weeks, depending on the dose. Thats slightly less than whats typically seen with some injectable GLP-1 drugs, but still considered significant especially given the easier format.

Pricing may also play a role in its appeal. Foundayo is expected to cost as little as $25 per month with insurance, or around $149 for those paying out of pocket, and will initially be available through Lillys direct-to-consumer platform before expanding to pharmacies and telehealth providers.

Like other drugs in its class, side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and some patients in trials stopped taking it because of these issues.

What consumers should know

While the idea of a weight loss pill may sound like a game-changer, experts say its not a magic fix. Foundayo is meant to be used alongside lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and it requires a prescription and medical supervision.

Its also part of a broader trend: pharmaceutical companies are racing to develop more convenient versions of GLP-1 treatments as demand skyrockets. Pills like Foundayo could eventually capture a sizable share of the market, especially among people who want to avoid injections.

"Today, fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from a GLP-1 are taking one, held back by access, stigma, perceived complexity, or the belief that their condition isn't serious enough for treatment. We believe Foundayo can help level the playing field for those living with obesity or who are overweight and living with weight-related complications," David A. Ricks, chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, said in the news release.

"As a convenient, once-daily oral pill that delivers meaningful weight loss, this is obesity care designed for the real world."

New data reveals how our reliance on tech is fueling stress and what you can do to feel more in control

• Nearly half of Americans feel panic when their phone battery drops below 10%, highlighting just how tied our mental well-being is to constant connectivity.

• Experts say the fear of power outages is largely rational, as more people rely on electricity for work, communication, and daily routines.

• Simple steps like backup chargers, generators, and building small offline habits can help reduce anxiety and give consumers more control.

For most people, a power outage used to mean lighting a few candles and waiting it out. Now, it can feel a lot more unsettling.

As our daily lives become increasingly tied to phones, Wi-Fi, and constant connectivity, even a short loss of power can trigger real anxiety. A new study from Prepaid Electricity highlights just how deeply that dependence runs and how quickly it can impact our mental state.

According to the data, nearly half of Americans have felt genuine panic when their phone battery dips below 10%, and more than half say losing Wi-Fi is the most stressful part of an outage.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Prepaid Electricity co-founder Nick Barber who explained whether this fear is rational, the mental toll losing power takes on many of us, tangible steps for consumers to take control of their situation, and more.

The anxiety of being disconnected

Barber explained that the mental effects of losing power arent just about the inconvenience, but instead, the anxiety associated with not being connected.

Being disconnected means not having the ability to connect with work, stripping communication and disrupting daily activities, he said. This is what creates the panic. With almost half of Americans experiencing panic with phones that go below 10%, we can see that mental well-being is related to the ability to stay connected.

Is this fear rational?

According to Barber, it is, as much of our daily lives are centered around technology and being digitally connected.

While there is pressure on the power grid from both weather and aging infrastructure, the real change, though, is the degree to which people are reliant on electricity to function, Barber said. 42% of Americans consider themselves completely or highly dependent on constant digital connectivity. This means people experience panic even with the electricity off for a short time.

Preparedness makes a difference

If youre worried about losing power, being prepared can make all the difference.

There are quick fixes that can be taken, such as the purchase of a portable charger or backup batteries, and then there are more serious fixes, such as generators, that provide more sustainable coverage, Barber said. These are important considerations, especially with half of Americans claiming to be unprepared for a three-day outage.

And if youre looking to be a little less connected to your devices, Barber recommends starting small and working your way up.

Building small habits to achieve digital independence can help to alleviate the frustration and stress of an outage, he said. This can include such aspects as having an offline copy of information, not being constantly attached to a device, and having a routine that does not require constant connection.

Food service and construction saw the biggest slowdown

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. job openings held steady at 6.9 million in February, signaling a relatively stable but cooling labor market.

• Hiring fell sharply to 4.8 million, marking the lowest hiring rate since April 2020.

• Worker quits and layoffs were largely unchanged, suggesting cautious behavior from both employees and employers.

If you think its getting harder to find a job, its not your imagination. Employers have pumped the brakes on hiring.

In its latest report on job openings, the Labor Department found that hiring slowed considerably in February, even as job openings and overall separations remained relatively stable.

Employers reported 6.9 million job openings at the end of February, essentially unchanged from the prior month. The job openings rate held at 4.2%, indicating that while demand for workers persists, it is no longer expanding at the pace seen in recent years.

The more significant shift came in hiring activity. Employers brought on 4.8 million workers during the month, a drop of nearly 500,000 from January. The hiring rate fell to 3.1%, its lowest level since April 2020, during the early months of the pandemic. Compared with a year earlier, hiring is down by 387,000.

Where it was harder to find work

The decline was especially pronounced in accommodation and food services, which shed 178,000 hires, and in construction, where hiring fell by 88,000. These sectors have been among the more volatile in recent labor market cycles and are often sensitive to broader economic conditions.

Meanwhile, total separations which include quits, layoffs, and other departures held steady at 5.0 million, with a rate of 3.1%. This suggests that while hiring is slowing, employers are not broadly cutting jobs.

Quits, a key measure of worker confidence, remained unchanged at 3.0 million. The quit rate stayed at 1.9%, reflecting a workforce that is neither aggressively seeking new opportunities nor retreating sharply. Declines in quits were seen in accommodation and food services, wholesale trade, and the federal government, while nondurable goods manufacturing posted a modest increase.

Overall layoffs remained stable

Layoffs and discharges also showed little movement, holding at 1.7 million with a rate of 1.1%. However, there were some sector-specific shifts. Retail trade saw an increase of 72,000 layoffs, while nondurable goods manufacturing and the federal government recorded declines.

Other separations including retirements and transfers fell by 75,000 to 277,000.

Looking at business size, smaller establishments with fewer than 10 employees saw a decline in job opening rates, while most other labor market indicators remained stable across both small and large employers.

Overall, Februarys data paint a picture of a labor market that is stabilizing after a period of rapid expansion, with slower hiring emerging as the most notable trend.