Wouldn't it be great to find fifty, a hundred, or even a thousand dollars lying around your home? The stuff crammed in your closets can easily add up to that. Here are some ideas for how to sell it.

Colleen Carroll regularly raids her closets for extra spending money, by selling her gently used clothing at a consignment shop.

"Last year, I've made between $750 and a thousand dollars," Carroll said.

Yard or garage sales are another time-honored way to make money selling things.

"Turning your trash into treasure at a yard sale can be a lot of work. You've got to price everything and haul it in and out of your house. Plus you've got to make a bunch of signs and posters," Consumer Reports Money Advisor Mandy Walker said.

She says set prices at about 10 to 20 per cent what you paid for something. And be sure prices are clearly marked. Bundling items can help you make a sale. And always be prepared to give a discount.

On the upside with garage sales you get to keep all the profits, minus costs like paid advertising

Selling stuff online on eBay or Amazon.com will cost you more - around 10 to 15 per cent of your total sales. But you get more potential buyers.

"To get going, see what similar items are selling for on the web site. For instance, on eBay, click on advanced search, then completed listings. See, this iPod sold for $76,"

You'll need to open an account to advertise your items and to get paid. After a sale, pack and ship within a couple of days. Your reputation depends on it.

"When you're selling online, small and lightweight are the way to go. That way you can save big on packing and shipping," Walker said.

Craigslist is also a fast way to sell on line, at no cost to you

Some consignment stores will accept larger things, like furniture.

Carroll says she likes being able to clean out her closet, and knowing others enjoy wearing her clothing.

"Mostly I like getting a cherub every three months," Carroll said.

If you opt to sell on-line beware of scams. If a buyer sends you a cheque worth more than you're asking for and then asks you to send money back, the cheques are fraudulent and it's no deal.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen