Every Day With Rachael Ray

insider’s tip

Assess ruthlessly what to keep and what to sell. Even sentimental items can go.

“It’s amazing how you can think you’re attached to something, then it’s gone and it never crosses your mind again,”

Demby says. If you’re on the fence about keeping something, it’ll probably sell.

insider’s tip

Create a Pile o’ Bargains Trying to get rid of random stuff? Arrange like items into attractive piles and put unrelated items in bins. “People love picking through stuff and feeling like they’re going to discover something,” Demby says. Use signs to play up bargains (“CDs for $1!” “All linens $2!”), and watch the small deals add up.

For your big-ticket items, set up to impress. Make sure quality items are set apart, in an eye-catching display with prices clearly marked. “If you have two nice things in with 20 rusty things, you’re going to have a hard time getting more than $2 for your nice things,” Demby says. For clothing, appearance counts, so get a rack. “If you lay clothes on the ground, people think they’re garbage,” he says.