The people who are successful in this business all have one thing in common: they find creative ways to extract as much money as they can from most everything in their inventory. They waste very little because their perception of trash is different than others. They see the value in things most of us see as insignificant. If you've ever started with nothing and worked your way up, you can relate. Those who keep this mentality, even when life is comfortable, are the ones who do well in this business and in life.
Listing items in the free section of Craigslist is a great way to get rid of things quickly, but before you give anything away, determine whether it has value. If the answer is yes, I recommend pricing the item slightly below the item's minimum value. For example, let's say you have a refrigerator from 1985 in fair condition. Any running refrigerator, regardless of age, will usually sell quickly at $80 on Craigslist. Just compare asking prices of similar appliances for sale on Craigslist, (if there isn't anything similar in your area, expand your search to the nearest major city,) then price yours 10-20% below the average, and your phone will ring off the hook. This way, you get rid of the unwanted item(s) and still put a little cash in your pocket.