(MS) -- When the holidays are over and the decorations have been packed away, the bills continue to roll in and the increased spending from the previous months can take its toll on your finances. The start of 2009 is set to be one of the hardest New Years in recent times as cutbacks continue and companies falter in this difficult financial climate.

However, there are solutions for cash-strapped Americans who act now to combat New Year money worries. Keeping to a budget and cutting back on spending, is the first step, but for many, a quick way to make some extra cash is needed, and one of the easiest ways to make money is to clear out the attic or basement and sell your unwanted items online.

"If you can buy holiday gifts online, then you can sell items online -- just as easily," says Franco Lagudi, CEO and Founder of the new online selling community, The SOC Exchange. "In this tough economy everyone is looking for a way to bring in a little extra cash and countless others are hunting online for cheap deals that will help them cut costs -- it's the perfect time to start selling online."

The SOC Exchange www.theSOCexchange.com allows users to set up their own online selling site for just $1 a month and does not charge the listing or commission fees the big auction sites charge. A simple, inexpensive alternative to such sites as eBay and Craigslist, The SOC Exchange gives all sellers their own 'webstore' where they can list as many items as they like in a store-front format, with up to seven photos per item, plus many innovative features such as the ability to post a blog on your site, or send an e-mail newsletter to customers.

"People are no longer willing to pay high fees to buy and sell online, yet they want a site that helps them to find buyers and keeps costs minimal," comments Lagudi. "My aim is to bring down the cost of online trading and encourage everyone to post those items they no longer need -- to recycle their unwanted items and make some extra cash."

For those interested in starting to sell online, Lagudi, offers these tips:

Clear Out The Clutter - Clear out your basement and the attic. Take clear photographs of all the things you haven't used in a year and sell them online.

Collectibles Can Be Fun to Trade - Many people enjoy trading collectibles as a hobby and some manage to make a good living. If you are new to trading collectibles, start with low-priced items and watch other sites to see what sells and how much it sells for.

Put Your Hobbies to Good Use - Whether you like to knit, sew, paint, or make bird houses,