Clutter is a hotly negotiated currency in many homes, especially when one family member's treasure looks like junk to another. Clutter conflicts often develop when a pack rat shares a home with a space-clearing maven.

I spoke to experts about how to resolve the clutter battle. Here are some of their suggestions:

• Trade treasure for junk. Trent Hamm, author of TheSimpleDollar.com, a personal finance Web site, uses a barter system to cut clutter in his home. When his wife insists on hoarding treasure during a closet-cleaning session, Hamm negotiates. Waving another hotly debated item, he tries to cut a deal: Keep one, trade one. From that initial bid, the dealing continues until the closets are streamlined.

• Barter with time. When the item-for-item barter system fails, Hamm and his wife trade time for merchandise. She retains her treasure, and he earns a golfing session.

• Trade junk for cash. Your unwanted merchandise can be converted into cash, says Catherine Halley, Web editor for Domino magazine (www.dominomag.com) and author of the Scrappy Girl Decorates blog. Your extra clutter can be sold at a multifamily garage sale or through eBay or on online classified listings.

• Convert clutter into art. Halley uses household objects — empty thread spools or an old drawer — to make mixed-media sculptures. Her art pieces have become so popular that friends have started to make requests. Halley also has sold her clutter-into-art pieces at ETSY.com, which showcases handmade crafts. "You can operate your own store on the Web site," she said.

• Earn a tax credit. Many charities provide tax credits for donations of furniture and other merchandise. Some charities seek out specific items such as eyeglasses, business suits and prom dresses.

• Give it away. Create your own hand-me-down boutique by giving away the lamps, books and clothes that are cluttering closets. Halley, for example, had held onto a velvet Prada jacket that she found in a thrift store for $8 — far below the normal triple-digit price tag. But the jacket didn't fit. A few weeks ago, Halley finally surrendered it to a friend.

Frugal Duchess is an occasional feature in digs. E-mails can be sent to Sharon Harvey Rosenberg at sharonhr@bellsouth.net. Sorry, no personal replies.