Money making ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
Money making ideas
4
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 6:01pm
I read most posts here and have noticed that there are a good many situations in which the person simply doesn't have enough money to cover some very basic expenses and some of the conventional remedys aren't workable. Sometimes I feel that in addition to a pat on the back it helps to be able to plug into a pool of ideas. From time to time one or another person offers an idea to make some money. The old year is nearly behind us. The great thing about a new year is that it is like a clean slate. You get to write a different story. Maybe if if anyone who has been successful at thinking of alternative ways to make money posts them we can create a sort of brain trust to carry us into the new year. I know that I have learned tons of information over the years just by hearing people talk about things that worked for them. Not only are many of the ideas adaptable to various situations, but sometimes when you share thoughts it sparks crative thinking in yourself. Share the knowledge! Build on the energy! Feed off of the success!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: trudyu
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 6:47pm

Great topic!

I knit - just learned this past year. And I've had some success with baby blankets. I made a few for friends who had babies and then started getting orders. I wasn't charging nearly enough so made very little money. But with some serious planning and figuring how much I should be charging I could make a bit of money doing it. I stopped because I got a bit overwhelmed but with some planning I'm going to try it again early in 2005. I might even try to sell some knit baby hats/sweaters/booties. (Anyone wanna buy one?? LOL) I also have a friend who makes gorgeous quilts and kids bedding. Really great stuff. She's working to get to the point of being able to quit her job and do this full time. People love homemade stuff!

A lot of people sell at ebay and if you're good at it and know how to do it well you can make some money.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
In reply to: trudyu
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 7:42pm

Great idea--

-Once a year, I clear the clutter and have a HUGE yard sale;

-I regularly sell used books at Barnes & Noble (they will give you cash or credit--the credit is usually more, but you have to use it that same day);

-I have sold used CDs and DVDs at an FYE (For Your Entertainment) store in the mall;

-I regularly sell on ebay (I am an antiques dealer, but anyone can do this...if you become knowledgeable about something, anything at all, you can pick up lots of good stuff at garage sales, thrift shops, flea markets...and turn it for a profit);

-I keep ALL my receipts and if I am feeling iffy about something I haven't used/worn, I will return it--especially when I am short on cash

-I return bottles for the deposit

-Two times a year I take clothes I no longer wear to the consignment shop ('good' labels--J. Jill for example--do better on ebay though)

That's all I can think of for now.

BK




iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
In reply to: trudyu
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 9:05pm
I want to do this. Right now I am making dh an American Flag afghan but once I'm finished, (and I basically just started lol its a big blanket) I want to make baby booties and such and sell them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
In reply to: trudyu
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 11:07pm
One of the most important things any of us can do is to take stock of what we know how to do and how our skills can make money. I've sewn from a very early age. While I can probably make just about anything , I concentrate on things that can be done quickly and with a minimal amount of stress. I cook, I sew, I buy things cheap and sell high. One year I made a rabbit for one of my sisters as a Christmas gift. She took it to her office to show it off. As her friends admired her gift she explained that I make custom rabbits. I guess if you stretch the truth a little...I do...as gifts. My sister started taking orders and said she would check one availablity. I was not really up for making the rabbits so I announced that I was very busy and would be charging $65.00 per rabbit. I figured that it would scare them away. Ten rabbits and $650.00 later I delivered them. In the meantime my well meaning sister convinced a shop keeper that he should carry the rabbits. I managed to get away by the skin of my teeth on that one. Had I been a SAHM I would have been willing to continue in the rabbit business. We have always used duvets instead of blankets in our household. If you have ever purchased duvet covers you know how expensive they can be for nice ones. I have always made my own as well as shams to match. If you take a very easy project like that and add a few twists to it suddenly you have a "following" and can name your price. The customer either provides the fabric (with my approval) or I buy sheets at a linen outlet. I started to bake at a very early age as well. I enjoy it. Over the years I've emassed a few really good recipes. I make a carrot cake that I describe as industrial. For years I've brought that cake to the office as special treats. I learned that people will pay a bunch of money for homemade goodies. When I want money I can always announce that I will be willing to do one of several deserts. It works well around the holidays. Many of us have found ourselves in "tight times" because one thing we exell at is shopping. Put all those years of experience to work. With really minimal investment I have made bunches of money on reselling (ebay) items I pick up. The secret is to always deal in things you know about. Learn the labels and how much things are worth. Do the research and learn to write ads. I used to read other people's ads to determine how to write ones that attracted people to my items. You have to be able to spot and purchase items st sales and auctions before anyone realize their worth. You control the investment. I have made major profits off of things I paid under a dollar for. It is all in knowing the products you are buying. Think of all the stuff you've looked at in stores. Many people purchased that crap and are selling it for two bucks or less at a yard sale. People on ebay do not want to bother hoofing it around to find the stuff so they buy it from you. For a while I did mystery shopping. I was only interested in doing shops where in addition to products, I received cash. When I quit I was making about $300 a month with one company and all of my shops were done on the week-ends or on my way home from the office. I know of people who transcribe tape recorded court hearings. Many court use tape recorders because they are cheaper than reporters. If a client wants a transcription of the tape, there are services that transcribe the tapes at home for a pretty good fee. The companies hire freelance people(SAHM) to do the work and pay them well in our area. I know I am rattling on... I apologize... but I wanted to show a number of things that can be done from home or part time that can bring in some extra cash.