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Saturday Sweetness! $30 Spent = ??????????????????????????????

by iAmNameLess
25 replies
So I wanted to try something new today. One of my new goals, is to try something new every single day of the week. Last night, I tried fried zucchini for the first time in my life, and it actually wasn't too bad. Anyway, today, I decided to hit up some yard sales and start up a new offline business(on saturdays) just to be able to get around and meet new people and do different things. I get tired of being on the computer non stop so, I thought it would be a nice change.

I took about $200 out of my bank account to see what I can do. I figured, I'd end up spending a lot but I didn't know.

I got on craigslist, bought a paper, and compiled a list locally of yard sales, garage sales and estate sales. My goal was just to buy some random things I think I could sell using craigslist.

I ended up spending $30.

I bought a black milan metal futon frame and cushion
Dale Earnhardt collectible polyresin bear
Some motorcycle helmet
Clinique make up and moisturizer
Some other random things...

I had no idea what any of these would be worth... and man... people really over value some of their things, even at yard sales. I was really shocked by someone trying to sell a precious moments plate for $65 when it was listed on ebay and a couple other sites for $10... I ended up getting yelled at by the owner and told to leave.

So I got back home... Started looking a few of these things up...

I'm selling the futon for $100, have someone coming over to get it now. Should have set the price at 150 or more..oh well
The bear I have someone that called and wants to meet to buy it for $40
The motorcycle helmet I'm selling for $50, have 2 interested but no takers yet.

The clinique crap... my girlfriend ganked from me... the estimated selling value of that, all unopened, would be about $200. She's either going to give me $100 or I'm going to have to start taking GF applications.

So there you have it... a couple bucks, a little bit of time... you can make some money! Nothing tricky... nothing fancy or sexy. Anyone could do it! If you guys have a weekend morning available, go try it out... don't be afraid to negotiate down. If I paid asking value for all these, I'd have spent $80 instead of $30 total...

I could have went to about 7-8 more yard sales, and increased my profit... I really just wanted to see if this is something that can be done regularly. 160 profit maybe even more if I sell these little things. I probably could have increased that if I spent another hour going to these.
#$30 #saturday #spent #sweetness
  • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
    good job! It just takes a little effort to make some extra cash.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Yes! The action is more important than the money...it doesn't take much money at all to start making some. The eye for opportunity is more valuable.

    If you have a phone, a computer/internet connection and a brain, you have all the fixin's for profit! There's even FREE stuff out there you can grab and resell.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      There's even FREE stuff out there you can grab and resell.
      Definitely.

      I used to get furniture for free, spend about 30 minutes using some decoupage on it, and I could sell it for a few hundred bucks. (Mostly desks that had a bad writing surface - simple fix.)

      Honestly, there is SO much money you can make if you just keep your eyes open!
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      • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
        I love garage sales they are a money maker

        I always find stuff to buy that I can flip on Craigslist for a nice profit.

        Just last weekend I bought a Disney Bambi musical motion snow globe for $5 and it was worth $75 and sold it the next day on Craigslist for $50 to a
        collector.

        I also bought a nice wall sofa panting for $15 and sold that on Craigslist for $40.

        I could go on and on, but the point is hitting garage sales and taken action will result in anyone making some nice extra money.

        All the best,

        Martin
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

        Definitely.

        I used to get furniture for free, spend about 30 minutes using some decoupage on it, and I could sell it for a few hundred bucks. (Mostly desks that had a bad writing surface - simple fix.)

        Honestly, there is SO much money you can make if you just keep your eyes open!

        Shay... can you expand on that a bit? I always see free desks on craigslist, and most have a bunch of scratches and scrapes. I know nothing of this decoupage thing you speak of?

        I know if I pursue anything like this on the side, my profits are going to be low, but my main thing I want to accomplish is to be able to employ one or two people to help them get on their feet. Pick up free desks, free appliances, or other random free stuff, repair, or do the decoupage stuff you just mentioned, and resell it.
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        • Profile picture of the author ShayB
          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

          Shay... can you expand on that a bit? I always see free desks on craigslist, and most have a bunch of scratches and scrapes. I know nothing of this decoupage thing you speak of?

          I know if I pursue anything like this on the side, my profits are going to be low, but my main thing I want to accomplish is to be able to employ one or two people to help them get on their feet. Pick up free desks, free appliances, or other random free stuff, repair, or do the decoupage stuff you just mentioned, and resell it.
          Here's the Reader's Digest version.

          1. Look for furniture that's not horribly damaged. Minor repairs needed only, and lots of people will throw out a desk if the writing surface is even slightly bad.

          2. Use a combination of wood filler and sanding to get the surface fixed. (It doesn't have to look pretty, just be smooth.)

          3. Here's a basic tutorial on decoupage (using a stool for their project).


          (You can find tons of tutorials. It's a VERY simple skill for people to pick up.)

          4. Decide on a theme for your desk (boy, girl, teen, adult male or female) and redo it that way. You can use special decoupage kits or use plain papers (wrapping paper, napkins, postcards, or a zillion other things). (Generic boy- and girl - themed desks usually sell faster. Think flowers, hearts, soccer balls, basketballs, etc.)

          5. Once it's finished, take pics and sell it.

          It's late, so this is short. If you need more info, just ask.

          Edited to add: The decoupage kits cost more than other materials, but they are professional-grade and can get you a higher price.

          Another edit: More ideas for projects here:

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  • Profile picture of the author NiceGuyMedia
    Nice! We did something similar last Saturday except reversed! Cleaned out the closets and made $186 with 4 hours of work... GARAGE SALE!

    I am also super interested in retro gaming so I tend to visit good wills and consignment stores often to scope out any good deals. I ended up getting an Atari 2600 with 20 games for $40 it just needs some controllers and I'll be gold

    Once you learn different techniques and get comfortable in your process it is amazing what you can do with some spare time and a couple bucks huh?

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend

    -Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author globalpro
    Nathan,

    You never cease to amaze, and this:

    but my main thing I want to accomplish is to be able to employ one or two people to help them get on their feet.
    is a keeper. Well done.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author CollegeCEO
    Great job. Flipping items is a huge business and can be very lucrative. I used to work in self storage and meant a lot of people through the auctions that make very good money.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Just a note - you don't have to decoupage the whole desk. If there's one spot that's bad, you can just cover that one spot.
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

        Just a note - you don't have to decoupage the whole desk. If there's one spot that's bad, you can just cover that one spot.
        That is really brilliant. I'm going to have to learn this... I have a buddy of mine that is recently single and had to move back in with his parents, lost his job because his girlfriend's dad was his boss, and they had a huge falling out. If it's easy enough to learn and teach, I just created a full time job for him. There are free desks on craigslist ALL the time.

        I'm thinking sports emblems and logos would do really well too. Could be a nice little gig.

        I wonder, if this could be done without special paper??
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        • Profile picture of the author ShayB
          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

          That is really brilliant. I'm going to have to learn this... I have a buddy of mine that is recently single and had to move back in with his parents, lost his job because his girlfriend's dad was his boss, and they had a huge falling out. If it's easy enough to learn and teach, I just created a full time job for him. There are free desks on craigslist ALL the time.

          I'm thinking sports emblems and logos would do really well too. Could be a nice little gig.

          I wonder, if this could be done without special paper??
          Yep. You can use wrapping paper, magazine pages (Justin Bieber, Twilight, etc. - can you imagine how quickly one of those themes would sell? ), posters, decals, pretty much anything of paper. Even fabric. (If you use fabric, either get a glass top cut for the top, or make sure you use enough decoupage medium so that the surface is completely smooth. )

          You can also take orders for doing custom jobs once you have a few samples to show.
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          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            @IAmNameless -


            Do you have any ladies that might be interested?

            There are a few things that they can do with purses that you pick up for free that I can share.
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            • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
              Sorry to be a latecomer to this thread but thanks to greenovni I'm here. I wrote a free ebook on dumpster diving - covers everything in this thread - and am giving it away on:

              The Money Ferret - Finance Article Directory

              Look on the right hand side under free ebooks. No sign up, no email address and I don't even want to know your name.

              If you ain't afraid of looking, you'll be amazed at what you find. Do some research on yahoo and you'll see they have quite a few articles on what people found doing what I write about plus visiting the local goodwill and salvation army stores.

              If you are truly interested in learning how to do it and make serious money, go to:

              Seeds of Wisdom Publishing - Books on Success in Life

              and read all the chatteling posts by Gordon Alexander. He is the #1 master at this stuff.

              Here is an example of how to get people to give you stuff. As a lot of you know, I own an insurance agency. We tell all of our people who do not recycle aluminum to bring their cans by the agency.

              We collect them and give them to one of our less fortunate clients who recycles them and uses the money to pay his premium and buy groceries. Imagine if we asked clients to bring by their old computers and cell phones or anything else we wished to convert to cash.

              Anyway we talk the talk and walk the walk.

              Tom
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            • Profile picture of the author trevstar22
              Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

              @IAmNameless -


              Do you have any ladies that might be interested?

              There are a few things that they can do with purses that you pick up for free that I can share.
              Yes I am interested the desk idea is GREAT but they would be heavy to
              Lug around, what can you do with purses?
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob28x
    I sell things often on craigslist, just never thought to hit garage sales for things to sell. Going to give it a shot. There were still several I passed this last weekend even though its cold out.
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    • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
      Originally Posted by Rob28x View Post

      I sell things often on craigslist, just never thought to hit garage sales for things to sell. Going to give it a shot. There were still several I passed this last weekend even though its cold out.
      Rob,

      I have a friend who regularly hits garage sales for stuff to sell on ebay. Makes two - three hundred a week extra. Not bad for an old retired guy.

      Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author copystud
    Look at all the shows on TV about this same concept. Try hitting up a couple of small town storage sales next.

    You never know what you might stumble upon.
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  • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
    This is a completely doable model for both extra or full time income.

    There have been a number of times I have purchased things on CL and found out afterwards they did not fit my actual needs...the biggest on that comes to mind was a desk I pick for $100...once set up, it didn't leave a whole lot of moving room...listed it for $200 back on CL and had it sold within days...

    I may have to start trying this on Saturday mornings...just as a way to get out of the house.

    Adrian
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Good stuff, iAmNameLess! Just goes to show there are always ways to be making money you just have to look hard enough.

    I even know a guy who buys things on Craigslist for cheap because he is a great negotiator, turns around and re-sells the item on Craigslist and takes the margin. It's crazy, but he does well at it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mav91890
    This is what I do except with craigslist. I buy low, sell high. Many people are impatient or need money now. For example, I bought a PS Vita with some games and accessories for $80. Sold it the next day for $130. Not bad for only spending an hour of my time.

    Another example, I bought a PS3 system with a game or two for $60, resold it a week later for $160. It's all about finding the right buyers. I may have to start hitting up yard sales too.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Mav91890 View Post

      This is what I do except with craigslist. I buy low, sell high. Many people are impatient or need money now. For example, I bought a PS Vita with some games and accessories for $80. Sold it the next day for $130. Not bad for only spending an hour of my time.

      Another example, I bought a PS3 system with a game or two for $60, resold it a week later for $160. It's all about finding the right buyers. I may have to start hitting up yard sales too.

      Mav, you sure brought this thread up from the dead. 2 years ago lol.

      I am glad you did though.. I've been doing the same on CL when I've been a bit bored. I've been doing it with cars though. There are some people that get super desperate... 2002 Crown Vic, tinted windows, 79k miles, great shape because the person needed bond money lol. Got it for $750 and resold for $2,500.

      I've been burned a few times with that though and since I don't exactly know too much about cars, it is bound to happen a few more times. Right now I'm waiting for a guy to get desperate enough to sell his eclipse to me, with lambo doors... he's already come down by 1,000.... just need him to come down another $500 and it will make sense.

      There's a lot of opportunity with this.

      With what I do... I won't get rich off it, but it's a nice hobby and gets me out of the office while making a nice little bit of cash. I haven't been hitting up the yard sales as much, but I might.

      Good yard sale buys for easy flips.... Futons, golf clubs, couches and furniture that are in good shape, kitchen tables.

      Futons you can often buy for $20-25 and flip for $100... furniture, kitchen table and chairs, you always have parents that are searching craigslist for their kids who are moving out for the first time.

      Stay away from electronics unless it's an obvious good deal.
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      • Profile picture of the author kirbymarketingconcierge
        like the idea of arbitrage

        thanks for the updated posts for this thread.

        fried zucchini for everybody! esp. Iamnameless
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      • Profile picture of the author umc
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        Mav, you sure brought this thread up from the dead. 2 years ago lol.

        I am glad you did though.. I've been doing the same on CL when I've been a bit bored. I've been doing it with cars though. There are some people that get super desperate... 2002 Crown Vic, tinted windows, 79k miles, great shape because the person needed bond money lol. Got it for $750 and resold for $2,500.

        I've been burned a few times with that though and since I don't exactly know too much about cars, it is bound to happen a few more times. Right now I'm waiting for a guy to get desperate enough to sell his eclipse to me, with lambo doors... he's already come down by 1,000.... just need him to come down another $500 and it will make sense.

        There's a lot of opportunity with this.

        With what I do... I won't get rich off it, but it's a nice hobby and gets me out of the office while making a nice little bit of cash. I haven't been hitting up the yard sales as much, but I might.

        Good yard sale buys for easy flips.... Futons, golf clubs, couches and furniture that are in good shape, kitchen tables.

        Futons you can often buy for $20-25 and flip for $100... furniture, kitchen table and chairs, you always have parents that are searching craigslist for their kids who are moving out for the first time.

        Stay away from electronics unless it's an obvious good deal.
        I did the car thing for a bit a few years ago. It was fun, but one bad buy can totally screw you. People that are desperate to sell a car really cheap often didn't have the money to maintain their cars and those cars were tough to gauge mechanically. In our state you can only sell so many cars before needing a dealer's license, and the requirements for that were insane. The other option was to jump title, but that's not legal and can get you in hot water of you have a sale go bad. You're also putting the person that you bought it from originally in some risk. I eventually stopped, but I also tried to do to many things at once (as I'm prone to do).

        Nice share. I remembered this thread when it was bumped. Good stuff here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mav91890
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        Mav, you sure brought this thread up from the dead. 2 years ago lol.

        I am glad you did though.. I've been doing the same on CL when I've been a bit bored. I've been doing it with cars though. There are some people that get super desperate... 2002 Crown Vic, tinted windows, 79k miles, great shape because the person needed bond money lol. Got it for $750 and resold for $2,500.

        I've been burned a few times with that though and since I don't exactly know too much about cars, it is bound to happen a few more times. Right now I'm waiting for a guy to get desperate enough to sell his eclipse to me, with lambo doors... he's already come down by 1,000.... just need him to come down another $500 and it will make sense.

        There's a lot of opportunity with this.

        With what I do... I won't get rich off it, but it's a nice hobby and gets me out of the office while making a nice little bit of cash. I haven't been hitting up the yard sales as much, but I might.

        Good yard sale buys for easy flips.... Futons, golf clubs, couches and furniture that are in good shape, kitchen tables.

        Futons you can often buy for $20-25 and flip for $100... furniture, kitchen table and chairs, you always have parents that are searching craigslist for their kids who are moving out for the first time.

        Stay away from electronics unless it's an obvious good deal.
        I wanted to do the same with cars as well. Problem is, I know nothing about cars and a million things could be wrong with it and I'd have no way of knowing, haha.
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