Creative Ways to Make Money Part 1: Selling

After speaking with my sister today, I realized that there is a need for some valid job ideas.  She’s made some mistakes and is in need of money to keep a roof over her head.  She’s researching direct sales, specifically Mary Kay.  She’s been a consultant in the past but it didn’t work out for her back then.  The next four articles are dedicated to my younger sister, in hopes that she will look at all options and her extraordinary talents to find some extra income.

Both her and my mom have almost fallen for the envelope stuffing scam.  I want to show everyone that you don’t have to fall for scams in order to make some money!  Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the next three articles – they get much better!

Selling Goods

• Sell your stuff! Not only will you be making some money, but you will be un-cluttering your home or garage. You can sell your items on eBay, Half.com, Amazon Marketplace, Overstock, or Craigslist.
• Sell others stuff! If you know of people who need help getting their house un-cluttered offer to sell their items for them online. They get rid of their stuff, get paid, and you get a commission!
• Sell your gold jewelry! It is the perfect time to sell because the value of gold is high right now.
• Dumpster diving! If you have enough guts and are really careful you can try this out, otherwise stick to flea markets (but watch the prices because many of the vendors now jack them up), garage sales, and thrift stores. Take the items home, clean them up, and then re-sell them in the local paper or online.
• Create and sell gift baskets! You can set up your own internet store or sell locally to businesses and at markets.
• Make crafts or Disciple’s Crosses!  Then sell them online through Etsy, Art Fire, MintD, or sell at local markets. eBay also has specific information about selling crafts on their site. Smashing Darling is a great place to sell clothing if you’re a fashion designer.
• Make scrumptious foods!  You can make jams, jellies, breads, pies, cakes, and cookies.  Sell them at local craft shows or farmer’s markets.  A similar idea would be to compile all your favorite or famous recipes into a cookbook and sell it too!
  
• Direct sales! Avon, Mary Kay, Arbonne, PartyLite, and Tupperware, just to name a few. Go to the Direct Selling Association to find more accredited companies. There are more than 200 companies listed that cover everything from cosmetics to clothes, storage containers to food and wine. Internet Based Moms also lists the base commissions, if there are e-commerce options, and methods of selling the product. You can also check out the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance for support.
• If you have a little bit more money to spend, you can start a glass etching or wood engraving businesses.
• Sell antiques or start an antique business.
• The website Gazelle allows you to sell technology items.
• Along the same lines as selling is renting.  Zilok is a site where you can rent items that you need temporarily or rent out items that you own.
  

Stay tuned next Friday for Part 2: Start a Service.  Subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Creative Ways to Make Money Part 1: Selling
Creative Ways to Make Money Part 2: Start a Service
Creative Ways to Make Money Part 3: Computer Work
Creative Ways to Make Money Part 4: Miscellaneous Jobs