Posted on

EPISODE 32 ~ MAKE MORE: Gift Card Exchange: 5 Ways To Make The Most Out Of Your Unwanted Gift Cards This Holiday Season

If you received gift cards this holiday season to stores that just aren’t your thing, they don’t have to sit unused in a drawer.  You can sell them, exchange them, swap them, donate them and more.  Let’s take those in turn:

  1. Sell it.  There are two main websites where you can sell gift cards and they have different business models.  First is cardpool.com, which will buy your gift cards from you on the spot.  The site typically pays 75 to 90 percent of the gift card’s value.  The more popular the store, the higher the payout.  Cardpool even has physical locations, often in grocery stores, if you want your cash fast.  The other site is called Raise and its more of a marketplace for you to sell your gift card to other consumers.  You’ll have to prove your gift card is legit by entering the serial number and other information, but then you can set your own price and see how you do.  Raise takes a 12 percent commission when your gift card sells.  I will link you to both of these sites from easymoneyshow.com/32.
  1. Exchange it. This is a Target offering.  The mega-chain would like you to spend your money at ITS stores instead of somewhere else, so Target allows you to trade in gift cards at most of its stores.  I’ll link you to Target’s list of stores it will accept gift cards from.  You’ll receive a portion of the gift card’s value on, you guessed it, a gift card —but it will be a Target gift card.
  1. Swap it. Organize a swap at your office, your kid’s school or in your neighborhood.  This way you can get the face value of your gift card, if a neighbor is willing to swap or pay for it. 

4)  Donate it.  Yes!  Tons of charities accept gift cards.  And you can get the tac deduction.  Just ask your favorite charity if it does this. If not, CharityGiftCertificates.org has more than a thousand non profit organizations to choose from.  OR, another idea, use the gift card to buy items that charities need! 

5)   FInal idea: Buy gifts with it.  Don’t shoot the messenger.  Even high flying etiquette experts say this is OK.  AND, think of this: the person who bought you this gift card obviously likes this store.  Wait a while and then buy them a gift from the store!

If you received gift cards this holiday season to stores that just aren’t your thing, they don’t have to sit unused in a drawer.  You can sell them, exchange them, swap them, donate them and more.  Let’s take those in turn:

  1. Sell it.  There are two main websites where you can sell gift cards and they have different business models.  First is cardpool.com, which will buy your gift cards from you on the spot.  The site typically pays 75 to 90 percent of the gift card’s value.  The more popular the store, the higher the payout.  Cardpool even has physical locations, often in grocery stores, if you want your cash fast.  The other site is called Raise and its more of a marketplace for you to sell your gift card to other consumers.  You’ll have to prove your gift card is legit by entering the serial number and other information, but then you can set your own price and see how you do.  Raise takes a 12 percent commission when your gift card sells.  I will link you to both of these sites from easymoneyshow.com/32.
  1. Exchange it. This is a Target offering.  The mega-chain would like you to spend your money at ITS stores instead of somewhere else, so Target allows you to trade in gift cards at most of its stores.  I’ll link you to Target’s list of stores it will accept gift cards from.  You’ll receive a portion of the gift card’s value on, you guessed it, a gift card —but it will be a Target gift card.
  1. Swap it. Organize a swap at your office, your kid’s school or in your neighborhood.  This way you can get the face value of your gift card, if a neighbor is willing to swap or pay for it. 

4)  Donate it.  Yes!  Tons of charities accept gift cards.  And you can get the tac deduction.  Just ask your favorite charity if it does this. If not, CharityGiftCertificates.org has more than a thousand non profit organizations to choose from.  OR, another idea, use the gift card to buy items that charities need! 

5)   FInal idea: Buy gifts with it.  Don’t shoot the messenger.  Even high flying etiquette experts say this is OK.  AND, think of this: the person who bought you this gift card obviously likes this store.  Wait a while and then buy them a gift from the store!

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 31 ~ MAKE MORE: Side Hustles: Why Teaching a Fitness Class is the Perfect Extra Gig

This week’s idea is to teach an exercise class on the side to make some extra money.

Here are my 12 reasons why teaching an exercise class should be your next side hustle.

  1. You ought to exercise anyway, so why not get paid to do it?
  2. You’ll be more likely to STICK WITH your exercise routine if other people are counting on you.
  3. And you’ll exercises harder because people are watching!
  4. Being a certified instructor in yoga or indoor cycling or pilates —or whatever— looks cool on your REAL resume because it shows you’re a real person.
  5. As a professional fitness instructor, you’ll be eligible for discounts of 15 to 40 percent at 18 different  athletic apparel brands.
  6. The hours are good for a side hustle.  Other people want to take exercise classes before or after work, so you can teach one before or after work.
  7. You’ll be a better singer.  YES, the breath control required to talk while you sweat it out, develops your lung strength.  Really!
  8. Speaking of music, you’ll learn and listen to great tunes, since most exercise classes these days require a playlist.
  9. You may well lose weight while you’re making money!
  10.   Instead of paying to take the class, you’ll GET paid to TEACH the class.
  11. And that pay should range from 20 to 50 dollars an hour if you work at a gym.
  12. And finally, reason number 12: if you get good, you could sell your own classes somewhere like a community rec center, and charge by the head to make even more money.  10 people at $10 bucks a class is $100 an hour! 
Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 30 ~ MAKE MORE: Reward Cards: Use The Birch Finance App For Benefits Of Reward Credit Cards

One way to earn some extra cash or free stuff is by using a rewards credit card.   BUT the diabolical problem is knowing which rewards credit card will benefit you the most.  There are so many options and variables it’s hard for the human brain to compute the best deal.  Enter an ingenious app called “Birch Finance” which does the work for you.  My guest today is Birch Co-founder Alex Cohen.

How much money are people leaving on the table by not taking advantage of rewards credit cards?

The average person misses out on hundreds of dollars in rewards each year by using the wrong cards. Cue Birch Finance, the only app of its kind to help credit card users maximize their rewards earnings.  It varies for everyone. Take someone that only uses debit cards, for example. On average they miss out on $600-$800 a year in rewards because they’re essentially using cash on every purchase. But for folks that have a card or two already, we typically see them missing out on $200 each year with the cards they already have and around $600 by not using a better card for their spending.

Explain what you mean when you say we analyze “the way you spend.”

So when we think of a rewards credit card, the biggest factors are:

• Sign on bonuses

• Category bonuses (2x on gas)

• Merchant bonuses (earn a bonus when you shop on Amazon)

Every card is different (hence why it’s so difficult to figure out which card is best) and Ignoring all the terms and conditions (and there are a lot) the only way to know which card is right for you is by comparing our actual spend against these cards. It’s almost as if we can show you what your spending WOULD have been had you had used a different card on real purchases.

How do you get the customer’s spending profile in order to figure out their patterns? 

Users log in with their bank credentials so that Birch can link to their accounts. There are no card or account numbers required. Birch creates a secure connection with each of your banks and syncs your transactions across all accounts.

One key piece is that we never store usernames and passwords. They’re passed to the banks and then we chat using a token.

OK, so once a Birch customer has 2-3 of the best credit cards for THEM in their wallet, you also tell them WHICH of those to use at a given store.  How does that work?

Using geolocation, Birch alerts you to which card in your wallet to use when you walk into a store.  In our iOS app (android coming soon), a user can tap on the “compass” icon in the middle of the navigation bar, and using their location in real time, we show nearby stores and the best card to use. If you can’t find the store you can search. One day we’d love to do this using push notifications but we also don’t want to annoy our users if they aren’t actually shopping 🙂

The Birch App is free.  So I think it’s important for people to understand how Birch makes its money.

We make money when someone applies for a credit card. It doesn’t impact any placements or recommendations and most cards we don’t have relationships with. Even if we don’t get paid, we’ll still show a card if it’s best for our users. All we ask is that you apply through us so we can continue building awesome products!

How long has Birch been around and how much money do you calculate you’ve made for your customers so far?

We’ve been around for two years with our first product going live in November of 2016, so a year ago. We’ve probably helped people earn around $10,000,000 worth of extra rewards!

Alex provided a guest blog post naming his expert picks for the best apps to save you money this holiday season.    That’s available at EasyMoneyShow.com/30.

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 29 ~ MAKE MORE: Online Reviews: Review Videos From Anywhere To Make Extra Cash

Many thanks to Refinery29, where I first spotted this unique money-maker.  Here’s how it works: you sign up with a website like DScout.com.  DScout stands for Digital Scout and does opinion research for brands.  Brands post questions they need consumer opinion on and you can apply to do the job.  What makes DScout different is that you give your opinion via video.  Nothing fancy.  Just the built-in video camera and mic on your phone.  Here’s a sample job available on DScout right now:

“Do you enjoy shopping for packaged snacks? What are your go-to places to stock up? We are looking for scouts who can tell us all about where and how they go about purchasing packaged snacks! Selected scouts will be asked to walk us through their shopping experiences…”

The site says this task will take just 4 minutes and if you get some experience doing this, you probably can.  A California woman told Refinery29 that she usually submits 30 second to 2 minute videos.  For that, she makes $50 to $150 bucks.  DScout pays via Paypal.

You can do these jobs from  home or from wherever you are, if you’re out of town.  So that’s one site requesting video reviews.  Interestingly, one way to find out about more opportunities like this is Pinterest.  Or just do a quick web search.  I did and came up with another video review site called VoxPopMe.  Just be sure to check reviews of any job-related site before you get too far along in the process.  Hey, can you find and vet some other sites and share them with the class?  I’m intrigued by this area and would love to hear more!

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 28 ~ MAKE MORE: Cashback: Check Out These Online Reward Sites That Help You Get Cash Back

I’ve done the math and I estimate you can earn hundreds of dollars worth of free gift cards —for the holidays or any time of year— just by doing the things you already do online and on your phone, only doing them via a rewards site.  But you don’t have to take my word for it.  I’ve heard from people who did exactly this last year and got all of their holiday gifts for free.  How?   They used the reward site’s browser to do their web surfing and shopping, they took surveys and watched videos, and they shopped at the site’s retail partners.  Then, they were rewarded with free gift cards to quality retailers we all love.

I know it may sound too good to be true, but I’m a 25-year consumer reporter and I would not lead you astray.  One of these reward sites, called Swagbucks, has paid out more than a hundred million dollars in cash and free gift cards to its members —so far.  These points definitely add up.  Swagbucks is the one I’m most familiar with, but other reward sites include eBates, Extrabux, Ibotta and MyPoints.  And there are more out there as well.

One way to use reward sites is to access shopping sites through them and snag additional discounts and points available only to their members.

BUT you don’t always have to spend money to make money on reward sites.  On some you do, but let’s use Swagbucks as an example again.  You can earn money on Swagbucks by taking surveys, entering sweepstakes, watching videos and also by surfing the web using the Swagbucks browser.

If you like to shop and surf online, check out reward sites and see if you can scoop up some free money.

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 27 ~ MAKE MORE: Freelance Writing: Use Your Words As A Side Hustle Or Permanent Job

This time we’re talking about being a freelance writer.  This can be a profitable and satisfying full-time job or side hustle.  And just think of all of the companies that need things written, from blog posts to articles, grants to technical manuals.  My guest is Charles Silberman, a teacher by day and writer by night.

You’re really entrepreneurial and have also created some online courses.  THat’s a bonus we’ll get into later.  But first, tell us about your day job to set the scene.

I’m a PE teacher in Maryland.  I teach physical education in Montgomery County Maryland.  I teach ages 3 – 12.  I like it because I can make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of youth at a foundational level.  I wanted to branch out because I love writing, had been doing it for my profession for free for some time, and I knew I wanted to monetize it because being a teacher does not pay that great and comes with debt. 

Why did you choose writing as your side hustle?

It’s easy for me because I can sit down and right a high quality piece in a short period of time.  For me it’s easy. If you do something you truly love and have a passion for it will be easy to do the work. The hard part if you don’t know how to be an entrepreneur. While it has been easy to make the money, it’s not a get rich quick scheme. If you have expectations that you will make money on the very first day, it’s not like that.

Have you always been a good writer?

No!  I went from being diagnosed dyslexic in high school —I am not- my writing was that bad— to remedial writing classes and one-on-one help doing basic worksheets on things like subject-verb agreement to where I am now.  I overcame great personal odds in my youth that I was lucky to turn into something I am now doing well at.  As a famous song says, “Teach The Children Well.” Give them something they can grow by or something to that effect. But, obstacles are not to be seen as a moat that can not be crossed either.  I want to inspire people, I guess is what I am saying.

Some of your writing projects have been in line with your training as a teacher.  Was that synchronicity nice?

•I contribute to a blog for international PE equipment company. It’s amazing.

•An app company needed 50 reviews of educational apps. I used each app and wrote a detailed review for it. They put those 50 reviews in their app so that the reviews I wrote showed up on educational apps with my name on the byline. It was an exciting moment.

There is a variety of writing work available.  One of our steadiest writing jobs is for a criminal lawyer.  What do you do for him?

My first long-term client, who still remains faithful, is a criminal lawyer. I have done pages upon pages of content for him. Many were on topics I knew nothing about like forensic science and ballistics, which forced me to grow. What was interesting was that the first set of articles had to do with car accidents, and I had been in a significant accident, so I was able to write from a very personal level.

You have even gotten paid to write poetry, right?

My first favorite project was for a person who wanted to start a poetry site that I helped write poetry for.  I cannot count how many I have written, but I enjoy it so much.

And writing for clients on Fiverr lead to other things, right?

I am doing great now, but the confidence I gained going through this process, and the things I have taken risks to do are tremendous because of small success along the way early on and with the help of a mentor.  In addition, much of what I have learned, I have been able to apply right back to my field, including using the platform that helped me get started – Fiverr and what I earn there – to fund many projects that are related to my work.  I have turned that into a now growing platform of things. I’ve created 4 online courses.  And I have an online store as well as my presentations and greater projects coming in the pipeline. Things I get paid for! Things snowball, and where you start is not where you finish. 

I guess even your online courses involve writing?  How did you create them?  And how do you market them?

I wrote the majority of the content for 4 online courses that I created.  They are going really well.  I just presented at a big (400) person PE conference on two topics that relate to my course. And because of my presenting at this conference, I am helping create an activity pack where I was given free equipment, and am working on a 25-page document for this company to create activities using that equipment.  And if it all works out, I could get a share of sales of that.  I’ve now got two websites that bring in revenue too.  writeguy4us.com and newphysicaleducator.com.

What has the extra money meant to you and your life?

I am single. As a teacher it has given me extra money to save. To not feel like I am living paycheck to paycheck. Helped me with student loans. Helped me get new car when I was in an accident. Helped me do fun things I wanted to do. It’s amazing. My summers have never been so enjoyable. Don’t have to do summer camp. Can travel, see family and really enjoy myself while writing.

And now, the big question I always ask: What kind of money have you been able to make through your writing?

I had been working part time at a rec center making $300-$400 month for 20 hours. I came on Fiver in 2015 and in the same 20 hours made $800.  That was just the beginning.  Now I average between $25 and $30/hour.

Congrats!  What do other people need to know if they want to make money writing like you do?

• Find a mentor. Someone who knows how to do what you are trying to do.

  • You have to have a plan and know exactly what you are trying to sell or create.
  • And finally, know your prices and how much time you want to give to something for that price.

Charles has written a guest blog post about different kinds of writing work AND he has created a video that explains more about how he is juggling multiple side gigs and how you can too.  That will ALL be available at EasyMoneyShow.com/27.

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 26 ~ MAKE MORE: Consignment Shops: Find Out How To Step Up Your Game From Selling At Consignment Shops To Owning One

Let’s talk “making more” by converting your secondhand clothing into cold hard cash. Or helping other people sell their clothing and taking a cut. I’m talking about either selling your clothes at a consignment shop OR owning that consignment shop! I spoke with Sandra Packwood, owner of Do You Deja Vu in Warrenton, Virginia, to find out more.

How did you first get started in the consignment business and how many years has it been now?
I’ve been open 7 years and weathered all kinds of economies, and still my business – and those who consign with me – thrives. consigning with my store is a great, easy way for people to make money. I sell fabulous items at terrific prices.

Tell us how it works. A customer brings you a sack of clothes and what happens next?
I personally go through the items people bring me because I am the one who curates what we will and will not sell in my shop.

Let’s tell people what sells best. You’ve brought some bestsellers to our studio for me to check out. Tell us about these garments. What makes them such hot stuff? And how much can you sell them for?

The bestsellers by far are accessories like belts and scarves because they can fit most anyone. In addition, high-end designer items like Gucci do very well. But I also carry normal store brands like Ann Taylor because I want to appeal to a broad spectrum of clients.

You then put the clothes you accepted on display. Is there a time limit for how long you’ll try to sell them? And if something doesn’t sell, what do you do with it?
Yes, I limit the amount of time I leave things on display. I keep the store fresh. Customers have a choice of getting their clothing back or allowing me to donate it to several charities that I work with.

The women who consign through you, what are they doing it for? Spending money? Money to live on? What?
Some truly need the money. Others sell things so they can buy others and freshen their wardrobes. many live here and might like the opportunity to make some “mad” money, as one of my consignments calls it.

For those who might want to OWN a consignment shop rather than selling at one, what’s the most fun or satisfying thing about the business?
I am also a stylist, having worked for Jil Sander and Escada. Many of my customers walk through the door and announce, “Sandra, dress me!” And I do. Time and again.

Who would be more likely to consign through you than do what you do, how does the commission work? What’s your cut and what’s theirs?
A common commission in the business is 50/50. I also do 60/40 sometimes.

OK, Give me some examples of customers who have really scored and made significant money selling clothing at your shop.
One woman brought me a fur to sell and I cut her a check for more than $4,000.

And what about you, Sandra? Is owning a consignment shop a good living for you?
I am a single mother. I support myself and 3 kids. It’s a living in the high five figures for me. AND, more importantly, I am doing something I absolutely love.

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 25 ~ MAKE MORE: Modeling Jobs: Pose For Artists To Make Extra Cash

Drawing, painting or sculpting the human body is one of the most fundamental —yet one of the most challenging—  projects for an artist, so practice is key.  And that’s where you could come in: artists need real humans to re-create.  This is one of my more exotic “make more” ideas, so I’ve got an exotic guest for you all the way from Australia, artist’s model Regina Kaloozny!

Let’s begin at the beginning.  What made you want to be an artist’s model, also called an art model or Life Model?

I did want to be famous for something one day! The modeling was my plan B.  If I didn’t make it as a big shot architect or artist, then hopefully some great artist some day would immortalize me in a masterpiece! 

How did you get started?

The first time I tried to get into life modeling, it was exceptionally hard and I gave up after a few months of trying and getting nowhere. Many established places in Melbourne didn’t want to take someone without any experience… which meant that I couldn’t get the experience!

About 8 years later a friend at university was modeling and I asked her who to speak to at her regular modeling gig.  The school gave me a go and I loved it.  They recommended me and once I had a few places where I’d modeled, it became easy to get work.

Was it strange?  That first time you modeled?

The very first time I modeled, I was in a pose and from the corner of my eye I saw all the people at the easels glancing at me again and again.  I started wondering if I had something stuck on my face.  I had completely blanked in my mind that the whole point was for them to look at me.  They were drawing me!!

Now you are an architect.  What made you continue with the art modeling?

I started this work when i was at uni.  I did it a little bit while travelling through Europe (i figured it’s a good job when there is a language barrier). I don’t need the work but i really love it. I thought I’d give it up when i got my a job based around my degree but I missed it too much. I love modeling.  I love drawing and I’m starting up a regional life-drawing business, bringing models to regional art communities.

I have to ask the question everyone is wondering: do you have to get naked to be an art model?

I get a lot of people asking me if they can model just the one time to face their fear of fully exposing themselves and experience feeling confident in their bodies. For me, I’m facing my fears by doing a public interview. Showing my body is not something I feel is revealing but talking is! And on that note of body confidence I still am really shy at the beach in my bathers. I don’t even have bikinis but there are no fears with going completely naked.  I wear glasses and I generally take them off for modeling so I can’t really see the artists well anyway!

Is it better if the people seeing you nude are strangers?  I know I’ve sunbathed topless in Europe, but would never do it in the U.S…

One time at my architecture job, a friend invited everyone from work —an office of 100+— to come draw with us that evening. He forgot I happened to be modeling at that place that night. I did freak out that my bosses, etc, would come see me naked.  Mixing the modeling with my corporate world is not something I’ve done yet – It would, in fact, make the others more uncomfortable, I think. 

The other burning question: do you have to look like a supermodel to be an artist’s model?

The best thing about this job is that you distinguish yourself by simply being yourself. All of our bodies are unique; we have different shapes and also in the way we move and carry ourselves.  Life Drawing groups like to draw various models because it gives them new challenges and new types of poses and shapes and volumes to draw.  I’ve been modeling for almost 10 years now and I’ve seen my body change via people’s drawings. It’s a really interesting way to see yourself —through the eyes of others and their interpretation of that on paper/canvas.  

How long do you have to hold a pose —and is it ever difficult?

Poses range from 30 seconds to 20 minutes (poses can be a whole day or even five weeks long but sittings are 20 minutes maximum so your body doesn’tget too stiff.

It takes ‘work’ to stay in your pose. Every now and again you’ll get an itch or something, but if you wait enough it will go away or otherwise people don’t mind if you have a scratch and resume your position quickly. Sometimes your body gets stiff, legs go to sleep, things go numb, you get pins and needles.

I am a fidgeter so I was a bit worried I wouldn’t be able to sit still for very long but it’s very different when you are a model. 

But there was one time when you really DID have to move while modeling.  Tell us that story.

The largest class I’ve ever modelled for had about 500 people. It was in Brisbane and they were trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records.  I got a little sick and had to throw up. I had to run —naked— past all the drawers to find a bathroom, trying not to throw up before I got out of sight!

You’ve had lost of adventures thanks to art modeling.  Tell us about your big radio interview last year.

I was asked last year to do an interview on one of the Australian radio stations when they were doing a segment about nudity and being comfortable in your body . They said they wanted to interview me while I was in the nude. I thought this was the funniest thing ever because who is going to know for certain whether I am naked or not through the radio. They actually did film it (from the back, shoulders upwards) and posted it onto their Facebook.  I have to say – I have never had so much eye contact in my life as during that interview. It felt really good, like I was really being listened to!

Time for the impolite question I ask all my guests: How much money can you make as an artist’s model?

In Melbourne, a life model society exists that has regulated a minimum pay of $35/hr and a mininum 2 hour shift. In regional Victoria we are paying $40/hr because of the extra travel time or petrol and some places have a travel allowance of up to $20. Most of the shift are 2 hours so unless you can get yourself a lot of shifts a day that are close to each other or are lucky enough to find all-day work at workshops, it’s mostly a side job for extra cash for most people.  Photography models do get more $75/hr.

Of course, Regina is quoting Australia dollars.  If you convert that to U.S. dollars, her $35 dollars an hour is $27 an hour here.  I also confirmed with some American art models who say the pay typically ranges from $15 to $30 an hour, depending where in the country you work.  What has this extra money meant to you, Regina?

When I’ve been budgeting, I’ve used modeling money as my spending and going out money. At one or two schools I’ve received discounts to participate in the classes as an artist which is a perk.  During 20 minute sittings, I’ve taken to meditating. Sometimes I’ll get myself so busy I’ll have no time to myself, but if I happen to be booked in for a modeling session, I get excited that I’ll have some ME time to reground myself —while I’m getting paid!!

Do you model for love or money? 

It seems like a shallow sort of job!  You sit around in the nude looking pretty.   But I’ve found it one of the more meaningful jobs I’ve done. People get a lot of joy out of doing art and as a model you are giving them an opportunity to do it.  Also, generally people who go to an art class are there to enjoy themselves so there is such a wonderful vibe in the room. Normal work stresses are missing and everyone is appreciative of you posing for them… It’s a great energy to be around.

For others who would like some of that energy, let’s share some advice.  First you say, attend a life drawing class to see what it’s all about.

Yes, go draw at a life drawing class —or 2 or 3— to see what other models are doing and also to get an understanding of what the drawers themselves want.

You say look through art books.  What are we looking for?   

Flick through art books and see what poses the great artists have immortalized.  These are interesting poses.

Next, you suggest people try out some poses.

Sit still in poses you think you might like to do while you watch TV to see if your body can hold it.  Don’t push yourself to do poses that are too difficult for you just because you think they might look good. Artists need you to stay still and if something is too hard for you you’ll fall out of it and also the strain will show. A model’s energy does affect the class.

Where might people look for art modeling work?

Here in Australia there are life modeling agencies.  But if there aren’t any of those where you are, I suggest contacting art schools, colleges and universities. 

Check out this list of places in the U.S. that hire artist’s models.    

Guest Name: Regina Kaluzny
Guest Title: Art Model
Guest Contact: www.modelsink.net
OzArtFinder.com

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 24 ~ MAKE MORE: Flea Markets: Buy Low, Sell High and You Can Make Six Figures

This time I want to talk about the remarkable money-making potential of buying things at flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales and re-selling them at a profit.  How much do you think you can make?  4-figures?  5-figures?  6?  My next guest, Robert Stephenson, calls himself the “Flea Market Flipper” and he’s going to answer that question.

Don’t tell us yet how much you make flipping flea market items, but DO tell us how you got started in this business.

I grew up doing it. I come from big family with 6 older sisters. When I was younger my parents would go to yard sales and thrift stores. Saturday yard sales were a big to-do at my house. We would get out the local newspaper Friday night and circle all of the good looking sales we wanted to go to. My mom would buy items for our family, but also bought things to resell and make some extra money.

You got married and introduced your wife to this hobby and then you two had your first child and that changed everything, right?

Melissa and I were married in 2007 and she quickly learned my passion for buying and selling used items. We both always treated it as a hobby that made us a little extra cash now and then. That is until our first daughter was born. Oh how kids change everything! Melissa cut her personal training business way down to part time so I had to pick up the slack by selling more. It’s funny what you can accomplish out of necessity.

Tell us about the tipping point where you decided to quit your quote-unquote “real job” and go full-time with your flea-market flipping.

I always made more money flipping on the side than I did in my day job as a real estate inspector.  The only reason I had that job was for health insurance for my family. I flipped part time here and there and then within the last 2 years I quit my full time real estate inspection job and I do this full time.

And I should say, full-time in your case is different from what many people would picture.  How many hours a week do you work?

I say full time but my family is the most important thing to me. I would roughly say 25 hours a week, maybe 30.  I don’t work a lot of hours. But I am able to do that because I have put in time to understand the systems.

Lots of people make money re-selling stuff on Ebay and elsewhere, but you have turned it into a living by focusing on the “weird.”  Tell folks what that means.

I look for weird stuff that is undervalued.  A lot of what I buy I don’t even know what it is but know it is expensive!  I do weird stuff. It can be undervalued bc people don’t know how to market it.  I have sold some crazy crazy.

Let’s get into some examples.  Tell us about the Prosthetic leg:  Where did you buy it, how much did you pay and then how much did you sell it for?  I found it at a flea market. I knew a titanium leg with a knee joint had to be expensive. I paid $30.   We sold it the next day on Ebay for $1,000!

Next example, a Security tower.  What is that and describe the flip: That was one of our huge sales. We got it at a local auction. A parking lot tower they used for surveillance around parking lots. It rises up in the air 25 feet.  We paid around $6,000 and sold it in less than a month for $25,000.

Whoa.  You had to lay out a lot of money for that one.  Is that typical?

No, my comfort area of investment is $20-$50. That is what I usually like to spend. If I know I can make good money I will spend more but if I can turn that $20 to $50 into $300-$500, that is my usual range.

You once sold a portable Steam Room.  Huh?  I have sold a portable steam room. That was a weird one. Got it at a local auction.  I paid $25 and sold it for about $800.

And what is an Autoclave and how much did you buy and sell that for? Some things I don’t even know what they are. Like a couple months ago, I bought an auto clave.   I knew it was weird and a medical device.  It was a lot bigger than I expected.

Now people are starting to see how this can be lucrative.  So here’s the big question, Rob: how much money do you make as a flea market flipper?

In 2015 when I was still doing it part time, we made $42,000 in sales. That was with working roughly 10-15 hours a week at it.

Then in 2016, our third child was born, so I made the leap of faith and went full time. We made over $130,000 last year from flea market flipping.

And you’ve become such experts at the flipping that you now make additional money teaching other people how to do it, right?

Our real money comes from flipping stuff. We do have an online course and an eBook and a blog where we teach people how to do what we do.  Not making much from that.

And we will link people to your online course and eBook from EasyMoneySHow.com/24. It it about the money for you?  Or the freedom?

My family is everything. I have 3 kids – 4, 3 and 14 months. I am able to do stuff with them. Exercise with my wife every day. Walk the kids to school. Biggest thing is planning my own schedule. Doing what I want to on my own time frame.  We are able to travel. We are getting ready to go on a 1 year trip.  We bought a 40-ft RV and are getting ready to go on the road with kids next month.  It is allowing us to do that.  We want to get out of the normal rat race.

Let’s share some advice for people who are intrigued and want to emulate your success.  First, you say, only become a flea market flipper if you enjoy this sort of work.

If you already enjoy finding deals and visiting yard sales and thrift stores and flea markets, this is for you.

You suggest people try this as a side hustle first before going full time.

Don’t start this thinking you will bring ten thousand home a month. Use it to help pay bills. See if you like it.  You can make $500-$1000 on the side making little investments.

And finally, you say you’ve got to price things right.

Do your research. I try to price myself where I can undercut others and still make good money. Or I give a better shipping deal to make my items attractive.

Rob was kind enough to share a guest blog post about ways to save money on shipping because, of course, shipping eats into your profits.

Please follow and like us:
Posted on

EPISODE 23 ~ MAKE MORE: Rover: Dog Lover? Earn Extra Cash By Caring For Your Favorite Pet

90-million dogs live in the U.S. today and that means there are more than 90-million dog owners who are stressed out about what to do with their pups when they go on vacation.  I know I am.  Enter “Rover,” the website and app where people with dogs can connect with people who would like to board, petsit or walk dogs.  Judy Fishbaugh is one of those who signed up.  Welcome, Judy!

This is one of those stories about how necessity is the mother of invention, because you started boarding dogs because you lost your job, right Judy?

I lost my job in 2007. I was a textile designer. I was downsized when the economy tanked and the only thing I could find was 20 hours to pick up at Bed Bath and Beyond. That doesn’t support anybody. I grew up on a farm and we always had dogs and I have always been in love with animals. I saw dog walkers out and started asking questions and put up a poster around the neighborhood and that’s how I got started.

Tell us how you went from posters on telephone poles to high tech.

It happened pretty fast because Rover and DogVacay came along right about then.  I found them online when I was looking for opportunities. I found Rover first, which came out first.  Those 2 websites have now merged.  I went online and signed up and I was approved and I was very happy.   When I first started I was so full I couldn’t keep up

I know Rover offers dog boarding, daycare, walks and also house sitting.  Which do you do and why?

I am a boarder. I keep the dogs at the house and take them on walks 3 to 4 times a day. Their owners are people that are traveling on vacation or overseas or business travel. Always overnight.

How long do dogs stay with you?

The longest stay is 3 weeks and the shortest is overnight. 

So we can picture this, how many dogs do you take care of at a time?

In the beginning I only had one.  At this point I take 9 or 10 dogs. I live in a brownstone on the parlor level or garden level so I have a big garden and a 2 bedroom duplex. For NY it is amazing. 

I’m sure having all those dogs in your care has led to some funny stories.

I had a little Dachshund named Bonnie and she was curious and fast. I had an opening in my fence that I knew no dog could go through. She made it through and all she did was run all over my neighbor’s garden. She would not come. I called her, shook treats and she would not come. Then she went to another yard and the owner had to come home and we passed her all the way over the fence and then over the fence again. 

Have there been stressful times too?

People in the neighborhood know who I am. I’m the lady who walks all the dogs.  I have had a few times where collars came off but I have never lost a dog.  I have gotten hurt myself.  I have had fractured wrists and injured foot in boots from getting hurt while walking the dogs. 

So the dogs can occasionally be challenging.  What about the people?

In the 6 years I’ve been doing this I have only had 1 client get upset with me.   It was just a miscommunication.  Everyone is so nice.  They are wonderful people.  Dog people are just nice people. 

So you work with good people and good dogs.  Is it good money?

When I started out the first year it was only $20,000 to 23,000 and now I am up to $30,000 to-35,000 a year. I was making $100,000 before.  I don’t have anything extra.  If I am low on money I pursue clients on line through Craigslist. 

How’s the quality of life compared to your old job?

I am happier now.  It is great for my quality of life. I worked in the textile industry for 15 years and it wasn’t easy. It was a hard industry.  People aren’t always that nice. I always thought there were other jobs I could do.  It is super meaningful to take care of these dogs. I have to do this.  I don’t want to go back to a 9 to 5 job.   

Now I want to share your advice with people interested in boarding dogs through Rover.  You say board dogs rather than walking them, if you can.  Why?

There are more people doing the walking then boarding.  Someone really has to have space.  I have one dog who is big, comes to my waist.   My apartment and garden are good for him.  You have to have space to take dogs of all sizes.

And finally, you say, do it because you love it.

If you don’t love it, get out.  Dogs deserve to have you love this.  Treat every dog with love.

Please follow and like us: