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EPISODE 25 ~ TOP TIP: Towing: Keep A Reliable And Affordable Towing Service On Speed Dial

Beware of tow truck shenanigans. For one, if you call Triple A, other tow companies listen to their radio traffic and will try to get to you before the Triple-A driver.  If you don’t use Triple A, keep a reliable, legitimate tow truck driver on speed dial.  Either way, ask for ID and confirm the price, when the driver gets there.  After all once they have your car hooked up, you’re kind of at their mercy and that’s when unlicensed, unethical tow truck drivers will demand way more money than you need to pay.  Next time, I’ll tell you about towing kickbacks.   

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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

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EPISODE 25 ~ SAVE MORE: Activities For Kids: 10 More Ways To Save Money On Kids Classes

Save more money with The Easy Money Show

Refer a friend.  Many children’s centers —especially newer ones looking to grow— rely on referrals and reward parents who make them.  If they don’t offer you a thank you discount, politely request one, and tell them there are more referrals to come.

Pay yearly. If you know your child is committed to an activity, paying the entire fee annually can net you a nice discount.  If they don’t offer, ask.

Package deals.  Some organizations offer package deals outright; Others will negotiate.  Ask for a discount on classes if you are enrolling multiple kids, or booking a birthday party or enrolling in camp.

Non-Profit organizations.  The YMCA offers financial aid and says it never turns away a family in need.  There are at least 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs across America and some charge as little as $5 a year.

Internship programs. An older child may be able to get an unpaid internship.  The unpaid ones are required, by law, to be educational.  Sure your son or daughter won’t get paid, but you won’t have to pay either.

Groups that fundraise. Groups that actively engage children in raising funds for the group are sometimes more affordable.  For example, Girl Scouts sell cookies and Camp Fire Girls sell candy and the money they raise helps subsidize the group.

Free trials. Not sure a particular hobby is going to stick with your child?  Ask about free trials often available in hopes of getting you hooked.  You save money two ways: by starting out for free and by having the chance to bail, if your child loses interest. 

Coach the team.  If you’d like to volunteer to coach your child’s team, ask if their fee can be waived as informal compensation for your time.

City/County programs. Local governments sometimes offer surprisingly rich programming, often through their departments of parks and recreation.  For example, in addition to sports, Washington DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation has offered foreign languages, engineering and ballet to kids.

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EPISODE 25 ~ FIND YOURS: Bankruptcy: Find Your Unclaimed Money Held By The U.S. Bankruptcy Court

Find unclaimed money with The Easy Money Show

Let’s say you paid for a wedding dress at a local boutique and that boutique went out of business and declared bankruptcy before you got your dress.  You should be on a list of people owed a refund when a trustee liquidates the store’s assets.  If something like this JUST happened to you, make sure to GET your name on the list of creditors.

But even if you’re on the list, sometimes the money doesn’t make it to you.  There are a couple of typical scenarios, according to LegalZoom.com:

•The court trustee sent you a check but it was undeliverable because you had moved.

•Or you received the check but failed to cash it within 90 days, as required.

So, how do you undo this mishap?  First, search the bankruptcy court’s records for your name.  I will link you to a government website  where you can search many bankruptcy courts across the country.  Bankruptcy courts are federal and you will be looking for the regional District that the company filed in.  For example, The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

  If the bankruptcy happened in the last 5 years, you’ll likely get your money from that bankruptcy court in which the case was filed, because courts typically hold those funds for 5 years.  Simply ask the court what it requires you to do to claim your money.  It varies, but you may have to file an application and prove your identity and address.  And good news: Claiming funds usually does not require a lawyer.

If the bankruptcy occurred more than 5 years ago, the court has probably deposited any leftover funds into the US Treasury.  Fortunately, there is no deadline for filing a request with the treasury.  You can even claim funds owed to your ancestors.  If any deceased relatives owned a business, I strongly suggest searching for them because they’re more likely to have been in this situation.  The court that turned your money over can instruct you in how to claim your missing money from the US Treasury.

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EPISODE 25 ~ GUEST BLOG: Art Models: How To (Get Naked And) Prepare For Your First Life Modeling Job!

By Regina Kaluzny

Here’s how to approach your first art modeling class:

1) Get calm.  It’s nerve racking to get naked as the centre of attention in front of a group of strangers the first time, so get yourself comfortable in your body.   Have a shower if that makes you feel fresher; go for a walk in the park if that makes you more serene or energized; do your hair up if that makes you feel ‘dressed up’ for the occasion.

2) Prepare poses. Go draw at a class or two and see what the models do.  Look in figurative art books and notice which poses look good to you.  Practice holding them for different periods of time while you watch TV or stand in a queue. Choose some basic standing, sitting and lying poses that are comfortable for you to hold. Some artists love twisting and dynamic poses but whatever is comfortable and natural for your body is always best to draw. I have my repertoire of favorite poses I go back to often because I’ve learned they work with my body and I enjoy them and I like the way they turn out for the artist.  Once you’ve had some experience, you’ll be able to go with the flow of the energy of the room and improvise more and more.

3) Invest in a comfortable robe and slippers.  It’s traditional for art models to put a robe on when not posing.  It’s more for the artists’ comfort than for yours!  It’s hard for them to talk to you before/after the session if you’re naked!

4) Know what’s expected of you. Find out from the class facilitator what is expected of you.  Will they keep time or do you need to bring a timer?  How long will the poses be?  Is it a taught class or untutored?  If it is a taught class you may be required to do certain styles of poses to help the students learn new techniques or how to observe particular things.

5) Arrive early.  Arrive at least 20 minutes early for your first ever class.  This will give you time to get oriented to the classroom, get changed, speak to the teacher to find out what’s expected of you, find out how the heaters or air conditioners work and to perhaps have a cup of tea and relax. It’s always best to arrive no less than 10 minutes before you start modeling. 

Guest Name: Regina Kaluzny

Guest Title: Art Model

Guest Contact: www.modelsink.net

OzArtFinder.com

Guest Bio: Regina Kaluzny is an architect practicing in rural Victoria.  She also is completely immersed in the world of figurative drawing —as a life model, an artist and as a facilitator running regular drawing classes in Kyneton and the surrounding areas.  She is setting up  ‘Models Ink‘, a traveling life drawing service for regional areas in Victoria and eventually throughout Australia.

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EPISODE 24 ~ TOP TIP: Outlet Malls: Shop Around Before Assuming They’re A Good Deal

Outlet malls are victims of their own success. Or rather we’re victims of their own success. People assume outlet mall prices are lower, which is how they can get away with prices that are sometimes higher. For example, I once systematically compared outlet and regular mall prices and found plenty of examples, like brand name sneakers that were $16 LESS at the regular retail store. There are so many outlet malls that there just isn’t enough imperfect and second-season merchandise to stock them. So some stores have started designing lines just for their outlets. These items are sometimes shoddily made of cheap materials. My advice: scrutinize quality and compare prices at an outlet mall just like you would at a regular mall.

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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.

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EPISODE 24 ~ SAVE MORE: Travel Sites: The Best Websites For Cheap Airfare

Save more money with The Easy Money Show

Let’s save some money now on one of my favorite things, travel.  If you’re frustrated because it seems like all of the travel websites quote the same prices, you’re right, many do.  And that’s because the mainstream websites are all owned by just a few companies. For example, Expedia owns hotels.com, Hotwire and Trip Advisor.  And Priceline owns Kayak and booking.com. 

So I want to share some off-the-beaten path travel websites where you really CAN find different —and often lower— prices.

Many thanks to ThePointsGuy.com, which did a great roundup of lesser-known airfare sites. Nobody knows more about travel deals than Brian Kelly and his team.  Here are some of their favorite websites for REALLY finding airfare deals:

First up is ITA Matrix, whose software is utilized by many airline and travel agency websites.  Maybe the reason it’s for real is that you can’t actually buy flights on ITA Matrix.  You just find the lowest option there and then book on the airline’s own site.

Number 2: Airfare Watchdog has several cool features, including showing you the top 50 fares all over the world each day.

Third, Google Flights is worth your time because it automatically shows you whether you can get a better price if you change your dates slightly or fly into or out of a different nearby airport.

Next, Momondo, is great for showing you deals where you fly one airline on your way and another on your the way back.

And finally, after you’ve booked, Yapta keeps track of price drops and lets you know if the price has gone down so much that you can save money by re-booking, despite the change fee.

Safe travels!

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EPISODE 24 ~ FIND YOURS: Unclaimed Property: Buy Other People’s Lost Valuables Cheap

Find unclaimed money with The Easy Money Show

I’m turning things around and showing you how to bag a bargain because somebody else’s property has become unclaimed property.

Not all unclaimed money is just dollars left in bank accounts.  Sometimes it consists of valuables left in safe deposit boxes.  In fact, most state governments don’t use the term “unclaimed money.”  They call these lost assets “unclaimed property.”  And when they run out of room to store these physical items, they auction them off and hold the proceeds for the rightful owners.  We’re talking jewelry, antiques, silver, baseball cards, rare coins and more. 

This presents another opportunity for YOU.  You may be able to buy unclaimed valuables at auction for a fraction of their actual value.  Just google “unclaimed property auction” and you will get a couple hundred thousand results.  A few are physical auctions, so look for those near you.  But most of these auctions are now conducted online, so you have access to them no matter where you live.  A couple of examples, as I look right now:  The Maryland State Comptroller is selling off jewelry, watches and paper currency. And recently the Illinois State Treasurer was selling souvenirs from the 1893 World’s Fair and gold coins from a Spanish shipwreck.  Seriously!

One note of caution: crooks often try to pass their auctions off as government auctions and sell fake merchandise, so confirm that the auction is for real on the state’s own website.     

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