One Way to Make Extra Cash

I have made a fair bit of extra cash over the years getting rid of unwanted items, that were just gathering dust. I don't have the heart to throw away anything that is perfectly good, even if I no longer have any use for the item. Generally, the item will find its way to my attic, or the back of my closet, where it will proceed to gather dust. I have often been thankful for not having a basement, as I suspect that it too would become a holding area for such surplus items. When I find myself short of space, I dig out a variety of items that I have not used for at least six month, and proceed to find them a new home.

Because I am not in an area where having a garage sale is an effective way of accomplishing what I want, I have taken to using Ebay for my sales. It is very cost effective, because you can advertise for free, and only pay a small percentage after the sale of an item. I find their site easy to navigate, and once you have listed your item, preferably with a photo, you can walk away and do what you like with your day. No need to sit in your garage or yard waiting for customers all day. And it doesn't matter if it rains.

What you should have, if you list your items on Ebay is a PayPal account, so people can pay you. You can sign up for free, and receive your payments there in a secure way.

I don't send an item til I have received payment, and the buyer pays for the shipping. Ebay works especially well if you have collectibles you want to part with.

There is a lady in my neighborhood, who makes a fair coin by going to garage sales, auctions, secondhand shops and such, where she picks up collectibles, then sells them on Ebay. She reads up on what type of collectibles are in demand and at what price, and it is paying off for her. She has become something of an expert over the years.

Many fleam arkets also harbors collectibles you can pick up for a mere fraction of what they are worth, and if you enjoy going to yardsales or searching the flea markets for treasures, you can turn a hobby into extra cash. You can still find pieces of wartime milk glass, or collectible plates, figurines, glassware, crystal and so on.

The internet is an excellent source of info when it comes to determine the value of some of those items. For example, I picked up a copy of good housekeeping cookbook in mint condition, at a small flea market for 25 cents. I myself paid $32.00 years earlier for the same book (which is by the way one of my favourite cookbooks). Because I already owned a copy, I offered it on Ebay where it brought in $9.00 on the auction. A good profit for me, and a good deal for the buyer. Special editions of books and magazines are good items to list on the auction, as is jewelry.

A tip. When you list your item, be very accurate and honest in your description of the condition of the item, and when it sells, be quick to send it to the buyer, adequately packed. That will give you a great rating on ebay, which will encourage other buyers to deal with you.