Side Hustle of the Day: Garage Sales

The weekend is the perfect time to have a garage sale. If you don't have a garage call it a yard sale. If you don't have much to sell stock up on cheap items from auctions or ask your neighbors if they have anything they want to sell. Price the items reasonably but make sure you will make a profit. Also, sell any arts or crafts you may have made during the sale. You may pick up a few new customers which is good for long term income.

Quick Guide For How to Choose a Side Hustle or Business

  Did you pick up the Single Mom Survival and Success Kit? If so you know part of the kit includes 200 ways to make extra money, because, let’s face it, sometimes you just need extra money. That sounds great at first but how do you choose the right side hustle or method for you? To choose the best business for you I’ve put together a quick guide for choosing the right business for you. Download the Side Hustle Business worksheet to come up with the right business for you.

1. Look at Your Past Jobs

In looking at your past jobs decide if you want to continue doing that kind of work. My professional career was technical writing so I decided to use my writing skills to make extra money on the side.

2. Take a Second Look at Your Hobbies

Is it something you can turn into a business? Do people rave about your knitting, cooking, photography? One of the things I enjoyed doing was baking. My mom taught me how to bake when I was 10 years old. I turned that hobby into a cake business at a young age.

3. Take Inventory of Your Skills

Make a list of all the skill you have learned over the years. You could have learned these skill on the job or in school. That skill is the thing that could bring in $1,000 or more in extra income per month.

4. Make a List of the Results

Once you think about all the jobs, hobbies, skills and natural talents, make a list and pick the top three things that appeals to you the most. Next do an informal survey of your family, friends, and network to determine if they would pay for the service you are thinking of offering.

5. See if There is a Market for Your Service

Another way to determine if the service you might offer will be profitable is to see if there are many people looking for the service online. Use Google keyword tool to do an exact search for phrases related to your service. For example, if you plan to offer dog grooming service enter the phrase “dog grooming service in [your city]” into the keyword tool. Be sure to click the exact phrase option on the left side of the screen. Your search results should be at least 10-20K or more searches for your phrase.

6. Do the $100 Test

Finally, place an ad on Craigslist or other free classified ad for your service. If you make at least $100 you may have a good service to offer. If not choose the next thing on the list and repeat the process. You will find the right business for you.

Side Hustle Series: Sell Handmade Jewelry

I’m sure you’ve seen the latest jewelry trends on the runway and in the stores. Did you know half of the trends you see started at someone’s kitchen table? Jewelry is no different. Visit any arts and crafts show or festival this year, and next year you will see the same designs being sold for retail. If you have any kind of creativity you can design and make handmade jewelry.

Materials for Handmade Jewelry Side Hustle

To get started you need basic tools including:

• Needle nose pliers or other multi-use tool
• Multi-gauge wires
• Chains
• Charms
• Beads
• Closures / Findings

 

How Much to Start this Side Hustle

If you are starting out making simple jewelry pieces your investment can be as little as $20. It will depend on the complexity of your pieces and the quality of your materials. There are jewelry kits for beginners that you can get on Amazon, at Michael’s, or other craft stores.

Level of Difficulty of this Side Hustle

The level of difficulty for making jewelry ranges from super easy to challenging. It will depend on what you are making. A simple pair of earrings can take less than a minute to make. If you are making your own crystals it could take weeks because you have to go through an intense process and a lot of heat to make them.

Where to Sell Handmade Jewelry

The number of places to sell your jewelry seems endless. You have the choice to see at arts and crafts shows, at yard sales, on consignment, hair salons, home parties or on your own website. You can also sell on numerous craft selling marketplaces such as: Etsy Yardsellr Art Fire Lily Shop Bonanza Jewelry Wonder
 

How Much Money Can You Make Selling Handmade Jewelry?

You can make as much or as little as you want selling handmade jewelry. It will depend on the uniqueness and quality of your pieces. For example, if you see a simple pair of dragonfly earrings for $10 each you could make $100 if you sell 10 pair. Depending on if you sell on your own website or through one of the online marketplaces listed above, you may or may not have to give up a small percentage of your sales. The faster you can make jewelry and the higher the demand for your pieces the better your chance of making a nice profit. Of course you have to let people know that you have amazing handmade jewelry for sale. Do this through social media, advertising, offering specials and discounts, and using a variety of marketing methods.

How to Make Handmade Jewelry

 

Additional Handmade Jewelry Resources

Side Hustle of the Day: Become a Potted Plants Dealer

Side Hustle of the Day: Become a Potted Plants Dealer. I don't mean drugs but regular ol' house plants. If you have a green thumb and are a pro at keeping house plants alive you could seriously do this. Sell your plants to green houses and other garden centers. You can also sell them to your network of family and friends.