Tag: side hustle

The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same! 2018 Quick Update

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As is my pattern, I have disappeared off the face of the blogosphere for almost a year.  A few things happened that caused this including my leap into the independent contractor life, and taking a time machine back into the past.  Well not a real time machine, but definitely a figurative one.  Here are the two biggest things that have happened to me so far in 2018.

  1. I teach English.  How about you?

I mention in January that I was hired and opening up classes with VIPKID.  VIPKID is an online portal for teaching English to children in China.  At first, it was touch and go.  I only taught 17 classes the entire month of January with availability all night!  Then the flood gates opened one random Saturday night at the end of February.  I came home from a party prepared to teach a few midnight-1:00 A.M. classes to find almost all of my slots had booked from midnight to 8 in the morning!  Since then my schedule has been 98-100% full.

VIPKID Teacher Shot

I make more teaching online per hour than I did teaching public school in South Mississippi.  The prep time is under thirty minutes and it takes me roughly 45 minutes to write feedback for 8 classes.  It has been liberating to choose when and how I want to work.  I have built connection with some amazing students and got to learn about their life in China.

I plan to post in more detail about VIPKID later. Until then you can apply using my referral link: Apply for VIPKID Today!

You can also follow by weekly teaching adventures on Instagram at @teachingpineapple

My trusty classroom helper!

  1. Who says you can’t go back?

So being an independent contractor is great, but it has one big downside.  It does not provide benefits like insurance or retirement. As the year went on, and property values did not improve, I got nervous.  I began wondering what to do and how long I should tempt fate. Luckily, I had the opportunity to return to a job I loved before I became a teacher.  I have returned back to the special collection of my Baking Book Bunny days.

Making a coffee stop from job A to job B

The collection is now housed in a new facility that was completed as I submitted for my teacher’s license and went to be a school librarian.  It has been comforting and a great change of professional pace.  My teaching schedule and library schedule to not interfere with each other.  I get to be a ham and Teacher Mandy in the mornings.  Then I put on real pants and swing through awesome coffee shops like Jacked Up Coffee Bar on my way to my big girl job.

I love being around coast history and culture again.  I am also pocketing some new professional skills!

Some other bits that have happened:

*My sister was married to a great guy in October, and we celebrated all weekend in Louisiana!

Some Street Art Found in Downtown Austin

*I flew to Austin, Texas for the first time.  It is like the Portland of the south and a lot of fun.
*My hedgehog #2 Penelope passed away October 1stas well.  I miss her snuffling in her cage every night and biting her water bottle.

R.I.P. Penelope

* Started back with my own Trivia Team!

So my thirties continue to shift and change my prospective on what I want my professional life to look like.  Yes, I still want to go back to live overseas.  Yes, I still want to write. However, I am happy with my current teacher then librarian life.

What has been the biggest change for you in 2018?

 

10 Top Tips for Poshmark Success!

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As mentioned in my saving money article, my favorite side hustle is Poshmark.  Poshmark began around five years ago as an app only used clothing platform.  Since then it has grown to include a website and new features daily.  My best friend constantly mentioned the ease of listing and selling.  I took the plunge in the Fall of 2015 and listed my first ten items.  Since then I have made over $800 dollars on the side with very little effort.

Besides the extra cash, I find it satisfying to give old clothes new life.  Americans waste over 15 million tons of textiles each year according to The Balance.  By reselling and shopping thrift I am at least slowing the process however  slightly.  When I find a nice item while thrifting that is not my size I will sometimes place it on Poshmark in order to see it go to someone with a similar style to me.   It is also nice to see quality thrift pieces go to a happy home.

I also sell things that no longer fit or interest me.  Flipped thrift finds also make their way to my shop.  My highest profit margin was over fifty dollars for one item!  The biggest downside of Poshmark is their take on items is high. Usually three dollars and more depending on the items selling price.  However, I decided the time price ratio over the years has been well worth it.  Below, are my top 10 tips for success on Poshmark.   Please feel free to sign up using my referral code MANDYLHORNSBY, and get to poshing!

 

1. Pictures are key.

Post clear pictures in good light that show different views of the item.  I will post a front, back, tag, and detailed picture.  If the item has an imperfection photo that as well.  You are allowed 8 pictures per post so use them!  I think a simple background with the item on the hanger works.  Some poshers style their items with accessories or use a fancy backdrop which can be cute or busy depending on preferance.  I personally am not a fan of items laying flat.  Using a hanger allows the person to view it as if they are in a shop.  You are also welcome to model the item as well!  (Some buyers will request this or a specific type of picture.)  Below are some examples of past sold listings.

Example of a clear and simple listing picture.

2.  Titles and descriptions galore.

Make use of your adjectives in both titles and item descriptions.  Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is the brand, size, and color of the item?
  • What is the material?  Any special measurements?
  • Are there any rips, tears, stains, etc.?
  • What makes the item unique?
  • Where and when can you wear the item?

Be as thorough as space allows in the description.

Detailed photograph of the patter and fabric.

 

3. Share your items multiple times a day.

When you “share” your items they are refreshed in the search by going to the top.  Unlike other sites, this is free and can be done an unlimited amount of times.  I make a point to share my items several times a day usually morning, lunch, and evening.  It is great to do it on weekends as well.  However, just doing this  a few times a week is effective as well.  I went through a sales slump after my first Christmas season, and realized that was my problem after speaking with a friend.  My items were sitting at the bottom of the search results.   It is an easy fix, and only takes a few seconds.

Show off the whole item in your listing.

4.  Participate in the community.

This is something else I did not do when I first began.  I would ignore my feed when other poshers followed me and shared my items.  What a mistake!  I now follow back all who follow me and share their items.  If someone I do not follow shares my item, I follow them and share their listings as well.  The more your items are shared the more they are seen, and have a chance to be purchased.  The posh parties that happen three or more times a day are also great opportunities.  Every time I share relevant items in a party it is shared and liked multiple times.  Take time to admire and comment on other shops.  It is usually much appreciated.  So get going, and make new friends!

Flat photos are not the best for selling.

5.  be willing to negotiate.

The “make offer” feature is the most annoying and useful seller tool on the site.  The offers can be ridiculously low!  However, nearly eighty percent of my sales are through an offer.  Clothes once purchased are like cars.  Their value plummets even if the tags are attached and they are not worn.  So be open minded, and counter any insulting offers with something more reasonable.  Try to keep in mind the cut that Poshmark takes and how much the buyer has to pay in shipping costs.

Don’t forget to photograph the back of items as well!

6.  follow trends.

I often try things both successfully and unsuccessfully to sell.  Even though I think it is unique or I would wear it does not mean I can sell it.  Keep track of items that have sold recently by limiting your search.  For example: last year LuLuRoe was selling like crazy, and now it has slowed considerably.  Vera Bradley used to be popular, and now I have to basically give it away.  Surprisingly kitschy items like a My Little Pony tshirt and Invader Zim blanket have sold well.  You can also take the approach of curating a closet to a specific theme like color, brand, or style to attract a certain type of customer.

Follow trends in styles and brands.

7.  Keep your active listings SEPARATE from your sold.

Another genius idea from my posher guru.  As items sell in your shop, share the ones below that have not sold. This way all your sold items are not mixed in with the items still available.  Customers can view all by scrolling your available listings without items getting lost.  Buyers can also bundle more than one item together to buy at one times.  You want to maximize these opportunities!

8.  use the free seller tools.

Going to be out of town?  No problem! You can put your shop on hold to where it can be viewed, but nothing purchased while you are away.  You also have a stats page that keeps a running tally of items sold, ratings, and shares.  Bundle discounts can be made for customers that purchase more than one item from your shop.  These features are all complementary with the site.

9.  Drop the price like it’s hot.

When you drop the price an item it is placed on sale on Poshmark.  They will  offer reduced or free shipping to the poshers who have liked the item.  I will wait until an item has multiple likes, usually over ten, to drop the price.  Doing this on Fridays and Saturdays after most people are paid can increase sales.  Reducing the price if no one likes the item can also assist in generating interest.

10.  Package your items cute and cheap!

All buyers expect a nice package that is shipped within three days.   Keep packs of  thank you cards from the Dollar Tree and Michaels to write a nice and personalized card to the buyer. For color, I will stuff my box with cute tissue paper for shipping.  I have always received good reviews for this, and it takes little money.  Some will wrap items like a gift or tie them with ribbon. That is fine as well!  You can get the boxes used for shipping for free from your local post office or order them online.  You need the Priority Boxes.  (NOT the flat rate ones that look exactly the same.)  I even schedule the postman to pick up my item the day after it sells from my porch after packaging and adhering the shipping label they e-mail.  There is no need to spend time or gas to go to the post office.

Closet Items

 

Shop more of my closet on Poshmark

 

Do you use Poshmark?  What is is your shop’s name, and top posher tip? 

**Special thanks to @muddymermaid for all her awesome tips for Poshmark that has made mine so successful!**

Disclosure:  Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission is you click through and make a purchase.

Sassy Starfish’s Top 8 Money Saving Tips for 2018

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Growing up, I was taught that we do not discuss our financial situation.  It is is considered rude or insensitive to give away the state of your finances.  However, the dirt always comes up when friends begin discussing the reason they have rented for ten years or the massive amount of credit card past due statements hidden under the couch.

I became money conscious when I began counting up my financial aid to attend college.  However, my lifestyle during college was not the most frugal.  I did not have credit card debt or even students loans over 23,000.  I did spend too much money going to the newly opened Target and eating out.  Good gracious Ed and I have wasted so much money going out to eat!  (Seriously, hundreds of thousands.)

Fast forward to 2009.  We were ready to get married, buy a house, and live the American dream.  (Now you know that I have changed my mind on that particular dream, but nonetheless my 25 year old mind wanted the classic package.)  I was working for peanuts in my first entry level library job, and found this book shelving one day.  Yes, it was fate.  It changed my whole prospective on the way I spent money and managed debt.  It is called The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeagar.

Jeff and his wife embark on a year long no spend adventure where they only purchase the basic necessities of life.   Their real take and prospective motivated me to look critically at daily life.  A few other jolts have moved Ed and I over the years to go back to these principals.  Here based on my experience and the book are my top eight big ways to spend less, save, and pay off debt in 2018.

1. Menu+Grocery List=Big Savings

An old friend told me once when he wanted to save cash he looked back at all his old bank statements and receipts reviewing what he spent the most money on.  I knew without having to do this that eating out was the biggest blow to my account.  I also had my 2015 health issue where sodium was the enemy.  For years now, I have systematically made a menu, and used the grocery list based on that to compete a weekly grocery haul.

By doing this I spent two dollars per person for each meal for seven days.  Even eating out once depending on the price point would blow that budget.  Now, we love to eat out, but now it is a luxury we choose to use in conjunction with a birthday or to celebrate a particular milestone.  Use your crock pot or freezer to stretch meals out further.  A meal of chili and black bean soup covered our lunches for four days last week in leftovers.  Don’t forget to check sales ads, member’s deals, or coupons when making the list.  Also, take into account items you have that may spoil within a week.  I particularly love Walmart’s Savings Catcher and Target’s Cartwheel with the apps!

(**Note of caution for coupons:  Don’t use a coupon on something you are not buying anyway or plan to use in an upcoming recipe!  They can blow your budget if used just because you have one!)

Analyze your expenses first!

2. Do you really need to pay full price?

My life changed the day I realized I could purchase books from the thrift store for 25 cents to a dollar.  I loaded up on books weekly, and then slowly moved to buying clothes there.  I then discovered a department store outlet that run drastic sales every week.  (We’re talking three dresses for the price of one on the discount price.)  Then with the rise of Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Ross, Big Lots, and others I realized I should not pay full price for anything!

So now, if I am dying for a new pair of name brand shoes for example, I scout these places in person or online until I find them for the price I want.  The three things I ask myself before making a bigger purchase:

*Do I really need this?  

*Do I need to buy this new?

 *What is the most I am willing to pay for ___?

Those three questions have kept me grounded and have led to some good deals.  Most recently a pair of Adidas tennis shoes for me to walk my neighborhood in great condition for six bucks.  They are not brand spanking new, but after the rain we had it did not much matter after my inaugural walk in them.

Thrift haul from the past

3. Don’t be afraid of the side hustle.

I have paid tribute to the altar of many side hustles.  I  sold on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, Facebook, and even the Pass Christian Farmer’s Market.  Referred friends to different programs for cash, and even reviewed products and took surveys for free deals.  Some have been busts, and some have been lucrative.

I used to laugh at these antique road show stories of people buying a painting at a garage sale and it turns out to be this long lost masterpiece worth millions. How  surprised it was when happened to me!  I found a stack of books from the 1960s in a local friends of the library sale for 25 cents each.  This was back when I was selling vintage books on Etsy.  Turns out one of those books was an early edition of The Phantom Tollbooth I sold for forty dollars.  Another book in the same haul was a copy of Diamonds are Forever with Sean Connery on the cover.  Turns out, it’s a limited edition and I sold it for 80 dollars!  I have since moved on to selling clothes on Poshmark.  I have made over 800 dollars there to date.

You do not have to go over the deep end like me, but it is nice to have the extra cash.  I always try to sell the older version of an electronic if I update.  So every time I get a new iPhone, I wipe the old one and sell it.  Same for DVD players, digital cameras, and even broken hair straighteners.  Never be surprised on what people will buy.  Just don’t be too proud on the asking price.

4. get cash back when you can on what you are buying anyway

The apps eBates and Ibotta are great cash back deals.  They include many shops, and offer double cash back promotions.  They work by tracking your purchases and offering you an incentive for it.  I have made over 150 dollars with eBates since 2014!  I especially like using these programs over Christmas when I am purchasing gifts online anyway to avoid the Black Friday pandemonium.   Ibotta also offers cash back and challenges where you earn money you an redeem for cash!  There are also fantastic signing bonuses for referring friends for both apps!  These two apps will get you started, but there are many more available.

5. make use of free stuff

One frugal thing I did in graduate school was march to the main city library in Edinburgh.  The main library is a  towering and beautiful building with “Let there be light” scrawled over the door.  I opened up a library card there.  I would also go to cafes mid morning and read the discarded paper instead of paying the equivalent of 1.50 USD a day.  Do not knock free stuff!  Did you know you can get new release movies from most public libraries for free with library card?  Not to mention the free books and programs.  Our local libraries have free concerts, yoga, and classes!  Now libraries have eBooks and audiobooks available through downloadable apps for free as well.

Weekly over the summer a local city plays free movies on the lawn.  Check local blogs and newspapers online to find schedules for free events.  Also, remember there are hikes and walks that you can enjoy for free on a nice day.  Get creative, and think about ways to avoid spending money on entertainment!

Having fun isn’t hard with a library card!

6. go on a spending fast

The phrase is found on a favorite financial blog called And Then We Saved.  The author and her husband were able to cut off unnecessary spending and paid off all debt rather quickly.  Much like The Cheapskates Next Door they committed to stopping the sending train.  In both cases, they went to the extreme and cut all spending out cold turkey.

However, I find it more effective to pick one aspect of life to have a spending fast.  If I still have a bunch of samples from my days of subscription box obsession I will make a decision not to spend any money of bath products until they are all used up. Visiting Starbuck daily or the Target Dollar spot may be your weakness that needs curbed.

7. amazon prime is your friend!

While it  may seem like a strange way to save money since a subscription to Amazon Prime is over 100 dollars a year now.  However, we ended up saving close to 80 dollars a month when we cut our cable and exclusively streamed content.  Through the Amazon Fire Stick I have free apps for shows with the CW and PBS.  I do use Netflix and Hulu Plus as well but they average about 16 dollars a month extra.  Still a fraction of what I paid for less than 50 cable channels a month!  Not to mention the benefit Prime members have of streaming music and free eBooks.

(Tip:  Students have the option for a price reduced Amazon Prime subscription!)

8. pull it out before it can be spent

One way to save money I found is to have it pulled out of your account and placed somewhere else before the money goes into your checking.  Many banks provide the Christmas Savings service that entails pulling a portion of a check into a savings account that is only available in December of that year.  By using retirement plans along with the Roth IRA and Roth 403b you can pull money from your check and are save until you reach retirement age.  (The tax comes out of the Roth IRA at retirement, and the Roth 403b is taxed before.)  Believe me, a hundred dollars a month can add up after awhile.

In conclusion

This post is not meant to preach to you or convert you to my methods of money saving.  I hope you can come up with your own method of saving by reading using these tips.  Get creative, if you need white noise to sleep, download  a free app on your tablet instead of buying a sound machine or drag the fan from the back of the closet you already own.  What are some ways you have saved money in 2017?  Let’s talk!

Until next time..

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Disclosure:  Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission is you click through and make a purchase.