Millions of Americans still pay full manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) for clothing, electronics, furniture, and household items. Are you part of this statistic? In today’s era of OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, LetGo, and NextDoor (just to name a few), the act of paying full retail is a choice of the past! Not only do we have the option of purchasing pre-owned, but we can also resell our clothing, shoes, accessories, and even make-up!
Alongside a laundry list of side hustles, I realized I had a lot of extra “things” that I didn’t need or use. I stumbled across Poshmark and began to post my gently used (sometimes never used, tags attached) clothes, purses, and shoes. I also posted skincare items & perfumes that were collecting dust. In the first month of using the app, I made $250! I was able to sell my unwanted items and shop the re-commerce apps to purchase my first pair of premium yoga pants. I wanted to reward myself after completing my yoga certification, and I was able to get 2 pairs with money left over!
After receiving constant compliments on my high-fashion-deeply-discounted yoga pants, I was drawn back to the re-commerce sites. Even as our discretionary income increased, I still preferred shopping the gently or never-used items before browsing brand-new. I reprogrammed myself (and my husband) to shop on re-commerce apps like Facebook Marketplace & OfferUp first, before heading to Amazon or the local mall.
When we relocated from Los Angeles to Dallas, we moved a house full of furniture and household items that we had for over 10 years. Most of it was still in good shape but we wanted an upgrade to go with our new home. During this simultaneous selling & purchasing process, we made $550! Cha-ching! We are not alone, last year the average person made $978 in a month on OfferUp selling items during Spring Cleaning. Last Spring we scored a free trampoline and table for our daughter!
Over the last year, we saved $2,518 by purchasing pre-owned! We sold a couch and dining room table profiting $360. When shopping these apps/sites, I suggest purchasing from smoke-free and pet-free homes to assure you are getting clean and gently-used products. There may be a bit of compromise on convenience, you may have to coordinate with another individual for delivery/pick up. Be smart and safe. Follow your instincts and consider traveling with a friend when visiting unfamiliar places.
Another benefit of reselling is to tidy up your life! Have you heard of the KonMari method? This is a system of simplifying and organizing your home by getting rid of physical items that do not bring joy into your life. It was created by organizing consultant Marie Kondo and described in detail in her best-selling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” Take a moment after reading this blog, pick something from the very back of your closet or from underneath your bed, hold the item and ask yourself, “does the item bring me joy?” If the item does not truly bring you joy and you are only holding onto it “just in case” or because you might like it again one day, then its time to let it go! This method helps me clear clutter, create stress-free space and I feel more relaxed and productive. Imagine that!
The Joy of Saving: Turning Rising Prices Into Smart Choices
Feeling the pinch at checkout? If it feels like every grocery trip and even a quick Target run is blowing up your budget, you’re not alone. Rising prices are everywhere right now, but there’s good news: you can take back control. In our latest blog, The Joy of Saving: Turning Rising Prices Into Smart Choices, we share practical, no-stress strategies to save money, waste less, and keep your budget (and sanity) on track just in time for the holidays.
Your Student Loan Plan Just Changed—So Should Your Strategy
August 1 isn’t just another day on the calendar.It’s the day interest starts accruing again for millions of borrowers. But for more than 8 million of us on the SAVE plan—including me and my son, Seth—the problem is much bigger.Due to recent court rulings, the SAVE plan as we know it is ending. The low payments and interest pauses felt like a lifeline, but that safety net is gone.Now, not only is interest back on, but every day we stay on the SAVE plan is a day that doesn't count toward forgiveness. The chickens are coming home to roost, and the pressure is on to make a new plan—fast.