This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.
The weather outside is //
As I look outside my window // As you are reading this, we are hopefully (!!) getting Fiona onto the trailer and off to processing! We borrowed a farmer friend’s trailer last Wednesday and it’s been in her paddock ever since. She’s been stubborn and even put herself on a hunger strike (we put her food in the trailer, but she refused to go in)…but I think we turned a corner on Sunday. Praying for a smooth moving process today.
As I look around the house // The weather forecast looks like I’ll be spending a lot of time indoors, which could be dangerous! Last week on a rainy afternoon, I had the crazy idea to bring the old loveseat in the basement up two flights of stairs to the schoolroom. One of my sons helped me move it (we only dinged one wall!) but he definitely looked at me like, “Oh no. Mom’s got that redecorating look in her eye again.”
A low buy month update // I’m considering Week 1 a success!
- Most money was spent on groceries. Our local grocery store has been having shortages and limits, so we decided that continuing to add to our pantry is probably wise. (This week we added some peanut butter, jelly, and marinara sauce.) I’m still hoping to keep the grocery budget low throughout this month, so we’ll see if I can accomplish both goals at the same time.
- We had four days of zero spending.
- I began decluttering again. I started a box for Goodwill and listed 14 items on ebay/Poshmark. By the end of the week, I had made three sales. Money earned after fees: $31.30
Returning // to this post after feeling like my Year of Simple has been a terrible fail so far. Thankfully, it’s only August…plenty of time to turn this ship around.
On this week’s to-do list //
– get a start on fall garden planting
– work on the permanent pig shelter
– make a DIY grout cleaner
– post a few toys on Trash Nothing
– troubleshoot the sanding problem with the laundry room walls
– celebrate the feast day of Saint Lawrence by having a BBQ (weather permitting)
Currently reading //
- Fiction: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright & a book for Netgalley
- Nonfiction: Indestructible: The Unforgettable Memoir of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima by Jack H. Lucas
- Religious: Roots of the Reformation by Karl Adam
On the menu this week //
Monday: breakfast enchiladas
Tuesday: cheesy meatballs casserole
Wednesday: Refrigerator Cleanout Night
Thursday: chicken on the grill
Friday: homemade cheese pizza
I just love reading your posts each week. I am always on the fence about selling old things or just donating to our local thrift store, St. Vincent de Paul. While the larger items are obvious (not going to ship them!), and craigslist is an option, I can never make up my mind about smaller items. I am glad to read along with you when you make sales as it makes me think I could earn just a little reselling.
I have really enjoyed reselling. It’s a fun hobby and even though we’re not getting rich from it, every little bit helps! I sell mostly on ebay and Poshmark, but also have a few kids items on Kidizen. Let me know if you ever have any questions!
Thanks! I haven’t heard of Kidizen. I think I do have a few questions. How do you determine prices and how do you determine shipping in advance? I have sold a few things in the past and think that I ended up setting my shipping estimates either too high but usually too low. Also do you find that certain things (sizes, brands, type of photographs, etc) sell better than others? I think my fear is that I spend a bunch of time prepping the item to sell then it never does or not for the amount of time I spent on it.
I hear you though on every little bit helps!
For most items, Kidizen/ebay/Poshmark will give you a suggested price and I usually go with that.
As for shipping: I have a small scale like this (https://amzn.to/3Qyx7cj) so I can have an accurate weight. It’s really helpful for sites like Kidizen and ebay because you can log it in the listing and they’ll calculate the shipping cost for you.
I am constantly surprised at what sells vs. what doesn’t so I veer on the “I’ll try anything” side of selling! I have had expensive, name brand items sit for months while a Walmart top sold within hours of listing. You just never know. I think the biggest thing is clear photographs and honest descriptions. I keep all of my listed items in a big plastic bin in my closet, so it’s organized but not in the way. I feel like the effort is worth it since little sales do add up to a lot eventually.
Hope that’s helpful!
Yes, that is so helpful! I really appreciate it. 🙂 I will let you know if I end up trying it especially to see how it goes!!
I like the idea of using the profits to pay down the mortgage, but realistically it will support my home library building project lol
Good job on the low buy month goals 🙂
Thanks! Feels good to have a strong start.