Something for nothing

**green_mom** · 10-02-2005, 12:43 PM

Hi all

I am posting this junk for cash guide incase it might be of help to anyone.

All you need for this frugal strategy is a very basic digital camera, ebay and paypal account.

Step 1: Junk collection
Round up all items that you no longer use; collect them from friends, family, neighbors etc. Look in the local paper or supermarket for items that are free for collection. Typically, unwanted gifts, vintage clothes, shoes, designer labels, books, gadgets, toys, left over material, anything that still has a use.

Step 2: Junk Preparation
Clean and patch up everything, discard stuff that is too broken to be useful.

Step 3: Photography
Photograph each item clearly, using good natural daylight on a white/light background. Tip: use a bed sheet or towel, don’t photograph on off putting backgrounds like a dirty old carpet, go for bright and cheerful, use your curtains or garden. The idea is to present a clean and clear image.

Step 4: Description
Identify each item and look up any relevant technical specifications, or product reviews. Open notepad or word on your pc and write a comprehensive and accurate description for each item. Set a minimum price per item, for a guide, look up what prices others are selling it for something similar for on ebay. This will be the opening bid price.

Step 5: Postage and Packaging
Weigh your items individually, add extra weight for packaging as necessary, look up and note down the delivery costs.

Tip: re-use envelopes, for padding, use toilet roll centers, egg cartons, pages from old yellow pages, newspaper, junk mail, get free used cartons from supermarkets or DIY stores.

People don’t really mind as long as the item is received intact with reasonable shipping costs.

Step 7: Listing
Wait for a free or discount listing day on ebay and upload everything, make sure you accept paypal.

Step 8: Spend on sensible stuff only
Once you have built up funds in your paypal account, you can buy what you like from people that take paypal, it better to spend the paypal money rather than take it out as you don’t get charged for withdrawal:

Here is list of items that I think are helpful for frugal living. I have brought them either via ebay or websites that take paypal. I have used them with successful results. Everything on the list is practical, useful, cheap and some can be resold once you no longer need it. Some are also one off payments that can be used for a lifetime:

Gardening: (ebay) Mucuna Puriens Bean, try this bean that fertilizers your soil, you can grow plants in sand! this is used in third world countries, and needs warm weather or be indoors.(its huge) Just grow the bean where you need fertile soil and the soil will be organically fertilized, and you can keep harvesting beans again and again for gifts to friends, family and fellow gardeners. When the plant dies after 3 months, you can even shred dry it as a soil mix. Note: these beans are NOT edible!

Hard water and lime scale: (ebay) try a magnetic water softener, once fitted, they do the job without running costs for chemicals or electricity. No need to de-scale your bath, shower tray or kettle, it also saves on washing detergent, shower gel, soap, shampoo and dish washing liquid.

Smells and bad Odors: (ebay, if anyone is selling it or online) try Zilo smellkiller, no need even for baking soda, just add water and it will neutralize (not just mask over) bad smells everywhere. I use it for my pet bed, kitchen, fridge, shoes, car and my living room with guests that smoke. It also gets rid of onion or garlic smell from your hands! Works like a dream, and it never gets used up, so I can re sell it if I want to get rid of it.

Pets

ebay) use ionic hairbrush for furry friends, runs on batteries and reduces the need for regular expensive shampooing unless your pet in VERY dirty.

Batteries: (ebay) Switching to high capacity rechargeable batteries and recharger really saves money, especially for kids.

Torchlight: (ebay) Get a Forever Shake It flashlight, these recharge buy shaking and don’t use batteries, I only use a torch during power cuts or in the car, it saves on batteries that slowing drain away is unused for periods.

‘Free’ movie rental: (ebay) dvds, buy it, watch it and resell it, in effect, free movie rental, no need to go to the cinema, save on tickets for the family.

Skincare: (ebay and online), Try Skinvac and spend about $1 a month for acne treatment, facial cleansing and make up remover. Great for moms and teens. Reusable and much more cost effective than off the shelf medication or cleansers and does not clutter bathroom cabinet space. Soap free and non-drying, I don’t over spend to cleanse and re-spend more to moisturize.

Printer cartridges (ebay) Switch to any Canon printer that uses a standard 24bit cartridge, these have many replacements that only cost a small fraction of what is in the shops.

Shaving: (online) Instead of throwing away razor blades, try Lehman’s Disposable Razor Blade Sharpener to maximize the life of the blade.

Please feel free to add to this list, the criteria for this list is that it has to be cheaper than the usual product and if possible, have a resale value when you’re done with it.

Strategy: the idea is to have your wanted items emailed to you daily, and then find one with reasonable PP and set the maximum price for bidding, that way you don’t go over budget.

Plan ahead, wait for item to come in at the right price rather than need one when everyone else is bidding for it.

The trick is to get as much of full amount you paid for it to start with, as PP is charged to the next buyer, if you take care of your stuff and get it right, its something for nothing.

Be disciplined; build up your cash in paypal before spending it.

Always remember, buying second hand is better than buying on credit, only you know the difference.