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Pin Money Monday


This magazine cover leaped out at me as I was walking down the subway platform this morning. I had been thinking about making a little extra money selling on ebay or Poshmark, my two resale sites of choice, and there was my idea on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, with a big smiling picture of Gwyneth Paltrow. "Edit Your Closet Recycle, Restyle and Resell." So I snapped a quick picture before the subway train arrived. The news stand in my local station could definitely use a little window cleaning, but it makes for good browsing while I'm waiting for the train.

One of my chores for the day was a trip to the post office to mail a book that I'd sold on ebay. I took up reselling a few years ago,  mostly to clear out my too-big accumulation of books. I added clothes to clear out my closet after losing thirty pounds. I had a number of items that were little worn and too big to wear. Some months have been a lot of pin money and others, very little. This is a ten dollar month, and alas, today's parcel is my only sale for January. I've met people who have turned their reselling into a business, but that's not my goal. I'm primarily selling to as a way to continue to clear out my books and clothes and make some extra cash in doing so. Is anyone else an ebay or Poshmark reseller? Are there any tips you'd like to share? How did you get started? What keeps you going?

Pin money, it seems, has an interesting origin. We think of it as "a small amount of money, perhaps for incidentals," per The Grammarphobia Blog. But in the Seventeenth Century, pin money was the allowance for a wife's clothing and personal expenses. 

I'm entering the home stretch on No-Spending January. Now that I'm feeling better I'm also out and about more and yes, spending more on meals and snacks. 
Thursday, January 23: I left home for a meeting at 8:30 a.m. and got home after 8:00 p.m. Breakfast with friends after Weight Watchers and a late lunch/snack in the afternoon. No savings
Friday, January 24: No snack day, savings of $5.00
Saturday, January 25: No snack day, savings of $5.00
Sunday, January 26: Coffee with a friend, savings of $1.00
Monday, January 27: No snack day, savings of $5.00
My No-Spending January total: $152.16 

Besides my trip to the post office, I made it back to water aerobics and swimming. That's my usual Monday activity and it felt so good to be back in the pool. I'm planning to go to my Tuesday Yoga class, which will be a complete return to my usual activities. I'm also starting this year's round of medical appointments with a visit to the audiologist on Thursday. I'm not overdoing it, but I am picking up the pace of activity.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great week.

14 comments

Natalia said...

I like Gwyneth, good actress! And I love yoga,too☺

Susie said...

Buttercup, You did very well with the month of Jan. I like the idea of resales. Wish my children would do that. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Yes, I have sold items on eBay and these have been personal items I have purchased and no longer need with a few exceptions. After my mother died several years ago, I sold a few collectible figurines as there was no other way to dispose of them. Many larger items were donated. My recent eBay sale last week was my older iPad which I replaced as a gift to myself. Apple will take them as a trade-in, but I needed a few more $ towards the newer model and also wanted to include the case as a package deal, and I successfully sold it, less selling fees of course. I have also sold my previously used cameras. Sometimes, it takes a couple of relistings and new photos, but it has worked for me. I know about re-sellers who buy items at sales, yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets and then make a business of selling on eBay and I suppose that works for them. Good luck with your future sales and kudos on the no spending progress and updates.

Cindy said...

Your blog always inspired me! Thank you!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I've never sold anything on line and give away the clothes, books etc that I need to clear out. Salvation army and good will always get my donations. I figure I can help someone else out while helping my self to declutter. Glad you are feeling better and getting back to normal. We surely do realized how good it is to geel good again once we've been sick.

Ginny Hartzler said...

You are doing so good with saving! I give most of my old things to Goodwill. But a few that are really worth something, I sell on eBay. I have never heard of Poshmark, I will have to check them out. I cannot imagine Gwyneth at Goodwill!

Chatty Crone said...

You are doing great with savings! And now you are supplementing with sales. Glad you feel better!

Mevely317 said...

I recall my mother using the term 'pin money.'
Before moving, we hauled soooo much stuff to Goodwill. Then (go figure) wound up donating more to the Goodwill here. Tom's like, did we really pay the movers to transport this stuff? Given a quick home sale, a quick purge became necessary, but I'd sure do it differently next time.
I've not heard of Poshmark, but will check it out!

Pam said...

Good job, Buttercup! A friend sells on ebay all the time, I've been tempted to try it. I'm going to check out Poshmark now. Thanks!

Theresa said...

I have not sold anything on any of these sites but what a great idea. It seems like the best way to clear out some things and make a little cash too. Good job my friend on No Spending January! Have a blessed day, it is a gorgeous day here in the South! HUGS!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hello - We used to resell stuff on Ebay about 10-12 years ago. We made enough to pay for our oldest son's braces, so that helped. I haven't done it for quite a while. I usually just donate unwanted/unused items now. I probably should look into getting back on Ebay. Once I bought an old book at a yard sale for $1.00 and resold it on Ebay for $76! Wow that was a great return on investment. Thanks for sharing all your "no spend" savings. You are an inspiration! Enjoy the rest of the week!

Sandy said...

I have never tried to sell on anything but Ebay and Etsy. I have been hit or miss on both. I find that if something is name brand and I can take good pictures I will sometimes get a sale. It was funny that I noticed the post. My week has been crazy thus far. I put an antique clock on it this week that has been sitting in a closet for ten years. It works and chimes and that good stuff. I notice one similar listed for a lot. I put mine on bid but with a more reasonable amount, but an amount worth the trouble of shipping it. I already have that bid, so yea. I have a sale. I don't know if it will go up...I know a couple are watching it. Most of the time I don't get that lucky. My kids sale on Facebook, but I don't have one of those.

TARYTERRE said...

back when ebay was starting out i was a seller. i made alot of 'pin money'. i sold clothes, jewelry and books. i stopped doing it when the bigger sellers came in. they cut into my profits, offering the same items i was selling for less. i also got tired of wrapping and packing, running back and forth to the post office. sounds like things are working out for you, though. a little 'pin money' is a good thing.

Carol Henstra said...

I just moved to be near my hubby at the hospital where he is staying who had a stroke since end of July a year ago. So traveling from where I lived was way too hard every day. So here I am in the town close to him five days a week to be with him. He is paralyzed and I can never bring him home. He cannot sit himself nor walk. Then take two days off for myself was suggested by Dr. Caregivers need to do that. Been married 58 years.

I gave away also free things to Salvation and friends who were in need.
I had a quick decision so to declutter and move. Certain time it does not always work out to even sell on line.