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Making Money At Home
c March 2005 Linda Munro This week we are discussing a variety of means by which to make money from your home. These means are not just home based businesses, and I refuse to allow anyone to become suckered by get-rich quick schemes. So, let’s begin.
I believe one of the most lucrative home based businesses is becoming an eBay seller. There is actually a minimal monetary investment, but you must be willing to make a definite commitment of your time. My recommendation would be to specialize in one area of sales, such as electronics, toys or collectibles. Once you have chosen the field which you wish to specialize in, then you should become a virtual expert in that field.
How does one become an expert? Well, education, time and experience will eventually make one a true expert, in the meantime, it is important for you to head to your nearest library and begin researching the avenue you have decided to pursue. While this will not make you a true expert, it will give you a general knowledge which will enable you to knowledgably list your items. It will also allow you to respond to potential customers with an air of familiarity thus making these potential customers more comfortable doing business with you.
From here, you must stock up on your supplies. There are a variety of means by which you can accumulate goods without spending too much money to get started. Yard sales, garage sales, flea markets often offer an inexpensive means by which you can stock your supply. Be leery, everyone is out to make a dollar, so not overpay for any piece of merchandise you plan on selling, you want to at least break even with each sale.
You could also become as some term ‘a garbage picker.’ You would need to obtain the ‘big trash day’ schedule of neighboring communities, get up early and start the track, carefully inspecting other people’s trash. Here is where the old cliché rings true; ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’
Of course, whether one purchases, or digs out the treasures, one must also make sure the pieces are not broken, and note any and all flaws in each item. Pictures are essential, they not only assist in selling the items, they also give one a photo good photo journal of each piece should your buyer claim that the piece was not as advertised.
Make sure that you use a program that can check for spelling errors prior to placing your description on the web; if your description is filled with misspelled words, you can more than likely kiss the big sale good-bye.
You now have your own, in home business. You must keep accurate records of every penny you spend in connection with your business. You must be sure to have proper shipping supplies and make sure you package all of your items carefully so that they will not be broken in transit. Make sure you ship the purchases in a timely manner, treat your customers as you would want others to treat you, with honesty, integrity and haste.
EBay is not the only auction site on the Internet; it is merely the largest and most well known. You may have a bigger success on eBay than on other auction sites, but you will also be paying higher prices to utilize the service.
Some of the other auction sites include; bargainandhaggle.com; amazon auctions; and overstock auctions, to name a few. You should investigate each site, emailing buyers and sellers to ask of their experience at each site. Should you decide to make online auctions a means by which you make a few extra dollars or even a living; make sure that you not only keep accurate records, but also check with your local state sales tax department to see whether or not you will be responsible for sales tax on any of your sales. Some states require that tax be charged only to residents of the state in which you live, other states require that you also charge tax within their state if you sell to residents of the state. Charging sales tax requires monthly to quarterly sales tax paperwork and payments [dependant on states]. You may also be required to charge tax on shipping.
Make sure that you are well informed prior to making the decision to start your home business. It is better to be safe than sorry. Inaccurate records, not charging sales tax, etc, could cost you more than you ever made.
Another idea for Internet auctions are the many free after rebate or greatly reduced after rebate specials that are available in stores and online. Of course, for those of you interested in dealing with this type of venture, you must be sure that you keep track of every rebate you send in, make copies of receipts, rebate forms, and UPC symbols. Make sure you have a telephone number or some means of tracking the rebate and be prepared to call and demand the rebate be given to you, in many cases this may mean you must call the store where the purchase was made and request their assistance in obtaining the rebate or for them to refund you the amount of the rebate. If you are not prepared to conduct a one hundred percent follow-up for each rebate you submit, this may not be good means by which to make money.
Internet auctions are just one means to make money from home. We will be discussing many more ways to make money during the weeks to come. Please remember, when you are considering ways to make money, you should also consider ways that you can save money. Some people have actually learned ways to make their savings count as a second income.
Next week, we will discuss more ways to make money from home. Don’t forget, one of the easiest means by which you can make a few extra dollars is by signing up at http://www.surfjunky.com/?r=linmun. You may not get rich quick, but you can make up to 75 cents per hour; it is easy to make enough money to pay for a cable Internet connection and postage for a month; that indeed is a great income.
Consider various means of saving money on a weekly basis. Some electric supply companies actually have varying rates. That means it may be more feasible for you to figure out how to switch your electric consumption to the times when the rates are the lowest. While my electricity provider, Niagara Mohawk, use to manage their personal accounts on this basis, they now offer the discounted service to anyone willing to pay a $35.00 additional monthly fee.
Using coupons to purchase only things you would normally purchase without the coupon [unless of course you have a coupon for a free product]. When possible shop sales at different super markets, only if the supermarkets are in close proximity to one another, other wise check with the super market to see if they will price match other supermarket prices, and do not be embarrassed to make sure the cashier knows that you are requesting a price match. If it is not essential to purchase an item that you have a coupon for when the item is not on sale, hold off and save more money by purchasing with coupons during sales. You will especially save money if you shop supermarkets that double coupon savings up to 99 cents.
Next week my article will be another look into making money at home, or from home as the case may be. My biggest concern is that no one falls prey to those many con artists who are out to make a buck [or twenty] at your expense. I would rather you make the money, an honest dollar. If possible, I would like to see that anyone who uses my idea and actually begins to make an income at home takes 10% of that income and uses it to Pay It Forward!
Until next week, may God Bless and keep you all.
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