I became a Stay at Home Mom after having my second son, and it has been challenging to say the least! I loved working but I felt that for me and my family it was more important for me to give up my career to be on the home front. Being a Stay at Home Mom comes with lots of challenges but one of the most challenging aspects of every household is money. I had the exact same salary as my husband so deciding to give up half of our income was not an easy decision. Over the last year and a half I have been trying to find ways to make money to supplement my husbands income and I am happy to say I am finally Making Money as a Stay at Home Mom! Here is my guide to making cash without any gimmicks or schemes!
Getting Started: Making Money From Home
I started my Stay at Home Mom money making mission by going through and purging my wardrobe, purses, and shoes. We all have those clothes we are holding onto from before having kids! Let me tell you, there is no way I am wearing low rise pants again…that just isn’t going to happen!
First, I started by listing my items on the buying and selling app Poshmark. In the beginning, I was simply selling the items I didn’t need anymore. As sales picked up, I realized I needed more inventory to keep my sales going! That is when I discovered my new business of buying and selling clothing, purses, and shoes!
To get comfortable using the Poshmark or Mercari marketplaces, I would first start by going through your items at home and list the items for sale you no longer use. This will give you an idea of shipping rates, the shipping and packaging process, and pricing and selling.
Finding Inventory: Thrift Shops and Goodwill
There are several places I find inventory for my sales; my own closets, Facebook, Goodwill, and local Thrift Shops. By far the best place to buy designer clothes at a great price is Goodwill and local Thrift Shops.
Patagonia, Columbia, North Face, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch are just a few of the name brands I have found at my local Goodwills. The best part about Goodwill and Thrift Shops are the prices. These stores often have sales throughout the year, so keep an eye out to maximize your savings.
Make sure you do your research and check whether the item you are going to purchase has a good resale value. I generally just google the item on my cell phone in store prior to purchasing so I have an idea of the resale price. Sometimes I find expensive items just by feeling the garment and then looking up the designer. Recently, I found a shirt at the local Goodwill that I purchased for $9.99 and the original sale price of the shirt was $950!
If you like to hunt and dig Goodwill and Thrift Shops will be your new favorite place!
Finding Inventory: Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Groups
Another place I find my inventory is from Facebook. I am apart of several online local Facebook groups that give clothing, purses, and shoes away for free. I pick up the free items locally and then resell them.
Facebook Marketplace often has designer purses in my local area at reasonable prices. Recently, I purchased a large Tory Burch purse on Facebook Marketplace for $60 and resold it on Poshmark for $140.
Just remember to do your research before buying on Facebook Marketplace. There are several scammers out there selling fake designer bags and merchandise. Also, always offer less than the purchase price. Just because an item is listed for a set amount on Facebook does not mean you have to pay that price. Haggling is your greatest tool on Facebook!
Dedication and Pay Out:
Typically, I check the local thrift shops and Goodwill a few times a month to keep my inventory fresh. I generally spend $60-$80 a month on new items. My average monthly income from buying and selling online is $1,000 a month.
For me, this is the easiest way to make money as a stay at home Mom. Buying and selling online takes a few hours out of my day. If the kids are having a difficult day, I can wait to do my buying, photographing, or packaging when they are sleeping. If you want to be your own boss while staying at home without any gimmicks this just might be the right side hustle for you!
Keep an eye out for my next blog post where I discuss selling and shipping on Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Marketplace! I will walk you through photographs, packaging, shipping, and site navigation. Stay tuned and happy hunting! Shop my Poshmark closet by clicking on the link for my ideas!