Cash In Your Pockets (or PayPal account!)

It's no secret that having a blog can be expensive.  There are sponsorships to buy, designs to be done, giveaways to do, not to mention all of the fun products that other creative bloggers make and sell.  When I first started this adventure, I told myself that I didn't want to take any money out of our monthly budget to spend on my new hobby.  I have other hobbies that do enough spending on their own - namely going out to eat and shopping.  That meant I needed to get creative about how I was going to pay for All the Joys.  I've put together some resources that you might find intriguing to use for yourself.  These can be used by anyone, not just bloggers!

 

 

1.  ThredUp.  ThredUp is an online consignment store for women's and children's clothing.  It's easy - you order a "clean out bag", (for free), they send it, you fill it, send it back (for free).  After they go through your items, they'll pay you for what they know they can resell, and donate the rest to local charities.  There is an option to pay a fee to get your items back that they don't want.  I've sent in about three bags - mostly of clothes that don't fit or I never wear - and have gotten just under $100 total.  They pay via PayPal too!

 

You can shop here too.  I've bought the girls brand new clothing (new with tags!) for a fraction of the retail price.  Using this link will give you a $10 credit.

 

2.  Twice.  Same general idea as ThredUp - but they accept more expensive brands - and pay more for them, too.  They send a list of brands they love with your clean out bag, which makes it easy to fill.  I sell my higher end things here (Anthropologie, J.Crew, Coach, Kate Spade, etc).  I've only done one bag so far, but got almost $50 for it!

 

You can also shop here.  Use this link to get $10 shopping credit as well as $10 clean out credit!

 

3.  Groupon Snap.  This is so easy, it's crazy.  Download Groupon's new app - Groupon Snap to get cash back on normal things you buy at the grocery store every day.  Some examples include $1 on milk, $.50 on bananas, $.75 on apples, etc.  After you purchase said items, all you do is upload a picture of your receipt.  I've used it once and already made $3.25.  That can pay for a whole sponsorship!

 

4.  Ibotta.  This is another app available in the app store.  It works in a similar way to Groupon Snap, but you need to choose your rebates based on what store you are shopping at.  Walgreen's has different rebates than Costco.  There are also retail and entertainment rebates!  I've made over $9 just doing my regular shopping.  If you sign up, use my referral code: 9bu5g

5.  Ebates.  If you haven't signed up for this already, go do it.  I'll wait.  Ok, so anytime you are shopping online, go to ebates first.  Find the store you are shopping from, click, and ebates will send you to their website.  Anything you buy will you give a rebate, which is paid out four times a year.  I signed up three years ago and have gotten back over $700 (don't do the math, I shop online a lot!).  They pay via check or sometimes Amazon credit.  Even better, before taking you to your store's website, Ebates lists all of the coupons available at that time.

 

6.  If you haven't already, start selling sponsorships on your blog if you are ready for the commitment.  (Shameless plug - I set mine up yesterday!)  You can then turn around and use those funds to sponsor other blogs.  Win-win.

 

There are many other ways to support your hobby - blogging or other.  Garage sales, online sales on Facebook, Craigslist.  Of course, always be careful about who you are selling to and meet in a public place.  Also, use coupons whenever possible.  Check out these other money saving apps too!

 

Today is Wednesday Wishes with Anne.  Today I'm wishing for you to try one of the above ways to get a little extra cash in your pocket.  I love cleaning out my closets - and making cash while doing so is always a plus.  Also, getting money for things I am already buying is a no-brainer for me.  Are there any other things you use to help pay for your blog/hobbies?