Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Big Challenge Week 13

Week 13 of the Big Challenge. We leave for Florida 3 weeks from today. If you're just now joining me for The Big Challenge and wonder what it is, you can read about it here. I've really got to kick it up a notch or two if I'm going to make my goal of $4,000! I've been listing like crazy on ebay and it's really paying off. Here's my top sales of the week:

I took a chance when I purchased these Hudson size 29 jeans because they were a little funky. But for just $1.00 I figured I take my chances. When I searched them on ebay, I found out they sell quite well so I listed them for 9.99. My wild card item SOLD for 9.99.
I originally listed these J.Crew size 8 pink linen pants for $7.00 and they didn't sell. However, when relisted this week for the same price they sold for $13.39.
This Ann Taylor size 6 Black Damask skirt is another relist. There were no bids when it was listed for $7.00 last week, but this week it sold for $12.50.And my top seller of the week- actually of all time- is this Old Navy Size Large Maternity Skirt. I purchased it for $1.00 and it sold for $18.50. Old Navy always does well for me and Maternity is a great resale item too. So, on to craigslist. Remember the $25 table I refinished?This sold for $125, just days after it was listed. I had mentioned the round tables that matched also sold, but the buyer couldn't get back to my side of town, so they've been listed on craigslist for $90 each. Here's the silver room divider screen I picked up for $5 this weekend.I listed it on Saturday and within 30 minutes it was sold for $45.00. Gotta love craigslist. As the school year gets ready to end, we realize how close we are to leaving on our trip. The kids are really getting excited. We haven't seen my 20 year old for almost 4 months, so this will be a trip to remember. Thanks for all the supportive comments, they really do help when I'm up at midnight trying to list my last few ebay items. I know all the hard work will be worth it. Love, Kelly.

Ebay Profits: This week: 334.86 (WOW) Challenge Total: 2080.71
Craigslist Profits: This week 170.00 Challenge Total: 2170.00
This weeks Costs: 57.00 (clothes) -60.87 (ebay fees) -14.45(paypal fees) -30.00 (Cost to buy craigslist items)
Total Challenge Costs: 1233.29
Total Profit: $3017.42

P.S. I broke 3,000 This week. If you read this post earlier I had added in an incorrect amount for ebay fees $94.04 seemed high and when I double checked my numbers it was just 60.87! Now I feel like I'm really getting close.

Linking Up To:
Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home
Look What I Made @ Creations By Kara
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Show Us What You're Working On @ Me And My Bucket
Be Inspired @ Room To Inspire
A Little Craft Therapy @ Life In The Pitts
We're Organized Wednesday @ Organize And Decorate Everything
Make It Yours @ My Backyard Eden
Show And Tell @ Blue Cricket Designs
Works For Me Wednesday @ We Are THAT Family
We Did It Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
Spotlight Yourself @ It's so Very Cheri

13 comments:

  1. Kelly:

    This is so awesome! How wonderful that you put your mind to something and get it done...while being a mom to 6 kids and wife to Mr. Right.

    Hope that you have a WONDERFUL TIME. You all deserve it!

    Good luck making that last $1000!
    Peace,
    Edie

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  2. I am so happy for you! Wish I lived in your area to buy those 2 side tables!!! Wishes for the last 2 weeks to be extremely profitable!!

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  3. Whoo hoo, so exciting, I almost feel like I'm going lol.

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  4. hey kelly i know laura has her ebay shop posted on the side bar .. do you have a link to yours? keep it up, you are sooo inspiring!!

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  5. WHOA!!! This is totally awesome!!

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  6. It's amazing how much you have made so far!!
    Good luck with the rest!

    http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/

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  7. Wow, this is enough to motivate me to start selling on Ebay again! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today.

    Chelsea

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  8. These posts about your finds/resales are incredible! I'm so impressed!

    I'm curious, how do you keep track of your expenses? Generally, what percentage of your profit do you "reinvest" the next time you go shopping for more deals?

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  9. Sturgmom,
    I keep track of my expenses in a word document ( I know- so 1990's) I have a friend that uses excel and really knows what she sells on ebay. I started this resale process thinking I was only going to do it for 4 months to earn money for Florida, but I have to admit, I'm completely addicted. I look around the house and think, "When Florida's paid for I can start earning money for my Master bathroom project." I may start a more formal spreadsheet when I get back from Florida, but then again, that may make it like a real job. As far as what percentage I reinvest- I really don't worry about that. Garage sales and thrift stores can really be hit and miss. I usually pay with my discover card at the thrift store so I can earn points and at garage sales I usually take a few hundred dollars. Some weeks I spend $10 and sometimes I spend $150. You kind of have to take what you can get when you're thrifting. In the end you hope it all sells really fast (which is typically the case) so you're investment isn't hanging out there too long. Hope this helps.

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  10. Um, wow. I had no idea. I mean, I've heard a few people mention that they make money off ebay, but dang, seeing your numbers... thank you so much for sharing this.

    And thanks for linking this up to A Little Creative Therapy with Life in the Pitts.

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  11. Can I ask why you bother with ebay? Considering posting on craig's list is free. Is it just that you like to see if people will bid?

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  12. I am so impressed!! You are doing amazing! Thanks for linking up this week!!

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  13. WOW!! Is all I have to say. You not only are very smart but you also have a great eye! Everything you've grabbed at garage sales are things I would love to have!! I have signed up to be a follower of your blog and am looking forward to your next big find!!

    Keep it up!
    Stacey

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