How to make $65 from garbage

Just had another major blow out with my ex husband.  He was supposed to come and get some of his things, but I knew he just wanted to come and get his TV stand because he bought a new TV. Because I am ornery, I told him he couldn't have it. and not to come. He came anyway, brought a friend, and as he loaded his stuff, he "accidentally" loaded the TV stand too. I went ballistic because the last time he came to my house he stole a $7,000 server from me. Well, I guess technically I did sell his $4,500 TV to pay the mortgage. But still...



The point is, even if you went through a messy divorce , like I did, you probably have a lot of stuff you don't use that you can get rid of to drum up some money. Before now, I would have been shocked to know how few items a person actually needs to survive. You really only need one outfit for work, one for sleep, one for play. The poorest person I know lives a luxurious life compared to someone in a 3rd world country.

Pawn Shops
I know that bracelet you got from your cousin Millie has emotional value. All joking aside, the thought of selling the bracelet your mother gave you hurts.Keep in mind, however, the price of gold is at an all time high. Regardless of what happens with the financial market, gold and gemstones will always be an acceptable form of tender. I gathered up all of my broken rings, watches, and necklaces, and brought them in to Pawn America. I paid about $900 total for all of my jewelery a year ago, and when I left the Pawn America, I left with a little over $300 in hard cash. While I obviously didn't make a profit, I still felt good about the exchange. When you have lost everything, you feel somehow braver with a wad of cash in your pocket.


Craigslist
When my divorce was finally completed, I emotionally could not stand the sight of the couches, TV's and decorations I had. From what I understand, this is a common thing. I ended up with a garage full of everything you would need to fully furnish a 4 bedroom home. Rather hold onto your emotional and literal garbage, why not sell it? A great, free web site is www.craigslist.org  . You can post ads to sell just about anything, and usually sell it within 48 hours. I made about $200 in 2 days just from old furniture, clothes, and DVD's. You can also use craigslist to publicize your garage sale. It's also been a big part of my healing process in releasing what I don't need, figuratively, as well as physically.

Consignment Shops
Consider your current job title and situation. If you are currently working part time at the Subway to make ends meet (like a lot of people are), you probably don't need that Elie Saab right now. Yes, I know it matches the Dooney & Burke purse. I worked part time at a copy shop to have some spending money for a while, and all of my suits and scarves just sat in my closet. I picked out the 3 sharpest outfits I had and set those aside. The rest went to the consignment shop.  After my items sold I added had $150. I used that money to pay for baby sitting.

Nu Look Consignment
Turn Style Consignment
Encore Consignment


C

How to survive on $100 a week

No one told me that being in business was going to be easy. It’s not enough to make a dollar stretch, that dollar has to squeal like a torched pig. This week, my paycheck was only $100, so I know I need to make that last until next Friday. The most important thing in my budget is my gas, as I drive a lot.


My goal is to save $10 a week. I purchased $20 worth of food at the grocery store, and used the cashback option to get $10 out of my account without paying the $2.00 atm fee. I rolled up the $1 bills in a rubber band and furtively stashed them.

I just got the notice today from my lender’s attorney, saying they were going to foreclose. Oddly enough, as soon as I saw the envelope I got a rush of euphoria. Yes, euphoria. I have been expecting the hammer to drop for such a long time that when it finally did drop I felt better. For better or worse, it is always satisfying to be right. It hit me so hard that I think I may actually have been knocked temporarily silly.

As I tore open the letter, I saw that the bank was asking me to pay $279,000 or forfeit my home. I immediately thought “Well, at least there’s hope. I could make $300,000 in 6 months.” See what I mean? I think I must be a junkie for abuse or something. The voice ( oh yeah , the Voice) says that surely, all my problems would be over if I made, say $500,000 in the next 4 months.

I could just walk away from this house, and save up for another... hopefully.  But the entrepreneur in me can let it go. This is my home, and they will have to claw it out of my hands while I kick their groin area repeatedly. I've got a few strategies I'm considering.

1. Work really hard this month and put together $10,000 to pay a lawyer just to sue Citimortgage. Repeatedly. I have been through 3 different loan modification programs with them, and the only thing I am sure of is that they refuse to agree to a permanent solution. I will have no where to live if they foreclose. The process of kicking a mother and child out of their home should be as expensive as possible for Citimortgage.

2. Make $279,000 before the sherrif's sale. Hey, it could happen, right? Right? RIGHT?

3. List my home and hope it sells in 3 months or less.I believe I could sell my home for what I paid for it. Did I also mention that I believe the world is square and fairy dust cures the swine flu?