Skip to main content

Cornell University

The Bookshelf

Exploring EdTech and Cognitive Psychology

How to Make Money From What You Already Have

Do you want to make money without having to invest much additional time or cash? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not! You can start making money from what you already have by following these simple steps. Here’s how you can turn your possessions into cash assets.

Most of us want a little extra money in our pockets. But many of the ways we can think of doing this entail things like getting a second job, or spending significant time and effort making this extra money.

In fact, you might be able to make money from the things you already have. Here are some tips on possessions you might have but not really need, how to increase the value of your belongings and how to generate more revenue from them. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home or just want a little extra spending money, read on for helpful advice on how to make money from what you already have.

Take Stock

Start by taking inventory of what you have. This doesn’t just mean physical items, but also includes things like skills, talents and knowledge. Do you have a collection of items that you no longer use or need? Consider selling them online or at a garage sale. If you have any old electronics, they can usually be recycled for cash.

Do you have any skills or talents that others might need or be willing to pay for? Perhaps you’re a whiz with numbers and could offer your services as a bookkeeper or accountant. Maybe you’re a talented musician who could give guitar lessons. Or maybe you know how to knit, sew or cook and could sell your handmade goods online or at a local market.

People who use the skills they have and love often don’t mind spending a little extra time on them. And you could get paid for it too!

Sell Your Car

This might sound extreme. You need your car, right? But do you really need it? If you live in a city, public transportation or ride-sharing services might be just as convenient and cheaper than owning a car. If you live in a rural area, you might be able to get by with one car for your household instead of two. Maybe you want to introduce a little more exercise into your life, in which case cycling to work or to do your errands might be a great option. If the typical car journeys you make are within a few miles of your home, you can definitely do all you need to do on a bicycle. And you’ll be doing the environment a favor too! If this is a viable option for you, there are websites where you can sell any car quickly and easily.

Use What You Have To Create Something New

Another way to make money from your existing belongings is to use them to create something new. For example, if you have a collection of vintage clothes, you could start a rental business where people can pay to wear them for special occasions. If you’re crafty, you could make and sell new items using materials you already have, such as fabric scraps or old jewelry. Upcycling furniture is another option, as you’ll be able to find people anywhere who want furniture with a vintage look, but don’t want to create it themselves.

You could also use your skills and talents to create new things. If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, why not start a home-based catering business? Or if you’re good with your hands, you could make and sell handmade goods like jewelry or pottery.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to using what you have to create something new. And the best part is, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.

Clear Out Your Cupboards

We all have items in our cupboards that we never use. Whether it’s an old appliance that you never got around to returning, or a set of dishes that you received as a wedding gift but never liked, there are plenty of things taking up space in our homes that we don’t need.

One way to make money from these items is to sell them online. There are plenty of websites and apps that make it easy to sell second-hand items, and you might be surprised at how much people are willing to pay for things that you no longer want or need.

Another option is to have a garage sale. This is a great way to declutter your home and make some extra cash at the same time. Just be sure to advertise it well in advance so that people in your area know when and where to find you!

Do A Skill Exchange

While you might not make any additional money from exchanging one of your skills for someone else’s, you might be able to cut down on your costs or bills by doing this.

For example, if you’re a gardener, you could offer to trade your services for someone else’s house-cleaning skills. Or if you’re a web designer, you could offer to design someone’s website in exchange for them doing your taxes. Perhaps you could teach someone a language, and they could install solar panels on your home, which will help you save on energy bills in the long-run.

Think about the skills and talents that you have, and see if there’s anyone in your area who might be interested in doing a skill exchange with you. It’s a great way to get what you need without spending any additional money!

So there you have it, a few ideas to get you started on making money from what you already have. With a little creativity and effort, you can soon start generating some extra income without having to spend any money at all!