+EV hobbies besides gambling?
February 1st, 2018 at 12:37:07 PM
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vulturing in the casino is fun but there's too much competition now at my local casinos. (heck, one guy just sits there at the bank of Rock Around the Clock slots.)
I no longer stop by just to vulture because I rarely find any.
suggestions for another +EV hobby?
I no longer stop by just to vulture because I rarely find any.
suggestions for another +EV hobby?
Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).
Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)
February 1st, 2018 at 12:39:34 PM
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Idk about a "hobby", but I generally buy gift cards for places where I'm going to spend money anyway, if they have some sort of a bonus. Subway you get a free 6" sandwhich if you buy a $25 gift card, or a 12" if you get a $50 card.
Every now and then Chipotle runs a promo where if you buy a $30 gift card, you get a BOGO on your next visit w/ receipt.
There are others that I can't think off the top of my head.
Every now and then Chipotle runs a promo where if you buy a $30 gift card, you get a BOGO on your next visit w/ receipt.
There are others that I can't think off the top of my head.
February 1st, 2018 at 12:43:14 PM
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Estate sales and bankruptcy sales can be very profitable if you buy well.
I've cut down on my gaming to do this.
I've cut down on my gaming to do this.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
February 1st, 2018 at 1:07:33 PM
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Couponing.
You can reduce the cost of a cart of groceries by 50%+ fairly easily.
You can reduce the cost of a cart of groceries by 50%+ fairly easily.
February 1st, 2018 at 1:08:30 PM
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I've always heard this and been intrigued... Are you basically bargain shopping then selling the items you bought at a reduced price online/some kind of pawn shop?Quote: billryanEstate sales and bankruptcy sales can be very profitable if you buy well.
I've cut down on my gaming to do this.
Playing it correctly means you've already won.
February 1st, 2018 at 1:14:37 PM
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Exercise/working out.
February 1st, 2018 at 1:16:24 PM
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Quote: RomesI've always heard this and been intrigued... Are you basically bargain shopping then selling the items you bought at a reduced price online/some kind of pawn shop?
I think most of it is antiques/collectables that you can flip on eBay.
February 1st, 2018 at 1:22:00 PM
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Quote: billryanEstate sales and bankruptcy sales can be very profitable if you buy well.
I've cut down on my gaming to do this.
Garage sales too. I know a guy whose business is to buy stuff at garage sales cheap and sell at the swap meets for more. He knows very well what things people want and how much they will pay. I think EvenBob can speak to this, although I think his thing was buying storage units where the tenant defaulted and reselling on Ebay. I may be confusing him with someone else though. I'll ask him to pay this thread a visit.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
February 1st, 2018 at 1:47:47 PM
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Quote: WizardI think EvenBob can speak to this, although I think his thing was buying storage units where the tenant defaulted and reselling on Ebay. I may be confusing him with someone else though.
Never bought storage units. I was an
auction guy, I also bought at flea markets
and antique shows. The heyday of that
biz left in the 2008 crash. Things I used
to sell for $50 on Ebay, you can't even
get $15 for today.
It takes a huge amount of knowledge
in 40 different collectible fields to make
good money at it. I got into it in the
80's & was on the ground floor of Ebay
when it started. Made a killing in the late
90's selling guns and WWII collectibles
on Ebay, till they put a stop to it in 2000.
By 2005 all the antique dealers had caught
on to Ebay and I could no longer get deals
from them. I got out around 2006. You can
still make money by working at it 10 times
harder than I had to. It's not for me anymore.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 1st, 2018 at 1:54:32 PM
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I would enjoy doing something like this. I find looking around at garage sales, estate sales, storage lockers, very fun. I just never seem to try and sell anything when I do find something. What they do on American Pickers seems like a blast.Quote: WizardGarage sales too. I know a guy whose business is to buy stuff at garage sales cheap and sell at the swap meets for more. He knows very well what things people want and how much they will pay. I think EvenBob can speak to this, although I think his thing was buying storage units where the tenant defaulted and reselling on Ebay. I may be confusing him with someone else though. I'll ask him to pay this thread a visit.
If Bill or someone can show me how to sell stuff and make a profit, I'm in.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
February 1st, 2018 at 2:02:32 PM
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Quote: AxelWolfIf Bill or someone can show me how to sell stuff and make a profit, I'm in.
First you have to know what to buy,
which takes a long time to learn.
The only way is thru trial and error.
Buy things that appeal to you, for
a low price, and see if you can sell them
for a profit. In Vegas it would be a hard
row to hoe, not enough people there
with roots. The best place to buy is
around cities that have been there a
long time, that have items passed down
in families for generations. At those
auctions and estate sales it's a pickers
paradise sometimes.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 1st, 2018 at 2:10:16 PM
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That woman who died on a casino boat fire was a "coupon queen' who even taught classes in it. Most coupons are digital now and these coupon aggregator sites such as RetailMeNot are owned by the filthy rich.
A lot of people would buy at yard sales in west los angeles and sell them in east los angeles at a slightly higher price.
One man in Washington built bird houses all winter long and sold them to passing motorists in the Spring. Seemed to sell them like crazy during the three to five day garlic festival at a nearby commune. He was sort of off the beaten path otherwise. Out on the Olympic Peninsular one man did chain saw carvings. He priced them very high but don't know how many he sold.
Bankruptcy auctions can still be bargains but often the lots are bundled so as too discourage amateurs for the benefit of one buyer.
Those who like knick knacks often find sites such as instructables dot com to be an inspiration. Sell on Etsy or the like.
A lot of people would buy at yard sales in west los angeles and sell them in east los angeles at a slightly higher price.
One man in Washington built bird houses all winter long and sold them to passing motorists in the Spring. Seemed to sell them like crazy during the three to five day garlic festival at a nearby commune. He was sort of off the beaten path otherwise. Out on the Olympic Peninsular one man did chain saw carvings. He priced them very high but don't know how many he sold.
Bankruptcy auctions can still be bargains but often the lots are bundled so as too discourage amateurs for the benefit of one buyer.
Those who like knick knacks often find sites such as instructables dot com to be an inspiration. Sell on Etsy or the like.
February 1st, 2018 at 2:20:23 PM
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redacted
Last edited by: OnceDear on Jun 4, 2018
Psalm 25:16
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion.
February 1st, 2018 at 2:23:05 PM
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Quote: OnceDear
I can't plug my website here, (unless you'll permit me Wizard or site owner), but I am open to receiving PM's from interested parties.
Disinterested parties, please ignore this wicked promotional post.
I'm not selling anything by the way. Though this is my own little +ev
I'm fine with it, unless someone overrules me, as long as there is nothing gambling-related on it. It seems like it would be topical.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
February 1st, 2018 at 2:37:23 PM
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Quote: EvenBobNever bought storage units. I was an
auction guy, I also bought at flea markets
and antique shows. The heyday of that
biz left in the 2008 crash. Things I used
to sell for $50 on Ebay, you can't even
get $15 for today.
It takes a huge amount of knowledge
in 40 different collectible fields to make
good money at it. I got into it in the
80's & was on the ground floor of Ebay
when it started. Made a killing in the late
90's selling guns and WWII collectibles
on Ebay, till they put a stop to it in 2000.
By 2005 all the antique dealers had caught
on to Ebay and I could no longer get deals
from them. I got out around 2006. You can
still make money by working at it 10 times
harder than I had to. It's not for me anymore.
I disagree with just about all this. You don't need to be an expert in 40 different fields unless you want to sell 40 different items.
Today, you have a virtual library at your fingertips. Your phone knows more than most experts. Ebay isn't a great place to sell but it's not a wasteland either. Now that the easy pickings are gone, the sellers that remain are mostly serious people. I was well on my way to a banner year before my flood in October and my stroke in December.
The key is finding a niche and not buying something just because it is cheap. It's easy to find dollar items you can resell for $5-10, but after labor, time, transport and fees you can easily go broke selling these things. It's just as bad to tie up hundreds in an item that turns out to be a very slow sale. Making $100 on an item that you had $500 tied up for three months isn't a bonanza, either. I've shut down my ebay store for a bit, to consolidate my stuff and am planning on weaning about half my inventory in order to cut down my selling spectrum.
Vegas is actually a great place for this sort of business. While you don't have older houses filled with basements and attics storing years and years of accumulated stuff, you have lots of divorces, retiring and moving sales. While casino giveaways don't do much locally, there is an entire planet of people wanting Vegas merchandise.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
February 1st, 2018 at 2:58:58 PM
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redacted
Last edited by: OnceDear on Jun 4, 2018
Psalm 25:16
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion.
February 1st, 2018 at 3:02:18 PM
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Is your goal to work or to have a hobby? Everything describes so far sounds like work.
I collect transferable machine guns, and I have a rather large collection, but for me, its a pure hobby. I have machine guns that are in the six figures.
Machinegunpriceguide.com
There are machine gun dealers. For them, its total work, and they aggressively grind to find a constant source of machine guns to buy and sell.
Note that it has to be a transferable machine gun, meaning a pre-86 machine gun that was properly registered. Dealer sample machine guns are not really worth anything.
I collect transferable machine guns, and I have a rather large collection, but for me, its a pure hobby. I have machine guns that are in the six figures.
Machinegunpriceguide.com
There are machine gun dealers. For them, its total work, and they aggressively grind to find a constant source of machine guns to buy and sell.
Note that it has to be a transferable machine gun, meaning a pre-86 machine gun that was properly registered. Dealer sample machine guns are not really worth anything.
February 1st, 2018 at 3:03:46 PM
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I like to vulture credit cards for points and airline miles. I probably save a couple thousand dollars a year by doing this.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
February 1st, 2018 at 3:48:38 PM
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Quote: billryanI disagree with just about all this.
Uh huh. I guarantee that whatever
little tiny 'niche' you've found, it's
nothing compared to the $$ I used
to haul down. If it was a good auction,
I would routinely drop $35K-$40K and
turn most of the merch in 10 days.
That's $35K-$40K cash. Lots of us
dealers carried that kind of money
all the time.
Those days are long gone. There's
still room on the penny ante side,
the bottom feeders who think making
$17 profit on an item is big deal. No
thanks. In 1990 I could spend a grand
and fill my 1 ton cargo van. It got to the
point that a grand bought me a box full
of stuff. Buh Bye, I said..
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 1st, 2018 at 6:43:20 PM
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Quote: EvenBobUh huh. I guarantee that whatever
little tiny 'niche' you've found, it's
nothing compared to the $$ I used
to haul down. If it was a good auction,
I would routinely drop $35K-$40K and
turn most of the merch in 10 days.
That's $35K-$40K cash. Lots of us
dealers carried that kind of money
all the time.
Those days are long gone. There's
still room on the penny ante side,
the bottom feeders who think making
$17 profit on an item is big deal. No
thanks. In 1990 I could spend a grand
and fill my 1 ton cargo van. It got to the
point that a grand bought me a box full
of stuff. Buh Bye, I said..
Didn't someone post a link to your feedback once? I believe it mostly negative.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
February 1st, 2018 at 6:59:03 PM
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I second credit cards. If you're in a good place financially, few things will make you as much money in such short of a time with little to no money down. You can get it in the form of cash equivalents or upper class air travel.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
February 1st, 2018 at 7:04:40 PM
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There are many hobbies that produce things that can be sold. For example Face was welding bottle trees. I know folks that have turned woodworking, cooking, jewelry making and orchids into profits.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 1st, 2018 at 7:12:40 PM
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You could donate plasma. Or contribute to creating some children you’re not otherwise responsible for. Pick up aluminum cans. Get up out of bed without showering and hold a veteran sign. Tons of fun stuff...
February 1st, 2018 at 8:03:05 PM
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Quote: AxelWolfI would enjoy doing something like this. I find looking around at garage sales, estate sales, storage lockers, very fun. I just never seem to try and sell anything when I do find something. What they do on American Pickers seems like a blast.
If Bill or someone can show me how to sell stuff and make a profit, I'm in.
I can't sell, and I can't buy. I don't have the patience for anything. If I were to try to sell something at a yard sale for $20, and the buyer responded "I'll give you $19 for it", I would tell him, "Get off my lawn, it's not for sale anymore."
I just can't do it.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
February 1st, 2018 at 8:10:26 PM
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Quote: mcallister3200Get up out of bed without showering and hold a veteran sign.
And God bless.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
February 1st, 2018 at 8:15:14 PM
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Garage saling is srs bzns. I helped my parents do a garage sale back in high school, those people were freaking ruthless. We just had a bunch'a crap we wanted to get rid of and didn't need the money.
On more than one occasion someone would try to get a way lower price on something because "they only had $3" or some nonsense, then they'd open their wallet with a bunch'a money to pay for it. Nope, you're done, leave, it ain't for sale to you anymore, I don't care if I said I'd sell it to you for $3 or not, gtfo. Anyone who'd see an item listed for $5 and would ask to buy it for a quarter, we'd just tell them to leave. I'm not gonna haggle over this for twenty minutes, I'd rather just throw it away than let you have it, even if I made money on it.
On more than one occasion someone would try to get a way lower price on something because "they only had $3" or some nonsense, then they'd open their wallet with a bunch'a money to pay for it. Nope, you're done, leave, it ain't for sale to you anymore, I don't care if I said I'd sell it to you for $3 or not, gtfo. Anyone who'd see an item listed for $5 and would ask to buy it for a quarter, we'd just tell them to leave. I'm not gonna haggle over this for twenty minutes, I'd rather just throw it away than let you have it, even if I made money on it.
February 1st, 2018 at 8:24:13 PM
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Quote: RSGarage saling is srs bzns. I helped my parents do a garage sale back in high school, those people were freaking ruthless. We just had a bunch'a crap we wanted to get rid of and didn't need the money.
On more than one occasion someone would try to get a way lower price on something because "they only had $3" or some nonsense, then they'd open their wallet with a bunch'a money to pay for it. Nope, you're done, leave, it ain't for sale to you anymore, I don't care if I said I'd sell it to you for $3 or not, gtfo. Anyone who'd see an item listed for $5 and would ask to buy it for a quarter, we'd just tell them to leave. I'm not gonna haggle over this for twenty minutes, I'd rather just throw it away than let you have it, even if I made money on it.
This whole post cracked me up. It's my same sentiments to a tee.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
February 1st, 2018 at 8:35:17 PM
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My daddy was a foreman in a sheet metal factory and spent most of his free time obsessed with locks and keys. If he spotted a padlock laying on the highway we had to pull over and get it. We spent lots of time at swap meets and antique stores. I must have hundreds of unique locks and keys but could never bring myself to sell them. He did a few locksmith jobs on the side but never got the guts to quit his regular job and start his own business. Anyway, when his factory got bought out they fired all management except for him. One of the reasons they kept him on was cause he knew how to change out and install all the high security locks and what not. If he didn't, they woulda taken his jerb!!!
Really, learning any skill, language or musical instrument is +EV as long as you don't suck.
Really, learning any skill, language or musical instrument is +EV as long as you don't suck.
100% risk of ruin
February 1st, 2018 at 10:55:49 PM
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And this happened often? I must say, I have never spotted a padlock just laying on the highway, to be fair, I'm too busy looking for bags of cash that accidentally fell off the back of armoured trucks.Quote: RogerKintIf he spotted a padlock laying on the highway we had to pull over and get it.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
February 2nd, 2018 at 12:50:38 AM
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When I was growing up outside of NYC we used to pick the lock and steal the big railroad padlocks they used for the manual switches.
"What, me worry?"
February 2nd, 2018 at 1:51:59 AM
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Buy broken smartphones, fix them, and re-sell them. If you're really patient, you can also just buy cracked phones or broken phones on craigslist and re-sell those same phones back on ebay or vice versa. Before you buy the phone on craigslist, go on ebay and go to completed listings and see what the prices were for a specific model that were sold for. Then use that price to negotiate with people on cragislist to get the price you want to make a good profit. Make sure you take into account the shipping and ebay default seller fee into the equation. Also make sure that the phones are clean and not stolen by looking up the ESN or IMEI for that specific phone. You can use this site to check it. https://swappa.com/esn
With that being said, your best bet is to just buy broken smartphones, learning how to fix them, and re-selling them whether on craigslist or ebay or even swappa which i believe is free to sell. You can buy a do-it-yourself fix it kit that you can get for like 20 bucks that comes with all the specific tools you need to fix it. There's youtube videos that will then teach you how to fix those smartphones in 10 minutes or so. Fixing and reselling is a much higher margin business than being patient and just buying and reselling used phones and trying to negotiate with people to bring the price down. Many people don't know the value of their phone when it's broken and just put it for sale on craigslist or ebay at huge discounts for something as simple as a cracked screen. Just be sure to distinguish it from a broken LCD digitzer.
With that being said, your best bet is to just buy broken smartphones, learning how to fix them, and re-selling them whether on craigslist or ebay or even swappa which i believe is free to sell. You can buy a do-it-yourself fix it kit that you can get for like 20 bucks that comes with all the specific tools you need to fix it. There's youtube videos that will then teach you how to fix those smartphones in 10 minutes or so. Fixing and reselling is a much higher margin business than being patient and just buying and reselling used phones and trying to negotiate with people to bring the price down. Many people don't know the value of their phone when it's broken and just put it for sale on craigslist or ebay at huge discounts for something as simple as a cracked screen. Just be sure to distinguish it from a broken LCD digitzer.
Any private business open to the PUBLIC (ie. droned out casinos) cannot have a criminal trespass enforced against an individual without GOOD CAUSE (Disruptive or Disorderly conduct). You will never go to prison for being thrown out of a casino for legal advantage play and then returning because it's simply unconstitutional 'as applied' to the individual. 'As applied' constitutional issues must FIRST be raised in DISTRICT COURT (trial court) to have it thrown out. You CANNOT raise it on APPEAL This is the best kept secret in the world of casinos not just in Vegas but everywhere in the country. Thank me later.
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:06:45 AM
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Quote: MrVWhen I was growing up outside of NYC we used to pick the lock and steal the big railroad padlocks they used for the manual switches.
Interesting-stealing as a hobby. Maybe lucrative, but probably not for everyone.
Last edited by: standbymyman on Feb 2, 2018
February 2nd, 2018 at 10:29:43 AM
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Quote: AxelWolfAnd this happened often? I must say, I have never spotted a padlock just laying on the highway, to be fair, I'm too busy looking for bags of cash that accidentally fell off the back of armoured trucks.
It happened a couple of times when I was with him. I guess thats better than looking at the cell phone.
100% risk of ruin
February 2nd, 2018 at 1:30:57 PM
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Quote: EvenBobFirst you have to know what to buy,
which takes a long time to learn.
The only way is thru trial and error.
Buy things that appeal to you, for
a low price, and see if you can sell them
for a profit. In Vegas it would be a hard
row to hoe, not enough people there
with roots. The best place to buy is
around cities that have been there a
long time, that have items passed down
in families for generations. At those
auctions and estate sales it's a pickers
paradise sometimes.
I have a friend with an eye for fashion and haute couture, she will spend a weekend in thrift shops and come home with designer clothing that she then eBays.
She says the biggest problem is with people who try to scam by protesting that the item wasn't as agreed, stuff like that, but it is not common. And, keep records and pay your taxes.
A falling knife has no handle.
February 6th, 2018 at 7:13:04 AM
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maybe not exactly what you would call +EV but my hobby is to force myself to buy everything I need at the lowest price possible without sacrificing quality
if I can save $5 here and $7 there I'm happy.
if you do this shopping for a car you can save thousands
for a house, tens of thousands
if I can save $5 here and $7 there I'm happy.
if you do this shopping for a car you can save thousands
for a house, tens of thousands
the foolish sayings of a rich man often pass for words of wisdom by the fools around him
February 6th, 2018 at 9:17:00 AM
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Quote: EvenBobIn 1990 I could spend a grand
and fill my 1 ton cargo van. It got to the
point that a grand bought me a box full
of stuff. Buh Bye, I said..
How were you moving it at the time?
Back to the thread, I am experimenting with a few things.
I am trying to figure a way to sell plants. Look at what tomato plants go for at the box stores! If I can undercut them and sell for say 2/$5 it is a 95% or so margin. That one is a starter as there are all kinds of plants to move. This weekend I divided my aloe plants. Way too small now, but they get big I should get $5 each. Again, 95% profit since you just divide the stock. Then into a few others. My goal is one day make say $1-2K per year off it. Not a ton, but a paying hobby keeps me off the street.
If I can get the bees to live thru a winter I plan to learn to divide out nucs. That one adds up faster.
This is getting to be similar to The Side Hustle Thread........
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
February 6th, 2018 at 10:17:34 AM
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there is a business out there that seems pretty easy, much easier than Uber: Elderly Concierge - helping them with light tasks such as grocery shopping or taking them to the doctor or the bank. I think there are some already established businesses that hire people or a person could pretty easily start this business themselves. it seems like easy money to me.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/business/retirement/boomers-retiring-concierge.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/business/retirement/boomers-retiring-concierge.html
the foolish sayings of a rich man often pass for words of wisdom by the fools around him
February 6th, 2018 at 10:24:02 AM
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That sounds more like work and not really a hobby.Quote: lilredroosterthere is a business out there that seems pretty easy, much easier than Uber: Elderly Concierge - helping them with light tasks such as grocery shopping or taking them to the doctor or the bank. I think there are some already established businesses that hire people or a person could pretty easily start this business themselves. it seems like easy money to me.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/business/retirement/boomers-retiring-concierge.html
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
February 6th, 2018 at 11:54:25 AM
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Thats it, in a nutshell. I go to auctions and estate sales just as much for the fun as the profits. It's something I enjoy.
Same thing with comic books. I'm currently organizing some 5,000 books that I went in with with a Texas based dealer.
Time literally flies as I work on them.
As a student, I remember reading that if you found a job you enjoyed, you'll never work another day in your life.
Using that criteria, I haven't worked in decades.
I think it was St Paul who said he pitied the man who sold his dreams for silver.
Same thing with comic books. I'm currently organizing some 5,000 books that I went in with with a Texas based dealer.
Time literally flies as I work on them.
As a student, I remember reading that if you found a job you enjoyed, you'll never work another day in your life.
Using that criteria, I haven't worked in decades.
I think it was St Paul who said he pitied the man who sold his dreams for silver.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
February 6th, 2018 at 1:00:33 PM
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I will echo a bunch of the other replies...
First, credit card bonus exploiting is basically the same as AP gambling. You can get a ton of value out of it, especially if you enjoy traveling. It can get overwhelming and turn into a job, though. But if you are casual about it, but pay attention, it can be very worthwhile.
Also, people often put free stuff on craigslist, letgo & offerup. My wife and I don't want to spend time selling things, so we give them away. I know someone who covered rent for a couple of months just picking up free stuff on craigslist, cleaning it and taking better pictures then selling it (usually on craigslist). This is a 0 (financial) risk play.
The vintage clothing is another big one, you can sometimes get really high end stuff at goodwill and salvation army.
Also, I've bought things at outlets malls during big sales and sold them on eBay for a profit. I was doing it mostly to "manufacture" spend on a credit card, but it also worked out to make a little money. Best bet is to go with the very high end stuff. There is a Prada outlet near Palm Springs that you can buy from. There are lots of places like the midwest where there might not be access to brands like that for many hours drive.
Finally, you can usually make a profit if you are able to snag a hot-ticket item early in the lifecycle. iPhones used to be great for this, but Apple is getting better at managing supply. There is still room for a bit of profit if you get the phone on launch day. The Tesla Model 3 was also a great example of this.
Bottom line, most of these things take more time that they are worth until you factor in the fun. Your results may vary.
First, credit card bonus exploiting is basically the same as AP gambling. You can get a ton of value out of it, especially if you enjoy traveling. It can get overwhelming and turn into a job, though. But if you are casual about it, but pay attention, it can be very worthwhile.
Also, people often put free stuff on craigslist, letgo & offerup. My wife and I don't want to spend time selling things, so we give them away. I know someone who covered rent for a couple of months just picking up free stuff on craigslist, cleaning it and taking better pictures then selling it (usually on craigslist). This is a 0 (financial) risk play.
The vintage clothing is another big one, you can sometimes get really high end stuff at goodwill and salvation army.
Also, I've bought things at outlets malls during big sales and sold them on eBay for a profit. I was doing it mostly to "manufacture" spend on a credit card, but it also worked out to make a little money. Best bet is to go with the very high end stuff. There is a Prada outlet near Palm Springs that you can buy from. There are lots of places like the midwest where there might not be access to brands like that for many hours drive.
Finally, you can usually make a profit if you are able to snag a hot-ticket item early in the lifecycle. iPhones used to be great for this, but Apple is getting better at managing supply. There is still room for a bit of profit if you get the phone on launch day. The Tesla Model 3 was also a great example of this.
Bottom line, most of these things take more time that they are worth until you factor in the fun. Your results may vary.
February 6th, 2018 at 1:31:45 PM
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I have one of the most +EV hobbies out there: DIY vehicle repair / maintenance.
This has allowed me to save untold thousands of dollars, which I probably would have paid buying a new car every few years.
This has allowed me to save untold thousands of dollars, which I probably would have paid buying a new car every few years.
"What, me worry?"
February 6th, 2018 at 5:19:04 PM
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Quote: AyecarumbaThere are many hobbies that produce things that can be sold. For example Face was welding bottle trees. I know folks that have turned woodworking, cooking, jewelry making and orchids into profits.
God, there are tons.
MrV brought up one of the, IMO, most lucrative, and that is vehicle repair. Labor's coming in at around $100p/hr nowadays. Granted, that's an evaluated rate; it pays how long the job should take, not how long it takes your sorry ass lol. But even if you're draggin' ass with a beer in both hands, you're still looking at $20p/hr+. Not to mention that which cannot be bought, the feeling of having done a thing for yourself.
Any trade is hugely +EV. Installing 220 line and outlet is a faff if outsourced. The call, the appt, the $X00 price tag. An hour of Google and YT and it's done yourself for $30 and 60min. I look at that as "making $70 p/hr". That's as +EV as it gets, IMO. Roof side jobs are generally "twice materials". If you need $1,500 in material, you pay me $3k for the job. Do it yourself and boom, 50% discount. $1,500 in your pocket.
I know some old folks whose life was this. He works wood, she paints. Cleared $75k just in the summer. Granted, there was much travel to neighboring fairs and markets, but $75k for just whittling in your kitchen at home? Pfft.
Learn a trade. The majority are hopeless, indeed, and will pay a premium for what is in essence a simple task.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
February 6th, 2018 at 5:22:43 PM
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That's great but I've never met anyone who was a roofer as a hobby.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
February 6th, 2018 at 5:31:49 PM
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Vehicle pecially if you target interesting cars that are popular with enthusiasts / grassroots motorsports type crowd, get into it and learn all the little cheap or no-cost but valuable upgrades and whatnot that add value.
Crypto mining and trading is very +ev if you gain the right knowledge and do it right.
Crypto mining and trading is very +ev if you gain the right knowledge and do it right.
February 6th, 2018 at 7:54:53 PM
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When I first moved to Portland, there was a vacant lot across the streeet.
A married couple owned it; they were smoke jumper-type fire fighters, who worked their butts off during fire season but then had many idle months to fill.
So what they did was a very +EV: using only their own labor they constructed and then sold a house on their lot, from foundation to finish.
A married couple owned it; they were smoke jumper-type fire fighters, who worked their butts off during fire season but then had many idle months to fill.
So what they did was a very +EV: using only their own labor they constructed and then sold a house on their lot, from foundation to finish.
"What, me worry?"
February 7th, 2018 at 5:11:56 AM
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Met a guy picking up recycling at San Diego beaches.
He was out the previous day (perhaps at a family/company barbecue or something) & made $100, so decided to come back & try it again.
He was out the previous day (perhaps at a family/company barbecue or something) & made $100, so decided to come back & try it again.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:22:13 AM
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Golf. Not only enjoyable, but if done correctly, quite profitable.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:25:44 AM
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Quote: MrBoGolf. Not only enjoyable, but if done correctly, quite profitable.
Probably one of the best advatage plays against Phil Ivey.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
February 7th, 2018 at 9:45:33 AM
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One couple "retired" from full time yachting because two of their kids were teenagers and wanted to go to a real school and meet other people, so he bought land in Maine and built his own house and yes he did the electricity all by himself. he made money writing about it and he spent a lot of time reading before he lifted hammer and nail, but he saved himself a bundle.
Car repair is a dying field unless you have some sort of niche market. People who need to repair cars often are too poor to pay for the repairs. Some poor people will lose their car over a modest repair bill that sure is not modest to them. I hired one girl for yardwork in the hot Florida sun (at fifteen an hour) and she lost a 3,000 dollar car because she couldn't pay a 700 dollar job for an engine replacement due to a head gasket problem. (By the way, I paid her 20.00 an hour for that yard work because although I'm a pauper myself I just couldn't pay someone fifteen an hour ... didn't feel right about it.).
Car repair is a dying field unless you have some sort of niche market. People who need to repair cars often are too poor to pay for the repairs. Some poor people will lose their car over a modest repair bill that sure is not modest to them. I hired one girl for yardwork in the hot Florida sun (at fifteen an hour) and she lost a 3,000 dollar car because she couldn't pay a 700 dollar job for an engine replacement due to a head gasket problem. (By the way, I paid her 20.00 an hour for that yard work because although I'm a pauper myself I just couldn't pay someone fifteen an hour ... didn't feel right about it.).
February 7th, 2018 at 12:05:47 PM
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Interesting auction this weekend. Carrie Fishers brother is putting up a good bit of stuff from both his sister and his mother's estate.
For those who may not know, their mom was Debby Reynolds, a very big star on her own.
Evidently, both were avid collectors.
For those who may not know, their mom was Debby Reynolds, a very big star on her own.
Evidently, both were avid collectors.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
