My First $1,000 Came From This Side Hustle
It’s not always easy to find a high-paying side hustle, but I might have just discovered the perfect one for me. Recently, I decided to try my hand at selling some of my old stuff on eBay, and the results have been pretty incredible.
Just the other day, I logged into my eBay account and was pleasantly surprised to see that I had already made a few sales that morning. Curious to see how much I’d earned so far, I decided to check my totals. I’ve only been using eBay for a couple of months, just selling off some old clothing and video games, but the numbers were pretty impressive.

After accounting for shipping costs, I ended up making just under $1,000 – not bad for a side hustle that’s been relatively effortless compared to some of my other money-making endeavors! I have to say, it was a real confidence boost to see those kinds of numbers.
eBay is definitely one of the most underrated side hustles out there. The ability to earn extra cash just by selling off the stuff you no longer need is perfect for someone like me, who’s trying to balance a full-time job with the desire to make a little more money on the side.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just listing a few items and watching the money roll in. There are a few important things to keep in mind when it comes to selling on eBay. For one, shipping can be a bit of a hassle if you’re not prepared. I have my own printer, so I can easily print shipping labels right from home, but a lot of sellers struggle with that aspect.
That’s why I recommend listing 10-15 items per day. That way, even if some of them take a little while to sell, you’ll have a steady stream of new listings that can start generating sales. And as for the shipping, I find it’s best to just take the packages to the post office – I’ve had some issues trying to use the USPS store, where they often try to tack on extra fees.
So what kinds of items tend to sell well on eBay? Based on my experience, some of the best-selling categories include:
- Technology (iPhones, computers, tablets, etc.)
- Clothing
- Health and beauty products
- Consumer electronics
- Sporting goods and equipment
The great thing about eBay is that it’s super flexible when it comes to getting paid. You can choose to get paid weekly or daily, and I’d definitely recommend going the daily route. There’s something really satisfying about seeing those eBay payouts hit your account on a daily basis.
If you’re someone who’s new to the whole shipping and handling thing, don’t worry – there are ways to make it easier. For example, you can actually get free packaging supplies from UPS, which is a huge help. And as I mentioned, I find it’s usually easiest to just take the packages to the post office rather than trying to deal with the USPS store.
Personally, I’ve been using eBay to sell old stuff since I was in high school, and I’ve always managed to turn a profit, even with the small fees they charge. It’s just such a convenient way to get rid of things you don’t want anymore while also earning a little extra cash.
So if you’re looking for a side hustle that can pay pretty well without requiring a ton of effort, eBay is definitely worth considering. I know it’s been a total game-changer for me, and I’m willing to bet it could do the same for you.
Of course, like with any side hustle, there’s a bit of a learning curve involved. It takes some time and experimentation to figure out what kinds of items sell best, how to price them effectively, and how to streamline the shipping process. But once you get the hang of it, eBay can be an incredibly lucrative way to supplement your income.
And the best part is, the money is literally right there waiting for you. All you have to do is take a look around your house and see what you can part with. Old clothes, unused electronics, sports equipment – anything with even the slightest bit of value can be turned into cash on eBay.
Of course, you don’t want to just list everything willy-nilly. It’s important to do a bit of research to figure out what’s in demand and what kind of prices you can realistically expect to get. But once you get a handle on that, the sky’s the limit.
Personally, I find that the daily payouts from eBay are a great motivator to keep me listing new items on a regular basis. There’s something really satisfying about seeing those little deposits hit my account, and it definitely helps to offset the occasional slow period where sales are a bit slower.
And let’s be real – who doesn’t love the feeling of getting paid for getting rid of stuff you don’t want anymore? It’s like a win-win situation.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – “But what about all the hassle of shipping and handling?” I hear you, and I’ll admit, that’s probably the trickiest part of the whole eBay experience. But with a little preparation and some smart strategies, it really doesn’t have to be that big of a headache.
For starters, having a printer at home is key. That way, you can easily print out shipping labels as soon as an item sells, without having to worry about making an extra trip to the post office or anything like that. And as I mentioned earlier, the UPS website has a great program where you can actually get free packaging supplies delivered right to your door.
As for actually dropping off the packages, I find it’s usually best to just head to the post office. The USPS store can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, with employees trying to upsell you on various services. At the post office, you can just hand off the package and be on your way.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – “But what about all the hassle of shipping and handling?” I hear you, and I’ll admit, that’s probably the trickiest part of the whole eBay experience. But with a little preparation and some smart strategies, it really doesn’t have to be that big of a headache.
For starters, having a printer at home is key. That way, you can easily print out shipping labels as soon as an item sells, without having to worry about making an extra trip to the post office or anything like that. And as I mentioned earlier, the UPS website has a great program where you can actually get free packaging supplies delivered right to your door.
As for actually dropping off the packages, I find it’s usually best to just head to the post office. The USPS store can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, with employees trying to upsell you on various services. At the post office, you can just hand off the package and be on your way.
So if you’re looking for a side hustle that can really pay off, I’d highly recommend giving eBay a shot. It’s been a total game-changer for me, and I’m confident it can do the same for you. Just make sure to do your research, list items regularly, and stay on top of the shipping and handling. With a little bit of effort, you could be well on your way to earning your first $1,000 (or more!) from eBay.