What is your money maker?

mamajohnson · #1 11/27/12, 07:24 PM

Just trying to get a feel for what can make money for the homestead. DH and I are both unemployed and finding employment is not working out so well. So, I am looking for items and/or skills that may bring in some $$.
What do ya'll do? I need help thinking outside of the box.

I do usually sell a goat or two during the summer, but this last summer not one sold. I will continue putting up the goats for sale (if no sale, freezer camp)
All I can think of so far is starting seeds for the spring, and it will be awhile before that brings in money.

I also have fiber animals and have almost got my spinning skills up to par for selling yarn. I can sew and knit, and am working on getting things together to open an etsy store. But surely there is more??

coup · #2 11/27/12, 07:55 PM

sorry,i am 56 and have worked 6-7 days a week since i was 12.. ust barely get by,,don't understand how anyone makes it without a job.

odd jobs,setting-helping the elderly..........

charged · #3 11/27/12, 08:08 PM

Have you thought of growing alfalfa for seed organically and then selling the seed on Amazon?

ErinP · #4 11/27/12, 08:19 PM

Quote:

What is your money maker?

My husband has been driving a truck in the oilfield...

thequeensblessing · #5 11/27/12, 08:24 PM

We don't have "a" money maker. Hubby works 50 hours a week away from home, and we raise meat sheep for sale, sell honey, and specialty jams/jellies.

Big Dave · #6 11/27/12, 08:35 PM

Thought you were at a bar.
Things to make money. Metal- collect it and sell at scrap yard-Aluminum cans
Cardboard boxes. Paste board is worth good $$
Collecting pallets-They are going for $2.50 around here for the right grade pallet. I foget how to tell you how to grade as I only did this twelve years ago for some one else who graded them.
What are people buying in your area?
Christmas Wreaths-Selling produce on the road side-You can buy from a distributor and resell as you do not have any to sell right now.
How much for your knitted socks? I would like to buy two pair.

Alice In TX/MO · #7 11/27/12, 08:40 PM

Do you weld? In Austin, welded lawn ornament animals go for over $60 each.

Arches made from rebar for vines to grow on go for $46 to $65.

Peggy · #8 11/27/12, 08:45 PM

what about making bread and selling it. homemade bread taste much better than store bought.
buy a copy of the book "artisan bread in 5 minutes a day" WONDERFUL book!

Kristinemomof3 · #9 11/27/12, 08:49 PM

Nothing to bring in money, but coupoon, shop sales, goodwill, garage sales and can to save money.

Cheryl in SD · #10 11/27/12, 08:58 PM

We are making and selling wreaths for Christmas. It's a lot of work, but doesn't cost a lot to get into. I don't know how we'll do, but our first day with teh roadside stand, we sold 9 and have orders for more.

Dusky Beauty · #11 11/27/12, 09:29 PM

My absolutely most reliable sale item is a hen (duck or chicken) that is, young, healthy and laying eggs. I don't have them listed for more than a week or two, and I get between 20-30$ each.

If you can acquire and raise pullets cheaply, it can pay your feed bill for all the animals pretty easily.

Callieslamb · #12 11/27/12, 10:14 PM

Can you really get enough for your yarn to pay for the work involved? Would you be better off to sell the fleece? Cleaning, carding/combing and spinning take a lot of time.
My sheep made money last year between lamb sales and fleece. But anything like that is going to take an upfront investment.

Can you clean houses? Or do odd chores for people? bake for Christmas? Cook for a party? Make character dolls - cheerleaders or whatever the child is into? Doll clothing? Jewelry?

luvrulz · #13 11/28/12, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusky Beauty

My absolutely most reliable sale item is a hen (duck or chicken) that is, young, healthy and laying eggs. I don't have them listed for more than a week or two, and I get between 20-30$ each.

If you can acquire and raise pullets cheaply, it can pay your feed bill for all the animals pretty easily.

Those prices are not realistic for all areas. Here, a laying hen is worth about $5 or $6 tops!

luvrulz · #14 11/28/12, 05:43 AM

Since you can sew and have the equipment needed, do you quilt? Can you do alterations? We started out baking quick breads for the farmers mkt and it's grown into a huge bakery. We also grow asparagus and blueberries and they are both big sellers! Do you can your own veggies? Alot of people will pay to have you can their stuff too.... Good luck in finding your niche!

Veronica · #15 11/28/12, 05:44 AM

Maybe talk to local stores. When I was buying ordering wheat berries at one, they said they didn't have anyone local to make bread for them, and asked if I was interested. When I told them I didn't have a commerical kitchen (required here) they said the new fire dept. building had one and they let people use it. I hadn't made bread in a while, and am just getting started again so I just don't feel like I could do this yet. But it might pay you to ask around to see if local stores would like someone to make goodies for them.

Whisperwindkat · #16 11/28/12, 06:06 AM

Things that I do to bring in money year round: alterations, sew children's boutique clothes which I sell at a children's clothing sale twice a year, twig arbors/home decorations, freelance writing, sell a few goat kids, sell rabbits, small CSA (2 shares), do laundry for an elderly woman once a week, and teach homesteading type classes in the spring.While none of these things is steady income the variety keeps some extra money coming in year round. These things keep the farm running and pay for upgrades and repairs. However, the best thing that I do is pinch every penny for what its worth. I sew my kids clothes, I don't drive when not necessary, I use coupons and shop discount grocers, we eat off the farm mostly, I can/dehydrate/freeze all extra produce, etc. etc. Blessings, Kat

lraiser · #17 11/28/12, 06:22 AM

I just found a person that will conduct yard sales for others at his place.

I'm not a people person but have lots of stuff to get rid of, so he will sell it at a mark up for me.

If you joy people and talking it might be a good way to sell your other items as well.

Laura Zone 5 · #18 11/28/12, 06:29 AM

Gotta be honest:

What is your moneymaker?

I used to say ALL THE TIME when I was leaving for work either:
"Gotta make the doughnuts"
or
"Gotta go shake that money maker"

When I read that........the first thing that popped into my head is me walking out the door, kissing the babies telling them I'm off to shake my money maker.
Thinking back, if those kids ever repeated that to any one at school.....hahahhahhahhahahah
THAT makes me crack up laughin.

Right now, I am selling everything that is not nailed down, on Ebay/CL.
That's how I am making extra cash

Linda J · #19 11/28/12, 06:30 AM

Pet sitting, feeding farm animals - Christmas is coming and people will be traveling. Hatching out eggs and selling the chicks. My dad goes to garage sales and buys brass items and sells them at the metal recyclers.

jwal10 · #20 11/28/12, 06:51 AM

Right now I am selling greenery. Holly and cedar are the 2 big sellers for me. I have done it for 15 years and know where to find it. Some I get paid both ends, trim the trees and bushes and get paid by the pound. Sweetie, the kids and I used to make wreaths, swags and other holiday decorations. In the fall we collect leaves, dried plants and acorns too....James