1. It has come to the attention of forum staff that Dollshe Craft has ceased communications with dealers and customers, has failed to provide promised refunds for the excessive waits, and now has wait times surpassing 5 years in some cases. Forum staff are also concerned as there are claims being put forth that Dollshe plans to close down their doll making company. Due to the instability of the company, the lack of communication, the lack of promised refunds, and the wait times now surpassing 5 years, we strongly urge members to research the current state of this company very carefully and thoroughly before deciding to place an order. For more information please see the Dollshe waiting room. Do not assume this cannot happen to you or that your order will be different.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Dollshe Craft and all dolls created by Dollshe, including any dolls created under his new or future companies, including Club Coco BJD are now banned from Den of Angels. Dollshe and the sculptor may not advertise his products on this forum. Sales may not be discussed, no news threads may be posted regarding new releases. This ban does not impact any dolls by Dollshe ordered by November 8, 2023. Any dolls ordered after November 8, 2023, regardless of the date the sculpt was released, are banned from this forum as are any dolls released under his new or future companies including but not limited to Club Coco BJD. This ban does not apply to other company dolls cast by Dollshe as part of a casting agreement between him and the actual sculpt or company and those dolls may still be discussed on the forum. Please come to Ask the Moderators if you have any questions.
    Dismiss Notice

How To Get Doll Money: The Master List of Ideas!

Mar 21, 2009

    1. Welcome to DoA's master list of ideas for raising money to fund your doll hobby. There is also a great deal of advice about how to manage your money in general. Live better by saving money and spending more wisely!

      Do you have advice or an idea that isn't on the list yet? Post it! I'll add it to the master list and, if warranted, link to your specific post so users can see your information in more detail. Please note that I will not add variations of an idea to the list, as this creates clutter and repetition. For example, the very first suggestion under "Transforming Spare Time Into Cash" is to sell items you can make yourself. So if you make a post suggesting that people make their own soap to sell, it won't get added to the list -- it's a specific variation of an idea that has already been covered.

      Please do not post suggestions that are illegal, dangerous to one's health, or lacking ethics. Posts of this sort are subject to deletion. This thread is not here to encourage poor decision-making.

      Now get saving!

      Idea Index
       
      #1 Lizzard, Mar 21, 2009
      Last edited by a moderator: Oct 11, 2016
      • x 39
    2. Jobs & Advice For Teens & College Students

      • Get a job. Your age and inability to hold a full-time position do not prevent you from being employed. There are lots of places that will hire teens and part-timers. The school year might be too busy for a job to be practical, but there's always summer break! Note that you will make more money at a steady, low-paying job (for example, at McDonald's, as a lifeguard at the local pool, or in a daycare center) than you will with higher-paying but sporadic odd jobs. Jobs also look great on a resume!

      • Babysit. Fewer people now babysit than in previous generations, so parents in many areas are desperate for responsible sitters and will pay a premium price. It's simple work for a solid wage. Note that if you have special skills to aid in your sitting job -- first aid training, for example -- you can command an even higher price.

      • Yardwork. No, it's not fun. That's why homeowners pay big bucks for people to do it. You can rake leaves, pull weeds, mow lawns, trim bushes, and water gardens for cash. You can get started by offering your services to your neighbors.

      • Negotiate with your parents or roommates to take on extra chores in exchange for payment. Dad might want his car washed. Your roommate might give you the laundry duties. You never know until you ask.

      • Ask your parents if you can hold a yard sale with items you know your family no longer uses. Alternatively, you can sell the items on eBay or Half.com, take them to a used goods consignment shop, or take them to a pawn shop. Most families have tons of unused stuff laying around collecting dust. Why? Because no one can be bothered to gather it together and get rid of it. Do it for your family and profit in the process!

      • You can pet-sit and dog-walk for neighbors, friends, teachers, and relatives. One of the biggest concerns people have when going on vacation or working extended days is that their dear pets will be lonely or improperly cared for at an impersonal kennel. Let them pay you to give their pets the attention and care they deserve. All it takes is the ability to stick to a schedule and a little bit of love. Older students may be able to do double duty as a house-sitter.

      • Run errands for senior citizens. It can be hard for the elderly to get around sometimes. Let it be known that you're willing to run errands on their behalf for a reasonable fee. Pick up clothes at the cleaners, do their grocery shopping, or go to the post office for them. You'll be surprised by how many people will want to pay you to perform simple tasks that they no longer find so simple.

      • Tutor your peers and those younger than you. Tutoring can mean re-teaching material missed in class or merely helping someone get organized and stay on top of homework. Get in touch with local schools and leave flyers with them advertising your services. Talk to your own teachers about it as well, as they can refer students to you. Even college-aged students need tutoring!

      • Get a newspaper route. Yes, there are people who still read newspapers! Contact your local newspaper to find out how to become a carrier. Bikes are not required.

      • If you need to purchase textbooks for high school or college, do so online or direct from other students. Bookstores, even those sponsored by educational institutions, mark up costs to cover their overhead. Go around the middlemen and save money! You may also want to consider renting textbooks instead of buying them. Yes, I said renting. Check out chegg.com!

      • Finished with those textbooks you bought? Don't sell them to the school bookstore at the end of the year. Sell them online or direct to other students. You'll get more money. Are your books paid for by your parents? You may find that if you do the legwork, your parents will be willing to let you keep the profit made by not taking the lower bookstore buy-back price.

      • Can you work a video camera? Ask your local school coaches if they would like to hire you to film the football, soccer, volleyball, etc. games so they can review performance with their athletes.

      • Arrange with your local church, restaurant, art fair, or neighborhood park for permission to set up a face-painting booth (or another kind of booth offering small treats) for children on days you know there will be a large number of kids out and about. It's fast way to make decent money, because parents love to treat their kids in inexpensive ways. Just be sure you have explicit permission to do this from the owners of the property, especially if it is government-owned land like a park. Some areas have laws about selling services on public property, so you need to be sure you're in the clear.

      • If you have long hair, you can have it cut and then sell it online or to a known wig-maker. The first thing you should do is make sure you read up on the laws and rules concerning the sale of hair in your nation or state. Be aware that sometimes there are minimum length restrictions. Moreover, the quality, length, and color of your hair can make a big difference in value, so check the going rates for your type of hair before you commit. It may not be worth it. Do not cut your own hair. It won't sell because you will not have met market standards. Professionals know how to prepare and cut your hair for sale; they do it all the time. Check out Online Hair Affair and HairWork for more information.

      • If you traditionally receive presents for graduation, birthdays, and holidays -- and your family is the sort that would not find such requests offensive -- consider asking for cash contributions to your doll fund in lieu of regular presents. A twist on this idea is to set up a PayPal donation account so your relatives can give that way, instead of spending their money on gift cards and other items. Remember, though, that some people find requests for cash gauche. Be careful not to offend your relatives and friends!

      • College students, if you have a meal plan, use it! Even if the food in the cafeteria isn't exciting, and even if it seems like a long haul on a grey, cold night, it will save you a great deal of money if you consistently eat off your meal plan instead of ordering out. Don't convince yourself that "a treat every now and then" won't make a difference. Every time you skip a meal at the cafeteria you are not only wasting food you have already paid for -- you then have to spend yet more money to get replacement food. It's a double dip, and thus double the waste.
       
      #2 Lizzard, Mar 21, 2009
      Last edited by a moderator: Oct 11, 2016
      • x 28
    3. Transforming Spare Time Into Cash

      • Start an online business if you have a special talent. Etsy and eBay are great places to sell physical items you've made, like jewelry, plushies, soap, candles, and so on. You can also offer custom services online, such as web site design, character illustrations, and writing commissions. For doll-related goods and services, DoA has a Marketplace where you can sell to your heart's content. Use your imagination to market your abilities! Almost everyone can make something marketable.

      • If you find that your afternoons are filled with nothing but boredom, consider offering your services at a local daycare or after-school program. The pay is good for relatively short hours. Responsible child care providers are lacking in today's society. Address this problem while making money for your dolls!

      • Clean out your room or house and sell everything you haven't used in the last year on eBay, on Half.com, at a local used goods consignment shop, at a local pawn shop, or at a garage sale. If you haven't used an item in a year or more, it must not be that important. You might as well turn it into cash. If you're not sure you can bear to part with some of the items, box them up with a label dated six months in the future. When that date rolls around, try to remember what's in the box without opening it. If you can't, there's your proof that the items inside won't be missed. Obviously, exceptions should be made for family heirlooms and items for the holidays.

      • Visit garage sales and flea markets to search for items you know are a good deal. Then resell them elsewhere for a profit. Just make sure you do your research first, so you know how to tell what's a sure-to-sell bargain and what's not. This goes double when economic times are slow. You don't want to end up with money invested in items you can't resell.

      • In many areas, you can donate blood or plasma for cash. This is especially the case if you have an unusual blood-type or are located in an area with chronic blood shortages. Most organizations take donors aged 18 and up. There is a waiting period between donations to protect your health, so this is not a fast track to fantastic wealth, but every little bit helps. Plus, you'll be saving lives! Note that this suggestion is unwise if you have chronic health problems, even if you meet the technical requirements to donate in your area. Be responsible.

      • Enter local-level contests with cash prizes. Your community is sure to have at least a few such contests going on at any given time of the year. Art, poetry, ideas for government slogans, costumes in a dog lovers' parade; you'd be surprised by what talents you can turn into cash through local competitions. Check with the local town hall, museum, school, or newspaper to find out what's going on.

      • If your nation or state has a deposit fee on goods sold in glass bottles and tin cans, collect them and return them to the recycling center. Don't just collect your own containers; seek out the abandoned containers of others. Check with your neighbors or combat your town's litterbug problem as a vigilante tin and glass collector. Many people can't be bothered to recycle in order to get back their deposits. You can collect the deposit refunds they aren't claiming!

      • Offer yourself as a model for hire at art schools in your area. You don't have to look like a supermodel, be thin, or have unusual features as long as you can hold steady poses. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to pose nude unless you are comfortable with it. In fact, most modeling jobs at art schools require clothing.

      • Traveling by plane? Arrive early and ask the gate attendant if the flight is overbooked. If so, you can offer to take a later flight in return for a voucher to save you money on your next flight. This is normally done on a first-come, first-serve basis, so making your offer early is critical. If they take you up on your offer, the airline will book you (at no cost) on a later flight and provide you with your voucher. Note that you will probably not get your seat of choice on the later flight, but for saving $100-300, a middle seat is worth it!

      • Participate in research studies. You don't have to put yourself at risk with experimental medications to make money or earn rewards as a research subject. See this post for a lot of great information about where you can look to get involved.

      • Have a bake sale in a place where people congregate. Homemade goods tend to sell better than store-bought ones, and they are more profitable. Just make sure you have the permission of the property owner before you set up shop, as there may be rules or laws you must follow.
       
      #3 Lizzard, Mar 21, 2009
      Last edited by a moderator: Oct 11, 2016
      • x 19
    4. Financial Management & Cash Saving Tips

      • Put unexpected present money (birthday, graduation, Christmas, and so on) into your savings account rather than your wallet. Windfalls are the best way to expand your doll budget without having to sacrifice elsewhere!

      • As soon as you get your paycheck each month, move a small amount into your savings, whether that fund is in a separate bank account or a tin can. You can even use direct deposit so you won't forget. The amount you put away each month may not be large, but if you do it with consistency, you'll have impressive savings before you know it. Note that keeping your savings separate from the rest of your spending money is key, so you won't see it in your account and be tempted to spend it.

      • Make a miniature bank out of a can or glass jar, and put every bit of spare change you acquire into it. Don't forget to pick up change you find on the ground! You will be stunned at how fast the money accumulates and turns into big bucks. Your parents or roommates may also be willing to donate their spare change. Who likes pockets full of pennies?

      • Are you saving physical cash rather than putting your money into a bank account? Consider putting it in narrow-necked bottles. It is easy to insert rolled-up bills and change into these bottles, but almost impossible to get the money back out again without breaking them. This makes it easier to resist spending the money.

      • This should go without saying, but many people don't think about it. Stop buying things you don't need. Do you truly need 25 pairs of earrings, yet another video game, and coffee from Starbucks every morning before work or school? Before you purchase anything, even small items, ask yourself if you really need it. Would you rather have that album on iTunes, or a new doll?

      • To identify expenses you can cut back on, keep a money diary. Record every cent you spend in a given week or month. Then analyze it to see where your money is going. Most people will discover at least a few places where they are spending far more money than the item or experience is really worth to them. For example, you may be surprised at how much you are spending at the office soda machine.

      • Cut up your credit and debit cards, or have a trusted friend hide them from you. Use only cash to make your purchases. Research shows that people using cash spend a lot less, due to how much of a hassle it is. Also, there is a psychological factor involved. People find swiping a card painless, but handing over cash forces the buyer to really think about the fact that money is leaving their hands.

      • In order to cut costs, offer to trade your goods and services for other people's goods and services. Some areas have localized "bartering" forums and web sites where you can make deals with others in your community. Plumbers, mechanics, and hair stylists may be willing to swap their skills for favors or items from you!

      • Shop second-hand stores rather than buying new. Many people sell and donate clothes that have never been worn. Shops donate unsold merchandise to these stores, too. You can cut your clothing costs in half by shopping smart.

      • You can find inexpensive shopping at overstock stores, like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Big Lots. These stores buy unsold stock from larger, name-brand companies and sell it at a high discount. They sell not only clothes, but also kitchenware, linens, luggage, jewelry, toys, and more! Overstock stores may not have the perfumed glamour of a department store, but they do have the same items for much, much less.

      • Pack your lunch to take to work or school, rather than buying out. One person can eat a packed lunch for as little as $15 a week. Eating out costs an average of $25-100 a week.

      • Don't stop at a bag lunch! Stop eating out at all, except for special occasions. Cook at home, or at least stock quick meals in your freezer and pantry. Home cooking is a lot cheaper (and usually healthier) than eating out.

      • Start buying in bulk at locations like Sam's Club. You can also order some items in bulk online. You'll have to store the "extra" for a while, but it's much more cost effective in the long run. Just keep in mind that you'll only save money if you eventually use all of it. Don't stock up on fresh produce that will spoil before you can finish eating it, or items you use so rarely that you'll never make your way through the entire purchase.

      • Avoid brand names. Did you know that "store brands" are usually made with the same formulas and in the same factories as brand name items? They're just packaged differently. Most store brand items say "compare to ____" on the label. That's code for "this is the same product as ____."

      • Clip coupons and use rewards cards and systems (like the Coke Rewards system). The extra change you save can go a long way. Just be sure to avoid the temptation to buy items you normally wouldn't, or your coupon and rewards use will backfire! Many people will buy something just because they have a coupon for it, or can get a special reward for the purchase. That's not saving money; that's spending it.

      • If you shop online often, it may be worth looking into Ebates, a web site that allows you to access special coupons and earn cash back on purchases. Some DoA users have reported saving money with Ebates. However, as with all coupon and cash-back systems, you need to remember that buying an item with a coupon doesn't actually save you money unless it was an item you were going to purchase anyway. Don't get lured in by what you think are sweet deals and spend on things you don't need.

      • Go to the library instead of buying books. You can also use many libraries to rent mainstream DVDs for free, or for a nominal fee. No libraries in your area? Set up your own borrowing club with your friends, and share the wealth!

      • Another inexpensive option for book lovers is a web site called PaperBack Swap. Refer to this DoA post to learn more about how PaperBack Swap works!

      • Borrow tools, clothing, household goods, and other items from friends and relatives instead of purchasing them, especially if the needed items aren't likely to be used often. Why purchase a suit for a single event, when you can borrow your friend's?

      • Be more economical with utilities services at home. Use long-life light bulbs. Wash dishes by hand instead of running the dishwasher. Hang curtains to help insulate. There are lots of ways to help save money by keeping bills low! All it takes is a little money up front to earn big returns later. Your local utilities company will be happy to provide you with further suggestions about how to make your home more energy-efficient.

      • Switch to home-made tea and powdered drinks instead of soda and pre-made bottled drinks. It's cheaper and in most cases healthier.

      • If you have time to spare and aren't living on the financial edge, invest money in a CD. Not only will this prevent you from spending that money before you reach your goal, but it will earn a good rate of interest, thus boosting the total amount you have in your doll fund.

      • Some banks offer special "goal" savings accounts that you can use to save money more efficiently. You set a savings goal for the account, and based on that goal amount, the bank offers you a higher-than-normal interest rate. In exchange for this higher interest rate, you agree to pay a penalty for withdrawals made before the goal amount has been reached. As long as you are living within your means and do not need to have the money available for emergencies, these bank accounts are a great way to boost the speed of your savings while simultaneously providing you with a good reason not to dip into your doll fund on a whim!

      • Declare a certain denomination of bill "unspendable" and set it aside whenever you encounter such a bill in your wallet. Note that designating high-value bills as unspendable may not work well. A $100 bill may be worth more than a $5 bill, but how often do you encounter one?

      • Evaluate how much use cable television gets in your home. If you're only watching one or two shows on a regular basis, it may not be worth the $50-100 a month you're paying for cable service, especially now that most stations are streaming episodes online. You can also rent TV series on DVD or use services like Netflix for a fraction of the cost of cable.

      • Re-assess your cell phone plan. Most people have more elaborate usage plans than they really need. Phone companies often have a la carte plans, prepaid phone card options, and pay-as-you-go plans that are cheaper for the average user than the standard packages.

      • Some food service locations, like coffee shops, now offer discounts if you bring your own drink containers or use the store's reusable containers instead of disposable cups. These discounts aren't always advertised. Ask your shop of choice if they offer such a discount.
       
      #4 Lizzard, Mar 21, 2009
      Last edited by a moderator: Oct 11, 2016
      • x 28
    5. Really useful thread Lizzard! Great minds think alike ;) Anyway here are a few suggestions. Sorry if I've repeated any :)

      A few saving tips


      • Put a picture or some reminder of what you are saving for on your piggy bank
      • [FONT=&quot]Write a money diary and then look back at what you spend your money on. Try to learn what you could do without buying and what you could save money on by buying cheaper alternatives[/FONT]
      Simple Money methods

      • If your hair is long and you have it cut sell your hair on ebay or use it to make doll wigs
      Make Doll Accessories to Sell or Use

      • Bunny ear headbands
      • Flower hair clips, food etc

      If you are good at faceups maybe you would enjoy doing faceups for children? :D Try opening a small stall at church sales and do face painting for children. Every child wants to look like a tiger! And if you charge a more than reasonable price mums won't mind either
       
      • x 5
    6. There is a site called paperbackswap.com where you can get books for free. The only money you pay is when you are sending a book out to someone. Here's how it works in steps:

      ~ When you first join the site and list ten books (not mandatory) the site will give you two points to use. Each book, hardcover or paperback, is only one point. Audio books are two points.

      ~When you send out a book to someone, you just pay the shipping. When that person gets the book(s) you get the point(s) and can use them to get books you want.

      ~You can make wish lists for books that aren't in the system so when they are listed, you get notified. You also have a reminder list for books that are in the system but you may not want yet.

      ~While you are sending out and getting books, the site keeps track of this and tells you how much money you have saved. I've been using this site for a couple months now and have already saved over a hundred dollars.

      ~There is also a link on their site to another one of theirs for swapping DVDs. I haven't done that one yet as I don't have many I don't watch all the time.

      I think the site is worth checking out if you are normally one who buys books all the time. They have every genre and that even includes comics and manga too. (which made me super happy).
       
      • x 4
    7. This is kind of a variation on the "sell something you've made", but I thought I'd post it here anyway. ;)

      For those who have some graphic design, illustration, or photography skills, uploading your work to a site like iStockPhoto or Zazzle can be a great way to rake in some easy cash. Signing up with an account is free on both sites, and you collect royalties any time someone uses one of your uploads!

      I have an account on Zazzle, a t-shirt printing site. You can upload designs and make them available for the public to order on a shirt, bag, mug, etc. For each item purchased, Zazzle pays you a royalty fee. The license is non-exclusive so you maintain the right to use those designs elsewhere if you choose. If you make more than $20 a month, you get paid at the end of the month. If it's less than $20, they will hold it until the amount either goes over $20 or they will pay out at the end of the year.

      I uploaded a handful of designs a while back that were basically Adobe Illustrator doodles, and every so often I find a nice little extra bit of funds in my Paypal. It's one of the laziest ways to make money! Once you upload your work, all you do is sit back and let the money come in.
       
      • x 18
    8. I've been making my spending money from online surveys for years. Depending on the panel company (I'm a member for 5 of them now) and how often I check my email and do the surveys, I can make $25 a month.

      Rewards can be Cash, Gift Cards, or other items. Gift cards are my choice when the panel does not offer a cash pay-out.

      Example: $5 Amazon.com/Barnes & Noble/Blockbuster. Use the $5 gift card from the panel company and put your $5 cash in your BJD saving fund.

      www.surveypolice.com rates panel reward companies and provides user reviews.

      I personally belong to:
      Harris Poll Online
      E-rewards
      My Survey
      Opinion Outpost
      Survey Head
       
      • x 6
    9. With it being winter a good way to make $$$$$ is to clean peoples drive ways off and side walks. 20 pur-house or x amount of money pur-house depending on how much there is
       
    10. i dont know if anyone has suggested this, but for any sporty people out there, particularly runners, competing in road races, like 5Ks and 10Ks could be away to make some money.

      This past Saturday, I competed in a 10K race for fun and after I finished, I was told there was a cash price for the overall winners of the race. Apparently I was the overall female winner and got $100 in cash.

      Now, if you your not the sporty type, dont worry. A while ago, I was volunteering at a small community race. There were only about 10 people signed up for the 10K event and the first 3 males and first 3 females to finish got a cash price [$100, $75, and $50]
      Well, there were only four females, so three of them got the cash price [even though two walked the whole thing].

      So if you dont mind running, or even walking, you could get some cash there. Altough for most of these races, you do have to pay some amount of money to get a bib number, but its not that much. If you want to try this idea out, look for small events with cash prices where not a lot of people go. That way your more likely to win.
       
      • x 2
    11. If you're a student at a university/college it's pretty easy to get a job tutoring. My schedule had a 2+ hour break twice a week, so I got a job tutoring math. You don't have to be really advanced in your subject even since most of the people who need help are the ones who are struggling. Most of what I actually did was just watch people do their homework and assure them they were doing it right. One day when it was slow I fell asleep and got paid to take a nap!The pay isn't bad and instead of wasting my time playing games in the computer center, I got about $80 a month.

      If you really don't think you can handle tutoring, many larger schools will have information desks that they need people to sit at. Keep in mind though, some schools require you to apply for financial aid before they hire you. (My college hired me even though I didn't qualify for aid!)
       
      • x 1
    12. My husband came up with this idea- Start clipping coupons & using grocery store rewards cards. The receipt from your grocery store will tell you how much you've saved by using your coupons & their card, and you can put that amount in your dolly fund. Sometimes it's only a dollar or two, but once I saved over twenty in one trip to the store! It adds up fast.

      Also, if you're too young to get a regular job but want to make some cash, get together with your friends & have a collective yard sale. Old toys, clothes, shoes, books, etc sell really well and your parents may even offer up some stuff for you to sell, too.
       
      • x 2
    13. For people with performing talents (especially instrumental, singing, acrobatic or magical) you can busk in your town during the warmer months. Be careful to check your city's laws on busking though, 'cause in some places you need licences while in others they'll let anyone busk. This works especially well in bigger cities. On a good day if you're especially good, you can make a few hundred bucks! Also, keep an eye out for festivals or celebrations of some sort. For a small price they'll usually let you busk at the festival grounds, and you'll make a HECK of a lot more than just busking on the street.
       
      • x 1
    14. I like to check the "Gigs" list on Craigslist when I want to make some spare cash. They have anything from helping code websites to making patterns for clothing to taking pictures at a birthday party.

      Usually one-time gigs that pay either by the hour or have a set amount for the allotted time. It's got such a wide variety of listings that it's kind of hard not to find something to do there. Especially since so many people in the doll hobby have sewing and photography skills etc.
       
    15. I actually just turned on the TV and the show Clean House came on and gave me a great idea. I know a lot of families with garages full of junk that just want to have it clean and spacious, especially during the winter when cars on the driveway get iced over each night and have to be scraped every morning.

      You could offer to help your neighbors go through their garage, price items to sell at a garage sale and then you can organize what's left when you're done. A decent sized garage sale for a full family can rake in a lot of cash and the only problem is that most families don't have time to do it for themselves.

      If you've got a free weekend, you can make some serious money. You could either agree upon a set hourly wage before hand or a percent of the total profits from the sale (With a minimum payout, just in case the sale bombs...).

      The best part about it is that they'll be paying you with money that doesn't come out of their wallets! Everyone profits :D
       
      • x 2
    16. :fangirl: YOU CAN SELL YOUR HAIR!!!

      Lots of people donate their hair when they cut it to "Locks of Love" which makes wigs for cancer patients. But did you know you could SELL your hair to wig makers too? You can post a listing for free on thehairtrader.com and people will buy your hair! Some people can make 1 or 2,000 on waist length hair.

      If you want to do this, here are some tips:

      -Don't dye or perm you hair. People want to buy "virgin" hair that hasn't been treated since it makes more naturally looking wigs.
      -Don't cut your hair until someone had paid you. Many people have listings with already-cut pony tails or braids but these don't sell as well. Besides, you don't want to get rid of all your hair until someone pays you.
      -Promise to cut your hair at a professional salon, this sells better.
      -Don't wash your hair every day, it takes away the natural oils which makes it healthy and shiny. Washing every other day is good (and saves you money on shampoo/conditioner).
      -Eat healthy foods, it will make healthy hair.
      -Don't do drugs or smoke because it will effect your hair, and smoking may make your hair smell like smoke.
      -When you're ready to list, take good pictures. Your pictures are mainly what people will decide to buy your hair or not, you want to make them memorable and stick out.
       
      • x 2
    17. I love all your ideas on how to save up money for new dolls.

      My family gives me a bunch of gift cards usually for holidays and birthdays.
      I have set up a paypal "Doll Only" account, and now they do that instead.
      I sent them all an email of the doll they helped me get, and now I have caused 2 of my aunties to be dolly addicted too.
      It beats getting gift cards for places I rarely go.
      And they appreciate that I am getting something I am really excited about, and they can do it from their home.

      My brother also mentioned to me that he would buy the gift cards I still had, to help with my doll fund.
      What a sweetheart!

      Just an idea.

      Thank you all for sharing your fun ideas too...
      hugs~:aheartbea
       
      • x 3
    18. Here's what I do:

      I have a difficult time holding onto my money because I tend to want to spend it all very quickly. So, when I decided I was going to do the whole 'save for a $300 doll' thing, at first, I was extremely tempted to spend! However, I decided - because I have no income, or credit cards of my own - that I'd keep a designated $20 in a different part of my wallet to hide. This was my 'just in case' money; you know, money I had to use if I found I needed gas, or a taxi if my car should break down. The rest, I took out of my wallet, and stuck onto my cork board. It helped, but every day, I'd see the money tacked there, and my mind would think about all the ways I could spend it. It wasn't good.

      So then I decided to get out an envelope and write "Bobobie Mei" (the doll I had wanted at the time) on it, stuff the money into it, and stick that up instead, so that I wouldn't see the money; instead, I'd see the envelope. And it actually helped me to forget how much money I had, and it helped me even to forget there was money tacked to my wall! I mean, I didn't out and out forget it; it's just that I could see the envelope, and go about my business without thinking about it.

      Unfortunately, I ended up deciding not to get Mei because it seemed more trouble than I could do. But now, I'm in a process of saving for another doll, a little less expensive then Mei, and I'm hiding my funds in a bag inside one of my draws so that it's not in my wallet and I go spend-happy with it. I know how much is there, but I don't obsess over what I could get with that. I concentrate on how much more I need for my goal, and nothing else. And it really helps keep me on track!
       
      • x 3
    19. i make money by making and selling stuffs (jewelry, furniture clothes etc)
      and also **cough** i sell chores in MMO's.
      for example, my brother pays my $5 per character to get their "extra skill point (called exploration, a max of 25 each month) to 15.
      depending on luck and such i can do this in half an hour to 2 hours.
      Or i sell quest items that are in high demand and low supply, i also sell rare items (like rare weapons or clothes that are impossible to find, i collect rares too!).

      On another MMO i would raise characters to level 45, without choosing their job class and then sell the accounts so that the buyer could make the characters into whatever they wanted. Sadly that one is dieing off so this method became worth alot less for the time and effort it took to achieve the end product x.x

      though i didn't know at the time that was a nono ^^"
       
      • x 2
    20. Cash Saving Idea

      My mother heard this one day at work so I decided to give it a try:
      I consider $5 bills 'unspendable'. Not five singles, just the $5 bills. At the end of the day, if there are any in my wallet, I put them in a little saving space. I managed to save almost $70 in just a few weeks with my usual spending habits.
       
      • x 10