Making money on the side?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by sillyoleme

My approach would be something low-investment, so there's no big loss if it doesn't work out. Printing flyers and leaving them on apartment complex doors might work, there is one Avon lady doing that in our complex now.

I think you need to be careful about soliciting like that as it is probably against the rules of the complex.

[Hot dog]

Well, I had decided not to do it because I hate asking people to buy. But I had a couple people call and ask me for more stuff. So I still might sell if I get enough orders. Right now if you get a 400 order it only costs like 50 to become a consultant and they give you at least that much of the product when you become a consultant. It is food so it is something people keep running out of and it is really good. You just add one maybe two ingredients to make it.

[SnoopyCool]

Originally Posted by Scanner

I hear "coupon parties" are the new Pampered Chef (who has money to pamper themselves in this economy? and a lot of these products are overpriced)

Do you remember the coupon poker party in the movie "Mr. Mom"? What a funny movie!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

You are braver than me if you go into this at this point in the recession. I see on the Tastefully Simple website that I can buy a total of 9 dip mixes, bread mixes, soup mixes, etcetera for the wonderful price of $119.95. I suppose the bonus is the decorative pirate's treasure chest they are packaged in.

I have been hearing reports about how, worldwide, people are turning away from brand name and even mid-level price products in favor of the cheaper things in the supermarket. So I don't think there would be a great market for these things right now. More likely, those 9 mixes will turn up for sale at Clearance Warehouse of Unwanted Convenience Foods for $0.25 each any day now. Well, they'll be at Big Lots, anyway.

[Hot dog]

I always thought it was a little expensive myself except for some of the dips but it tastes really good and people seem to be buying it up. The bread is really good like 5 bucks too much for me but people buy it up if I am a consultant it should be about 3 and you just add a beer and have the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread for company.People keep coming back asking for more soup- just add water. If people wanna buy it i will sell it. I used to sell popular club and maybe bought one thing from them. Others bought and I made money off what they purchased. Some people will pay for the convenience of not having to go out and shop.

[Goldy1]

I've had people call me trying to get me to host a party for things. I hate it when someone I barely know asks me to call my budides and hold a party so they can push thier wares. They are trained to netowrk and be agressive. I have met people literally obsessed with those pyramid selling things.

I have gone to parties friends put on and I buy things just b/c it is my friend, but I don't keep ordering. I will spend the $30 on the sea salt bath and body scrub(comparable product for $9 at local stores) if I go to your party, but I am not reordering it! lol

I've seen people show up to thise and not buy and I don't blame them really, but in a way you should buy something if you can afford it and you came over and ate thier fruit tray etc. lol.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I could never do it. I feel weird. My weirdest job in college was selling cutco. Well actually I never got that far. I went to the sales presentation to become a seller and realized it was an MLM. And I had to sell the knives to everyone I knew. Too hard.

I waited tables instead.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Goldy1

I have gone to parties friends put on and I buy things just b/c it is my friend,

I've seen people show up to thise and not buy and I don't blame them really, but in a way you should buy something if you can afford it and you came over and ate thier fruit tray etc. lol.

That's what makes this a no-win situation. You feel obligated to spend money on something you don't want or need because it is your friend or relative or coworker hosting the party. You shouldn't feel pressured to buy something just because you have the money. I think putting friends in that situation is wrong.

[wnlbutterfly]

I can tell you that IRS is VERY particular on deducting computers and cell phones. Those are the two I would say be very careful on.

The rest is going to be deductible on a Schedule C (if you are having it prepared, this is going to cost you extra money). Mileage for the trips you make that are related to business, yes, car payments NO. Booze, snacks, gifts for games, postage, fliers, order forms...yep, you can write that all off.

Schedule C's are something the IRS does look at carefully because it is "easy" to play with the numbers. And don't forget if you make a profit you pay self-employment taxes too.

[Tree0164]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

That's what makes this a no-win situation. You feel obligated to spend money on something you don't want or need because it is your friend or relative or coworker hosting the party. You shouldn't feel pressured to buy something just because you have the money. I think putting friends in that situation is wrong.

Amen I hate going to these parties etc. I have one friend who is hosting one of these parties atleast 3-4 times a year. I try to bow out of them as much as possible.

I did get addicated to scrapbooking from going to one of these parties. The lady that does it has created a good business-she does email blasts through a 3rd party,letting everyone know when her public parties are and does look for the ocassional new hostess. I do go to an ocassional party because I want the product

[financialnut]

I don't know... if you know a lot of people and are GOOD with people, it's something that could work.

Personally, I would rather do something else. I hate pushing my friends, family, and neighbors to get into stuff like that.