Posts tagged Tips

How to Make Money on eBay

2
4 years
by Naomi in Fashion, Tips and Tutorials

I’ve been selling on eBay for years and I’ve noticed that, over time, it has become increasingly more difficult to actually make any money from the things you sell.  With postage costs rising, PayPal and eBay both taking fees, and the sheer volume of items for sale, if you’re not a savvy seller, selling on eBay can take a lot of effort with very little pay-off.

So, today I thought I’d share with you all my tried and tested tips and tricks for making money on eBay, with a few of my own success stories thrown in too.  I can’t promise you’re going to make a fortune if you take my advice, but you can at least earn a few extra pounds!

1. Use Keywords

The words you use in your titles can really influence how many people are finding your item when browsing eBay, and therefore how many people are bidding.  Say you’re selling a black dress…  Calling it ‘Black Dress’ will probably mean it gets lost amongst a whole host of generic black dresses, but if you add detail with fashion keywords you can really tailor your items, especially if you know what’s on trend at the moment, and what people will likely be looking for.  In my experience, popular terms include ‘Boho’, ‘Gothic’, and ‘Biker’.  Just make sure your item actually suits the trend you are advertising it as!

My Success Story: I recently purchased a faux leather jacket on eBay that, though it was nice and very on trend, really didn’t suit me.  I only paid £2 for it, so I put it back on eBay at a similar price and would have been happy just to make my money back.  However, I listed the jacket using a few keywords in the title that related to its style (such as ‘biker’, ‘punk’ and ‘goth’), and in the end the jacket sold for more than £16!

2. Go Charity Shopping

One of my favourite ways to make money on eBay is to go shopping myself first…  If you’re willing to spend time hunting, you can come across some real designer gems in charity shops at low prices, that you can then sell on when you’re done with them.  You won’t find something every time you look, but when you’re lucky it’ll be worth it.

My Success Story: A couple of months ago, whilst browsing a local charity shop, I came across a men’s t-shirt from Liam Gallagher’s ‘Pretty Green’ range of clothing.  It looked brand new, and at £2.99 it felt too good to be true, but I checked the labels over and discovered that it was 100% genuine.  I snapped it up with the intention of giving it to my partner but he didn’t want it, so again, I put it on eBay at a low price in the hope of making my money back.  Within hours the t-shirt had gained lots of watchers, and by the end of the seven-day listing it sold for a whopping £23.

3. Take Advantage of Free Listing

If you list an item for under 99p, eBay allow you to list 100 single-quantity items per month for free!  But if you want to charge more (as I suggest in tip 4) it costs, and the higher your starting price, the more it costs.  For clothing it’s usually around 15p per item, which doesn’t seem that much, but if you’re listing several items at once it soon adds up!  Paying to list items just eats into your profits, so take advantage of free listing days whenever you can.  eBay tend to run a free listing weekend every other week, so I tend to prepare everything during the week (gather items, take photos, plan my listings etc), then list everything during a free listing weekend.

4. Factor in Fees

Unfortunately for us sellers, both eBay and PayPal take a percentage of the sale price of your items, including from what you charge for postage.  PayPal take between 1.4% and 3.4%, plus an extra 20p, and eBay take 10% of the final value.  So, if you actually want to come out of a sale with something other than a few pence, it’s a good idea to factor these fees into your pricing.  I personally never list anything for 99p, because once all the fees have been taken away you’re left with next to nothing, so I tend to start items a little higher.  Perhaps £1.49 for small items, or for labelled brands a bit more.

It might also be an idea to up your postage costs too.  It costs £2.60 to post a small parcel in the UK, but if you charge £2.60 you’ll end up paying some of the postage out of your own pocket, as some will be taken in fees.  I usually put mine up to around £3.00 as P&P does also include packaging!

5. Take Good Photographs

Ever found something interesting on eBay, only to find there’s one small, low quality image of the thing, probably taken on a mobile phone in a badly lit room?  Chances are you’re not going to want to bid on something if you can’t see what it looks like, so good photographs are always important in making a sale!  I like to take mine with a digital camera rather than a phone, in natural light, and I always include a few close up photographs too so buyers can really see what they’re getting.

Do you have any tips for selling on eBay?  Please comment if you do as I’d love to hear them!

Happy selling,

Naomi x

Advice Money Making Selling

How to Find an eBay Bargain

8
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion, Tips and Tutorials

I have been buying things from eBay since I was 13, firstly through my mum’s account, and then when I was old enough to have one, through my own account.  That’s 9 years of bargain hunting, which I think makes me a seasoned eBay user.  Everybody loves finding a hidden gem on eBay, but over the years I have noticed that it has become increasingly difficult to find nice things selling cheap.  I used to be able to nab gorgeous items of clothing for just pennies, but sellers are more savvy now, bidders more abundant, and resultantly prices are on the rise.  Of course, high postage costs don’t help either, and neither does the sheer volume of items you have to sift through!  Despite all the issues that you may come up against on eBay, my hours of browsing have taught me that there are still ways to find a bargain.  As such, I thought I would share with you all my guide on how to find an eBay bargain, so read on if you want to know my tried and tested tips!

1. Shop Abroad

Have you ever seen a quirky piece of costume jewellery or clothing in a fashion boutique or on a trendy market and fallen in love, only to be disappointed that you can’t afford the stupidly high price tag?  Well, chances are you could find those very same items (or at least similar ones) on eBay for just a fraction of the cost.  How?  By shopping abroad!  I have found that there are a lot of sellers on eBay from countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and China, all selling unusual pieces of costume jewellery and clothing for very low prices, and often with free postage.  They are easy to find too…  With a simple search such as ‘skull necklace’ or ‘flower ring’ you will get hundreds of results from overseas sellers, with bids sometimes starting at just a penny, or ‘Buy It Now’ items for a pound or two.  They might take a bit longer to arrive than if you order something closer to home, but it’s well worth the wait.  I’ve collected lots of amazing necklaces this way, and have never paid more than about £2.50 for an item, and most of them have only cost around £1 each.  This Bird pendant is a recent favourite of mine.

2. Spell Things Wrong

We all make accidental spelling mistakes and typos every now and then, and eBay sellers are no different, which is a good thing to remember when searching eBay for specific items, especially branded ones!  Incorrect spellings mean that items won’t always show up in the right place, which obviously means fewer people will see them.  So, next time you’re searching for something, purposefully spell it wrong – you never know what you might find.  Earlier this year I won a brand new Lipsy dress on eBay for 99p because the seller had spelt it with an added ‘e’, as ‘Lipsey’.  You won’t always find something, but every now and then you will stumble upon something great.

3. Include Postage in the Price

When making a bid on an item always decide how much you would be willing to pay for it, and STICK TO THE PRICE.  Easier said than done I know, but shrewd bidders must have willpower.  Don’t just think about the bid price though, think about the postage too.  Some sellers list their items with low starting bids, but will really sting you on postage.  Second class Royal Mail postage for a standard packet is £2.20 but I’ve seen sellers charging close to £5, which just isn’t on!  So, if you decide you’d be willing to pay £10 in total for an item and postage is £3, only bid up to £7.  If it goes above your upper limit, learn to let it go and move on.

4. Always Make an Offer

Sellers who list items as ‘Buy It Now’ sometimes give you the option to make an offer on their items too.  If a seller allows this, you will see a ‘Make Offer’ button on the item.  Wherever you see this option on an item that you want to buy, use it, as it gives you the opportunity to negotiate a price with the seller.  Often this price is pre-set and your offer will be accepted or rejected straight away, but some sellers consider offers on an individual basis.  Either way, be reasonable with your price as you only have three chances to make an offer on any one item, but buying an item this way will always save you money from the set ‘Buy It Now’ price.

5. Use the ‘Sort By’ Option

eBay automatically organises your searches into what they consider to be the ‘Best Match’ to your search term.  Best matches aren’t necessarily the best items though, as they can already have lots of bids on with several days to go.  To get the best offers, take advantage of the ability to sort the items by using the ‘Sort By’ drop down box, which can be found at the top of your search.  Organising the search items into ‘Time: Ending Soonest’ will bring up everything ending soonest, enabling you to discover items which finish soon which may have slipped through the net with no bids, meaning you can snipe an item last second and win it at a very low price.  Choosing the ‘Price + P&P: Lowest First’ option is another great one, as it shows you the items with the lowest combined prices.

6. Choose your Times Carefully

The best times to browse eBay items which are ‘Ending Soonest’ is at times when more people are likely to have listed items.  This is usually in the evenings, when people are home from work and have had their dinner, or at weekends when they have nothing else to do.  You’re bound to have more to choose from if you browse at busy listing times, as items listed a week earlier will be coming to an end, so you might be able to snipe a cheeky bargain.  Weekends, especially Saturday afternoons, are especially good for finding items ending soon with no bids as this is when most people are out and about doing things, so fewer people are at home, online, browsing eBay!

7. Keep ‘Watching’

Last but not least, keep ‘Watching’!  A lot of high street shops have started selling their stock on eBay, as well as on their own website and in-store.  Their items are mostly sold at full price, but it’s a good idea to ‘Watch’ your favourite items as you may find that they gradually reduce in price, during sales or if they are end of line items.  Off the top of my head, the example I will use is Schuh…  Earlier this year Schuh were selling a pair of Dr Marten boots that I LOVED, but couldn’t afford.  I decided to ‘Watch’ them anyway just in case, and it paid off as after a few weeks I noticed that the price of the boots had been reduced by around £30 because they only had one pair left, and the style had been discontinued.  This is a risky strategy as you could miss out, but if you’re willing to take the risk then it may pay off.  Oh, and it’s not just high street shops that do this, independent sellers will often do it too if they’re struggling to get rid of something, so keep an eye out!

And there you have it, my seven tips for bagging yourself an eBay bargain!  Will you be trying any of these methods yourself, or do you already use them?  Please feel free to share your bargain hunting tips too!

Naomi x

What To Take On Your Mini Break

10
5 years
by Naomi in Hair, Nails, Skincare, Tips and Tutorials

Summer is slowly coming to an end, but there’s still time to dash off into the sun for a last-minute relaxing mini break.  You’ve got your clothes sorted…  Bikini?  Check.  Sun dresses?  Check.  Something gorgeous for the evening?  Check, and you’re almost good to go, but there’s always the question of what toiletries and cosmetics to take, and what to leave behind.  If you packed all the big bottles and endless tubes of lotions and potions that you usually use then you’d need another suitcase, am I right?  So, in the name of making life easier for us all, I thought I’d take the opportunity to narrow everything down and come up with ten little solutions to this bulky problem, which will leave plenty of room in your case for your beach reads and novelty souvenirs – you can thank me later!

1: Basic Make Up

Vanity cases and make up bags stuffed full of make up are impractical and unnecessary when travelling.  This might sound ridiculous, but all you need to take with you for a fresh-faced summer make up look are five basic items – foundation, eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss and blush.  That’s it!  Don’t believe me?  Check out my Top 5 Summer Make Up Essentials post for proof that that’s all you need.

2: Nail Varnish

If you can’t afford or don’t want an expensive salon manicure before you go away then it’s a good idea to pack a bottle of nail varnish.  You never know when you might be invited out last-minute for a romantic meal or an evening at a bar, so choose a quick drying varnish that you can slick on in seconds before you leave.

I highly recommend Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Nail Colour in ‘Ruby Rush’.  It’s a deep, classic shade that will go well with any outfit, it has a wide brush for quick, even coverage and it is dry to the touch in just minutes.  It’s wonderfully chip resistant too, and a new favourite of mine.

3: Make Up Remover

If you’re like me, you probably have a bottle of make up remover for your eyes, one for your face, and a big bag of cotton wool balls and cotton buds that you use them with.  That’s a lot of bottles and bags to take on one little trip!  A great substitute to use for the few days you’re away are make up remover wipes, as they save space, are quick to use and can be thrown away once you’re done with them.

Kleenex recently brought out a range of make up remover wipes which are made of natural fibres and are gentle on the skin, yet very effective.  The ones pictured are specifically for eye make up, but they also make facial cleansing wipes.

4: Sun Lotion

Ever noticed that sun lotion tends to come in huge bottles that you’ll never get through during a two-week holiday, let alone whilst on a mini break?  Well, Hawaiian Tropic have solved that problem with their handy 100ml bottles of sun lotion!  They still contain the gorgeously scented, high quality lotion that the big bottles do – they’re just lighter and more compact, and the perfect size to carry in even the smallest of bags.

I’ve been using the Hawaiian Tropic Protective Sun Lotion SPF30 and I adore it.  The lotion not only protects your skin but softens it too, as it contains vitamins C and E, and is gorgeously light and silky.  It’s also ‘very water resistant’, which is great if you fancy a swim in the sea, but it’s still a good idea to apply it regularly to stay as safe as possible.  At £5.49 these mini bottles are a real steal.

5, 6 and 7: Moisturiser, Shampoo and Shower Gel

Now is a good time to raid your old beauty boxes, gift sets and collections of product samples.  All those little bottles and sachets of moisturiser, shampoo and shower gel that you never thought you’d use are actually the perfect size for taking on mini breaks!  Not only do they save space, but you might also discover a hidden gem amongst them which you can repurchase and carry on using when you get home.

8: Deodorant

Rather than packing chunky spray deodorants, why not take a roll-on deodorant instead?  They’re much kinder on the skin, and compact enough to carry with you.

A particular favourite of mine is Vaseline Aloe Fresh 24h Protection Deodorant, as it is long-lasting, the aloe makes it extremely moisturising and refreshing, and it doesn’t leave white marks on your dark clothes!

9: Disposable Razor

You never know when you might need to neaten up whilst on holiday, but taking a bulky epilator or home waxing kit with you is far too much trouble!  The solution?  Take a disposable razor!  Just because it’s disposable doesn’t mean it won’t do a good job, especially if you use Wilkinson Sword Extreme 3 Beauty Razors.  

I’ve been using these myself and they give an amazingly smooth result at a fraction of the usual hair removal cost (you get four for £3.99).  The three blade razor head is flexible so moves with the curves of your body for a close shave, and it even features a moisturising strip of aloe and jojoba to leave your skin feeling soft – not what you’d expect from a disposable razor at all!  They look and feel more like luxury razors, but once you’re done with them you can just throw them away so they’re far more convenient for travelling with.

10: Perfume

A great way to make the transition from a lazy day on the beach to a lively evening at a bar is with a beautiful fragrance, but who wants to be carrying a big glass bottle of perfume around with them?  That’s where Avon’s mini fragrances come in.  Avon now sell miniature versions of their best selling perfumes which are great for top ups throughout the day or, in this case, to take with you on a short trip.  You will find the full range on page 206 of Brochure 16, including 15ml Purse Sprays and 30ml Travel Sprays (how apt!), ranging from £5 to £7.50 each.

Wherever you’re going this summer, I hope these tips will help you know what to pack, and I hope you will Be Spontaneous whilst on your travels!  Why not do something you’ve never done before, and then share it with the Be Spontaneous crew on Facebook?  You could even win some amazing prizes in the process!

Thanks for reading,

Naomi x

*The Hawaiian Tropic Protective Sun Lotion SPF30 and Wilkinson Sword Xtreme3 Beauty Razors featured in the post were given to me by Wilkinson Sword for review purposes.  Everything else was purchased using my own money.  All opinions are honest and my own.  Some affiliate links have been used*

Be Spontaneous Hawaiian Tropic Mini Break Travelling What to Take Wilkinson Sword

DIY Simple Cord Bead Bracelets

5
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion, Tips and Tutorials

I was recently browsing the summer sales and noticed that there were a lot of fine cord beaded bracelets around.  I thought they were very cute and subtle, but I couldn’t justify spending money on what was essentially just a piece of string and a single bead.  So, being the thrifty girl that I am, I decided to make my own!  Under my bed I have a big box of craft stuff, so today I dug out some cord and a few beads and got making.  As I went along, I took some photos so I could put together this little tutorial for you all :)  Each one only takes a few minutes to make so you really don’t need to set aside much time to try this out.

All you will need to make your simple cord bead bracelet is:

Leather Cord

Scissors

A Pretty Bead

And this is how you do it!

1.  Cut a length of cord which is a few inches longer than the circumference of your wrist.  It needs to be quite long so you can tie knots later on!  Any excess can be snipped off if needs be, so try not to make it too short.

2.  Thread your bead onto the cord, making sure that it’s in the centre.

3.  Tie a tight knot either side of the bead to keep it in place.

4.  This is probably the most fiddly bit… Tie one side of the cord around the other side of the cord to create a sliding knot.  It’s difficult to explain how to tie a sliding knot so if you don’t know how to do it, there’s a simple guide here.

5.  Do the same on the other side.  The sliding knots will make it easy to make the bracelet tighter or looser.

And that’s it – once you’ve trimmed it down you’re finished!  I made several bracelets using different glass coloured beads so I can wear them stacked together.  And here they are…

What do you think?  I hope you like them!  I’d love to see a photo if you decide to try this out.

Happy crafting :)

Naomi x

Bead Create Creating DIY Do It Yourself Glass Make Making String Tip

Tattoo Care

2
6 years
by Naomi in Body, General, Skincare, Tips and Tutorials

Today I thought I’d do a quick post about caring for tattoos.  The above photograph was taken just after I had my tattoo in 2010.  I come from a family of tattooed people; my sister has a couple, my dad has loads and a lot of my cousins and friends have a few, so over the years I have seen and experienced a lot of tattoo care.  I am not a professional, but after the taking the advice of my tattoo artist and tattooed amigos, as well as my own experience, these are my tips for caring for tattoos whilst they heal.

Wash regularly

Once you’ve taken your dressing off, it is a good idea to wash your tattoo with warm, soapy water to remove any blood or surface bacteria.  Establishing a washing routine is important in order to avoid infection, so wash the tattoo like this twice daily.  When drying the area, pat dry with a clean towel but do not rub.

Moisturise

A couple of days after you get your tattoo, a scab will form.  To stop the scab from drying out, gently rub a small amount of unscented, healing moisturiser onto the tattoo after you’ve washed it.  My tattoo artist recommended Bepanthen, which is commonly used to treat nappy rash on babies.  I am allergic to some of the ingredients in Bepanthen however, so I used E45 and it worked just as well.  My dad and sister also used E45.

Do not pick or scratch!

Never, ever pick or scratch your scab!  The scab is part of the healing process and may itch a little, but it will fall off in its own time, leaving a perfect tattoo underneath.  If you pick it, you could damage or scar your tattoo, and you don’t want that.  I know it’s very tempting to pick it, but resist – it’s for your own good!

Leave uncovered

In my experience it is best to leave your tattoo uncovered whenever and wherever possible whilst it is healing.  This stops it rubbing which can make it sore or knock the scab off before it is ready.  I had my foot tattoo in the middle of winter and found that wearing boots or shoes made it sore, so I had to go around wearing flip flops for two weeks in the cold weather until it was healed!

Avoid Swimming and Sunshine

Submerging your tattoo in water for a long period of time when you have a new tattoo is not recommended as the ink can come out of your skin.  Also, chlorine from swimming pools can cause reactions with tattoos, leading to irritation and excess scabbing, so swimming is a no-no!  Also, you really, really do NOT want sunburn on a new tattoo, so stay out of the sun :)

Tattoos are usually fully healed within a month, but it is advised that you avoid water/the sun for a good few months after getting a new tattoo.

I hope some of you find this useful.  I am not qualified to give advice about tattoos, but this is what I did to look after my own tattoos and it worked fine for me :)

Do you have any tattoos?  If so, what are they?

Naomi x

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