Tuesday, July 1, 2014

June Earnings and Plans

This is only the second month of me keeping track of what I earned for the month, and this month had a few setbacks for me. If it hadn't been for a large sale, that at this point I can only repeat once, this month would've been a huge bust. I only had two sales streams this month, selling my textbooks back and Ebay. If you read previous posts you know that my Ebay account has some strict restrictions on it now, and I just have to work within those for now.

Those restrictions have forced me to take a hard look at what I'm doing and what my plan is. I did talk earlier in a post about how I needed to start focusing harder on Amazon FBA and less on Ebay, and I guess my hand has been forced on that issue! I'm only allowed to sell 5 items a month now, hopefully not forever, but for now those are my restrictions and I must work within them. This is also forcing me to really choose what I'm listing and try to sell those higher priced items I have. So here's my plan, slightly revised and rethought over.

I will take 100% of my Ebay earnings and put them towards my Amazon FBA program. This includes supplies for shipping/packing, and shipping fees as well buying stock to send in. The back to school and holiday season is fast approaching and I need to try and have as much in my Amazon store as possible. From everything I'm reading and hearing on the web the holiday season is HUGE, and everyone is saying start preparing for it NOW! So, that's what I'm going to do. I'm also going to try and start focusing on items that are appropriate for the holidays. Halloween costumes, and accessories, Christmas gifts, and holiday baking and cooking supplies and food. Another side effect of my new limits on Ebay is that I'm looking at more items around my home as potential Amazon items rather than Ebay items. I have a ton of children's books sitting around my house. Most are in excellent condition as we read more on the Kindle than anything else now. I also have a ton of books that I read, again in great condition (other than I dog ear my pages) that I can get rid of now that I have digital versions. After all books, and especially children's books, are a gift item as well, and it's honestly than them sitting in a box never being read or used. Now, on to my earnings this month.

June Earnings

Selling my Textbooks - $312 (I got an 5% when I sold them with a promo code AND another 5% when I complained about how long it was taking, since it was longer than they had advertised. That is factored into that total.
Ebay Sales - $62.46

June Fees & Expenses

Shipping Costs - $39.10
Shipping Collected - $16 (subtract this number from the above number)
Total Shipping OOP - $23.10
Ebay fees - $13.04
Scotty Peeler (needed for removing labels) - $5.50 purchased off Ebay with free shipping
Shrink Wrap Bags, various sizes (for Packaging Amazon FBA products) - $7.29 with free shipping off Ebay
Total - $48.93

Total Earned after fees and expenses - $325.53 

Most of the book money went towards bills that were due at the time, and the little bit I had left from Ebay I know I spent on gas for my vehicle one day. Again, not close to the $600+ that would actually be if I earned $20 a day, but I'm getting there. I really feel that July will be a slim month, and with me funneling 100% of what I do earn back into this it will hurt to not keep it. I feel it'll be worth it though, if I can sacrifice now, and delay putting the money in my pocket it'll pay off in the long run. Sacrifice now so I won't have to later. Besides, how awesome will it be to some extra money during the holiday season?!

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