Cash for Trash at the Flea Market

Thousands of people swarm flea markets every weekend, looking for an elusive treasure… a diamond in the rough. If you look closely at the vendors' faces the next time you go to a flea market, you may notice a look of smug satisfaction.

Well-dressed shoppers crowd around the flea market tables, oohing and aahhing over the 'vintage collectibles' and 'retro chic' at every spot. You peek over their shoulders to see what all the fuss is about, and spot a broken plastic toy and an orange knit sweater vest as worn by the cast of the Lawrence Welk show. And the flea market vendor stands there with a big grin on his face, raking in the cash.

This gives you an idea.

Every weekend, people are making really good money selling junk. Barring illegal substances and things that need a permit like food or weapons, you can pretty much sell ANYTHING at a flea market.

Things That I Have Sold

1) Worn socks with holes
2) Ripped up children's books
3) Torn sheets
4) Old Barbie doll parts
5) Broken costume jewelry

No kidding. All these things brought me money at the flea market. How, you might ask, did I get people to pay me cash for this trash?

1) I cut the toes and heels off, slit them up the middle, and sold them as super-absorbent polishing cloths. A bag of ten went for $2.00.

2) I cut off the words, sorted them by theme (Disney, Christmas, farm animals,) and sold them as craft packs for decoupage, along with a simple printed out paper on how to decorate that way. $1.00 for a pack of ten.

3) I cut them into smaller pieces and sold them as 100% cotton quilting fabric.

4) I just laid out the assorted legs, torsos, and heads and sold them for 25 cents each. I had about 50 pieces, and people bought them!

5) I unstrung beads and detached charms and sold them in small sandwich bag packs as "Vintage Beads and Jewelry Findings." $2.50 per bag

You can make cash for almost any trash at the flea market. Yes, people will take a look at the absorbent polishing cloths and say "Hey, these look like socks." Just smile and wink, or launch into a spiel about how they are most certainly NOT socks, and take their money.

Flea market selling is an experience and a great chance to make money. So, the next time you clean out your closet, don't throw away all that old junk. Repackage it, and lug it all down to the flea market. Turn your trash into cash!