Through our partnership with eBay, I’ve been learning a lot about how various people use eBay to either earn a little extra spending money, make a living from selling on eBay, and every scenario in-between. One of the latest ways I’m learning about families who sell on eBay is through the eBay MoneyMakers video series. Each video series highlights a family and shows how selling on eBay has impacted their life. It’s amazing to hear these stories and see how families are earning money online through selling on eBay.
Selling on eBay Helps Family Overcome Unemployment
The first eBay MoneyMakers video introduces us to the O’Brien family of Westfield, Indiana. Soon after relocating for a job, Tristen O’Brien’s position was eliminated and he found himself unemployed. Sadly, this occurred just a week after their son’s birth. As you can imagine, they needed to find a way to earn some money fast! By selling household items on eBay, they began to fund their day-to-day expenses. Eventually, as they gained experience in selling on eBay, they began to sell clearance and vintage items for profit. Tristen O’Brien is now employed, but the family continues to sell on eBay and even have a blog to share their tips for selling on eBay. Check out their video below to find out more about the O’Brien family, then read on to learn about another family who’s had success selling on eBay.
eBay MoneyMakers: The O’Brien family makes money online in the midst of economic difficulties
One-Income Family Supplements Earnings by Selling on eBay
The second eBay MoneyMakers video in the series features the Sibbersen family, who has been using eBay since they got married to supplement their one-income family. The extra income from selling on eBay allowed Windy Sibbersen to stay home with their children. Much like the O’Brien family, they began by selling items in their home they no longer needed, then moved on to buying discounted items they could resell. The family has been able to fund family trips with their eBay income, as well as extra expenses not normally within budget. Additionally, the family uses their funds to give back to the community by ‘adopting a family’ during the holidays. Learn more about the Sibbersens and check out their story in the video below.
eBay MoneyMakers: The Sibbersen family finds financial comfort through extra eBay income
ModernMami™.com Reader Giveaway
We want you to treat yourself courtesy of eBay, so we’re giving away a $25 eBay gift card!
How to Enter
Required entry: If you’d like to enter this contest for a $25 eBay gift card, simply leave a comment below sharing how you would use extra funds earned from selling on eBay.
Extra entries (optional):
Each of the following will count as 1 extra entry. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry.
- Follow @modernmami on Twitter.
- Tweet the following (1 time entry only): Enter to win a $25 eBay gift card from @modernmami! http://bit.ly/ujc6Ht #giveaway #contest #eBayMoney #eBayParent
- Receive post updates by subscribing to our RSS feed. You can do so either via email or through a RSS reader. Leave a comment saying you did so or are already a subscriber.
- Subscribe on friendfeed and leave a comment with your friendfeed ID.
- Write a blog post on your own blog sharing the details of this contest. Be sure to include a link back to this post. Leave a comment with your post link.
All entries must be in by Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. You must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident. No purchase necessary. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.) Winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
Disclosure: ModernMami.com is a member of the eBay Parent Panel, a compensated program.
Photo by Mike Knell
I would use the extra money to save up for a trip to China with the kids!
I would use the extra money to pay off bills.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would use it for expenses such as food.
donna444444@yahoo.com
I Follow @modernmami on Twitter (donnak4)
I subscribed by google reader.
I would use the extra funds from selling on ebay to save for a new computer
I’d use it for emergency fund
Follow @modernmami on Twitter.@tcarolinep
http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/152793996337487873
I’m a subscriber
Subscribe on friendfeed jessie c, tcarolinep
I would use it to buy a digital camera
elena150980@yahoo.com
Follow you on Twitter @ElenaIstomina
e-mail subscriber
elena150980@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/152810767597572097
I would use the funds toward gas and possibly a new bag.
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
i follow you on twitter @aes529:twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/152814822109626368
already an email subscriber
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
I’d use extra money to eat better.
I’d use the extra funds for summer vacation spending money.
Thanks so much.
I’m going to use my eBay proceeds to buy an iPad 2 (or 3!)
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I’m an email subscriber
abfantom at yahoo dot com
Towards tuition for school.
I would put it in a vacation fund.
Following you on twitter (clc408)
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/clc408/status/153087563610075136
Subscribed in Google Reader
We sell things on eBay to help cover our bills.
I follow on Twitter @Suburbanmomclub:twitter
I would use them to save up for a disney trip. moepuns(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you on twitter @Juliemeagan:twitter
I subscribe via rss
http://twitter.com/#!/JulieMeagan/status/153172016793526272. moepuns(at)gmail(dot)com
I would use it to pay down my bills
ccasper@JessieC:disqus centurytel.net
I’d use it for new flooring.
I would use the extra funds to rebuild our savings that were wiped out by a layoff last year.
Follow @modernmami on Twitter @kdkdkd:twitter
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/kdkdkd/status/153270743721967617
I’d love to keep our cars gassed up
ky2here at msn dot com
following modernmami twitter as ky2here1ky2here at msn dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/ky2here1/status/153291308872646657
ky2here at msn dot com
I would buy gas and necessities with the extra cash.
Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/153314712321404928
I would use the funds to pay bills
follow you on twitter @buzz8:twitter
I would use the funds to buy gas.austma7@aol.com
I would use to pay some bills
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
email subscriber
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
twitter follower (chelleb36)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/153358945866625024
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I would use it to buy some new clothing :]hales@usa.com
I would use the extra money to redo my kitchen.
follow you on twitter @ladycolor:disqus
tweeted; http://twitter.com/#!/LadyColor/status/153424108732948480
I would use the extra funds to save up for a new car
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/jjak2003/status/153435387640037376
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I subscribe to your blog via e-mail
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I would use the extra money towards a new car! thanks!
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
following you on twitter @shuggysmommy:disqus ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
RSS feed reader subscriber
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/153511674127712256
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
I WOULD USE IT TO BUY A MINI SD CARD FOR MY PHONE
FOLLOWER OF Melanie
@modernmami Orlando, FL ON TWITTER
email subscriber 🙂 alsvegas@aol.com
rss google reader fan albert t
I would use the extra money to buy a plane ticket to Las Vegas!
pay the bills
I would use the extra money for everyday expenses.
I would use the extra funds for fun things like dinners out and trips.
I follow on twitter (@RebeccaFH).
I would use the money from selling on ebay to pay for extra things i normally don’t have in my budget
I follow @modernmami
@unevenfist:twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/unevenfist/status/153557452464455680
I usually use the funds to make eBay purchases for myself, or put the extra toward gas!
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
I follow you on Twitter (roomofmyown)
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
RSS subscribe via Yahoo reader.
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
Tweet:http://twitter.com/#!/roomofmyown/status/153564988542423040
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
I would use the money for my daughter’s softball tournaments. The games are tons of fun but can cost a lot Thank you!
I would use extra funds on my groceries!
I subscribe to your RSS feed with google reader
I follow you on Twitter @modernmami – I’m @AmberGoo:twitter
I tweeted about the giveaway, I’m @AmberGoo:twitter : http://twitter.com/#!/AmberGoo/status/153606160719687680
I would use it for groceries and other essentials
https://twitter.com/#!/ayeka3b/status/153610292725686273
I would use it for groceries
http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/153621365444980736
subscribe via email
Follow @modernmami on Twitter.
I will buy groceries
I sub to email
I already make extra cash selling on ebay. I use it to buy the regular household stuff we need.
jeanlynd at att dot net
I would use the extra money to put away for Christmas next year.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Follow you on twitter as JT2ofusanddeals
kport207 at gmail dot com
I would use the money to buy my daughter a birthday present!
I would buy props for my movie
I would pay off a bill
follow you on twitter @buzz8:twitter
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/buzz8/status/153683245089828864
Id save it up for a trip to Disneyland.Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I would use them to pay towards my credit cards.
I would use the extra money for things that always get delayed because of lack of funds such as trips to the dentist, oil changes, etc.
Following ModernMami on twitter as xraygirl2008.
I would pay off charge cards.
follow you on twitter @smilekisses
http://twitter.com/#!/smilekisses/status/153716546336866305
i would buy a new bed
i would use it for my medical bills
following your twitter meandbells
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/153852259745275905
for gifts for my grandchildren mverno@roadrunner.com
I would use the extra money towards gifts and holiday shopping.
ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com
Way back when I used to be a powerseller and always had money come in everyday. Now that I really need money, I’d like to sell once again on ebay…broke as a joke today.
trip to Vegas
Follow @modernmami on Twitter. bleush
I would use them to help pay off my student loans!
I subscribed via email 🙂
I followed on twitter
@luvdabeach33:twitter
I tweeted the giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/luvdabeach33/status/154046175790641152
I would put them into my Christmas fund for next Christmas.
I would use the money toward a car for my son. Thanks!
I would use the extra funds from selling on Ebay to buy my son new clothes, basically sell his old ones to buy new ones
Following on Twitter- cinderella10383
Tweeted- cinderella10383
https://twitter.com/#!/Cinderella10383/status/154300799290314752
RSS via Google Reader- Jamie Brigham *Google Name*
subscribed to You on FriendFeed- Jamie Brigham *FF Name*
I do sell on ebay currently and I use the funds to help me stay at home with my son! It is a great way to earn extra cash! Thank you for the giveaway!
tcsalvia at gmail dot com
I use the extra money I make to pay for necessities, such as food, and gas.
Following you on Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/grdayholiday/status/154310727883177984
I would use extra money to help pay the dentist for my husband’s dentures.
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I follow you on Twitter @eswright18
eswright18 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/154327414342811648
I subscribe via Google Reader
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I would use money made on ebay to pay down debt!
I would use extra funds toward my Less Crappy Car Fund.
I would use it to save for a trip to Disney
I would use the extra money to pay down some bills from Christmas!
fozzy331@gmail.com
Following @modernmami:disqus on twitter (fozzy33)
fozzy331@gmail.com
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/fozzy33/status/154479455157485568
fozzy331@gmail.com
I would use the extra money to pay off some Christmas bills!
fozzy331@gmail.com
I would buy a new sofa. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would use extra money to buy a new laptop
To buy diapers for our new baby due in the spring
caryn9802 at yahoo dot com
Id use them towards an iPad2
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/Hotsnotty2/status/154606816817459200
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
Email Subscriber, thanks!
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
I would use the extra funds to get out of debt.
I follow you on twitter
@dee7469:twitter
to get my kids new clothes
pay off bills as usual
Congratulations! You won the giveaway!
I would put it in a savings account to save for a down payment on a house.
BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com
modernmami twitter fan bbrittbrat1398
BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com
I would use the extra money to go towards the purchase of a tablet
mariox2099 at gmail dot com
I would use the extra money to help pay bills
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
Follow @modernmami on Twitter @s8r8l33:disqus
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/s8r8l33/status/154827630158430208
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
I would use the extra funds for gas.
I would put them in my fund I am saving towards a piece of exercise equipment.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
@chrisdeglen tweeted:
twitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/154928352468283392
We are saving for a trip, so I would use the extra funds for that!
It’d be nice if I could pay for groceries out of eBay “extra” funds, but the truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as extra funds.
I would use the money to take a field trip to St.Augustine with my 4 kids.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow on twitter as lstanziani.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would use extra funds to pay off student loans.
following ModernMami on Twitter as alpacacove
subscribed to RSS feed
I would use it to buy my husband some new work clothes.
soluckyducky at gmail dot com
We use extra funds from selling on Ebay to buy things that our family can enjoy together like movies, games etc.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I am following via Twitter as jlsc123.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I am subscribed via email as jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com.
I’d use the extra funds toward making student loan payments and putting a bit more into our rainy day/emergency funds. Thanks!
I follow @modernmami on Twitter: @guettel78:twitter
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/155041544758501377
I’m a current email subscriber: gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
I would use extra funds for some boot for winter
vmkids3 at msn dot com
dinner,movies
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
follow you on twitter
amyhd29
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I use extra funds from eBay to buy presents for others.
kid.ra1nb0w (at) gmail (d0t) com
pay off one card
jdmimi at gmail dot com
I would use it to try and save up for a new computer. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
save for groceries
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you on twitter (@whitechocolatec:disqus)
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
I tweeted http://twitter.com/whitechocolatec/statuses/155130515870064642
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
i follow you on twitter
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m a confirmed email sbscriber.
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
I’d buy groceries.
Google Reader subscriber
I would use the extra money to save for a vacation to Disney World!
I follow you on Twitter (@jenalber)
I subscribe via email.
This would probley go to the grocery shopping thanx
amasfuntime at yahoo.com
I Follow @modernmami on Twitter/amasfun46
amasfuntime at yahoo.com
I tweeted/amasfun46
https://twitter.com/#!/amasfun46/status/155167796517552128
amasfuntime at yahoo.com
Socks, pants, groceries, pet food
I would use the money to take a friend out and have some fun.
I would use them to help pay for my wedding in may!
lmerritt49903@gmail.com
I follow you on twitter!
@lmerritt49903:disqus
lmerritt49903@gmail.com
I would use the extra money to help with the grocery bills
I would use extra funds to help pay for groceries
brich22 at earthlink dot net
follow you twitter
brich2222
brich22 at earthlink dot net
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/brich2222/status/155320774675283968
brich22 at earthlink dot net
subscribe to you via email with ardy22 at earthlink dot net
brich22 at earthlink dot net
subscribe friend feed
r hicks
brich22 at earthlink dot net
I would use the extra funds to save up and go on a much needed vacation.
I follow you on twitter mommysdizzy
I subscribe via email. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
The funds would go into an account to go toward our new RV
I follow on Twitter as smdrm
I tweeted the giveaway
https://twitter.com/#!/smdrm/status/155364369662869504
i would use extra funds for groceries
https://twitter.com/#!/klp1965/status/155391016092975104
rss google feed subscriber
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
To pay the bills…I’m recently unemployed!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I would pay off debt
I would use the money to help pay for rent or medicine.
I follow on Twitter as @HoytTiffany:twitter
I would use it for diapers.
spcale at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/dresdenrain/status/155437648847183872
spcale at yahoo dot com
follow on twitter dresdenrain
email subscriber spcale at yahoo dot com
I would use the extra funds to save up for a vacation!
akuzmeskus@hotmail.com
I would use the extra money to buy gas/groceries
we are getting out of debt !
Follow @modernmami on Twitter kendra22007
I’d use the money to buy baby clothes
follow you on twitter–honeypie411
tweeted:https://twitter.com/#!/honeypie411/status/155465753083125760
email subscriber
i would buy something for my children
Receive post updates by email
I’d use extra money to pay down my mortgage
email subscriber
I’d earn the money just to pay regular bills.
I would use extra funds earned from selling on eBay for some new clothes
I’m subscribing to your RSS feed.
I could use the extra funds to pay off my credit card debt.
My daughter’s birthday is soon after Christmas. It would be nice to have extra money to buy her good presents!
I Follow @modernmami on Twitter – bsw529
I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/bsw529/status/155501694053126144
I subscribe with google reader
I’d either put the money towards bills or buy some beads with it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
i follow @modernmami on twitter – js22222222 .
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/js22222222/status/155502858979131392
I subscribe to your blog’s feed via google reader.
I’d put the extra money towards bills.
Kimberley Meier
momof3chaos at yahoo dot com
I would use the funds to pay down some debt.
follow u on twitter as daveshir2005
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/daveshir2005/status/155512191494270976
email subscriber
Follow you on Twitter- MRSMEIER5627
Kimberley Meier
momof3chaos at yahoo dot com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/MRSMEIER5627/status/155512786233987073
Kimberley Meier
momof3chaos at yahoo dot com
Subscribe to RSS via Google reader
Kimberley Meier
momof3chaos at yahoo dot com
I would use it for groceries.
I subscribed by email.