A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by.
"Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap.
"I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then he asked: "What's that you are sitting on?"
"Nothing," replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember."
"Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger.
"No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there."
"Have a look inside," insisted the stranger.
The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.
(From the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle)
Looking inwards, into ourselves, allows us to understand that the treasure is in us.
The story talks about our spiritual assets, but it can also be taken at face value.
Even though I had a good income, in middle class terms, I too didn’t have enough money to travel, at least that’s how I felt. Until one day I understood, similar to the beggar in the story, that I was sitting on a treasure and had to take the lid off it.
Have you ever thought about how much “junk” is sitting around your house?
Sell all of your unused stuff on Craigslist
I financed my first trips by selling on Craigslist. I sold so much junk that included many “ancient” things like a service set we got for our wedding, old electrical appliances, a lot of baby products that haven’t been used since Tom and Shira grew up: stroller, carriers, new unworn clothes with tickets intact, toys, milk pump… It was a long list.
All this “junk”, that might have reached the garbage, was worth upwards of $3,000.
I soon moved on to selling my friends’ “junk” for a share of the profits. 🙂
Here’s a tip for you: Offer buyers who come to your house other stuff that might interest them. For example, when someone came to buy a stroller I offered him toys, books or clothes. 😉
Host people at your home via Airbnb
Don't have an entire place to rent? That's ok. It's possible to offer a single bedroom for a few days each month or even offer an inflatable mattress in your living room. That's airbnb's appeal – all forms of accommodation are welcome.
Supposing you live in an area less popular with tourists, you might be surprised to find travelers who are looking for a place just like yours.
It's possible to make it into an family enterprise, giving the kids a part in it and even rewarding them with some of the profits. Aside from the profits and family bonding, it well help the children practice their social skills and develop a business sense. 🙂
Sign up here and receive a $50 bonus for your first hosting.
A tip to increase your profits: offer you guests services for an extra fee, such as meals, airport transfers or guided tours.
Like to cook? Invite people to eat with you!
Have you heard of the site EatWith.com?
It has a similar idea to airbnb, but in the culinary field – you post a delicious meal you’re preparing at home and people can come over to you instead of a restaurant.
You probably guessed my tip for better profits: Offer your guests a box of cookies or a take away meal for an extra fee. 😉
