The cash generator
Unless you savvily saved for uni whilst at college or are supported entirely by your parents, you're going to need some extra cash whilst at uni. But how to make it?
There's always student favourites like bartending or doing shifts at the local Topshop, but there are loads of original and enjoyable ways out there to make money. Legally.
Books, CDs and Films
One of the most obvious way to earn a bit of extra cash is selling stuff you no longer need - needless to say it won't support you entirely, but it should fund a few nights out.
Though eBay is the first place that springs to mind, Amazon Marketplace is superior for the following reasons:
Listing is much easier on Amazon - simply type in the ISBN and a short quality description and Amazon will provide the book reviews, synopses and user reviews.
Amazon listings last for 60 days, eBay's last for up to 10.
You only pay once per item to sell on Amazon, no matter how many times you list it.
For even less hassle, try Green Metropolis. This website allows you to sell all your books, in any condition, for a flat rate of £3.
They are bought by customers for £3.75, including a 5p donation to Woodland Trust.
Unlike Amazon there's no listing charge, so you really have nothing to lose and is ideal if you're selling recent or popular titles.
Anything slightly more erudite would be better off on Amazon, where the much higher visitor rate will increase the likelihood of sales.
If you're short of time and have a lot of CDs to shift (especially if your music collection is now digital) then try Music Magpie.
Once you tell them the ISBN it'll give you a price and send out pre-paid envelopes for you to post your CDs
Once they've been tested to ensure good condition you'll get your cheque in the post, usually within a week.
However if you've got a bit more patience then go for eBay when selling CDs and create an individual listing for each - you'll earn more that way.
Other secondhand stuff
Everything else should go to eBay - this includes marginally-worn clothes, household stuff you bought in a pique of domesticity at the pre-uni Ikea trip and unwanted gifts (it's not rude, you need the cash).
The exception to the rule are mobile phones.
Provided that it has a working battery, still switches on and has only mild cosmetic damage you could sell your phone on to companies like Envirophone.
For more information, check out this article.
Art, photos and handmade crafts
This is ideal for any fashion or art students, but anyone who enjoys being creative (and is good at it) can make a bit of money selling things they've made.
The best place to sell what you've made is Etsy.com, a website dedicated to the buying and selling of handmade crafts.
Depending on your skill level, you can sell pretty much anything that you've made - from candles and soap to accessories, paintings and cushions.
Though budding photographers can sell their prints on Etsy.com, other websites will buy your digital photos from you to use as stock photos.
These may be bought by companies to use in their websites or magazines.
For more information check out this forum of photographers who already make money this way. 12»
