“The Day I Sold My Old Shoes and Made My First $100 Online”

The Day I Sold My Old Shoes and Made My First $100 Online

I never thought a pair of old shoes would change my life.

They weren’t special. Just a pair of worn-out Adidas I bought years ago during a discount sale. Torn laces, faded color, and the unmistakable smell of old hustle.

But desperate times turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

It was 2022. I had just lost my part-time job. Rent was overdue. My mobile data had run out. And I had exactly $1.13 in my bank account.

Worse? I felt like a failure.


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The Craigslist Search

I remembered someone once told me, "Everything sells online—even broken things."

So, sitting outside a local café using their free Wi-Fi, I took a photo of the shoes and listed them on Craigslist for $15. I felt silly. Who would buy these?

Within an hour, I got a message:
"Are these still available? I collect vintage sneakers. I’ll give you $30 if you can meet today."

My heart raced.

We met near a train station. He checked the shoes, smiled, and handed me the cash.

That $30 felt like $3,000.


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The Spark

Walking home, holding that money, a crazy thought hit me:

"If I can sell this, what else can I sell?"

That night, I didn’t sleep.

I binge-watched YouTube videos on reselling. I learned about flipping items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and even apps like Poshmark and OfferUp. I realized people weren’t just selling shoes. They were selling broken electronics, thrift store finds, old toys, even empty perfume bottles.

I looked around my tiny room like a treasure hunter. Old headphones? Gone. A broken tablet? Listed. A stack of 90s comic books? Jackpot.

Within two weeks, I had made over $100.


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Breaking the Shame Barrier

At first, I was embarrassed. Selling my things online? Like a digital yard sale? But then I realized — this was honest hustle.

More importantly, I was learning:

How to write catchy product titles

How to take better photos

How to negotiate without sounding desperate

How to understand what people want


In fact, my English improved just from messaging buyers.


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The Turning Point

One buyer from Texas asked if I had more “vintage” items. That was the first time someone considered my junk to be vintage. It changed the way I saw everything.

I became obsessed.

I started going to garage sales, thrift stores, and clearance sections at big stores. I bought items for $1–$5 and flipped them for $15–$50.

My biggest flip? A $3 backpack I found at Goodwill. Sold on eBay for $89.99.


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Going Digital

As my confidence grew, I explored digital platforms:

Fiverr: I offered small services — like writing product descriptions.

Canva + Etsy: I started creating simple printable wall art.

Affiliate marketing: I began adding Amazon links to “product reviews” on Reddit.


I wasn’t making thousands. But every day, I made something — and that felt better than being broke and waiting for a miracle.


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The Lesson

It’s not about the shoes.

It’s about the mindset shift.

When you realize that you can create money with your phone and internet, it unlocks a powerful sense of freedom. No boss. No schedule. Just hustle and strategy.

Today, I still sell online. But now, I also mentor others, especially in struggling countries, showing them how a simple start — like selling old stuff — can lead to real income.


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If You’re Broke Right Now…

Don’t wait for the “perfect idea.” Start with what you have.

Got books? Sell them.

Got skills? Offer them.

Got experience? Write about it.


Don’t underestimate the power of small starts. Sometimes, $30 from old shoes is worth more than a failed $3000 business idea.

Because it’s real.

And real is where success starts.


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Thank you for reading.
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