The Badge Archive

General Safety Reminder: Always meet in a public place and during daylight hours when working for someone new. Let your parent or guardian know where you’ll be, who you’re meeting, and what time you expect to return. Never share personal information beyond your first name and a contact method like a phone number or email. Avoid giving out your home address, school name, or other identifying details.

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Flipping thrift store finds is a fun and flexible way for teens to earn extra money. You don’t need a business license or expensive tools. You just need a bit of cash, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. You could make $5–$30 per item, if you know what to look for.

Flipping means buying secondhand items at low prices, improving them, and reselling for a profit. You can start with just $10–$20 and build your skills while earning real money.

1. Choose What to Flip — and What You Should Know First

Start with categories that teach you how resale works. But remember: success depends on knowing what sells and why.

• Clothing is great for beginners, but you need basic knowledge of brands and styles. Look up trending items on platforms like Depop or Poshmark. Branded hoodies, vintage denim, and graphic tees move quickly if they’re clean and popular.
• Shoes are profitable if you understand which brands and styles are collectible. Basic styles like Converse and Vans do well, but you’ll need to check for wear and authenticity. Cleaning them up properly makes a big difference.
• Accessories (purses, belts, backpacks) are low risk and sell easily if they’re in good condition. Fashion sense matters. Neutral colors and timeless designs are safer bets than bold patterns.
• Home Decor (frames, planters, mirrors) sell quickly at garage sales and local marketplaces. You don’t need special skills to flip these, but presentation helps: clean them and take clear photos. These are for local resale and will highly depend on your area. Some rural locations will not resell easily.

2. Budget Smart and Track Spending

• Start with $10–$20
• Pick 1–3 items under $5 each
• Save your receipt and record what you paid

3. Clean and Prepare Before Selling

• Wash clothing, lint-roll, and iron if needed
• Scrub shoes with soap and a toothbrush
• Wipe down surfaces and remove stickers or grime
• Photograph items in bright light, against a clean background

4. Sell Items Locally First

Skip paid apps until you’ve built confidence. Try:

• School or neighborhood bulletin boards
• Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or other online site (with adult help)
• Local flea markets or garage sales
• Friends, teachers, or neighbors

Writing a basic listing:

“Vintage Levi’s denim jacket, size M. Clean and ready to wear. $15. Pickup near Maple & Main.”

Safety Reminder for Teen Sellers
Never share your home address, school name, or any personal location details with buyers. Always arrange to meet in a public, neutral space, like a library, park, or store parking lot. Make sure your parent or guardian knows exactly where you’ll be and who you’re meeting.

5. Log Your Sales and Build Skills

Use a journal or spreadsheet to record:

• Item name
• What you paid
• What you earned
• Profit
• Notes (fast seller, popular style, questions buyers asked)

You’ll learn which categories are worth your time.

Starter Rate Guide for Beginners

Item Type	Cost to Buy	Sell Range	Profit Range
T-shirts & Hoodies	$3–$5	$10–$15	$5–$10
Home Decor	$2–$4	$8–$12	$4–$8
Basic Shoes	$5–$8	$12–$20	$5–$12
Bags & Purses	$4–$6	$10–$18	$6–$12

Optional: Keep a Flipping Journal

Note which brands sell fastest, which styles sit unsold, and what buyers asked for. Over time, you’ll build a business brain and flip smarter.

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Popular Resale Platforms

1. Facebook Marketplace
   • Great for local sales and pickup
   • No listing fees
   • Requires a Facebook account (minimum age 13), but selling is typically restricted to users 18+
   • Teens should use a parent’s account or get adult supervision
2. eBay
   • Ideal for reaching a wide audience and selling niche or collectible items
   • Auction and “Buy It Now” options
   • Requires users to be 18+ to sell
   • Teens can list through a parent’s account with permission
3. Poshmark
   • Best for clothing, shoes, and accessories
   • Easy to use and includes prepaid shipping
   • Users must be 18+
   • Teens can participate with adult supervision
4. Depop
   • Popular with fashion-forward teens
   • Social features and mobile-friendly
   • Minimum age is 13, but under 18s need parental permission and may need help with PayPal
5. Mercari
   • Good for shipping items without meetups
   • Easy listing and home pickup options
   • Requires users to be 18+
   • Teens can use with a parent’s help
6. OfferUp
   • Local sales with messaging and meetups
   • No listing fees
   • Minimum age is 13, but selling may require adult support

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Best Options for Teens Just Starting Out:

• Local bulletin boards (school, library, community center)
• Garage sales or flea markets with family
• Instagram or group chats (with parent awareness)
• Facebook Marketplace or eBay through a parent’s account

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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• Return to the Side Hustle page.

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