Last semester, I woke up one day and realized I was completely out of money. I guess going to the Ralph Lauren Outlet a weekend earlier had been therapeutic for my mind but not my wallet. What’s a girl to do?

Instead of freaking out and starting to dumpster dive, my anxiety mobilized me to act. I started by cleaning out my closet. I isolated the items that sat in there and gathered dust (which was nearly everything) and spent a day listing them on eBay. A week later, I had made three hundred bucks off of old clothes and handbags (and, tear tear, brand - new discount Ralph Lauren Oxford shirts). I took the stuff that didn’t sell on the net to a resale shop in my neighborhood and scored another $20.

The best part was that most of the things I sold I hadn’t bought in the first place (thanks mom!), so I accrued a maximum profit. I’m the farthest thing from a business major, but I know that’s pretty sweet.

So if you’re short on cash, ditch your material sentimentality and purge your closet. You’ll end up with more than just monetary rewards: ebaying my life ended up being more therapeutic than the discount shopping. After I had shipped away my things, I felt the weight of hundred pounds lifted from my shoulders. Out with the old and in with the money! Next stop: MBA.