The Local Flea Market Flip That Paid My Rent

Flipping isn't glamorous and it isn't passive, but it taught me more about value than any finance book. I started with twenty dollars and a willingness to learn what sells.

The trick is patience and a narrow focus. I picked one category — mid-century glassware — learned it deeply, and stopped buying anything I couldn't price from memory.

Within a season the margins covered a month of rent. It won't replace a salary, but it proved that attention pays better than luck.