When I write my bulletin or articles I never overtly try to sell. My writings only ever cover my direct experiences and are put forward in the hope that they are of interest and hopefully help to those who choose to read them.

Anyone who has read any of my stuff may have gleaned that I am a facts and figures man who likes finding new and innovative ideas and techniques.

Well I have got something that is new to me but possibly old hat to many of you. If so forgive me my enthusiasm.

eBay! I registered my account in 2002 and started selling in August 2006. I was interested - as usual, but couldn't be bothered.

What changed? Well, we are thinking to 'downsize' and my accumulated text books and paraphernalia are every where. In the office, in the attic and in bedrooms. Not just me my wife as well. All in bookshelves neat and tidy but there is a lot of them.

We also have the accumulated collections of 'interesting' items. Things from childhood, early teens and later stored and kept but never used or referred to.

I have discovered things that I didn't know I'd got! I've turned up things that I havn't looked at for 30 years, like newspapers and magazines of the first moon landing for example. Now sold on eBay.

We are not short of cash but as you will now recognise we do need to take ourselves in hand, and it's fun.

I have become an international trader in the space of 6 weeks. Items have gone to the USA, France, Sweden and of course into the UK.

I get a buzz when some item of memorabilia gets bids in the last few hours. Like my copy of The Official Programme for the 101st Open Golf Championship from 1971. $37 for an item which would have been recycled as we downsize.

It is estimated in the UK that the average household contains £3,000 of items that will sell on eBay. What's more there are little known ways of making money as part of the eBay community.

It's a great new world to me. If you have not yet tried it I urge you to dip your toe in the water. Start selling unwanted items and have some fun. Read more about making more money with eBay.

If you don't look and listen you won't learn. If you don't try you will fail.

Best wishes,

Michael Harrison.

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