A SAVVY mum revealed how she makes £7,000 a month using old items in her wardrobe.
Amid Australia’s cost of living crisis, Karla Abounader decided to rent out her used outfits in a thrifty side hustle that now pays the bills.
The Sydney mum came up with the idea five-years-ago and now has 250 separate items to offer fashionistas.
She also joined forces with a pal to increase the wardrobe selection – which now includes popular labels like Alex Perry, Monot and Madga Butrym.
The duo market the outfits on a peer-to-peer clothing platform called The Volte, where they rent out the costumes for an affordable price.
Karla told Yahoo News it has taken a lot of graft to be in a comfortable position.
She said: “Some nights, I’ll work until 11pm.
“It isn’t ideal but when your bills go up, your income needs to do the same.
“I’m lucky enough that, by having my own business, it’s within my control to make that happen.”
Karla and her business partner are constantly investing in trending outfits and have estimated they spend up to £500 a week on new stock.
She said: “It sounds a lot and some dresses cost this much, but we see the return on investment.
“With both jobs, the money I currently make gives me just enough for all the necessary payments and just enough room to breathe.”
The Volte was launched in 2018 but continues to grow its profile – with more than 300 new lenders signing up to the platform in June.
Bernadette Olivier, a co-founder and CEO, claimed it was a lucrative business.
She said: “People get to utilise a dress that they would only wear a couple of times.
“They might rent it out 15 or 16 times.
“We have had dresses that have been rented out 72 times, with more than 500 users earning between £25,000 and £50,000 a year.”
However, Karla admitted the cost of living crisis had put her side hustle in a “catch 22” situation.
She said: “Some hire more due to increasing costs… so they save on purchasing the items.
“On another note, people aren’t spending money at the moment on clothes and [are] re-wearing their items to save money.”
It comes as another woman revealed how she turned her side hustle selling second-hand clothes into a £1.1million business.
Another entrepreneur claimed he turns over £14,000 selling retro gear.
