Number One: Collect Change
It may seem silly
but don't discount the value of loose change. Those coins located all
over your home really do add up. The nice thing about this way to make
some extra money is it is very simple; it just requires some searching
and collecting. Check everywhere, the floor, your car, the couch, under
the cat, everyplace you can thing of. You can roll the coins and take
them to a bank or if you don't have the time, take the coins to a local
supermarket's coin star machine and for a small fee, have the coins
sorted for you.
Number Two: Recycle
Here is another classic
idea that really helps during tight economic times. Recycling is a
simple and easy way to bring in an extra few bucks during the month.
This is especially true if you live in a state that charges a recycling
tax on recyclable materials. Not just paper, cans, or bottles, but also
scrap metal. You may have an old bicycle or camper that you don't use
anymore. This can be sold to some recycler centers for its scrap metal
value. Depending on the weight and going price of the metal, it could
be worth a few hundred dollar or more.
Number Three: eBay
While
eBay has some limitations, it is still a good way to sell off junk you
no longer want or need. Look around, do you really need 3 blenders?
That old suit you never wear? Sell it on eBay to a large international
audience. You can be clear on your terms and shipping costs associated
with what you are selling should it should be a breeze. If you need
help, there are countless self help books online, at the store, and at
your local library (you don't have to buy one, use the library and save
some money).
Number Four: Craigslist
If you are one of
those people who no longer like eBay or you just don't have any money
to spare, use Craigslist instead. Craigslist is not an auction site
like eBay, but is more like an online classified (the kind in the paper
but larger and online). Criagslist is usually limited to a local
audience so be careful where you post your listing at. It also has less
features then eBay so be clear as to what you are saying, the price,
and any terms. It is a great way to get rid of junk around the house
for no cost at all. Don't be afraid to post both on eBay and
Craigslist! It is good to cover all bases in such tight economic times.
Number Five: Freelance Work Online
This
is becoming a very popular way to make extra cash. The cost is zero and
you never have to leave your home. Freelancing online means you find
different tasks online that you are paid for. A nice thing about these
freelance sites is they usually do not require any tax information so
your privacy is protected.
One good freelance program is Amazon
Mechanical Turk, where companies post tasks that machines cannot easily
do, but that are relatively simple for humans. You choose an
assignment, and, on completion, are credited with payment to your
Amazon account. You can use this money on Amazon or they can pay after
you earned over a set amount.
Another nice freelance program allows you to get paid for Market Research.
Even in the poor economy, marketing is still a large business and
marketers need demographic and other information to market products
successfully. These research programs are like focus groups that you
may have seen at the mall or at a hotel but instead they are done at
home. Most of the research tasks take less then an hour with a very
nice payout.
If you are the creative type, Online Book Writing
may be your cup of tea. Many online publishers allow you to self
publish, meaning you don't pay any fees upfront and set the price for
your books or other publications. If you can sit down and write a
single page a day, you could public a few books a year. That is extra
money in your pocket with a very small effort.
Number Six: Rent Out a Room
One
of the biggest expenses in anyone's budget is the cost of a home or
apartment. Cut the cost out by renting out an extra room. Make sure you
draw up a lease agreement and set rules down in stone. Don't rush into
accepting the first person who wants to move in either. Screen
applications carefully. This will prevent any nastiness in the future
while you collect upwards of one third the cost of your living expenses!
Number Seven: Seek Help and Cut Costs
Unlike
the only six, this one targets expenses and not income. However like
the other six, this money making tip can put real cash back into your
pocket. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Many food
banks will give you food if you request. Even basic things like bread
and pasta can save you money. Grocery stores will usually have discount
of fee food at the end of the day or late at night. It sounds silly but
use coupons and pay attention to sales! Most people who use coupons and
by productions only on sale can save upwards of sixty percent off their
food bill. This can equate to thousands of dollars of savings over the
year!
You can take it one step further and grow food. Food
gardens were very popular during the great depression and they are
becoming popular again. Fifty dollars in seeds and plant care can equal
hundreds of dollars worth of fresh, tasty produce. Don't be afraid to
get your hands dirty and grow some crops.
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