| Making extra money means making extra time |
| Written by Henry Johnson | |
|
Let's face it, things were tight before this recession hit. House payments, car payments, student loans and other bills didn't just spring up over night. It costs a lot to keep up a decent lifestyle in this day and time, and with the prospect of higher taxes and fewer economic opportunities ahead, living the good life is going to take a little more. Your 9 to 5 job may provide benefits and a stable income, but chances are it's not as much as you'd like. Fortunately, you're only there for eight hours of the day, so there's plenty of time for you to find something else to do to rake in some extra cash and make extra money . The Internet has made it easier to find and do work, but there's also still some good real world job opportunities out there too. Here's a list of both online and offline money making opportunities: Get a paper route: The newspaper industry isn't dead yet, so there's still an opportunity for you to make some cash during its slow descent into the dustbin of history. For a few hours every morning, holders of newspaper routes can make a few extra hundred dollars per month. The work is easy and you get to enjoy a leisurely drive everyday. Not bad. Tutoring: If you have a college degree but can't find a job in your field you can still put your education to use by tutoring. Parents are heavily invested in their children's education these days and are willing to pay top dollar for someone who can help their children succeed. The great thing is that the Internet makes the job even easier, allowing you to tutor via e-mail and chat rooms from the comfort of your home. Freelance writing: Sites like Elance make it easier than ever for writers to find work drafting press releases, creating sales copy and writing test materials for teachers. Cooking and cleaning: No matter how busy or important somebody is, they still have to eat and have clean clothes. Pick up a few gigs doing laundry and housecleaning for some of your more well-heeled friends. It's tedious, but not particularly hard and you'd be surprised what people are willing to pay for a trustworthy person to come into their home and make it livable. Pet sitting: Folks are increasingly treating their pets like children, so why not capitalize upon this trend by becoming a pet sitter. For a few hours, and very little work, you can make up hundreds of dollars caring for a dog or two while their owners are on vacation. It's fun and easy. Secret shopper: Many companies will pay folks to cruise their stores, just to make sure everything is running smoothly and company policies are being followed. If you like to shop this is ideal, but try not to end up spending more than you make. Technical support: Are you computer or audio savvy. Good for you, because most people aren't. Most folks, frustrated by all the wires and cards involved will gladly pay someone else to handle setting up their computer or new home theatre or car audio system. Waiting tables or tending bar: If the only time you have available to pick up extra work is nights and weekends then this job is perfect for you. Some of the high points -- depending on where you work, tips can be quite profitable and you also get to socialize a lot. The downside -- drunks and grouchy customers. Don't let the recession fool you, there's still money to be made out there for those who are willing to work hard and make sacrifices, the biggest sacrifice being your personal leisure time. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
