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A lot of people frequent consignment shops to save money. You can often find quality items at a fraction of their original price, and they’re usually in much better condition than those from thrift stores.
But in these difficult ecomonic times don’t forget that you can also take advantage of these shops for moving out your own unwanted items. If you’ve lost weight and have some nice clothes that just don’t fit anymore, take them to the consignment store. Baby items are also great to move this way. A few extra dollars earned are always nice.
I remember I was once looking for a job in my twenties and I let a lot of people know I was looking. Presto! Within two weeks I was working at a job I really liked.
In the book, What Color is Your Parachute?, the author talks about putting out the word that you are job hunting - even announcing it on your answering machine. A modern version of this would be using social networks such as Facebook or Myspace.
Even when I worked in a stable job, I would talk to people in the same office building and let them know I did typing and mailings in the evenings. Office tenants were generally receptive and I would pick up some extra work.
At one point, I did a snail mailing to prospective customers - totally cold calling really - and I had about a 10% response. Remarkable for a mailing.
Put the word out - you never know who might have some interesting work for you (or even something that will pay some bills).
Jump in the time machine and turn back 25 years. I was talking to a friend and she remarks how much money someone has. She says she wishes she had his life as she leans back and clicks the remote for her television.
I made a point to look at this “moneyed” person’s life over the next while. Turns out he got up at 6:00 a.m. and worked mostly 14-hour days. He drove an older truck and lived in decent but not-so-swanky neighbourhood. Today, he still has a successful business.
Hmm. He was the poster child for hard work. Would this woman be so envious if she had to give up her TV-watching ways and put in long workdays?
I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
~ Thomas Jefferson
I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near. ~ Margaret Thatcher
Love conquers all, but if love doesn’t do it, try hard work. ~ Unknown
Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just not cut out for positions at the top. ~ J.C. Penney
Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win. ~ Nadia Comaneci
Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~ Thomas Alva Edison
Forgotten fortunes may be closer than you think. Canadians have approximately $320 million waiting for them in unclaimed bank accounts. Likely in America, the number is ten times that amount (well, there’s ten times the population and they’re probably as forgetful). These unclaimed balances occur when an account holder leaves money in an account for more than 10 years with no activity. At that point the financial institution turns the balance over to the Bank of Canada.
In Canada, here is the Bank of Canada’s unclaimed bank accounts link.
I have done searches and found money for a few people. You just follow their instructions and they send you the money you have left in a bank account.
In the U.S., you can link to Find Money’s site and also this one.
Good luck!
If you haven’t visited the Etsy site yet, go there now. I’ll wait.
It’s a place to buy and sell all things handmade. On the site you can find supplies, photographs, jewelry, homemade candles, needlepoint, pottery, handbags and much, much more. One gal, treehouse28, is a stay-at-home mom who sold over 1500 of her clothing creations in the first year.
Selling your wares online might not let you quit your day job, but many people are finding that it’s a viable way of paying their bills. Read about some success stories here.
I was talking to a friend who happens to be a music teacher. She told me that a fellow teacher/violist got a Saturday job playing at a funeral home. She said it was right in the front foyer and thus didn’t even have to be near the caskets (!). He makes $200 in two hours. Nice gig.
Another friend makes a little extra money painting small 5″x8″ landscapes. He sells them at his church bazaars four times a year. It doesn’t take him long so he doesn’t have to charge as much as large paintings.
I had an acquaintance that knit lovely mohair ponchos for a local store. She would knit while she watched television and make one or two a week.
About five years ago, I had a neighbour who worked long hours into the evening. I would pick up her dog, take him for a walk and dogsit him at home while I worked. She paid very well and this covered my groceries. Additionally, she had a massive DVD collection so we were covered in that department as well.
Some of these activities come from hobbies that you might have. Many years ago, I was in a restaurant and asked for a slice of pecan pie. The owner overheard and asked if I knew anyone who could supply him with pecan pie because he couldn’t find a decent version for the restaurant.
Perhaps you practice yoga well enough to teach a few classes or you could do some courses to get teaching accreditation. My sister-in-law’s love of flowers translated into working as a florist.
In March, I’m going to be taking aquafitness instructor classes so we can have them here at Campark Resorts this summer.
What is aquafitness? It is a fitness routine in a swimming pool.
In Canada, we have the Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance Inc. In the US, there is the United States Water Fitness Association.
This is great exercise for people of all ages, as long as you don’t mind getting wet.
Aquafitness instructors are paid $25 to $40 an hour. I was talking to the gal at the Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance and she said that one of their instructors was just exercising at a pool and people asked to join in and she now holds classes and makes money. Their website also has loads of job listings. Additionally, you could offer your services at the local Y or fitness club (obviously one with a pool).
Yesterday I was called because I have our home (see house picture at end of post) listed with the Ontario Media Development Corporation as possible film location. We once had filming at this house for a ghost story and the lady suggested that we list it for movie or commercial shoots. The fellow asked me what our rate was. I said we’d never done this before so he told me the going rate was $2000 to $3500 A DAY. You do have to get out of the house for the time they are filming. He said that if they moved a lot of furniture out, they would pay for storage. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Here is a book on the subject.
If you are interested in this sort of thing, you can also do a Google search for film location service and you will come up with a lot of companies who list properties. Here are a few:
In Canada:
http://www.omdc.on.ca/Page3393.aspx
In the US:
http://www.locationscout.com
In California:
http://www.planitlocations.com
In the UK:
http://www.locationworks.com
At least twice this year, I have worked at trade shows to make extra money. If you can speak English, show up on time and string a few words together, you are pretty much qualified to work at a trade show. I exaggerate but it’s not too far from reality.
If you would like to make some extra money, make up a card or put your name/number on a piece of paper and take it to a Home/Renovation/Flower/Craft/OrWhatever Show while they are setting up (usually two days or the day before). You can also look online at who is exhibiting and contact them directly before the show and tell them you’d like to work. You might not work that show but they’ll keep you in mind for future ones.
You may end up handing out product samples or coupons for products or do grunt work for a vendor. You’ll probably even score some free product and have some fun while making some money.
Some of you are looking at supplementing your income but already work a full-time job. What to do?
Homestay.
Do a Google search on it.
Generally, here in Canada, it is where a hosting family takes English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students into their home environment instead of university housing. It can be for travelers as well. It is a way for these students to improve their English skills with a family.
I know one gal who had five students at $750/month (You do the math – that’s $3000/month). Yes, she had to provide English conversation, provide meals and let them do their laundry in the house.
Craigslist has listings from host families as well as students looking for a place to stay. Many universities and colleges have applications. There are agencies and homestay books that can help you.
