Earning extra money

Unemployed? Collecting Unemployment? Need money for the Ramsey plan? Retired but looking anyway? Trying to change to a better pay job? Tired of bosses? Just wanting to make more money?

Start your own little side line income business. Here are some low cost suggestions. These work for male or female so don't be bashful.  Most of these require no license. If you use a commercial name you will need an assumed name certificate available from the county court house. Every time you think of a negative thought that slows you down. Think of a solution to that negative. For example: I do not have a place to store stuff, solution, dad's garage or a mini storage.

Flea market selling: Gather up items to sell and hit the flea market on weekend. I got into the real estate business this way. Shop the free stuff on Craig's list, find the area of town your city is collecting bulk trash in and go a day or two ahead of the pick up dates and scarf up the good free stuff. Once you make a little money go to auctions and buy what ever is cheap.

Clean out garages: Place ads on Craig's list saying you clean out garages. Charge $50 and haul away lots of free stuff.

Do installations: You can install all kinds of products, appliances, car ports, patio covers, screen rooms, fences, play grounds sets, etc. Visit the home stores, appliance dealers, furniture stores, consignment shops, home improvement contractors and the like. Watch the ads and think, They might need installers? Yellow pages are good sources. Contact them all and ask to be on the installer list.

Delivery service: Pizzas are not the only thing that needs delivery. Think furniture, appliances, consignment furniture stores need delivery and pick up, flowers, lawn mowers and any manner of equipment, both residential and commercial, the list goes on. There are hot shot services needed for all manner of products for the customer who just has to have it yesterday. Even companies with their own delivery trucks hire people for the busy times and when they are broken down. Print up some fliers and hit the road passing them out. Don't know what to charge, ask what they normally pay. After a few runs you will know what to charge. I know one man who started a hot shot delivery service, ten years later he owns seventeen tractor trailer rigs and has thirty seven employees.

Baby sitters: Everyday, everywhere, this service is needed.

Tutoring: Every school must offer tutoring under no child left behind. Find out what they require and do it. Private tutors are needed every where. For every subject. $15 to $25 an hours is not unreasonable. If the customer can not afford that, tutor two kids at a time for $10 an hour each. Think, be pro active.

Handy man service: Needed everywhere. Huge demand, hard to get the word out. Use free ads on Craigs list. Advertize by passing out fliers in the areas you want to work in. Go to meetings and pass out fliers, ask to speak about your service to the attendees. For example the red hat society, Lions clubs, Rotary club  meetings and then ask for suggestions of other groups you could talk to. It's called net working. Charge $15 to $20 per hour for on site time. Rates are higher in major metropolitan areas. Always estimate the charges beforehand and make it clear that it is an estimate. If the customer wants a flat rate add 30 minutes for set up and clean up. Be clear that going after materials is time consuming and that it takes longer then customers think, or they will complain about the bill. A signed agreement is always best.

Lawn mowing service: Still a good one that can grow. Never do a job under $40 the customer never allows for travel, gas, or repairs. Get a signed agreement. Be punctual as possible, or call that you are running late. Be clear that customer owes a cancellation fee if they miss their appointment. Be clear that extra work needs to be scheduled or they will expect free extra service or they will always have something that screws with your schedule. Get past the potential problems and other missunderstandings with that signed agreement, and you can make some good money while helping people out. Advertize to real estate offices and door to door with fliers. Don't forget the businesses need this service too.

Sewing; A good seamstress can charge $18 an hour working from home. Flat rate the easy stuff like hemming pants and estimate by the hour for other longer task. I know one 73 year old lady making $6,000 a year working part time from home out in the country.

House cleaning: I know one lady who charges $20 an hour and makes $1,500 a month on average. Working three days a week, sometimes four. She advertizes on Craig's list and by passing out fliers. Most of her leads come from referrals from happy clients. Nurses and doctors are good clients. Post a flier on the hospitals bulletin boards. Get the word out, business cards, magnetic car signs and the like.

Charge $120 for the first cleaning and $80 for every two weeks service. $250 for a make ready, that's like getting the house ready for inspection or sale, think GI clean.

Construction site clean up: Someone has to clean up after the trades. Some builders want this done daily, some at jobs end. Contact construction companies and home builders.

Parking lot clean up; Track down the owners of smaller properties and try and get their weekly clean up. Pick up the parking lot, clean the flower beds, sweep the side walks. Etc. Ask the tenets for the owners phone number or check at city hall, proeperty owners names are public records.

Shredding business: Have tractor will travel. All lots need mowing and in a city they must be mowed or code compliance will fine them. Addresses of property owners are at the county court house.

Parking lot marking; Drive around and you will see parking lots needing the parking spaces repainted. Equipment is inexpensive. It is just a matter of contacting enough landlords. Charge $5 a space and $20 for Handicap spaces until you get a handle on your labor and other cost.

Others might include; Fishing guide, motor repair, wide load escort service, hunting guide, snow shoveling, auto detailing, window washer, pressure washing, tour guide, holiday window scene painted, bus driver, welder etc. I could go on, but you get the idea. You will think of some other trades pertaining to your area of the world or your skill set.

Go make some money.