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Great Ways To Create Extra Income
Times are tough; we’ve all had to do a little budget-trimming these days. Many folks have lost their job, taken pay cuts, or simply struggle to keep up with the bills during these stressful times. To help ease the pain, here are a few ideas to help you create extra income.
This is the fastest and easiest way to put more cash in your pocket each pay period. Why give the government an interest free loan all year if you can use it? Why wait until next spring to get the money you really need now? To see how much you could gain by adjusting your withholding, try our free paycheck calculators at www.paycheckcity.com.
Go through your attic, basement or closets. If you haven’t used something in a few years and have no emotional attachment to it, consider selling it. You could have a yard sale (ask neighbors to join you and advertise it for free on Craigslist). If that doesn’t work for you, there’s always eBay or Craigslist. Be sure to take good pictures, and describe the item accurately. If you’re not sure how to price something, go to either of these sites and look for similar items to see what they’re going for. This is a great way to unclutter your life and get paid to do it.
If you’re an experienced shopper with an eye for detail, you can get paid to browse a store and provide feedback on customer service, merchandise quality, and other quality-control issues. Check out the Mystery Shopping Providers Association’s Web site (www.mysteryshop.org) to see a database of jobs with legitimate companies, and be sure to watch out for scams, which require you to pay a fee or wire a cashier’s check.
If you have your own computer, a designated telephone line and high-speed Internet connection you might consider a job with a virtual call center. They can pay up to $14 an hour! Contact Arise Virtual Solutions (www.willowcsn.com), West Corp. (www.west.com) or Alpine Access (www.alpineaccess.com). As an independent contractor (or, in some cases, an actual employee with benefits) for one of these virtual call centers, you could provide customer support for a variety of large companies and, in some cases, they will pay for your training to become a certified agent.
You could earn extra cash helping kids with school, and earn $20 an hour or more. If you have a college degree or are well versed in subjects like math, science, or languages, this would be a great way to increase your income. Check with local schools and universities to see if you can advertise your services on their bulletin boards, or post an advertisement on a free website or in a local paper.
What a great way to get a little exercise and enjoy walking a furry friend, for $15 an hour or more! Most people feel a bit guilty leaving their pets home alone all day, and they will pay good money for you to take their pooch on a daily stroll while they’re at the office. Pet sitting is another option, and pays equally as well. Call some local veterinary offices and ask to advertise your services, or try Craigslist.
If you enjoy the company of children, this might be a fun way to put money in your pocket. In big cities such as New York and Washington, you could earn up to $20 an hour! Advertise your services on Craigslist, the bulletin board at your local house of worship, or by word of mouth. You might want to get a background check since many parents will want to see something like that before hiring you.
Do you love to cook? Do you enjoy taking pictures? Are you a wiz at web design or a great writer? These skills, and others, are often in demand and can be turned into extra income. See what your services might fetch by checking out ads on-line or in your local paper or community Web site. Then do some free advertising and see what happens. Be sure to protect yourself with a good contract, and don’t forget you might need insurance for some jobs.
Get a pretty penny for jewelry you no longer wear or bling that reminds you of a best-forgotten suitor. Gold-buying shops are popping up at malls across America, just be sure the company is legitimate before you give them your items. And remember, when you sell gold for scrap, you're paid based only on the weight of the gold. Jewelry that's still wearable and in good shape may get a higher price if sold as is, rather than scrap, and dealers won't pay for gemstones.
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