Monday, March 2, 2009
Category:
Personal Finance Tips
It’s 2009 and you are through with struggling. You deserve better than worrying about your bills and how you’re going to get through the month.
What else can you do to boost your finances besides getting a second job or winning the lottery? It seems that there are plenty of things you can do that won’t involve an 8-hour shift.
Use ebay to earn extra cash
Clear out all the items that remind you of 1999. Chuck out the ones that no longer fit, too. You can either sell on ebay direct or if the technical implications of this could be too much to bear, check out any local ebay sellers in your area. These ‘high street’ versions of ebay have been popping up all over the place recently. They will basically take your item and sell it on ebay on your behalf for a commission. This could be an opportunity to make easy money.
Sell home-grown or home-baked treats
You could do this even if you only have a piece of land no bigger than a playpen. Try making jam or chutney and selling it to your neighbours. And try to bake loaves of bread too. There are few people who would not appreciate freshly baked bread with their early morning coffee. And you know what, you could even eat the food you grow yourself; it’ll save you from buying at the supermarket. You’ll eat healthier and cheaper and feel good in the process.
Use your hobbies to boost your income
Yes, it is possible to make money by doing something you enjoy. But you need to be good at it. This might not make you rich, but there’s every possibility. Examples would be sewing or painting or entertaining at children’s parties. Or, if you enjoy a night out on the tiles with friends, why not think about PR-ing for your local or favourite nightclub? This often comes with the added benefits of free entry or, if you’re really lucky, free drinks.
Make your current job work harder
You may deserve a raise if you have more responsibility and now do more work than when you started. Try to think of all the ways that your job title has changed and present this to your boss. Make sure that they know you’re a responsible worker with ideas that can make the company money. Speak to your boss about getting a pay rise that would be noticeable after taxes and other deductions.
Rent out a spare room
If you have a room in your house or flat that isn’t being used, you could rent it out. Consider renting it to foreign students for one or two months. You could also rent it out on a daily basis and provide breakfast or a light dinner. This may be one of the easiest ways to make extra money but you should be careful whom you let into your house. Consider using a reputable agency to assess the prospect’s references.
Put advertising on your car
This is the ultimate in 'Do money for nothing'. Some companies give out cash to people who allow advertising on their vehicles; other companies give petrol vouchers. Most of these companies ask the willing drivers to drive a certain number of kilometres. So this could be worth it if you are already a frequent driver.
