How to earn extra cash

I have resolved to make this the year that I start digging myself out of debt and becoming a "frugal expert", or atleast frugally responsible. The place I, and most people, start is by creating a budget and determining where they can cut costs. This is a wonderful way to minimize spending, however, on a limited income there are only so many corners you can cut before your lifestyle starts resembling that of the Amish.

I have put together a simple list of ways that you can earn some extra cash, rather than finding more ways to cut the already slivered dollar.

Here are some great tips increasing your income:

Have a Garage Sale - Go through your closet, attic, garage, or grandma's house in search of items you no longer use or need. Long neglected or forgotten objects may become someone else's found treasure. These may include neglected electronics, forgotten board games, or outgrown childrens' clothes.


Make crafts - People go bananas for all kinds of homemade craft items. Even if you don't consider yourself "creative", you would be surprised at how many projects are actually very easy to reproduce and can wind up turning a descent buck. Use a theme, such as an upcoming holiday, for your crafts and watch them fly off the racks.

Bring items to Resale or Consignment Shops - If you don't have the time or space for a garage sale, consider gathering up unused, quality items and taking them to your local resale shop. Many such stores offer a fair return on your sales. After all, it isn't bringing in any money just sitting under the bed!

Donate Plasma - There are many blood banks that offer payment for donating your plasma up to twice a week. This is a great way to earn some extra cash and leave with a good conscience, knowing you are also saving a life! Make sure you eat a healthy snack before donating.

Offer to run erands - Offer to run erands for a neighbor or someone who is immobile. They will likely appreciate your help and may refer you to others needing the same service.

Offer house cleaning - This is a great one, because many people hate cleaning their own house. I actually did this one and although I can not stand to do daily chores at my own place, somehow knowing that I wouldn't have to watch someone else's house become dirty again, gave me a unique satisfaction. Also, you would be surprised at the prices most people are willing to pay for a good cleaning!

Invest - One of the easiest ways to earn a little (or a LOT) of extra cash is to invest some of what you already have. It doesn't take very much to begin and you would be amazed at how fast money grows when it is compounded! This is how the rich are able to get and stay rich. Watch and participate in the stock market. Mutual funds are good choice. Be sure to diversify.

How to Hit the After Holiday Sales

In this post you will learn tips on how to optimize your saving potential as you tackle the after holiday sales.

Before you even leave the house on your shopping excursion, you should have a well laid out map of your determined destinations. Search fliers, circulars and the internet for sales and specials. Determine which stores are likely to have the items you are looking for.

Another necessity to have, BEFORE leaving the driveway, is a list of items you intend to purchase. This will help you to tame the desire to snatch up any useless piece of merchandise that might be on clearance just for the sake of getting a "deal". After all, if you don't need it, it isn't really a deal.

Things to consider when making your list are what household items you currently need, or may use in the future. Often after Christmas and other holidays, any product that is even wrapped in holiday packaging goes on clearance. This may include kleenex, papertowel, candy, etc. Remember, however, only get what you will use.

A way to make a bit of extra cash by hitting the after holiday sales is to stock up on clearanced holiday items that you can resell the following year on Ebay. Christmas lights and decorations, Halloween costumes, toys, and any other seasonal item that won't be too outdated is a good purchase, as long as you get a descent discount and are fairly sure you can resell the goods for more than you paid. Stocking up on upcoming birthday, shower, fathers and mothers day gifts, etc. is a good idea. Also, stock up on cheap wrapping paper that can be used the following year.

Some places to shop for good discounts after the holidays are drug stores such as Walgreens and furniture stores. They have limited stock room and usually deeply discount items between one to two weeks after the holiday. If you are a Walmart shopper, be prepared to venture out before daybreak on the day after a holiday, as many other hungry shoppers are headed there as well.

Tips and Warnings

• Only buy what you need or know you can use.
• Plan out what stores you will hit before you leave the house.
  
• Avoid impulse buys.
  
• Comparison shop, if you are purchasing a large ticket item, don't snatch it
  up at the first store, unless you are quite certain you won't find it cheaper
  somewhere else.