How To Bring In More Money When Work Is Slow

In tough economic times, it can be difficult to maintain a steady income throughout the year and stay on top of the bills. Whether owning your own business or working on call, it can often be difficult to get all of the expenses paid throughout the month. To stay afloat, there are a few practical ways of bringing in more money to supplement your income.

Clean Houses

Offer cleaning services to friends, family members, and even neighbors for an practical way of earning side money without needing any training or experience. You can offer a flat rate to gain a clientele, then charge more when your services are more in demand. You can also offer to do their landscaping and provide pet walking services for a versatile menu that allows each customer to have more time in their day.

Sell Used Items

Make a weekend out of cleaning out the attic or going through your old jewelry for an easy way of finding valuables that you can sell. Sell the items on an online auction store, at a flea market, or to a local pawnbroker for an easy way of earning extra cash. According to Paul Albarian & Associates, LLC, a Burbank Pawnbroker, items like jewelry, electronics, and musical instruments should all be sold through a pawn shop instead of at a yard sale as a way to obtain a higher profit that honors the appraisal made on the item.

Provide Childcare Services

Childcare is essential to many households with the majority of both parents now working full-time jobs. After-school childcare is often a need in both suburban and city regions, especially during summer or spring break. Offer childcare services through local ads or by registering through websites that provide childcare for a position that does not require an education or too many years of experience.

This service can also be offered in your own home for an easy way of watching children in the neighborhood for a few hours until their parents return home. A license may be required and CPR or first aid certification should be completed.

Put Up a Room For Rent

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to generate extra income when work is slow is to offer a room for rent through the classifieds. This can easily bring in an average of $500 a month with a minimal amount of effort required on your part. Sites like Craigslist.com and Trulia.com are known for reaching hundreds of people locally while allowing you to handpick the person who will rent out the space.

Offer Freelance Services

If you’re specialized in a specific field that many people often need, it can mean earning hundreds of extra dollars each month in your area. If you have a background in photography and can edit digital photos, your services can rake in up to $1,000 for a single session. Try booking weddings, family photos, and even birthday parties for a great way to have fun and gain clientele.

If you’re skilled in baking, consider creating a website and selling decorative cupcakes or wedding cakes. You can advertise your services through business cards and flyers in your area.

Become a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is a fun way of earning extra money for assignments that include inspecting a local restaurant or rating the customer service at a grocery store. You may need to complete an online course for training purposes, but can often score free food and clothes on top of the income that you’ll receive.

Instead of trying to get by during tough times, get creative and put your skills to use by serving your local community and thinking outside of the box. It will not only work to get the bills paid, but may even become a full-time business in the long run.

Tags: Business

Category: Your Job