Great Ways to Earn Extra Cash

Since I am a stay at home, I am always looking for ways to earn a little cash. There are several way I have found productive to earn a few bucks here and there. I think the biggest mistake people make when looking for ways to make money, is that they look for that get rich quick scheme. The truth of the matter, "it is all in the pennies." A little bit of money here and here can soon add up to some nice extra cash.

Recycle Cans

Recycling your aluminum cans can add up. Save not only your cans, but ask friends or family members to save theirs for you too. My mother and two sisters do exactly that. Once a week I pick up their aluminum cans and add them to my stock pile. Once I have a good amount, I take them to the local recycle center. Watch for coupons too. The value packs I get in the mail, have a coupon for extra money per pound when I recycle my cans.

Garage Sales

Twice a year I have a yard sale. I have the first one as soon as the weather is warm enough, and the last one at the end of the season, just before fall. Gather up all those clothes, toys and gear your children have outgrown and sell them. Go through your drawers, closets, basements and garage and find everything you do not need anymore, and get rid of it. A garage sale is a great way to earn some extra cash and clean out your house at the same time. If you want to motivate children to clean their room, just tell them they can keep the money they earn when they sell their unwanted stuff. I make a couple hundred dollars each time I have a sell. I find again, " it is all in the pennies." I hear so many people complaining they never make money at a sale. The major reason is they are marking their items too high. Look at it this way, what are you going to do with what is left over. You probably are going to give it away or donate it, so why not mark it cheaper and earn some cash, instead of just giving it away for free. It all adds up.

Ebay

Ebay is a great way to earn extra cash. You can sell almost anything at the famous auction web site. I have sold my collectibles that I no longer want on ebay, and even the clothes that my kids have out grown.

If you have a special talent, put it to work for you on ebay. Are you great at sketching portraits? Why not sell your artwork? You can sketch portraits for clients from personal photographs. Are you good at reading tarot cards? Why not list some readings on-line? Do you love scrap booking? Are you great at setting up scrapbook pages? They sell them on ebay too. Not only can you get rid of unwanted items, but you can sell your special talents.

Another great idea for ebay, is to list items for friends and family. You can charge them a fee or percentage rate for selling their items.

Okay so you say you do not have time, or the knowledge to list your own items. You can still sell your items on ebay. There are privately owned stores that will sell your items for you. In most cases they will charge you a percentage rate and any fees they incur for listing your items. If you have some friends that list on ebay, ask them to sell your stuff . You can offer them a flat fee, or a percentage rate.

Writing

Do you love to blog? When you buy a new product, do you post a review on-line? Are you knowledgeable in a certain area? Why not put your writing to work for you? Sign up at places like associated content and earn some extra cash. You can review products, write articles about your hobbies, or advise people about the latest local news. Just write what you know, and soon you will have a list of articles making money for you. Recruit all your friends and family members to read your articles, and pass them along to their friends. It all adds up. Before you know it you will have extra money for a special night out.

Hard Work Sweat A Little

" A little hard work never hurt anyone." I have heard my father use that quote many times. It is true that working hard is good for you. Nothing is easy, and I find when you work hard for something, in the end it makes you feel proud. So to earn some extra money, push up your sleeves and seek out some hard work. You could mow lawns, shovel snow, or rake some leaves. Many people would be happy to have you do some chores they are unable to attend to. My two children actually dressed up with pen and notebook in hand, and knocked on just about every door in our neighborhood. They had a great sales pitch for mowing lawns, and actually landed half the neighborhood. All summer they earned extra cash by sweating a little and pushing a mower.

Dog Walking and Sitting

Many dog owners work full time, and do not have an opportunity to exercise and walk their pets during the day. Walking their dogs can be a great source of income. I have a friend who is a dog walker. She walks clients dogs several times a week. She also has several dogs she takes to the local dog park for routine exercise. To add to her income she also provides care for their pets while they are on vacation too. She loves animals and walking and sitting for dogs provides her with cash and a job she enjoys. Believe it or not she makes quite a bit of money. Especially during summer months when people go on vacation. I have known her to earn a couple thousand dollars in a month.

Cleaning

It is funny how cleaning someone else's house is easier than cleaning our own. Cleaning houses or offices is another great way to make some extra cash. Put the word out to family and friends. Make up some business cards to pass out. Let everyone know you are available to clean houses or offices. I actually cleaned for a lady while she was recovering from back surgery. A couple times a week I would clean her house and catch up on her laundry. I made a pretty good buck just doing what I do everyday at my own home. I have a friend who cleans real estate offices at night. She is paid very well just for cleaning the offices a couple times a month.

Baby Sitting

Baby sitting is great for earning an extra income. If you do not want to full time baby sit, then just watch kids once in awhile for clients or friends. I have several friends who I sit for when they are in a pinch. I also watch their children when they are trying to save money on daycare, or after school care once in awhile. It gives them a break from the high fees traditional centers charge, and their children benefits from a change of scenery.

Scraping

If you have a truck you can always hit neighborhoods on garbage day. Pick up items you can take to the local recycle center and trade for cash. I love our neighborhood scrappers. They keep unwanted items from ending up in landfills. I think scrappers actually provide a great service for mother earth. They help to keep her clean. You can make money and help save the environment at the same time.

Recycle Printer Cartridges

Approach local libraries, government offices, private offices and ask to put up a recycle box for printer cartridges. There are many offices that throw their laser and ink jet cartridges in the garbage. It is really throwing money away. Collect the cartridges on a regular basis and sell them to recycling companies. You can find several places on-line that buy laser and ink jet cartridges. My husband and I did this for a long time and earned a generous amount of money brokering cartridges to bigger companies.

Computers

If you know your way around computers, put your knowledge to work for you. Earn money by helping people fix their computers. I have a college friend who does just that. During his summer break he earns extra cash by offering computer repair services.

Crafting

If you have a special talent for making crafts, you can earn some extra cash. There are many craft fairs during the holiday months. Rent a booth and offer your crafts for sale. Handmade gloves, scarfs, blankets, Christmas ornaments, wooden hand painted yard decorations, candles and bath salts are just some ideas for homemade craft products. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and sale your crafty items.

Stork Sign Rentals

How about making "It's a Girl" or "It's a Boy" yard signs. It is pretty easy to find a pattern for Storks. All you need to to is make a your own wooden signs and rent them to new parents to display in their yard. I actually did this myself for several years and made good money. I would put the large stork sign in the couples yard just before they brought baby home. The mom's were thrilled when they arrived and seen the proud stork sitting in their yard announcing their new born baby. I had business cards made up, and several doctors offices allowed me to leave my cards in their waiting rooms. Many hospitals put together packages for new mothers too. They are always looking for items to place in their kits. They may allow you to place a brochure or business card in their new parents packages.

Baby sitting, recycling, yard work, crafting, writing, fixing computers, having a garage sale, cleaning, dog walking, sign rentals and selling your items on ebay are all great ways to earn extra cash. The best thing to remember " it is all in the pennies." Money adds up. Earn a little here, earn a little there, and before you know it you will have made some great extra cash.