Top 5 Easy-to-Get Jobs to Help You Get by in a Bad Economy

Many people are struggling in this economy either because they have lost their job, their spouse lost their job, or they are behind on bills and risk foreclosure. During my 30-year career, I was laid off from jobs four times. I also lost a business and a home when I owned a store and our gas distributor filed for bankruptcy. That was just three years ago when the foreclosure problem was just beginning and there was no government stimulus plan to bail me out. Now, my husband has lost his job as of March 31, 2009. Millions of other Americans have the same story.

But, I do what I have to do during these hardships - I work ANY job I can get to pay the bills. During one of my four job layoffs, I was a Bingo Caller at three local Bingo Halls! Here are some easy-to-get jobs during a bad economy regardless if you have an MBA or no college at all. These jobs do not discriminate against you for your credit report, age, or gender. I have done all these jobs at some point of my own personal finance crisis, and I hope this helps you save what is left of your life. There is always hope and there is always a brighter future.

Substitute Jobs and Teacher Aides at Your Local School District

Substitute Teacher, Substitute Bus Driver, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, Teacher Aide

$70-$100 per day

Substituting for your local school district is a fairly easy job to get even if you do not have a college degree. You do have to be fingerprinted, so if you have no criminal record, basically they will take you and give you assignments. There are several positions that you can substitute for including emergency substitute teacher that does not have the minimum 90-quarter hours or 60 semester hours of college required. I make $90 per day as a substitute teacher with a teaching certification. An emergency substitute teacher with no college can make $74 per day. One of my assignments was as a Nursery Manager at a high school for single moms. Many of the schools I substitute at have Mothers that are Teacher Aides at the school where their children attend. Some are full time and some are part time. You do not get benefits as a Substitute, but you do pay taxes and social security.

Customer Service Rep at a Call Center from $7 to $17 per hour

I have to admit that this job is like working in a sweatshop where they treat you on a level of respect somewhere between a convict and an idiot. However, if you are good at talking on the phone, you can make some decent money in customer service call centers. I was hired on the spot at a national call center and started paid training the next day. The training paid $10 per hour, and after you get on the phones, you can make up to $17 per hour depending on your production rate. You typically get all the benefits of a large employer including medical, 401K, vacation, and holidays. Now, there are some companies that will let you do customer service from home. You might have to invest around $300 of your own money to get set up with your own equipment and corporation, but it might be worth it if you have children and need to have a flexible work schedule.

Retail Cashier from $7 to $12 per hour

Even in a bad economy, people have to shop at grocery stores and everyone still goes to convenience stores. We paid our cashiers at our convenience store between $7 and $10 per hour depending on their experience and flexibility for working nights, weekends, and holidays. If you can count money, are honest, and can operate a cash register, you can easily get hired in retail cashier jobs. There were two major grocery stores that opened new stores in our area and each hired 140 people! Retail cashiering will get you by when you need some extra cash.

Restaurant Host from $7 to $10 per hour

My sister is on social security and needed to supplement her income when her rent and utilities went up during this bad economy. Even at 65, she walked into a neighborhood restaurant and got hired as a hostess. She has a bubbly personality and the local customers love her. Her employer works with her to not get more hours that she is allowed to not lose any of her social security benefits. Her employer loves her because she will fill in for any employee who calls in sick at the last minute. It is a good income supplement that is helping my sister get by in this bad economy.

Medical Industry from $7 to $15 per hour

There are several jobs that you can easily get in the medical field even if you have no college. People always need medical care and in a bad economy, you can get jobs as a Patient Service Rep for around $10.50 per hour, a Data Entry Specialist at around $10 per hour, and a Registrar for around $11.50 per hour. These jobs usually require that you have a high school diploma or GED, some experience with MS Word and MS Excel, and that you can type at least 30 WPM.