Everybody loves a good yard sale. / Image: kirinqueen/Flickr/CC BY-SA

Spring is here, and summer’s right around the corner. It’s time to declutter and spend some time in the fresh air. What better way to do that than by having a yard sale and making a few dollars in the process? With a little planning, the experience can be more profitable and more enjoyable.

Check the weather

Nothing spoils a yard sale faster than a rain shower! Keep your eye on the 10-day forecast before you schedule or do any advertising.

Advertising

The more people who know about your sale, the more traffic you will get. Craigslist is a great place to post an ad. It is free and will likely be seen by more people than a newspaper ad. While you are at it, post your ad on websites like yardsalesearch.com. And don’t underestimate the value of neighborhood signs. Colorful signs on cardboard or posterboard get attention and add homemade flavor that appeals to local buyers. Remember, people in cars have only a few seconds to get the message, so keep it simple and don’t forget the arrows pointing toward your sale!

Group similar items

Displaying similar items together keeps down the clutter and provides a more pleasant shopping experience. When you pick the items from your home that you want to include in the sale, you may want to start by grouping similar items in the same boxes. This will make it easier when it comes time to set up your sale.

Keep it uncluttered

Have plenty of tables so that items can be be displayed in a clean, uncluttered fashion. An exception might be boxes of loose, similar items like baby clothes. But even in that case, several smaller bins make it easier to see what is for sale than one large one.

Have plenty of change

Nothing will cost you sales faster than not having proper change. Quarters and $1 bills will be the most helpful, but depending on your prices and number of items for sale, you may also need dimes, nickels and $5 and $10 bills. A cash box with dividers for different denominations will keep you organized and make sales go more quickly.

Price things right

Some items may have sentimental value to you, but that means nothing to your shopper. She or he is there for a bargain and for a fun time outdoors. Often, more money can be made and more items cleared out if you keep the prices low. If you are going after top dollar, you may want to consider foregoing a yard sale and opt for Craigslist or eBay instead.

Sources

MSNBC
Frugal Dad
Get Rich Slowly
KTUL

Summer jobs for teens are out there, but get ready to hustle. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Longwood Events)

The recession has made getting a job more difficult for everyone, but if you’re a teenager looking for summer jobs, the competition can be overwhelming. Nothing ventured, nothing gained still applies, however – even at minimum wage. Here are some hot summer jobs that typically employ younger, less experienced workers.

The kids are alright, thanks to the babysitter

Baby sitting and nanny positions will always need to be filled, and responsible, energetic young people who remain cool under fire are a good fit. Laura Davis, owner of College Nannies & Tutors franchises in three states told Bankrate that her company places hundreds of teens in such summer jobs. Another company named Care.com has connections with thousands of local colleges that help connect prospective caregivers with families.

Make it a Meatballs summer

There are typically jobs available at summer camps for kids, including day camps, weeklong or for the entire summer season. If a teen is active and outgoing, teaching children about camping or canoeing can be a breeze. According to Sandy Blondin of Fox Valley Special Recreation Association of Aurora, Ill., there are numerous benefits for teens beyond a paycheck.

“Being on a summer day camp staff offers important skills in team building, leadership, problem-solving and child development,” she said.

Check out websites like American Camp Association, Summer Camp Jobs and Camp Channel for links to summer camp jobs for teens.

Test the waters of being a lifeguard

Warm summer temperatures mean that beaches, water parks and public pools around the country will be open for business. Career websites like Simply Hired have more than 1,000 summer jobs listed for lifeguards, and that’s just one site. For teens who are strong swimmers and have certifications in CPR and first aid, spending golden summer days by the ocean or pool is a slam dunk. The key is to apply now.

“These numbers are promising for those looking for employment this summer,” says Daniel Greenberg, chief marketing officer of Simply Hired.

Summer amusement at the park

Summer is the busy season for most amusement parks in the U.S., and seasonal jobs must be filled. According to Bankrate, Six Flags Great America near Chicago hires 3,200 season employees for groundskeeping, ticket sales and entertainment. Disney and other chains look to fill similar positions. Free park admission is typically a benefit of these summer jobs.

Work retail, get a mall discount

Summer hiring for retail work has begun early this year, so jump on the opportunity now. Teens hang out at the mall, so why not get paid for it? Traditionally, larger malls hire a few thousand teens for summer jobs, although the recession may force some older workers into such jobs. Learning sales and improving social skills are two benefits of mall work for teens. The customary mall discount may be more immediately appreciated, however.

Sources

Bankrate.com

CoolWorks.com

Summer Camp Jobs

Need a summer job? Try a job fair

Thanks to a slumping housing market, home renovation isn't as sure a thing to increase value as it once was. (Photo Credit: Public Domain/U.S. Army Africa/Flickr)

Remodeling to increase the value of a home has traditionally been a good idea. However, the housing market collapse has made big home renovation projects a calculated risk. In parts of the U.S. where the real estate market is more favorable, remodeling projects can still provide good value for the cost. SmartMoney has a few ideas about where to start if you’re looking to remodel your home.

Cooking up a tasteful kitchen remodel

Today, kitchen remodeling is a $12.6 billion industry. Since the lowest point of the housing bubble collapse in 2009, homeowners have spent an average of $27,300 on kitchen remodels, reports SmartMoney. That’s only 8 percent below the average cost at the height of the U.S. housing boom, says Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, but there are ways to economize.

As demand has decreased during the recession, some cabinet manufacturers have cut out surcharges for custom work, decorative finishes and highest-quality wood. Don’t be afraid to ask, as it could save you 20 to 30 percent. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for hand-painted tile, as there aren’t the kind of backlogs that would necessitate driving down prices. A major tip SmartMoney offers kitchen remodelers is not to source materials directly from manufacturers simply to save money. The potential for sizing error increases, which could force you to pay more for return shipping and repairs.

Clean up with a bathroom remodel

Even in a sluggish real estate market, studies indicate that bathroom remodelers recoup 53 percent of costs on average. Prices for high-quality granite have come down by as much as 50 percent since the housing boom years, in part because of increased competition from Asian and Brazilian rock quarries. Similarly, porcelain sinks are down in price by 50 percent because of increased Chinese import activity. Thus, high-end restroom remodeling projects aren’t out of the question.

A bathroom project that makes a lot of sense is a spa shower, suggests SmartMoney. With a shower tower kit, only one water hookup is required to deliver multiple streams of water. Just keep in mind that such kits aren’t adjustable, which can be a problem if people of different heights use the shower.

Backyard projects that sizzle

To target buyers who like backyard cookouts, there are remodeling projects that can increase your potential cash return at resell. Deluxe grills, pizza ovens, refrigerators, warming drawers, wine chillers and cabana roofs have sold well during the recession, says SmartMoney. Rising demand hasn’t affected the price much, experts say. Installation costs are down by as much as 20 percent because of the labor glut, and homeowners have found the recession has made it easier to haggle over landscaping costs.

A “hot tip” SmartMoney offers readers is to consider a gas fire pit instead of a masonry fireplace. Pits are often portable, which offers greater flexibility with décor. Not only that, but gas pits can cost thousands of dollars less.

Sources

Oprah

SmartMoney

Knowing when renovating your home is worth it

“Another hard day at work from home” is anything but facetious. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Ashley/Flickr)

The U.S. job market has been sluggish to recover from the recession, which means many Americans are still out of work. Work from home opportunities abound, however – and most of them don’t even involve eBay. Here are some work from home ideas to get you started.

Why work from home?

Most people pursue gainful employment because they need money to meet their expenses. However, by working at home or even telecommuting 50 percent of the time, U.S. workers and employers could save more than $750 billion per year, according to the Telework Research Network.

A hefty percentage of that total comes from reduced dependency on oil. Productivity would increase by a projected 6.2 million man-years, which equates to $200 billion worth of labor annually. Businesses would reduce spending on real estate and utilities by at least the same amount each year, while highway maintenance costs and traffic accidents would drop significantly.

What work from home idea is best for you?

Selling on eBay is always an option, although amassing significant returns can be difficult unless you have access to a product everyone wants that can be delivered in great volume at minimal cost. Luckily, there are lots of work from home options you can research online without having to wade through the many work at home scams that tend to congregate on Craigslist (there are some gems, but they’re hard to find). As Clark Howard says, if a company says it will find you a work from home job for a large fee upfront, it’s probably a scam. Avoid the red tape with these work from home ideas. Keep in mind that some may charge a background check fee.

Work from home opportunities to fit your lifestyle

• AlpineAccess.com: After paying $45 for the required background check, AlpineAccess.com can match you with a virtual call center job. Positions typically involve customer service work.
• ConvergysWorkatHome.com: In addition to customer service telephone positions, Convergys can help you find work from home human resources and billing service opportunities.
• Elance.com: A great source for freelance talents who like flexibility. Small businesses look to Elance for web design, programming, SEO, graphic design and copywriting professionals. Bid for jobs, but watch out: Elance is so popular that unless you’re a highly experienced, award-winning professional, you may have to bid lower than you’re comfortable in order to secure work.
• LiveOps.com: Want to work from home as a virtual call center agent for a Fortune 200 company? LiveOps.com can get you there, provided you pay $175 for a more extensive background check than the standard $50 check gets you. A dedicated land phone line for LiveOps.com work only is required.

Worried about work from home scams?

Check with the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau websites for advice on how to spot work from home scams. It can save you time, money and big headaches.

Sources

Better Business Bureau

Clark Howard

Dr. Phil

Federal Trade Commission

John Tesh has everything you need to work from home

Finding jobs for college graduates requires perspiration. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Kufarms/The HR Farmer)

College graduates face a tough job market, particularly in the wake of the recession. Experienced, unemployed workers are clamoring for work, which means that finding jobs for graduates requires more insight. With job hunting tips for college grads in the quiver, however, the journey becomes easier.

Jobs for grads: Answering the big questions

Finding jobs for college graduates (or “jobs 4 grads” in Google-speak, which is how many people start the job search) requires the job hunter to face some difficult questions. Should you follow an employed significant other to a new city if you don’t have a job lined up? How do you negotiate salary? Is accepting an unpaid internship a wise move? A host of experts sounded off on these matters through Automated Trader.

Can’t live on love

Regarding moving with a significant other but no job lined up, Jason Levin of career site Vault.com says while love is lovely, it can be fleeting.

“Being kicked out on the street with no money and no friends is (ugly),” said Levin.

The risk may be too great, unless you have a plan when it comes to the bills. Without an exit plan, the consequences can be dire.

Inexperienced negotiators, know your market

Life after college tends to magnify just how little real world experience a graduate may possess. Thus, the college graduate won’t have the hard ammunition to negotiate pay. An understanding of the job market gives the graduate a frame of reference. Viewing government data regarding average starting salary ahead of time can help graduates protect their financial interests so they don’t need loans — not bad credit loans, not payday loans. Even if there’s no flexibility in an employer’s offer, it doesn’t hurt to inquire. At worst, a lower-paying job could pay off in learning opportunities.

“If you feel like the offer is lower than expected, you can certainly say something,” Levin said. “You can mention that you did your research and that a position with an undergrad degree should receive X or Y.”

Are unpaid internships a good idea?

Charles Purdy of Monster.com points out that while the recession has sent many companies scrambling for unpaid interns, the benefits can be great for students on that post-college job hunt. Just make sure you can afford to work for the experience before signing up.

“It’s important for younger people to take a long-term view of their career and consider the benefits of an internship — experience, networking, and so on — over immediate financial gain,” Purdy said.

Waiting until after graduate school

So long as a college student has a clear career goal in mind, obtaining a graduate degree can be beneficial. Greater income isn’t guaranteed, but it certainly won’t hurt your chances. The U.S. Census Bureau found in 2004 that college grads with master’s degrees earned 23 percent more over their careers. A more advanced degree also gives students the chance to build their knowledge base before entering the job market.

Nailing the interview

For a straightforward guide to how to nail the job interview, sites like Worksmart California are a great reference.

Sources

Automated Trader

eHow

Worksmart California

There are many ways for kids to make money. All you need is to be creative. (Photo: Kimberly N./Flickr/CC BY-ND)

There are many ways for kids to make money. Children are filled with so much energy and curiosity, it’s easy to get them into the habit of making money. It’s important to sit down with your kids and find out exactly what their interests are. This will help them come up with creative ideas on ways to make money by doing what they love to do while building their lifelong skills. Here are some ideas on ways for kids to earn money.

Yummy ways for kids to make money

Selling baked goods is one of the popular ways for kids to make money. Baking cookies, cakes and pies can not only be a money-generating activity, but a fun task everyone can enjoy and partake in. A good business approach would be to find clients and take orders ahead of time, as it will help you avoid any leftover inventory. Print out fliers that highlight the goods you can make, and remember to include bulletpoints on any special service you can offer on the side, like personally designed goodies, free delivery or bundle package specials.

‘Lemonade, please’

Another way for kids to make money is to start a lemonade stand. However, your child can learn about more than just making lemonade. A lemonade stand could feel like an actual business location to a child. It can give them a better understanding of how a real business is run and why it is important they have the right communication skills to deal with different types of people.

Assisting the elderly

Handy, responsible children can find ways to make money by helping other people, particularly the elderly. Plenty of people are looking for someone to help take care of their grandparents, and kids help by performing simple tasks. Plus, they make delightful companions who can summon a smile any day with their bright, little faces.

Creativity provides ways for kids to earn money

Being creative can provide multiple ways for kids to make money. Kids can make money by providing simple services, such as cleaning out attics and garages, wrap presents for the holidays, walk dogs, baby-sit, help plan an event, provide lawn care services, etc. The list of ways for kids to make money is far-reaching.

This simple tool can help you make extra money fast. (Photo: Wikimedia.org/CC BY-SA)

There are many ways to make extra money fast, but it will involve some work. Still, if you’re creative and enthusiastic about making those few extra bucks, you’ll have no problem coming up with ways to do just that. Here are a few money-making ideas that might fit into your weekly routine.

Make extra money waiting tables

If you are good with people and taking orders, waiting tables can be the perfect job for nights and weekends. Depending on the quality of the restaurant, waiters and waitresses can make hundreds of dollars a night in tips alone. So throw on your apron and find the nicest spot in town.

Snow-shovel your way to extra money

If you live in a cold-weather climate, why not pull out the old shovel and use it to make money this season? People everywhere are looking for help, so look through your local newspaper ads for any job hiring. You can even take a quick walk around your neighborhood to offer your services.

Dog-walking

There are many dog owners in need of dog-walkers. Again, a great resource could be your local newspaper ads. If you’re a dog lover who thrives on physical activities, you can make extra money and have fun doing it, too.

Host a garage sale

Tired of all the clutter in your storage? Do yourself and your home some good and put together a garage sale. Hosting a garage sale is another great way to make extra money fast. You don’t even need a garage; you can put together a sale online. Sites such as Craigslist and eBay make selling your items easy. You can organize the things you plan on selling, and you don’t have to pay to advertise, either.

Rent out a space

If you have extra room in your house, you can make extra money by renting it out to a friend or family member. Not only can they contribute to paying rent, they can also help out with other household responsibilities, such as keeping up with cleaning, for instance.

Find creative ways to make extra money fast

There are many ways to make extra money fast. All you need is to be enthusiastic about the idea of making extra money and you’ll find creative ways to do just that.

The best social media marketing strategies won't work -- if you don't. (Photo: liako/Flickr/CC BY-SA)

There are many social media marketing strategies that can help you generate more income, but it does require work and research if you’re looking to get the best results. You need to find the right leverage that will not only save you valuable time and increase productivity, but also help you build a community of people who are actually looking for things that are relevant to what you have to offer.

Effective social media marketing strategies require product knowledge

The best social media marketing strategies will not work — if you don’t. Many people dive right into trying to make a sale without first taking the time to learn about the product they are selling. It’s important that you know everything there is to know about your product and, most importantly, how it can benefit your target consumer. People tend to avoid buying things they don’t understand, and it is your job to provide the information they need if you want to be that person generating sales. Basically, you can’t make a sell if you don’t know how to present it.

Time and leverage

Another reason many social media marketing strategies fail is lack of leverage. There are many things to factor into a day’s work, and finding the right leverage can help boost productivity with less effort. With the right leverage, you can combine multiple platforms, which will allow you to engage in different brands and conversations in a short amount of time. This will also allow you more time to improve other areas of your business — learn something new, find what works and what doesn’t, brainstorm innovative ideas, etc.

Using social media to grow your business

There are many social media marketing strategies that can help grow your business. However, without proper strategy, you won’t get far in online marketing. You can sign up with all the popular social media sites, post links to your heart’s desire and still come up empty-handed if you don’t take the time to really understand what social media is all about. In truth, social media is not about your company or the product you’re trying to sell — it’s about you.

(Photo: ginnerobot/Flickr/CC BY-SA)

Winter doesn’t have to keep you indoors, broke and discouraged. If you want to know how to make money fast during winter seasons, opportunities are everywhere. Warm up and fatten your pockets this winter with these simple money-making ideas.

Make money fast by recycling

If you just realized you spent your last buck on soda, start recycling and turn those cans into cash. While you’re at it, why not do some good for the environment and scour your local area for anything recyclable, such as scrap metal, plastic and glass bottles, and even old cell phones can be recycled. Remember, even in this business pulling bargains is possible. So, make calls to several recyclers to compare prices and save money while you’re making it.

How to make money fast online

Who says you can’t have a garage sale in winter? Thanks to websites like Ebay and Craigslist, you can easily make money online — fast. Look through your garage and storage, find and organize the things you plan to sell, and set up a garage sale online for everyone to quickly access. You don’t pay to advertise and, because most sales are localized, you typically don’t even have to worry about any shipping cost.

Shovel your way to making money

When it snows, you can either shovel or make snow angels. But if you want to find out how to make money fast, you won’t fly anywhere with those frosty wings. There are many job opportunities around this time of the year, so grab your shovel and get to work. Look through your local newspaper ads for any job hiring. You can even walk around your local neighborhoods to offer your services. Although a shovel alone can make you some extra bucks, if you want to make money fast, here are some tools you might want to gear up on.

What you need:

Snow shovel. Obviously, you can’t shovel snow without a snow shovel.

Snow blower. If you can somehow pull some money together, it may be worth considering investing in a snow blower, as it could save you time without the extra effort.

Ice salt. It makes the perfect finishing touch to your hard work.

Be creative

You can learn how to make money fast simply by being creative. There are many money-making opportunities out there, even at this time of the year.

Legitimate work-at-home jobs do exist

Understanding that work-at-home jobs for moms and others are legitimate is the first step in finding a telecommute position. Unfortunately, naysayers discourage would-be remote employees with tales of work-at-home job scams and by selling the idea that work at home jobs simply do not exist. Well, these naysayers are wrong. Dead wrong. In fact, very reputable companies like Neiman Marcus, Jet Blue and 1-800-Flowers routinely hire employees to work from home. Sites like the Work at Home Mom Center regularly offer leads to legitimate work at home jobs for moms and offer timely advice on how job seekers can search for telecommute jobs on their own.
Industries That Commonly Hire Remote Workers

Some work at home jobs are advertised on a regular basis, such as:

• Web developers
• Mobile app developers
• Transcription jobs
• Freelance writing jobs
• Call center reps
• Virtual assistant jobs
• Online tutors

Other jobs that allow workers to telecommute

The job titles mentioned above are not the only jobs one can expect when looking to work from home. In fact, job leads recently advertised include leads for financial analyst positions, public relations representatives, seamstresses and licensed pharmacists. Technology has advanced to the point where employers are realizing a significant opportunity to save money on office costs by allowing employees to work at home, which means that the positions being offered may even increase in the future.

How to avoid work-at-home scams

Of course, as the interest in work-at-home job opportunities increases, so do the ideas of scam artists hoping to profit off of this trend. Serious job seekers, however, learn to spot and avoid these scams almost on sight. A few tips on avoiding work-at-home job scams are as follows:

• Do not reply to ads that simply state that a work at home position is available, yet offers no information on the company hiring or specific information on the job’s duties.
• Do not pay to become an employee. (Some companies require employees to pay for fingerprinting and similar activities for security clearance, but applicants should never be asked to pay an application fee in order to be considered for hire.)
• Beware of work-at-home job listings that promise huge profits by performing a simple task. Work-at-home jobs are real jobs, not get rich quick schemes.

Telecommuting as a financial strategy

Avoiding these schemes will help narrow leads down to real work-at-home jobs that are currently being performed by remote workers. People who are serious about getting out of debt and saving money while earning a decent salary may just find out that a job that allows them to telecommute may be the exact financial solution they are looking for. Work-at-home jobs are real; they are legitimate and anyone reading this can find them if they seriously take the time to look.

Is recycling even cost-effective?

It’s cost-effective to recycle some material, but other materials can actually cost too much to be worth it. It takes so many resources to sort, clean and reprocess items that not all recycling is profitable.

Fresh material, on the other hand, can be a lot cheaper, but at what ultimate price? It just makes sense to reuse the millions of pounds of old scrap, glass, textiles, electronics, paper and plastics that are available. State budgets these days are in need of a bailout or at least a major payday installment loan.

Salvaging other recyclables

Many know the benefits of scrapping their old materials, but many just have no time or desire to do such things. You can actually create a pretty good income just by scrapping alone. I have a friend who swears that he brings in at least $200 or more a day.

What materials make money?

The best materials to gain a good income from are iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, wire, catalytic converters and car batteries. If you have a truck or trailer, the possibilities are endless. There are hundreds of dollars just sitting out in the elements, in a field or an alley, just waiting to be recycled.

Precious metals right under your nose

You can even get gold – yeah, gold! – out of your old computers. The reason people will buy catalytic converters for $100-plus is because they’re made with platinum. Dealers who buy these auto parts will send a shipment in to a refinery and make about $1,600 from one converter. Amazing, right!? If anything, this information will make you think again before you throw away potential value.

Work-at-home Jobs

If you’re not interested in owning your own business but the idea of working from home appeals to you, consider call center jobs that can be performed at home. Legitimate companies hire people to perform call center duties at home. Just as in working at a brick and mortar location, some require specific work hours and training, but there is no commute.

Sell Information Products

If you have a special skill or possess proficient knowledge in a certain area, why not capitalize on this and create an information product to sell to others? This can be done in the form of audiotapes, CDs, mp3 seminars, eBooks, workbooks, webinars and a variety of other different formats. Considering that you took the time to learn a certain skill, chances are that others are willing to pay you to teach them what you know.

Write web content

People visit web sites because they’re looking for information. If you’re adept at writing, learning to write for the web is one of the best ways to make money online. By learning how to use keywords for search engine optimization (SEO), with a little practice, a little self-promotion and a whole lot of effort, a new freelance writing niche can be carved where companies and individuals will hire you to create content for their web sites or blogs.

Sell web content

A person who knows how to write web content should also know how to sell web content online. Not every piece of work has to be pre-ordered by a client, but if you research niche topics and write relevant articles, special reports, white papers or case studies on these topics, there are also sites that specialize in helping you sell your work to others. Aside from third-party sites, content can also be sold on your individual site or blog.

Become a web researcher

Real estate investors, writers, non-profit workers, attorneys and others regularly rely on the research of others to support their duties. By specializing in a particular type of research and advertising your services to people who can benefit from this research, some people find that this is one of the easiest ways to make money online. In some cases, research may be paid for up front and others, like real estate investors, may pay for research as they profit by it. Either way, this is a valuable business niche that can be performed anywhere at any time.

Learning to make money online can be a long process, but just about anyone can do it. All of these startups are affordable and won’t require a short-term personal loan in order to make an investment. Those who are patient with themselves and who will take the initiative to learn various techniques can discover a niche business that may bring them incredible income rewards if they work hard and don’t give up.

Creating Multiple Income Streams Online

Just about everyone knows about selling items on eBay or Craigslist, and while both can be very lucrative ventures, these work-at-home ideas have been done to death and won’t be listed here. However, the following are a few very realistic suggestions for how to make money online:

Flipping web sites

If you are skilled at making web sites, turn that talent into fast cash by creating web sites on various niche topics and selling them for profit. Take the time to learn how to research profitable keywords and how to create SEO (search engine optimized) copy, or contract someone to do both, and you can easily create a new income stream to help pay down debt.

Sell Domains

Buy popular domain names and sell them for profit. Again, this will take a little knowledge about researching popular keywords, as well as a little luck in creating domain names that people will actually want to pay you for, but this can also be one of the more profitable ways to make money online.

Sell Ad Space on your web site, Facebook or blog

If you have a web site, a Facebook account or a blog, consider featuring non-intrusive advertisements to create additional income for yourself. To make even more money, invest time in learning how to increase your blog’s traffic and, thus, increase the value of your blog to merchants who may want to advertise to your audience. There are tons of websites and information products related to this income stream.

Affiliate Marketing

To increase overall sales, companies and individual entrepreneurs will pay a percentage of profits on sales originating from a third-party blog or web site. By researching Internet marketing, most find that a lot of information on how to get started in affiliate marketing can be gathered for free or at a very low cost online.

Sell on Facebook’s Marketplace

Most people have a Facebook account, but few know about the ways in which they can turn their participation in Facebook’s community into profit. The next time you’re in need of fast cash, mosey on over to the Facebook Marketplace and consider posting items or services for sale there. Similar to Craigslist, this is also a good place to save money when looking for everyday items or even for specialty items, such as textbooks or electronic equipment.

Become a Virtual Assistant

With more and more work being performed online, people are finding that outsourcing things like clerical tasks, web research and a variety of other services is actually beneficial to their bottom line. Instead of paying for additional office space to house an assistant, equipment costs, insurance costs and full-time pay, savvy entrepreneurs are realizing that contemporary technology makes it more cost-effective to hire a virtual assistant. By providing services like these, a VA is able to operate her own business from home with nothing more than a computer, an Internet connection and a telephone.

Each of these ideas, as well as the suggestions that will be featured in part two of this series, can be started on a shoestring budget. Anyone interested in pursuing one of more of these can easily find all of the information that they need right at their fingertips with a simple Internet search. With so many ways to make money online, there is no excuse for anyone not to have multiple income streams.

Americans are getting more and more creative when it comes to finding money now. The employment rate is still high and the jobs being created are still sparse. That leaves a nation of consumers who have to find their own ways of making money to cover bills. For over 18-months now, the recession has had a hold and a heavy affect on the nation. Although the recession is over, according to experts, some true signs of recovery most likely won’t be seen until mid-2010 at the earliest.

More and more consumers are looking to non-traditional methods of generating cash. Second jobs, freelancing and taking in boarders are all viable options for a financially hurting public. In earlier years, taking on boarders was thought of as a risky move that only the most desperate utilized. Today it’s becoming a more popular choice for those looking to cover their mortgages.

Mortgages and boarders

According to RealtyTrac, in 2009 there were a record number of 3.96 million foreclosures in the country. Add to that another 7 million who lost their jobs and that could mean the number of foreclosures is still going to rise. Consumers are resigning to do whatever it takes to make their mortgage payments, and that includes renting rooms. Offering a non-homeowner the luxuries of a home at a discounted price could work out well for people. It’s a good exchange and lets the homeowner cover their mortgage payment while giving the renter a place to stay that they normally couldn’t afford. There are some cautions however, and here are some of the major concerns:

• Due diligence. It would be nice if consumers could trust other consumers, but today that is not the case. The good news, though, is that the internet allows people to do research on any applicant. Running a background check can give homeowners an added sense of security. Remember that the person renting will most likely have access to all areas of the home when the owner is gone. It’s important for homeowners to be secure with their choice.
• Is renting necessary. All homeowners should ask themselves if renting really is the only option to making a mortgage payment. There are other ways of finding money now that the government stepped into the lending world. Modifications, refinancing and short sales are all viable options for any homeowner to at least explore before deciding on getting a renter.
• Legality. Homeowners should check with local laws for their neighborhood, condominium or subdivision to make sure that there are no rules banning non-related renters. The association should be able to provide the necessary paperwork to assure homeowners are sticking to the law.
• Consider the costs. Ideally, a renter should have a separate entrance, bathroom and bedroom. However, that is not always possible. Homeowners should consider what their options are in terms of slight modifications. Could an office with an adjoining bathroom be turned into a renter’s quarters? Could a basement with a kitchenette double as a rec-room and separate living area? If the renting situation is particularly short-term or would require too hefty a renovation, it may be more reasonable to lower rent and settle for the space available.
• Organize taxes. There are rules regarding declaring rental income, and every homeowner should be well versed. All homeowners should talk to their tax advisor to make sure forms are in order when they file their paperwork.

Renting in 2010

Renting a room can be a practical option for a homeowner having financial difficulties. There are some cautionary measures to take, but it can bring in extra money now when things are tight. A good background check and some research can serve them well and save them from financial disaster.

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Being a single mom could definitely be stressing and at the same time quite challenging on making ends meet. Although there are a lot of ways to make money online these days, most of them require a lot of time to be able to earn something decent. That’s a reality with making money; it does demand for some time. And if time isn’t what you have much to devote, here’s a great way to still earn money without having to invest your whole day into it.

Consider hosting affiliate programs

Why not try hosting affiliate programs. If you have a blog or a website, this should be easy. Doteasy is one of the leading domain name registrar right now that offers hosting packages from free web hosting to paid unlimited hosting. They also have an affiliate program where you could start making money just by referring others to their products. You can simply blog about it; a lot of bloggers are already earning money from doing so, by the way. The good thing about it is that it doesn’t ask for much time compared to other money making opportunities online, but the possibility of earning big is still high. Once you join their affiliate program, they’ll provide you with everything you need to get started, such as buttons and links. They have a wide variety of hosting packages, which makes it easier to offer to others.

Let’s talk money!

Hostgator also offers this type of program, which is great. But the problem with Hostgator is that their affiliate program is only open for their paying customers. Meaning, you have to be using and paying for something among their different offers to be entitled to join their affiliate program. So you’ll need to invest some money before you could start on trying their affiliate program. So what if you didn’t get to find people to refer?

That’s why I find Doteasy much better. With Doteasy, you can start earning without investing even a single cent to their company. Aside from that, even after being one of the paying customers of Hostgator, you only earn around $50 per referral. But with Doteasy, you can actually earn up to a whooping $70 just for a single successful sign up. Just imagine if you happen to discover that you’re good at referring a new customer – you’d be able to make money real quickly with much lesser effort.

In today’s job market, finding payday cash is no longer a 9-to-5 pursuit for college-aged workers. More and more young people are finding that the non-traditional work made possible by working online is lucrative and flexible. Take Natalie Ann Roig, for example. She began a marketing internship and is able to clock in by working on her laptop. That means that she can work from home, at the library, at a coffee house or anyplace where there is wireless internet access. It’s the new trend in working today and makes virtual work even simpler to find.

The growth in virtual work

Steven Rothberg, founder of CollegeRecruiter.com, said, “In the last 10 years [virtual workers] have gone from being almost unheard of to being something almost every college student has at least considered.” It’s no wonder that consideration has grown due to the flexibility of the work. Most college students have difficult schedules that involve a few hours of free time in between classes. A traditional job wouldn’t work for them. Flexible virtual jobs are the perfect solution to the problem.

Cautions with virtual work

Just like any other line of work, virtual internships have a list of concerns for people to be aware of. First of all, contact information is important. With virtual positions, it is crucial for employers to be transparent. Though the internet is generally anonymous, when it comes to paid positions it shouldn’t be. Workers should have the name of a contact, phone number and business address of a company. The contact should be easily reachable for questions and direction throughout the internship.

Also, working for a virtual company should mean workers have the proper documentation of what their responsibilities will be. Interns should know the hours required, tasks needed to be completed, how long the assignment is and overall direction of the position. It should all be submitted and approved in writing between parties. Interns also should have to check in with their contact on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the depth of the project to be completed.

Finally, compensation is the most important aspect of the virtual internship. That doesn’t mean that the only compensation will be payday cash though. Some businesses offer college credit, cash or a combination of the two as compensation to their interns. Of course, like job responsibilities, this too should be submitted and approved in writing by both parties. If college credit is included, some faculty member or department head most likely will need to sign off and approve the program. Because requirements for credit vary from school to school, interns should thoroughly understand how the process works for their individual school’s intern program.

Internships and the internet

The new wave in the job market is to hire interns to complete tasks on the go. That means that they don’t have to check into an office and can complete most of their tasks in their free time. An internet connection and a laptop are the only two things needed today to earn payday cash or college credit. Interns should check the rules, but then enjoy the flexibility and learning of a virtual position.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

A small loan can be the beginning of something big. For those who have dreamt of creating their own business, it is a great time to start the process. Though it may be contrary to logic since the economy has been labored, experts are saying that isn’t true. Michael Everett, loan officer in San Bernardino, California, said, “For those with good to great credit, it’s a great time to look into loan financing. Lenders need to start lending, but they want to eliminate the risks of extending funds to sub-prime borrowers.” The state of the economy is making it one of the best times to find affordable opportunities.

I want to be a business owner

For those who want to be a business owner, it’s a great time to delve into the market. Some with the dream, however, don’t know what business to invest in. Here are four things to consider that will help anyone with the desire to find their place in the business world.

1.) Self-assessment. Most likely anyone wanting a business has some idea of what they want to do. It’s a good idea, though, to delve deeper than just a vague idea. Writing down a list of things that he or she wants to achieve from the business is critical. John Blake, business analyst for BankRate.com, said, “It’s a good idea to ask friends and family for their opinions on what your strengths and weaknesses are. It can help to have an objective opinion.”

2.) Interests can be a hint. If a business owner can hone in on what their main interests are, that can be a hint to what business they will feel the most comfortable in. Blake added, “Remove the mental block that says you have to be gifted in your chosen field of business. Expertise can be built and does not have to pre-exist.”

3.) Research the market. The next step for a hopeful business owner is to do research on small loan financing, the market, the competition, client profiles and management. It’s a good time to do some benchmarking of other companies in the position a potential owner wants to be. Create a timeline and see how they developed over time, what key decisions were made and what the results were. Blake said, “Using a blueprint can be one of the most helpful tools an entrepreneur finds.”

4.) Start crossing off businesses. The last step is to go through the lists created and start crossing off things that don’t fit. For example, if a business owner finds that the market is saturated with the product he or she wants to make, it might be time to find something with more growth potential. Again, this also is a good time to consult with friends and family and get some added opinions. Though the decision belongs to the business hopeful, having some constructive criticism can’t hurt.

Picking a business to build

In the end, picking a business to build is a difficult part of owning a business. There are a lot of issues to sort through, including the small loan, product development, legal documentation, research, and market assessment. Experts and advisors can help, but the best idea is to gather as much information as possible and then make wise decisions.

Start your small loan application HERE!

Single mothers in need of money now have some choices to make. It’s difficult in today’s economy for anyone to manage, but with the added stress of raising children, it can be a daunting task. There are millions of unemployed Americans in the job market and a good portion are single mothers trying to make ends meet. The hardest part of combining motherhood with work is the schedule. A single parent has to be available in the morning to get children to school, and be ready to pick them up afterwards. There are illnesses to deal with and holidays where children need supervision. Even the best employer may not always be willing or able to accommodate.

Jobs for single mothers

There are some jobs that cater to single mothers due to the schedules and responsibilities. Here are the top five:

1.) Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Without question, being in pharmaceutical sales is not easy, but more and more companies in the industry are creating flexible policies for workers. For example, GlaxoSmithKline has an official “Flexible Working Policy” that allows home workers, part-time workers, annualized hours, and term-time working. The company also provides workers with on- or near-site daycare services and pay-for-performance incentives.

2.) Teachers. Teaching is one of the top careers for mothers because the schedule is congruent to children’s school schedules. This field is known for its family-friendliness and some professionals choose to work in the same district or school where they reside. It’s much easier for a teacher to be a parent if their child is down the hallway or a few miles away. An added benefit is that teachers can also pick up extra work with private tutoring or teaching additional classes on the side.

3.) Freelance writer. Freelance writing offers a flexibility that few other career choices provide. Some famous freelance writers are Jacquelyn G. Mitchard, author of “The Deep End of the Ocean” and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of books. Most professional writers have some help with childcare but due to being able to set a schedule themselves, most can get by with minimum outside assistance.

4.) Registered nurse. Becoming a registered nurse is a particularly effective way to find money now due to the many bonuses involved. The health care industry is looking for qualified workers and the job market promises to be a continuingly growing one. Americans are getting older and health care is in demand now and is projected to grow exponentially throughout coming years. In addition to high-paying positions, there are also lucrative bonuses ranging from $500 to upwards of $15,000.

5.) Part-time or Temporary Professional. Many single mothers are more prone to having part-time jobs than full-time. Companies like Adecco, Office Team and Accountemps offer a wide variety of part-time jobs that pay well and are flexible for even the most rigorous schedule. For those looking for full-time but flexible professional work, AFLAC may be a good option. Workers make their own schedules and can easily opt for a schedule with no weekends or no nights. In addition, the company offers competitive commissions, incentives and contests for all workers.

Managing parental responsibilities

Single mothers in need of money now have a good selection of options. Each one above is lucrative, but still offers the flexibility needed to parent small children. It may take some searching, but with some good research and skill, any mother can find employment that fits in with her parental responsibilities.

Need money now? Apply HERE!

(Image from cote, Flickr.com)

In part one of this series, readers learned that Twitter can be useful in creating additional income streams or just useful for fast cash in emergency situations. As we journey further into the opportunities for making money on Twitter, we’ll show you how to use it to save money in order to pay down debt or how it can be used to raise funds for charitable efforts.

The following ideas round out our series for making fast cash on Twitter:

Search for Deals

It is likely that you’ve fallen into debt because you’ve been paying too much for items that you use every day. Therefore, it is time to tighten your belt and start searching for deals on these items, instead. Make a list of the products that you regularly use and then go in search of their manufacturers on Twitter. Follow them to receive regular updates on sales and coupons being offered on many of these same items.

Also, follow coupon sites that offer a variety of different coupons or sites like Woot or SlickDeals, which offer or advertise a wide selection of deals on different items every day. While deal mining won’t put fast cash directly into your pockets, it will save you money that can be applied to your existing debt.

Solicit Donations

If you are raising money to benefit a charitable cause or if you are just in a tight bind and in need of a little fast cash till payday, ask your Twitter followers if they can share a few bucks to help you out. While this isn’t something you’d do every day, most people don’t mind contributing a dollar or two to charity or directly to your PayPal account when you need emergency cash. If fifty of your kindest followers are able to share two bucks, you’ve made $100 for your charitable efforts or to help you get out of a crunch. Chances are you’ll need more space than the 140 characters Twitter allows per tweet to explain your situation, which is where sites like ChipIn come in handy. By setting up an event there, you can explain your need and give your followers an opportunity to chip in. You may even want to offer an incentive, such as a service in exchange for donations. For example, if you are adept at making Twitter backgrounds or setting up WordPress blogs, offer your followers a special gift of one of these for the money that they donate.

Stay Home and Tweet

Twitter and other social networking sites are free to use and can introduce you to people all over the world. So instead of going out and spending money on admission, food, drinks, gas and other expenses, why not stay home and socialize online instead? Sure, it’s not face to face interaction, but it’s also not costing you an arm and a leg to participate. When trying to get out of debt, your focus has to be on saving money, so if you’re a social butterfly but fluttering from event to event in the real world is keeping you in debt, learn to tweet, instead.

While these tips on making money with Twitter won’t make you rich, each one of them can help you climb out of debt if you apply them properly. When you are in need of fast cash, it helps to think outside of the proverbial box and try things that you ordinarily wouldn’t. Bear in mind that, although Twitter does represent a money making opportunity, the key to success in any social networking activity is to personally engage those who are taking the time to follow you. Do not bombard people with advertising or financial requests simply because you have a need for fast cash. Instead, take the time to interact and build strong relationships and then, if you find yourself in need of emergency cash or swimming in debt, you are in a position to use these, and other, creative ways of turning your tweets into cash.

Looking for fast cash?  Apply HERE!

(Image via keiya, Flickr.com

Just a few years ago, twitter was something people did with their thumbs when bored. Today, it still involves using your fingers, but engaging in Twitter connects you to a world of people with similar interests. For those in debt or who are involved in a charitable effort and frantically searching for ways of making fast cash, why not consider the opportunities literally at your fingertips via social networking?

The following are a few possible ways of making fast cash on Twitter:

Promote a Business or Service

This one is obvious, but if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time to start. Everyone from your neighborhood Avon lady to Bill Gates is using Twitter to promote their business. People engage in social networking with others based on their common interests. Now, we all know that, in business, what you’re selling first to the public is yourself. So, since you’ve already been successful in selling yourself, making friends and building a following, why not take the next step in inviting your online networks to do business with you?

Sell Your Stuff

Look around your house and consider that any gently used items you’re not using anymore can be sold to someone else. When you find yourself in debt and in need of fast cash, think of Twitter as your own personal garage sale site and offer these useful wares to your followers.

Get Paid to Tweet

A lot of business owners would like to advertise on Twitter, but don’t have the time to engage in social networking. Therefore, smart entrepreneurs have taken to paying others, who are savvy at social networking, to tweet about their special sales, discounts, new products, special events, etc. Rates for this service may vary according to the amount of people following you or if you have to establish a separate account and build a following for each particular client, but the payoff can be big if you work hard at it. While having one client pay for this service may not produce enough fast cash to get you out of debt, if you extend this service to multiple clients, you just may be able to get the cash you need while building a new business niche.

Sponsored Tweets

It is rumored that Kim Kardashian charges up to $10,000 for sponsored tweets running in her timeline. Now, while you probably don’t have the following that Ms. Kardashian does and, therefore, cannot charge nearly what she and other celebrities do for sponsored tweets, you can still benefit from sponsored tweets. Internet companies, like Ad.ly exist for the sole purpose of connecting you with businesses willing to pay you for the opportunity to advertise to your followers.

In part two of How to Make Money on Twitter, you will learn more on how to use social networking to make fast cash, but you’ll also learn how to use sites like Twitter to save money when you need to tighten your budget or raise money for charity. Individuals who are serious about making fast cash on the Internet to get out of debt can do so with these tips and other creative social networking ideas that are applied with serious effort.

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