Resolution Idea – 2012 #8

 

Pick Up a Side Job Doing Something You Love

 

If you are really serious about getting out of debt,  adding more income and spending less is the fastest way.  They go together, just like diet and exercise. Each one works OK on their own, but combined, the whole process just speeds up.  Here again, the “new money” is not mixed with regular household bills, it goes directly toward debt.  Keep your debt on a chart and celebrate every payment you make reducing it.  Keep your goal and progress in front of you so that can see it reducing.  It won’t feel so overwhelming when you see the action you are taking to eliminate it.

 

Picking up a side job can be fun, not punishment, if it is something you love.  Think about your talents and what brings you joy -like pet sitting or dog walking, tutoring a child, help someone with computer skills, play music in a cafe, sell your art or closet organizing. If you are a parent and want to spend time with your family, think of jobs you can take in and do together, like babysitting.

 

If you love your work, you will never work a day in your life !

 

Tell all your friends what you are offering and put out flyers where your potential customers spend time.  I love books and people, so working in a traditonal book store or flower shop would be perfect. Make it convenient to where you live and commit to just a few nights or only Saturdays, for example. 

 

 

Chosing a job where you are tipped is the fastest way to make a lot of money.  Work in a highend hotel or restaurant and do your very best.  Parking cars, bell hop, waiting tables, bartending, cocktail waitor or concierge are all jobs where you can make a lot of quick cash, much more than an hourly wage. 

 

It is only temporay until things get under control.  Who knows, perhaps the new people you will meet will bring new opportunities into your life.  Take action and be an Opener of Doors !

 

 

Resolution Idea 2012 – #7

 

Practice the Gift of Exchange

 

The next thing you need to buy, figure out how to get it without spending money.  Get the book from the library or trade babysitting services with another parent friend.  If you don’t spend it, you don’t need to earn it.

 

Trade your talent for something you need. Wash and vacuum someone’s car in exchange for a massage. Do yard work  in exchange for your neighbor repairing the leaky faucet. Or perhaps a computer lesson or tutoring to their child. Everyone needs something and everyone has something to give. Give what you enjoy doing and it will be fun.  Barter for everything.

 

Even try a party dress exchange.  Everyone bring a fabulous party dress they have already ready worn and trade it with someone else.  You could do the same with shoes, bags, kids clothing/toys or other gently or never used items too. Everyone wins.

Resolution Idea 2012 – #6

 

Sell gold jewelry.

 

Wearable or even broken pieces can be worth several hundred dollars. It is at a high right now. I just did it and got over $800 for jewlery I will never wear.    Cash in loose coins you are collecting but use it to pay directly to the principle of a debit. $100-$1000.

Resolution Idea 2012 – #5

 

Change your “current housing situation”

 

Sell or rent your home to someone else, then you rent a spare bedroom in someone else’s home for $500 a month.  Can you imagine having your entire monthly housing expenses reduced to just $500 or less? Use someone elses cable, electric and pots and pans.  Now you can focus on your career or it gives you freedom to travel.

 

If you have a 2 or 3 bedroom home,  rent your spare bedrooms for $500 a month each. You could move into a smaller bedroom and get more money for renting the master bedroom. You will be interviewing your “roomates”, so choose someone whose habits are like your own. It doesn’t have to be forever. Try it for 6 months or a year. You may even find a new life long friend.

 

Rent your garage for $100 a month to a friend or neighbor who has a classic car or motorcycle.  Park your own car in the drive way.  If you live in a condo or apartment, rent your assigned, close up parking space to another tenant and you park in guest parking. The extra walking is good for you.

 

New found income: 1 bedroom $500 a month, 2nd room $500, garage, $100  TOTAL  $1100 a month.  Now that is reducing DEBT FAST !!

Resolution Ideas 2012 #4

 

Clean out all closets, garage, attic, and basement and sell your unwanted stuff.

Turn your unwanted household stuff into cash.  Use it, lose it, sell it or donate it.  There are others with a greater need than you.

 

Have a multi-family yard sale with some friends at another location if your community doesn’t allow them. It will be more fun and you can share placing the ad, getting tables and putting out signage.

 

Consign designer clothes or expensive jewelry.  Sell values and collections on Ebay or Craigslist.  Remember, we are collecting experiences, not stuff.  One woman downsized just her master walk-in closet and made $1000 selling clothes, purses and shoes and found an old uncashed check for over $500 and she was able to recover the funds. 

 

Use the “new cash” to pay directly toward the principal of a debt you are trying to eliminate. Don’t blend it in with other household  money.                                          

 

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