Extra Income Ideas

Our country is facing a massive unemployment problem.  Thousands of people are being laid off, and there are precious few new jobs available.  To drive this point home, I know of a local company that posted a single advertisement for bus drivers and monitors in our local paper.  The ad ran for one day.  They received over 370 applications for only 7 positions. 

To compound the problem, many folks have exhausted their unemployment benefits, and do not qualify for any further benefit extensions.  Some are considering themselves lucky to find minimum-wage, part-time work.  I say, we can do better.

We do not have to wait for the government to stimulate the economy.  We can create our own economies.  We do not have to wait for the government to create jobs.  We can create our own jobs.  Everyone has talents, skills, resources, abilities, and knowledge that someone else wants.  You may not think you do, but yes, you do. 

What are your hobbies?  What do you like to read about?  Can you cook?  Do you enjoy writing?  Do you like fixing things?  Can you plant a seed in a pot?  Can you tell a story?  Maybe you even know something obscure, like how to reads cards or the stars?  Any of these can lead to your own business.

Here is a list of potential homegrown jobs to get you thinking.  Some may be seasonal, some may be part-time.  But, if you get creative, you will be able to find something in your skill set, that can supplement your current income that can eventually become your primary income.

Prouction/Services

• Produce/ornamental grower (can sell at farmers markets)
• Handyman
• Keep chickens and sell the extra eggs
• Keep sheep, goats, alpacas, or rabbits, and sell their hair/fiber to knitting or fiber clubs and associations
• Baker (get your kitchen certified in your state and sell in small specialty shops or farmers markets)
• Sell home-canned goods, anything from jellies to soups (sell in same places as above)
• Babysitting (find out how many children you can watch without becoming a day care, then work towards getting those qualifications)
• Beekeeping (honey & wax sales, pollination services)
• Computer Servicing (check into certification courses)
• Crafting- soap making, candle making, knitting, etc.
• Become an herbalist (some training is necessary, much of which can be done from home)

Lessons
Do you know a lot about something, or even a moderate amount that you could teach to a beginner?  Then you can hold classes and offer lessons.  Here are some ideas.

• Music
• Knitting
• Crocheting
• Weaving
• Sewing
• Food Preservation- canning, dehydrating, smoking
• Gardening
• Beekeeping (help the newbies with their new bees- sorry, I know that was bad)
• Lead a mediation group (everyone is stressed out these days!)

Writing

• Write a book, doesn't matter- fiction, non-fiction, an instruction book, and inspirational book, anything.  You can get picked up by a publisher or self-publish, either way you work once, but payment is on-going
• Write articles- many magazines and web sites will compensate those who contribute to their subscription issues.
• Write a blog- there are some bloggers who get paid to write blogs.  I don't know how much a person would actually have to write in order to get paid for blog entries, but it is something to look into if you have the talent.

Next blog entry: Big Announcement

Live better, a little everyday.