Things I am Doing From Home to Make Money

In today's challenging economic environment, I and everyone else I know are looking to make more money. Most of my adult life, I have been told that financial security comes from multiple sources of income. Creating multiple income streams into your bank account is relatively easy. I have serveral "jobs". I list these not to brag but to offer some solutions and suggestions to help others looking to increase their income.

I work for a dry cleaner. I am a crafter. Believe it or not, one feeds the other. At the cleaner, there is an aisle of abandoned clothing that has been hanging in the back for at least three years. Employees are allowed to take home from that section. I recycle clothing into handbags and rugs and wallhangings. I then sell these craft items at craft sales. The clothes that I bring home from the cleaners that do not get turned into purses are sold at yard sales. I have already mentioned two of my money making avenues. The hours at the cleaners allow me the time on weekends for yard sales.

Yard sales are often most successful with advertising. Put an ad in the paper, especially if you have a sale on a regular basis. Put signs up in the surrounding neighborhood, especially on the highways and busiest roads. Be sure to display your items in an attractive manner that is easily shopped. From experience, it is not advised to sell crafts at a yard sale. Have a separate craft sale.

To sell my purses and other crafts, I use different methods. The most important is to actually use my wares. I always carry one of my original bags with me. Last week, I sold the purse on my shoulder while riding the bus home from work. I always carry a project in progress with me to work on while having to wait. This creates interest in what I am doing and has generated many sales for me. I have a friend who allows me to display my work on consignment in her thrift store. There is a sign in my yard to let people know the purse lady lives here. There are online methods of selling handiwork such as Craigslist and Etsy and Ebay.

I iron at home for a wedding linen rental business. They pay by the piece. This is turning into quite a lucrative venture that has kept the utility bills paid for the past year. Go to a local bridal show to learn of vendors involved in linen rentals.

A woman I work with cleans houses when she is not pressing laundered shirts. She has invited me to join her. Last month she cleared $1200 after splitting the profits with another helper. In addition to house cleaning, house sitting can be a moneymaker. Watch over someone's home while they are away on business or vacation. At the same time, sit for their pets. Babysitting continues to be a way to earn some extra money. This past summer, I sat for a friend while she worked. Not only did I get paid for my time, she paid for me to take the little boy to the pool, to the mall, to the movies and for lunch out every day. She even paid for gas. I babysit for a former coworker now.

I have been involved in home party businesses. For a start up cost of $500, I started doing parties for LiaSophia, a high end costume jewelry company. Besides earning money, the free jewelry is great. There are other home party businesses available. Petra, Tupperware, and House of Lloyd are just a few. Start up costs vary. Selling Avon only requires a $10 investment. Avon practically sells itself. Mary Kay is another viable option for a home based business.

For over a year, my husband and I delivered a paper route in the early morning hours. Other than having to get up in the middle of the night seven days a week to work, this is not really a bad job. Make sure you have a vehicle that is economical on gas.

I am researching running a typing service from home. The bulk of my business would be typing resumes for others. The greatest effort involved would be advertising to let my community know of my services.

These "jobs" require effort but the payoff has been worth my time. Our bills are being supported which for a long time in our marriage they were not. Our debt is not paid off yet but creating these multiple streams of income will allow that to happen eventually. Most of these "jobs" are using skills in areas that I am already interested in. That makes them seem not so tedious.

These are just some ideas of ways to earn extra money. Know your skills and interests. Put them to work for you. There are opportunities everywhere you go. Be a friendly, approachable person wherever you are. Strike up conversations. You may just be talking to someone you can work with or for.