Extra Money: Starting in the fall of 2001, I began teaching piano lessons. I had always wanted to try it, plus we really needed some extra income at the time. My oldest child was only 1 year old at the time, so it wasn't too difficult for me to get going. It worked for us until I stopped teaching in 2005.
I have also done lots of selling online. Ebay, Half.com, and on my freebie sites that I am a member of. I do more selling on the freebie sites since there are no fees to pay like on Ebay and such. I was really into online selling when my oldest was little, but I haven't done it as much lately. I just don't have the time anymore. But I have to admit I was getting pretty good at scouting out things at thrift stores and garage sales that would sell for more money. One that I recall was a pair of barely worn Eddie Bauer jeans I got at a garage sale for .50 cents. I sold them on Ebay for almost $20.
I do online surveys and market research and product studys that bring in a little extra. Even the $5 here and there adds up!
My hubby has a talent for finding cars that he can buy and sell for more money. For those who know him, you know he has a fetish for cars. Since he has been off his mission (12 years) he has had 18 cars. Fifteen of those have been since we have been married (9 years). I know.....crazy! Anyway, he has a eye for that stuff. There have been several cars that we sold for much more than what we purchased it for. It has helped us be where we are today in our nice vehicle situation. We both hate having car payments if we don't have to.
I have always wanted to learn better photography skills and make a little money on the side doing that. That is on my list of goals to accomplish someday.
We have also tried some network marketing things in the past, but they did not work for us. Glad that is over!
Trading: Some wouldn't really classify this as a trading service-for- service, but I think it might count. I just recently got a job at the a local gym in the day care. We aren't really needing the extra income, I only wanted the job so I could get a free membership. :) There is a lady in my ward who works there, she put in a good word for me, and I got the job. I only have to work one shift a week (which is 3 hours) and I get a free gym membership. Plus, I get to take my younger 2 kids with me while I work. What is more perfect than that? Three hours a week...that's it! I was thinking about joining a gym anyway, but this is better. A little spending money + free membership! I love it!
I have always wanted to trade either piano teaching or scrapbooking services with someone who can give me massages. :) :) :) Any local takers?
What ideas can you give us all? Post your experiences, good or bad, and let us know! It just may spark some ideas for us all to start. (By the way, I changed my settings so anyone can comment now, not just registered users). It will be fun to see what you have to say.
6 comments:
Marne- testing testing
OK before I left my lengthy comment I had to make sure that I was able to post to your blog. First let me thank you for all your insight. I am addicted to saving money. Pre- Marne I thought I was doing pretty well BUT post-Marne..(thanks to all your guidance)I KNOW I am doing well. I have given your blog to several friends who I know will benefit from your information. I am builing up my year storage and saving so much $$$$ in the process. I get frustrated at times because if I were more disciplined I could save so much more but.....baby steps, right???
As far as trading services goes....I have never traded anything but babysitting. I guess if I thought about it and got creative I could come up with more services to trade. I really appreciate babysitting trade because it allows me to go to lunch with friends, personal appointments, time to myself, etc. without that extra cost of a babysitter.
Quinn, my hubby, is the master at making extra money. It's in his blood- I look at something and see junk and he can see the dollar signs. While his ratpacking tendencies often annoy me, sooner or later, once he is ready to sell "the stuff" he always makes a ton of money. I guess we each have our own strengths and the idea is learning how to capitalize on them.
Again thankyou so much for all you are doing to educate us. The highlight of my week is getting the Sunday paper, writing out my shopping list for the week and calculating all the money I will save along the way. I LOVE IT!!
Ami
Thanks Ami! I forgot about the trading babysitting thing. That has also been a great money saver for me, having good friends who will trade. Priceless!
Anyone else have something to share?
This might be a strange trade for some, but we started donating plasma. Chris goes twice a week, I go once a week. It takes less than an hour for Chris and it is even faster for women, 40 minutes or so. They pay $30 each time you go and if you go at least 6 times a month they enter your name for drawings where you can win $25, $50 or $75 extra! I know it is not for everybody, it sounded weird for me at first too. There is only very minimal pain involved, but if you can't stand needles....
Yes...plasma is a great way to earn extra money! Thanks for the input Nora!
The ladies at church all signed up on a list for babysitting trades. Its great, because most of our kidos are about the same age and already know each other and I know I can trust the ladies. My husband donates plasma twice a week which gives us an extra $200 a month. With both of us doing it its $400, but I can't right now b/c I'm prego. I also love shopping at once upon a child, I take in stuff my son doesn't fit in or play with anymore and trade it for clothes that will.
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