Step1
cars parked near your yard sale
Hold a yard or garage sale. Most people have heard of this, and many people have held their own garage sale at one time or another. To make money at it, you will need to be business-like, advertise with bright signs all over the area, set up a neat display area, have items clearly marked, and price your items reasonably.
Step2
Collect scrap metal and resell this metal to the scrap metal dealers in your town or area.
You almost need a pickup or a van for this one, although it is possible to start small by cleaning out the scrap metal that is laying around your own place.
Ask around, many people will let you pick up their scrap metal, even pay you to do this, just because they can't be bothered to do it themselves.
There is a market for aluminum, copper, brass, and many other metals. To make any money at selling scrap metal you need to do some research into how to locate the metals to sell, how to identify each metal, what to avoid, and what things aren't worth picking up, and how to clean your items, as well as how to find the recycling centers.
I learned most of this from a book in my local library, but there is also information on the internet, or you can look up the scrap metal dealers in your phone book, call them, and ask them what they will take, and how to sell to them.
Step3
Collect pop bottles and cans for recycling. I doubt if anyone needs to know how this is done. I live in Oregon, where we recycle a lot, so nearly everyone takes their used cans to the grocery store here. You should do it too. Of course, you could also pick up cans beside the roads and in parking lots, and even in trash cans. (Why should these cans or bottles get thrown away, help save the planet, recycle!)
Step4
Donate your blood or plasma for money. I've never done this, but I know people who have. They earn money, and help the people who eventually receive the blood or plasma. The places that pay you for this usually advertise in some way, either in the local newspaper, or online. Ask local homeless shelters where to donate blood or plasma in your town. They should know. You won't make a lot doing this, and you can't do it all the time, but it might earn you enough to keep going.
Step5
Parking lots need attendant's
Hire on as a parking lot attendant at your local fair grounds or event place. These jobs are advertised through employment offices usually. Or you might get a job as a ticket taker, working at the same place.
Step6
garden fresh veggies
Grow lots of vegetables in your garden this summer and sell those extras. You might even start your own little vegetable stand beside your place. Make sure you take out a permit if you need to, to sell in your area.
Step7
farm work can pay off
Apply for work on a local farm. This means picking strawberries or lettuce or whatever the farmer grows in his fields. Some farmers hire people to help them during haying season too. (I grew up "haying" on a ranch, so be warned, this is hot, dirty, and hard work.) Look for these jobs in your local newspaper. Sometimes the farmers will pick up local workers in a bus or van too, to take you to the job site. Take water and a lunch!
Step8
pine trees
Apply at your area tree farm, to help plant trees. This is big business in Oregon where I live. Christmas trees mostly. And it's very hard work, but if you need a job, you should look into it. Check the local newspaper for tree planting jobs. Sometimes the employment office lists them too.
Step9
Work as a seasonal firefighter. (This means forest fires.) In areas of the west and in Alaska, there is a real need for people who can do this work. It's very hard work, and can be dangerous, but it pays well during the fire season. Ask at your local employment office for the companies who hire fire fighters.
Step10
Apply at a local food cannery. In the area where I live, we have a lot of food processing jobs every summer. It's hard work, but only lasts a few weeks or a few months.
Step11
Don't forget to try those area "labor ready" associations. Each day, whoever is present and ready to work can get the work that the employers are needing workers for. These places seem to have different names in every city, but you've probably seen the long lines of men and women outside, waiting for any job available. Sign up with them and do good work whenever you do get one of these temporary jobs.
Comments
Cherst1031 said
on 8/8/2008 Great suggestions for thinking outside the box.
MIghtyDreamer said
on 8/8/2008 these could be great emergency tactics for earning money
FUSILLI1OF4 said
on 7/27/2008 Good article, great tips. 5*
3-Point said
on 7/25/2008 Excellent article. thanks
mattlee said
on 7/25/2008 thanks