How to Earn Money Without a Job Suggestions

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By Terria Fleming
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recycling scrap metal

Here are some more ways you can earn money when you have lost your job, can't get a job, or maybe you are retired but need more money to live on, or you work a minimum wage job and need more money than that to support yourself.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Phone
Transportation, including bus, bicycling, or walking
Library
Internet

Step 1

cars at 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.
Step 2

scrap metal

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 myself learned most of this from a book in my local library, but there is also information on the internet, or call local scrap metal dealers, and ask them what they will take and how to sell to them.
Step 3

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. Recycle folks, it pays and is good for the planet.
Step 4

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.
Step 5

Parking attendant job

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.
Step 6

garden crop

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.
Step 7

farm work pays 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!
Step 8

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.
Step 9

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.
Step 10

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.
Step 11

workers

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.