I recently decided to set down and try to figure out how I have come up with extra cash in the past without having to work extra hours, take on a second job, or partake in any other laborious activity which eluded into my personal time. So I came up with some pretty interesting things and here are five of them:
1. SAVE YOUR CHANGE
Since I was young I have always put all my loose change in a jar and when I thought I had enough, I would go cash it in and buy a toy. Well, I still do that to this day. Yes, banks pay interest and all that good stuff, but there is just something "childlike" about having a piggy bank and that loose change adds up fast. I usually save all my change for one year and then buy something. Last year, I purchased my wife a laptop computer with our spare change. This year, we payed for our vacation theme park tickets in Orlando, FL with our loose change. Of course, we take it to the bank first for them to sort it. Vendors really don't like for you to hand them $900 in quarters.
2. STOP EATING OUT SO MUCH
You know you do. There really isn't much to say other than the fact that high fuel cost is driving up the prices for everything, including dining out. Yes, groceries are going up too, but it is still much less expensive to eat four bologna sandwiches then it is to get that combo at the fast food joint.
3. RECYCLE
I am a firm believer in recycling and you can make some extra cash doing it. Check your bottles, plastic containers, and so forth to see if you live in a state that will actually pay you to recycle them. Also, always recycle your cans. I recently took our cans to the recycling center where they paid me $0.78 per pound and I walked away with a $47.00 check!
4. HAVE A YARD SALE
This is kind of like work, but yard sales can actually be quite fun. Just go around your house and pile up all the stuff you know you don't want. Place an ad in your local paper (many papers let you place yard sale ads for free), and then set up and sell. Remember, don't give your stuff away for pennies. Typically, if your clothes are in good shape, charge 1/3 or 1/4 of what you paid. Don't sell anything for less than a quarter. Your time isn't worth it.
5. BUDGET YOUR MONEY
I really cannot emphasize this enough, but if you spend your money on paper before you actually spend it in real life, then you will know where every dime is going. I have a great 21 page guide that will actually show you a cool postcard system that my wife and I came up with to effectively budget our money. You can get it from my personal website.
Justin V. Cecil, MBA PERSONAL BLOG: http://www.peskydebt.net/ MY COMPANY: http://www.MyUnionJournal.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Cecil |  |
