Tips for Raising Money?

[sunray16]

Does anyone have any good tips for making cash to help boost the snowball? It's too cold for a yard sale and getting a second job isn't really feasible right now, but I want to raise some cash to start getting these credit cards out of our lives.

I've started gathering items and I've listed a few on Ebay. Other than Ebay and Craigslist...anyone have any ideas? I think I'm actually getting DH on board with this one..he's always saying we have too much "stuff", so he's starting to join in. I'd be thrilled to declutter my house and raise some money at the same time.

[sunshine]

I'm going to sound like a broken record, because I recommend these things to lots of people:

sell plasma if your health will allow it. $20- $25 each time, and you can do it twice a week.

babysitting -- esp. this time of year when parents want to go shopping or attend parties.

teach a class on something you are proficient at doing.

[LexTysMommy]

I agree with donating blood and babysitting. I am doing Friday nights from 6-9 and offering new years eve childcare form 7pm-9am.

I also suggest shopping for someone, cleaning houses, paper route, yard work if you love it, driving someone to and from places.

Ebay and craigslist are a great way to get rid of extra stuff laying around. Good luck!

[JessicaP]

good thread. I hope you find the extra money you need!

[mommy4ever]

Babysitting can be lucrative, I earn just under $2000/mo. But it can be very stressful at the same time. The first child I watch pays all our utilities and basic debt payments. The rest is used to snowball, and pay incidentals that arise. So I have a health snowball everymonth. It varies a little bit, but that is life, life varies.

Selling things is anotherway. Depending on what, will depend where to list it. I don't use craigslist, my area just doesn't use it. But I do use our used site, kijiji and a parenting board for kid stuff.

I did that with dd4 clothes, didn't expect to sell much, but sold nearly $100 locally. No listing fees, no closing fees, no shipping or driving. They picked up, and it was done. Gone fromt he house.

[Squirt]

Babysitting can be lucrative, I earn just under $2000/mo. But it can be very stressful at the same time. The first child I watch pays all our utilities and basic debt payments.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help picture you stressing out while one of your babysitting charges sat with computer and checkbook, paying your utilities and debts. I'd be very worried if a kid was paying my bills!

[mommy4ever]

ROFL...ok, bad wording. But the money for watching one pays the bills that NEED to be paid. The rest is used for the extras and snowball..lol.

But it is stressful work. You have to deal with parents who want the world from you. Who expect way more than possible. Or with kids that are terrors! I've had one terror, another that wouldn't sleep, and parents that weren't helpful.

My home is open to many eyes to scrutinize all the time. So it gets stressful.

BUT with the income that comes in, it alleviates ALOT of other types of stress, about bills, etc. So it's a trade off. I know there is an end in sight with the sitting, as once the bills are done, all loans paid off, and only the Mortgage, we can live well, with frugal practics, and I don't NEED to be a childcare provider. I think I'll keep one family part-time, just to have a little extra, but it won't be necessary. But if I don't take on the stress of childcare, there'll be no end to the financial stress in sight. Now there is. In about a year, we hope for debt free!

[geckoace]

i do those market research things sometimes, (not the medical kind) the focus group kind, last week i made $100 for 2 hours of my time and opinions.

[birthgeek]

I do the odd evening of babysitting, sometimes overnights so my kids don't even know I'm gone! I also sell Usborne books and make a rather lucrative commission on just a couple hours' work (mostly over phone and email, to boot!)

[PB&J]

Do you have a Half Price Book store? They buy books, cds, computer games, etc. Also, if clothing doesn't sell on Ebay I take it to Once Upon a Child. They don't give much at all, but it is more than what I make storing a box of kids clothes I don't need.

Anyone you know needs their house cleaned? I clean a house for $60 every 2 weeks.

[geckoace]

Do you have a Half Price Book store? They buy books, cds, computer games, etc.

thats a great idea we have a place here that pays about $1/ book!

[yonksgirl]

Do you enjoy doing crafts? I made hand made cards and sold them at a local store. I made $3.00@ card and once you get a rythm down with the design they do not take that much time!