Creative Ways to Get Some "Money-Mojo" Back!

Before you resort to selling lemonade on the corner (which might not be a bad idea BTW), here's a few more "creative" ways to make some extra bucks while you're looking for regular employment. I know it's easier said than done, but don't let it get you down too much! You'll get some "money-mojo" back before you know it!

1- Participate in Focus Groups: Are you a 35-55 year old female who colors her hair? Or, a 20-30 year old male who plays video games? Companies are willing to pay you cash for your opinions about certain consumer products or services. These firms advertise on sites like Craigslist to attract a specific demographic. I've seen ads for focus groups paying between $25 - $250 dollars depending on the group and subject matter. But, act quickly! These groups usually book up fast!

2- Wrap Your Car: It's possible to get paid to have your car turned into a moving advertisement! If you drive 800 miles or more per month and you live in a highly populated area, you may want to check out companies like Autowraps that offer car wraps. You can get paid up to $400 per month for a full car wrap and lesser amounts for a partial car wrap or a window wrap. Hmm...what's the catch? Well, the main glitch is that there are far more drivers wanting to do it than advertising campaigns available, so your chances are pretty slim that you'll be chosen. Still, it couldn't hurt to fill out an application...

3- Get Paid To Recycle: Don't know what to do with those old cell phones, laptops or PDA's? Recycle them for cash! Companies like Gazelle and Cell For Cash will pay you for your old electronics. First, find your item on their website. They'll send you a box so you can ship off your item to them. Once they verify the item, they'll send you the cash or they can pay you through Paypal. Gazelle says their process takes about a week once they receive your item. If you can't find your item on their list, they can send you a price quote. Gazelle refurbishes and then sells the electronics or recycles them if they're un-fixable.

4- Crafting for Cash: Are you a knitter or a quilter? Do you make your own jewelry? If you have a talent for creating, you can put it to good use by making and selling your wares online! Etsy.com makes it easy to sell your crafts. Be sure to take really clear pictures of your items so people can see what they're buying. Also, do some research beforehand and figure out the actual costs of producing your craft so you can make a profit!


5- Pet/Child Caretakers: If you're an animal lover, offer to walk your neighbor's dog a few times a week for a reasonable price, or agree to care for their cats while they go away on their summer vacation. If you really love children, offer to watch the kids in your neighborhood. When I was a teenager, I was paid $5.00/hour to babysit...I've heard the rates have doubled (and sometimes tripled) since!

6- Freelance, or become a "Consultant": Believe it or not, people may pay you for your knowledge and expertise! Sologig.com, Guru.com and Elance.com are just a few websites that specialize in connecting contractors, freelancers and consultants with employers looking for seasoned professionals. You can sign up for free on most of these sites and you can choose the projects that you're interested in and negotiate pricing directly with the employer.