Krystyna

Here are a few ideas I've been successful with:

Mystery Shopping and Auditing. Two years ago I made over $10,000 by mystery shopping and doing audits of a big electronic store chain. You can learn more at www.volition.com Besides earning cash, my husband and I had some wonderful dinners out and I also did some jewelry mystery shops and got lots of pricey earrings and charms which I gave as Christmas gifts. You do get better offers if you get certified. Silver certification is $15. Gold is about $99, but you really don't need that for a long time.

Last year I worked for the Census and was fortunate that the man in charge of the office took a liking to me. I ended up working 40 hours a week with occasional overtime and made about $18.50/hr which was a real God-send. They are still hiring for ongoing surveys, but it is part-time, about 20 hours a week. I took a test and we were supposed to start training in March, but were told that until the Feds resolve the budget issues, new hires were on hold. Salaries vary according to your location. The Department of Labor is also hiring part timers to do price audits in stores. Same deal there.

Artisan Preserves are also excellent sellers at Green Markets and flea markets. I forage for beach plums and make jam and an Asian type dipping sauce. Also make other types of jams and salsas, too. Depending on where you live, the process of licensing can be tough or a breeze. Beach plum jam goes for about $10-12 a jar.

You might also make dog treats to sell at flea markets.

Aprons are enjoying a HUGE come back.

I used to sell on eBay specializing in a particular niche, but the fees - including Paypal fees, were out of control. Now I just sell things on my website with an eye towards clearing out all inventory for more room for .... FABRIC! You can also make money on your blog or website with affiliate marketing. You build content with links and get paid commissions monthly. There are lots of them and there is even one for eBay. Yup. You can make money with eBay without selling anything.

Someone mentioned flipping cars. My former neighbor paid off his mortgage buying cars at marshall's auctions and reselling them. Even the beat up ones went fast. During hard times people still need vehicles as station cars, etc. and they don't care what they look like.

Find a niche market. A good friend of mine loves oil lamps. A few years ago I was at a huge estate sale in a warehouse and found several boxes of wicks from the 1940s and sent them to him. One thing led to another and I suggested he start a business selling wicks. Six years and a LOT of hard work later, he just wrote to say he passed the million dollar mark in gross sales.

echoemb

I run a concession stand during the summer at a team roping arena. Nice income and work Saturdays and Wednesday nites. I also sell antler dog chews. (antlerdogchew.com) The antler business isn't much but every few bucks helps and the summer job does quite nicely depending on the economy. This year could be interesting.

smagruder

I take surveys and earn cash, giftcards, and items. It takes a while but when I cash them in it is a real treat. Lots of gift cards to restaurants.

sandpat

Interesting topic MJ...I'll keep an eye on it. We've always bought and sold stuff in the past..DH would buy a truck load of non running push lawn mowers, fix them and resell them. I bought and sold horses to put myself through college. I also sold the manure pile by the truck load LOL! There's money in poop! Its a bit harder to do these things in a small town though.

I think the pet sitting need is a good one...what about "doggie day care" or vacation pet sitting-- that season is coming up! Even watching someone's house, watering plants, etc.....can make you some extra $$$.

okiepastor

You need to PM Tomilu--she can tell you about the classes round the country and who to contact....

huntannette

In the summer and fall i participate in the local farmer`s market, it cost me 25$ to join plus 5$ a week....I sell what i`ve made during the year: painted rocks, wallhangins made with driftwood, homemade cards, dolls, button flowers and hair jewellry, quilted items, loafs, jams and jellies, made over 2, 000$ last year.

Aurora

I live just off 127 and will be getting things together to setup and sell during the 127 yard sale. The people in front of me have a huge setup every year and rent spaces, so the people are already there buying and there is lots of parking space in front of my place.

Grace E

I make extra income by being a representative for Jordan Essentials Bath and Body products. I have become very dependent on many of our products, but the one that is an absolute gift is our Lotion Bar - it's solid hand lotion with a bees wax base. I run my needles and thread through the bar - no stains on the fabric either - best of both worlds... needles and thread are easily managed, and I make extra money from my sales.

reeskylr

I should be doing more, but I've grown lazy. I did a LOT of article writing on Freelancer.com. Usually starts out at a dollar an article and they usually want 10 articles a day some want less. I got a couple good contacts of stable employers, then I went to work for Wal-Mart and fell out of it. I was making upward to 5.00 an article there for a bit. However, it is very time consuming and sometimes the turn around is short on what they want.

You also have to watch out for some of the India employers that want something for nothing. I also had one that never paid me, so then I wised up and watched closer to the reviews and checked their names for how many posts they had and how much it may have repeated.

I had a blog up that was getting some fair hits and sharing tips on article writing. I'd also call them out on the blog, if they 'screwed me over' -- had one man tell me that he would have hired me, if I hadn't been so negative on some posts. I thought, oh well, I'm too old these days to take crap and shut up about it. LOL


Oh I forgot to add, that I've done some craft fairs too and they can be slow, some thing sell, some don't. But, I did find a pretty good seller at one, which was around school time. Those rollups for crayons or colored pencils. Quick to make, and you can purchase those 12 pack of pencils for a buck. Just add them to it and sell the rollup for 5.00. I was told to ask for more, but heck.

FranCFries

I sew for a SMALL - Women owned company. I make cat toys - she has been in business for 11 years. I don't make a ton, but I also get free toys for my cat (dog loves them too). She uses recycled mat., it is good stuff. It is also sold at farmers markets, sat. markets and on line too.