What do you do for extra cash?

sherd · November 2011

I stay at home with DS and also watch a friends daughter. She does pay me but it is by no means close to what I was making at work and is making things very tight for DH and I. Now that the Holiday season is kicking up, I am curious. What things do you do to make extra income? Thanks Ladies!

hayleydeee · November 2011

I do everything in my power to be sure that we spend less of the income that we have. We have a strict budget, and no extras.

Luckily this time a year DH gets a bonus from work so that helps with the holidays.

ETA: Does this count as a work from home post? It kind of seems like one to me... Wish I could have a mimosa about now.

MAMAxB · November 2011

Check FAQ for ideas.

Or like 20 posts below this one.

Beer Count for January: 10

ENI36 · November 2011

We don't do anything different from what we would do if I were working. Have you thought about going back to work?

I used to sell things on eBay but it wasn't much cash, it was more just for fun. It was before kids. But if you get good at it you might make a little fun money.

Stacyc625 · November 2011

Please read this without ANY snark intended- because I am truly trying to give you good advice.

It is EASIER to save money than make it.

Learn how to competively shop. KNOW what you are paying for. Learn to coupon if you can, take advantage of groupons/daily deals to save on things.

Very common sense stuff.

You WILL save money and A LOT of it- if you know how to shop properly. And learn what to buy- where- and most importantly WHEN!

(man some days- i really feel like I should make a blog and totally devote it to teaching people how to shop properly....)

The FIRST thing you need to do is examine WHAT you are spending money on. And HOW much. - and then you cost out and examine how you can SAVE $ while buying the same exact things.

For example:

Just the other day I was at BJ's. (wholesale)

Now there are things I will ONLY buy there- because I KNOW I will NOT get a better price anywhere else.

Their lysol/clorox wipes for example. Novemeber they are running a special- BOGO free (the big packs of 4 large containers in each pack). So essentially- you will get 8 large tubs for 11.99. Now while that is good in itself. (each container is 5.00 in Target/Walmart). There was a high value coupon in ALL YOU magazine. I have 2 1.00 off coupons. Also I went online and printed 3 coupons for another 1.00 off- So I had (total) 5.00 in coupons 12.00 less 5.00 = 7.00 for 8 large tubs of wipes. Saving me 33.00 in cleaning products right there. And it took me all of 5 minutes of time to print out a couple of coupons. Plus- there is a rebate buy 3 lysol products- get one free. So they will send me a check for up to 3.00 by mailing the rebate form in.- So technically- 4.00 for 8 large tubs- making them 50 cents a piece vs. 5.00

Also- things like mouthwash- Great deals can be had at BJs with that. Listerine Total care big jug retails around 6.00 a jug. BJs had a sale for 3 jugs of mouthwash for 12.00 - less their 3.00 cp = 9.00 / jugs. HOWEVER I had 3 - 2.00 coupons. So 9.00 less 6.00 in my mani coupons = 3.00 for 3 large jugs of mouthwash. = 1.00 a jug

Those are ways that you learn how to become a saavy shopper. NOT everything at BJs is cheaper. But you need to learn WHAT a good price is and where to get the best deal.

Easier to save vs. spend. I save my family thousands of dollars by shopping properly.

sherd · November 2011

ENI36:
We don't do anything different from what we would do if I were working. Have you thought about going back to work?

I used to sell things on eBay but it wasn't much cash, it was more just for fun. It was before kids. But if you get good at it you might make a little fun money.

DH and I have discussed that probably around June 2012 I will possibly go back. I am working PRN (as needed) at one of the hospitals here in town and they are "holding my position" until I am needed back or I am ready to come back. Right now we aren't comfortable with sending DS to daycare but I am thinking that when he is a little closer to 2 we will be able to then. Daycare costs here in Kansas are outrageous, over $800 a month for facility!

sherd · November 2011

Stacyc625:
Please read this without ANY snark intended- because I am truly trying to give you good advice.

It is EASIER to save money than make it.

Learn how to competively shop. KNOW what you are paying for. Learn to coupon if you can, take advantage of groupons/daily deals to save on things.

Very common sense stuff.

You WILL save money and A LOT of it- if you know how to shop properly. And learn what to buy- where- and most importantly WHEN!

(man some days- i really feel like I should make a blog and totally devote it to teaching people how to shop properly....)

The FIRST thing you need to do is examine WHAT you are spending money on. And HOW much. - and then you cost out and examine how you can SAVE $ while buying the same exact things.

For example:

Just the other day I was at BJ's. (wholesale)

Now there are things I will ONLY buy there- because I KNOW I will NOT get a better price anywhere else.

Their lysol/clorox wipes for example. Novemeber they are running a special- BOGO free (the big packs of 4 large containers in each pack). So essentially- you will get 8 large tubs for 11.99. Now while that is good in itself. (each container is 5.00 in Target/Walmart). There was a high value coupon in ALL YOU magazine. I have 2 1.00 off coupons. Also I went online and printed 3 coupons for another 1.00 off- So I had (total) 5.00 in coupons 12.00 less 5.00 = 7.00 for 8 large tubs of wipes. Saving me 33.00 in cleaning products right there. And it took me all of 5 minutes of time to print out a couple of coupons.

Also- things like mouthwash- Great deals can be had at BJs with that. Listerine Total care big jug retails around 6.00 a jug. BJs had a sale for 3 jugs of mouthwash for 12.00 - less their 3.00 cp = 9.00 / jugs. HOWEVER I had 3 - 2.00 coupons. So 9.00 less 6.00 in my mani coupons = 3.00 for 3 large jugs of mouthwash. = 1.00 a jug

Those are ways that you learn how to become a saavy shopper. NOT everything at BJs is cheaper. But you need to learn WHAT a good price is and where to get the best deal.

Easier to save vs. spend. I save my family thousands of dollars by shopping properly.

I didn't take it as being snark at all! I appreciate it! I do try and coupon etc but we don't really buy that much to begin with for it to make much of a difference with us :-( I do know that saving is the best way to go and we try to do that as we don't purchase much either.

angelakh · November 2011

Are you crafty? DD's school has a holiday bazaar each year and it's low cost to be a vendor to sell your stuff. Also, craigslist toys and clothes you no longer want/need. That will make you some extra holiday cash.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · November 2011

I am a licensed cosmetologist and still have a few clients that I take care of. Not really something just anyone can do though.

pokey208 · November 2011

I 'made' $15 doing the laundry today....

JenJar · November 2011

I've watched children in my home as well as sold on etsy. I've been in direct sales for almost 3 years, too. I do a lot to cut out expenses, etc. like Stacy mentioned (though she is WAY better than I am!)

Some things my friends do - one cleans offices in the evening/weekends, many do childcare, photography on the side, etc.

Hope2Have · November 2011

hocus:
sherd:
ENI36:

We don't do anything different from what we would do if I were working. Have you thought about going back to work?

I used to sell things on eBay but it wasn't much cash, it was more just for fun. It was before kids. But if you get good at it you might make a little fun money.

DH and I have discussed that probably around June 2012 I will possibly go back. I am working PRN (as needed) at one of the hospitals here in town and they are "holding my position" until I am needed back or I am ready to come back. Right now we aren't comfortable with sending DS to daycare but I am thinking that when he is a little closer to 2 we will be able to then. Daycare costs here in Kansas are outrageous, over $800 a month for facility!

In manhattan day care centers run around $2,000 to $2500 a month. $800 isn't too bad IMO.

ARE you serious?!?!? Oh my goodness!

Dr.Loretta · November 2011

I freelance for my old company. It's my fun $. Other than that we just stay within our budget. We have a conversation about the bank account at least twice a week.

mhbraymer · November 2011

Instead of buying new clothes I take all the clothes we've out grown to a baby consignment shop and they take some of the profit and put it in an account for me. We walk a lot instead of driving and wasting gas (Salem is small so everything we need is in walking distance.) And for some of the big baby items like car seats and stuff i want all the cash for I sell it on CL.