Ways to make additional income when times are tough

[Richard King]

There are a lot of "sidelines" a person can go into for income while going to school or going through a lay-off. Many of them are things you just wouldn't think of. I thought we might share those ideas.

I know that trimming trees can be very lucrative and there is a side profit of cutting tree limbs into firewood to sell if you you have the land to stack it on so it can dry. But this is not the time of year when that business is best.

I learned that school bus drivers are often in so much demand that they will pay a hiring bonus, they train you and it is something you do in the morning and then return to in the afternoon allowing time for your own classes or other jobs. The money is not in the daily pick up and drop off of kids but in the long trips to track meets and athletic or band events on Saturdays or Friday nights. You are being paid hourly the entire time your bus is gone even if you sit and read a book for hours during a track meet or baseball game and that won't ever be on a Sunday. It can end up being a nice chunk of change not to mention you get insurance at most places after a while.
Also if you are just available in mornings or only in evenings they do hire drivers who are that specific.
And once you are qualified to do that you are qualified to be a limo driver. I knew a guy who drove limos while going to school in Austin and he met nearly every big name musician that came to town and had a lot of big tippers.

Another thing that works out well if you like crazy schedules like I do is loading UPS or FEDEX trucks. A human has to do it. One shift starts at 4am and you are done around 9am. So you can go to another job or endeavor.
It pays better than delivering pizza and you don't get shot.
Along those lines UPS always takes on extra help in the pre Christmas rush. They hire extra runners to run packages to the doors so the driver doesn't have to get out. That can be some long hours but seasonal.

Any other experiences or tips someone wants to share.

 

[turmeric]

Here is something for those who like Internet research and have way too much time on their hands due to layoffs, etc.

 

[TimV]

When you are offered something to do for a wage that isn't enough to live on, and you don't have anything to do, consider taking the job. It keeps you from the depression of idleness and if you're faithful in the little job, people often notice. When I got back from Africa and was destitute, I'd take whatever I could get, and within a few months I put a down payment on our house.

 

[Zenas]

Living in Memphis one has the opportunity to work at the FedEx hub. I only advise it if you don't like sleep and you do like insanely hard work. From 11 at night until 3 in the morning, Memphis Int'l is insanely busy because of FedEx, and thousands of people have to unload all of those planes. Yesh.

On the upside, it's a part-time job that offers full-time benefits. FedEx has awesome benefits. (I know, because I was on my dad's forever.) It pays $150 a week and you don't work Friday or Saturday nights.

 

[LawrenceU]

Tim is right on the money. Work is work if you are out of work.

 

[ReformedWretch]

The only thing about taking "any" job is that I make pretty good unemployment for up to a year, the equivalent of around 12-14 bucks an hour.

and Meg, I am checking into that!

 

[Blue Tick]

Ways to earn additional income:

Waiting tables. People always need to eat and your paid daily.

Janitoral work. Every little bit helps.

Sell on eBay. Downside is listing fees and finding something to sell that's in demand.

Start a yard cleaning service. Some people don't want to do yard work.

Learn how to Drive a semi. Some companies will give you a sign on bonus and pay for your training.

 

[Richard King]

The only thing about taking "any" job is that I make pretty good unemployment for up to a year, the equivalent of around 12-14 bucks an hour.

and Meg, I am checking into that!

I am not sure if having part time work would mess up unemployment pay but IF NOT
the part timers at Home Depot and Lowes actually have it better than the full timers if my experience is any education. A part timer can say I am available on these days but a full timer can be made to work on Sunday. Anyway, there might be work there. And it may be just a regional thing but at the Home Depot garden dept where I worked they paid someone to come in at four a. m. and water all the plants. It would take three or four hours but that is 30 or 40 bucks a day.

 

[ww]

From experience the worst thing I did after being laid off years ago and getting severance from my company was start collecting unemployment and then trying out a job about 3 weeks into it for one night to see if I'd like it, I didn't and immediately ended my Unemployment Insurance because you have to report that you worked that one day and the rest is history.

 

[matt01]

Group homes - the entrance requirements are often fairly low/basic. Most companies have casual employees, where you can let them know that you are available for certain shifts each week. Some houses have sleeping shifts, where you are allowed to sleep 6+ hours out of a 10-12 hour shift (overnight).

The pay is nothing to get excited about, but it will put food on the table.

 

[LawrenceU]

The only thing about taking "any" job is that I make pretty good unemployment for up to a year, the equivalent of around 12-14 bucks an hour.

and Meg, I am checking into that!

Is that private / personal insurance? I've never heard of unemployment paying anything close to that for the average wage earner.

 

[ReformedWretch]

The only thing about taking "any" job is that I make pretty good unemployment for up to a year, the equivalent of around 12-14 bucks an hour.

and Meg, I am checking into that!

Is that private / personal insurance? I've never heard of unemployment paying anything close to that for the average wage earner.

Pa. unemployment pays me that, it's based on your "high quarter" so that would be when I was making a lot of money, thankfully.

As per Megs link, I am employed with them now and it looks very promising. I enjoy that kind of thing and think I can make it work. I'm not going to get rich doing it but it's something!

 

[SolaScriptura]

Well, selling drugs makes money. So does serving as local mob enforcer.

Oh wait, you wanted legit work...

I'd look for the high turn-over type places - places like UPS and Fed Ex give decent pay and GREAT benefits... but they except people to do significant work. They have a revolving door from all the people who go in wanting the pay and bennies but then deciding that the work is too hard.

 

[charliejunfan]

good ideas

 

[Mushroom]

The only thing about taking "any" job is that I make pretty good unemployment for up to a year, the equivalent of around 12-14 bucks an hour.

and Meg, I am checking into that!

Is that private / personal insurance? I've never heard of unemployment paying anything close to that for the average wage earner.

Pa. unemployment pays me that, it's based on your "high quarter" so that would be when I was making a lot of money, thankfully.

As per Megs link, I am employed with them now and it looks very promising. I enjoy that kind of thing and think I can make it work. I'm not going to get rich doing it but it's something!

Be careful, Adam. Even working as an independent contractor can end your unemployment benefits. You might want to check into that before you decide to take that work.

 

[Albatross]

As per Megs link, I am employed with them now and it looks very promising. I enjoy that kind of thing and think I can make it work. I'm not going to get rich doing it but it's something!

If you remember, let us know how this goes. I might forward it on to my wife.

 

[ReformedWretch]

Is that private / personal insurance? I've never heard of unemployment paying anything close to that for the average wage earner.

Pa. unemployment pays me that, it's based on your "high quarter" so that would be when I was making a lot of money, thankfully.

As per Megs link, I am employed with them now and it looks very promising. I enjoy that kind of thing and think I can make it work. I'm not going to get rich doing it but it's something!

Be careful, Adam. Even working as an independent contractor can end your unemployment benefits. You might want to check into that before you decide to take that work.

From what I understand PA. unemployment is based completely on what you're making while on it. I can make up to $250/week and still earn my full unemployment.

If you remember, let us know how this goes. I might forward it on to my wife.

Absolutely!

 

[APuritansMind]

I have umpired baseball and softball games to earn extra cash. You can earn between $25 and $60 per game, depending on the age of the kids.

 

[Theogenes]

Where I live you can make a lot of money in snow removal...especially this winter! (We're currently having another blizzard )

 

[ReformedWretch]

Where I live you can make a lot of money in snow removal...especially this winter! (We're currently having another blizzard )

I curl up in a ball and cry when it snows (kidding, but I hate snow!)

 

[Theogenes]

Where I live you can make a lot of money in snow removal...especially this winter! (We're currently having another blizzard )

I curl up in a ball and cry when it snows (kidding, but I hate snow!)

Adam,
I'm afraid that if you had lived up here this winter you wouldn't have made it out alive...it's been the "perfect storm" for winters!
PS...sorry for being off topic
Jim

 

[ReformedWretch]

lol, that's fine I need some humor!

 

[BG]

Buy a mower and a weedeater for a small investment and put out some flyers saying that you will mow yards for $25-$35 per yard. You only need 30 customers to make $125 plus per day, six days a week. You can probably find that many customers in a couple of big subdivisions. If you are diligent you can mow five a day by noon, giving yourself afternoons with your family or time to look for another job.

Buy a pressure washer and charge $35 per hour.

Buy a ladder and clean gutters and windows.

Buy a gym membership, get a tan, shave your legs, learn to dance, and take your act on the road. I wouldn't do it, but it's an option!

 

[Happy2BHome]

Buy a gym membership, get a tan, shave your legs, learn to dance, and take your act on the road. I wouldn't do it, but it's an option!

I am sure your wife is glad that you would not choose this as an option.

 

[Hawaiian Puritan]

The federal government is looking for full- or part-time census workers.

Start here:

US Census Bureau 2010 Jobs - For Fulltime workers

 

[Montanablue]

Babysitting or nannying can be QUITE lucrative, although it can depend on where you live. I nannyed for a family all through college, and I did quite well. My younger brother has a family which he babysits for about twice a week, and he makes about 50 dollars each time - its nothing to live on, for sure, but it can be a big help.

Also, substitute teaching can be a good option. One advantage to this is that they usually call you and ask if you can come in or not - so if you have a job interview, you can say no. You're not tied into to anything. A friend of mine was recently laid off, and she's been doing this. Its been enough to keep her afloat.