Reading between the lines to find those extra income opportunities

Reading between the lines to find those extra income opportunities

With this recession looking to be around for the foreseeable future, we're all or nearly all looking for extra income opportunities to augment the family coffers. It used to be fairly easy to find a part-time job for just a few hours a week to bring in a little extra cash. Now, as I look around, I notice that many small retail business owners are now filling in hours that used to be worked by part-timers. Still, there are some extra income opportunities available. You just need to look in some unlikely places and do a little reading between the lines. Here are a few ideas to get you started, with a different mindset.

Keep in mind that you're not the only one who is feeling the pinch. In fact, there are a few entrepreneurs on the net, who have a jump on the situation and know where you're coming from. There are newsletters out there, free for the asking, which have made their mission one of helping you reach your objectives. They've already done the leg work, searching out many resources of extra income, such as opinion polls, surveys, sweepstakes and freebies. These entrepreneurs are staking their reputation on pre-screening these resources, screening out the scams and zeroing in on the legitimate extra income opportunities. Try Googling 'newsletters saving frugal extra income' and see what you'll find. You may not get rich, but any extra income is a good thing, right?

Now, here's where you want to start thinking outside the box. While you may not traditionally think of coupons or giveaways as a source of extra income, if you can get $20 in coupons you'll actually use, that's $20 in your pocket. That expense is transformed into income! If you can get some freebies from a cosmetic company, you've effectively increased your disposable income, because you didn't have to buy the products. So these types of savings are actually extra income opportunities; money that you would have spent, but stays in your wallet!

Here's another way this downturn in the economy can work in your favor. Everyone's tightening their belts now and this includes your local businesses. While they may need some work done, it's not enough to hire even a part time employee. Perhaps they just need someone for a week or two. Contact some of the temporary employment agencies in your area and see if they don't have one of these extra income opportunities for you!

This last way to pick up some extra cash is one of my husband's favorites: the garage sale. I'm one of those people who keeps every little thing forever, unless I get a little push to get rid of some of it. Works every time. Everyone's happy when the garage sale is over. We've got some extra money, the garage is clean and the buyers got some good deals!

Take heart! There are many extra income opportunities, if only you know where to look!