How to: make some extra steady income?
 

Hey TFP it's been some time. Glad to see things are still going strong here!

Since my last visit I've graduated college (Business Administration), been fully cut off financially from my parents (a blessing in disguise), not been able to get a management or management-training job in this economy, and taken a sales position at a highly-reuptable jewelry company.

My problem is this. I'm finding that after all my expenses, I'm left with just about $800 in disposable income saved every month. And this is from living quite modestly; I pack my lunches, I eat out about twice a week, and I really don't buy much of anything at all. My main monthly-bills include rent, broadband, cell phone, 401k, and health insurance.

I've fortunately learned that I am indeed a "swimmer," not a "sinker," when I was cut off from my parents randomly one day. I have long-term financial goals in life and I feel that I can't even take baby steps with how little I seem to be able to save.

I'm curious if anyone can share some fudamental income insight to hopefully spark some ideas on how to make some extra monthly income. My evenings are spent eating and watching TV so I figure I could perhaps squeeze something in there, even if it's just for an extra $100/mo. Are there any sure-shot ways to do this? Selling commodity-x on Ebay? Buy low, sell high, whatever it may be, even if for slim margins. I'm all ears if anyone has some advice. I'm a quick learner and computer savvy so I figure I can make something happen, but I just need to find out what to do first :P

I can make one recommendation, and this is something I'm currently doing myself.

You could do something on eBay or whatever to eek out another hundred bones, or you could do something for more long-term planning.

Instead of watching TV (or playing video games, as is my own case), do something to improve your knowledge or skill base. Read non-fiction books related to your education focus or industry (business & selling), take courses that focus on an area you're interested in working one day (post-degree management courses?), continue to learn.

Not only will these things improve your mind and ready you for opportunity, but they might also give you opportunities directly. When I took a single post-degree course in editing, I landed myself a job in the industry within weeks.

The sure way to boost your income is to invest in yourself. I think eBay would be a good quick-fix, but can you see yourself doing that long-term? Do you think you could become an eBay tycoon and retire early?

TV is a time-waster. Use this time to learn something to improve your worth, and the opportunities will come.

What's the worst that can happen?

So take some courses and become a voracious reader. Read one hour a day...a book a week. Within months (if not days or weeks), you will see a difference, I'm sure.

You could get involved in after hours drug testing. Companies often outsource the testing of employees to contractors, who will then do the testing for them and submit the results.

The example I'm familiar with involved meeting the person being tested at the hospital, filling out some paper work, giving them a cup to urinate in, leaving the sample at the hospital, and faxing out the paper work. The worker was on call during a given time (11:00 PM - 3:00 AM, as an example), and pay is approximately $75.00 per session. Sessions generally last 30-45 minutes, but the testee has the ability to drag the session out to four hours; as that is the longest one is obligated to wait before failing the test by default.

The work is subcontracter work. Thus you're taxed as an employer and employee, and also should account for gas use and related expenses. Net profit on the $75.00 per session came to about $40-45 after setting aside money for the aforementioned expenses. You receive the pay in full and it's your responsibility to put money aside for taxes.

I was considering this type of job, but ultimately opted against it, as I'm not fond of being on call at odd hours of the night. I felt it would detrimentally affect my sleep pattern; ultimately interfering with working out, guitar practice, and enjoying life.

That being said, the potential for respectable secondary income is there if you're content with the parameters of the job.

Excellent advice indeed. I've been considering GIA courses to increase sales knowledge in my field for some time now.

I'm assuming you mean the Gemological Institute of America. This brings up a good point: if your job offers any kind of program to take courses or to otherwise further your education, for the love of Pete, take them on! If they don't, ask if they'll help you out--you're doing it to increase your sales, which benefits both of you.

If the GIA offers courses, and you think this is the industry you want to work in, by all means take them. If you're so dedicated to it, also do such things as read about your industry: trade magazines and what-not. Go to any trade shows or conferences related to your field. This is how you meet people and know your shit. Do this and success will follow. Sales is great that way. The better you get, the more money you get automatically (assuming you're on some kind of commission program).

Be a better salesperson and you will see the income you want. Be an amazing salesperson, and you'll find yourself in the top percentile and maybe even in a job where the money potential is far more than you imagined.

Sales skills are ridiculously transferable.

A part time job at Wal Mart should net you more than $100 per month.

I unfortunately already work full time and simply can't spare my weekends for a part-time job at this time.

I really need to do some thinking. It definitely seems that there's more than one route to "success" here!

See if you find anything here:

Rat Race Rebellion - Work from home: No Commute. No regrets.

Have you thought of writing? I recently cancelled my cable TV subscription and I spend the time reading and doing historical research. I've found a couple of history related magazines that are looking for authors to write short articles on obscure historical situations. The pay isn't much, but it is a nice "bonus" here and there and the benefits of becoming a better writter and having an article published may help with future endeavors.

Doesn't business school teach that "slim margins" is the antithesis of "Buy low, sell high"?:shakehead:

Lindy

Allmost suprisingly our band has gotten a fair ammount of gigs this year - and brought some good money to my family. $2.000 for October -> Today. Getting up to $350 a night. The down side is that my hoby now feels like a job sometimes...

Good news is we are booked frequently for 2009 too :)

You could always check into your local sound and lighting companies in the area that do work for concerts and events. They generally have a need for stagehands and they work odd / off hours, and you're usually booked for 4 hour or 8 hour gigs. Usually you only book on times that you are available, and you're not required to work off a weekly schedule.

check this thread out and see what you think.

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...draising.html?

I'm hesitant to post this here because it's going to sound like nothing but a site plug, but - hopefully I've been here long enough for folks to know that isn't the reason I joined - years and years ago :D

A guy that I work with told me about some multi-level marketing scheme that he signed up for about six months ago - it sounded just like every other crackpot get rich quick internet scheme out there with one exception - you get a domain name, 10 unique email addresses, and hosting for $10.00 a month. Since I was considering getting a domain name anyway, I signed up for it.

In essence, it's a deal where you get paid for every person you sign up, every person they sign up, etc, etc for 5 levels. The user interface is incredibly easy to follow and all you do to get someone to sign up is type in their name and email and it send them a link to a video that explains how it works. The decent thing about it is you are only allowed to send X amount of invitations a day, so there isn't a ridiculous amount of spam that you can send out.

I've spent all of maybe 5 minutes sending the email out to folks - I think 4 of the 10 people I sent it to signed up and got their own sites/referred a couple of other folks. My goal was to get the $10.00/month to pay for my site - with those four folks, I think I made something like $115 last month. Certainly not going to make me a billionaire overnight, but it is a bit of extra $ and I get a website out of it :D

The guy that initially told me about it claims that he's making upwards of $1400/month, but I imagine he's put a lot of work/time into building his network.

Also - just so everyone is aware, there is a 7 day free trial, then you start getting charged the $10/month.

I'll toss my link in here - but Mods, if you want me to remove it just let me know - I love this place too much for it to turn into a forum like any other...

Global Domains International

If you have any questions, please let me know!