Your Strengths, Your Money
Need a few extra bucks to help pay down debt or build up your
emergency account? There are some simple ways to do it without
working another job or being away from the children even more.
Using your *strengths*, brainstorm ways to zero in on new
sources of income.
What ARE Your *Strengths*? -- What are you really good at? --
What do your friends/coworkers compliment you about, over and
over? -- Are you a perfectionist in certain things? -- What
things do your friends/family tease you about, or find
irritating, because you do these things so well?
Do you Enjoy Working with Numbers?
If you're great at balancing your checkbook, you could pick up a
few extra dollars each month balancing for friends who hate
doing it themselves. A gentleman I know used to order pizza for
the bank teller in exchange for keeping his checkbook balanced
for him. He hated doing it. The teller found it very easy.
Perfect fit!
Are you Artistic?
Perhaps you're a penny-saver. You've created a beautiful
decorative container to hold your pennies. Would they make nice
gifts for others? Make some extras and see how they sell at
Christmas bazaars. Give away as gifts to nieces, nephews,
grandchildren. Others may see them and want one. Some may take
them to school and show them around.
If you make it fun for kids to use them, parents will greatly
appreciate it. In the meantime, children are learning a great
savings habit.
Are you a Perfectionist?
Can't stand a dirty car? Is your car always spotless, inside and
out? Next time someone compliments you on it (or wishes their
car looked great like yours), let them know you'll keep theirs
up to snuff for a few bucks every week or two. Their friends and
neighbors will notice, and before long you'll have created a
steady stream of income. Around here, the salt and chemicals
need to be removed on a regular basis during snow season.
Do you Enjoy the Great Outdoors? Use the Seasons!
Fall
How about raking leaves? Bag up the leaves and take them with
you for homeowners who don't enjoy this type work, or who can't
do it themselves. Fall is also a good time to give lawns a final
mowing. Mow the leaves up with the final grass cutting for the
year. The leaves are actually great nourishment.
Winter
Shovel sidewalks. Shovel paths so others can get in their cars
(especially the elderly). Or run errands for them while you're
already out doing your errands. Wash the slush and chemicals off
neighbors' cars after a major snowstorm.
Spring
Weed, till soil, remove downed branches after a storm.
Summer
Your neighbors probably have swimming pools. Are you good at
cleaning them? How about making sure the chemicals are just
right?
Remove stray leaves that end up in the pool. (For safety
reasons, please don't take your children with you to these pools.
Water gardens in the evenings or early morning for those who
don't enjoy it or can't do it. Weed their flower or veggie
gardens. See what you can do for the neighbors in your area
while they enjoy their vacations.
Change of Seasons
Remove leaves from gutters for others. Again, there will likely
be lots of downed branches to gather and remove.
Now, obviously these are very basic ideas. There are many more
ideas you can come up with. Use your strengths as your starting
point and see what you can dream up.