With Ski season approaching us here in Minnesota as well as tournament season for our Martial Art coming up I thought it may be useful to list some ways for anyone that needs to get some Quick Money for a trip. Remember, basically anyone can use these strategies except for number 15 and up ( adults only please ).
1. Write for a Blog
Writing for a blog is often times fast and easy. You can find listings of jobs where someone needs a blog post a week from you and you get paid around $15 per post. Now, imagine if you do one post a day for a couple weeks you can get you some nice cash for a trip. You can find listings for blog writers under a lot of job boards including one like this one at freelanceswitch.com
2. Sell your crap on Craigslist or Ebay
You would be surprised how much stuff people will pay to take off your hands. Most of the world has heard of both Ebay and Craigslist unless you have not left your cave in a couple years but make sure you check them out to post and sell items. Think about emptying your garage and making some dough. * Make sure when you are on Craigslist you click on your city to sell locally.
3. Google Street Team
Join Google in indexing all local businesses. Basically, Google pays you to walk around into local businesses, get some info about that business, and then pays you money. They pay you even more money if that business you visited confirms your activity. Quick and Easy walk after dinner or something can result in some serious cash. Here are the details on the Google Local Business Referral Program
4. Garage Sale
Another easy way to sell all that junk around your house. In fact, you can sell junk at your house and advertise by putting a sign on the corner that reads “Garage Sale - 9/20″ and post on Craigslist about it. Why Not? and then if you can’t sell everything put the rest of the junk on Craigslist or Ebay.
5. Bake Sale
Some people have a serious gift in my mind. That gift is the production of delicious baked goods. If you possess this skill, people will pay you for it. Look for local bake sales around your area and if you can’t find any refer to #6 of this list.
6. Organize an Event
Can’t find a Bake Sale around you? Is there a need for a local gathering of some kind? Organize It! Get businesses and other people to buy into your event and charge a registration fee. Tell them to do some marketing to get people to come and you can do some local marketing for the event as well. You get paid and so do they.
7. Paper Route
The classic wake up earlier than you have ever imagined and make money for a couple weeks. Just think, it’s all for that trip to the Bahamas.
8. Scalp Sports Tickets
Got some tickets to an event and you’re not gonna use? Sell them on the street, Ebay, Craigslist, or other ticket sales websites.
9. Make Something and Sell It
Using your skilles to make something can be one of the easiest ways to make some serious dough. Make a Chair, Website, Painting, Poster, Wagon, or anything you like. Then turn around and sell that thing. Rinse and Repeat to you get your target amount for that trip to Europe.
10. Tutor / Private Lessons
If you are skilled or educated at some sort of activity post some fliers up and tutor or give private lessons. Example, if you’re good at Golf teach some people the basics. If you’re good at Martial Arts give a private lesson. You get the point.
11. Do Something for Donations
You know what? Some people might just give you the money. If you’re going somewhere for a good cause you may be able to get some money through donations. Email friends and family or set up a blog or website to collect some donations. Even community members at your church or school may be willing to donate a little.
12. Bike Path Stand
This is the new Millenium. Lemonade stands are too old school. Set up an all inclusive “Spend your Money right here Stand.” Plop a chair down and a cooler full of water, Gatorade, granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, or snacks right next to a bike path and sell at a decent price. You will make some cash just for going to the store and then sitting in the sun all day.
13. Yardwork
Do yard work for your area. People need stuff done and you are healthy enough to do it. If you work one day of the weekend for a couple weeks you may get your plane ticket money back. Plus, you are probably doin’ some serious work and losing that weight for the beaches.
14. Hand Stuff Out
Businesses need stuff handed out. You may be able to go into a Dominoes or some local place and ask if they need any help passing fliers out on the street or around the neighborhood. In fact, you may be able to produce and hand out fliers for local businesses.
Warning: Risky Strategies Ahead
15. Good at Sports? Challenge your friends and put your money on the line.
You better be good, cause if you lose a bet your pride and money go together.
16. Fantasy Sports
May take a little longer to get money, but if you’re dominant at Fantasy Sports you may want to try this one out. I recommend doing this with work and friends rather than online because the pools are smaller and more manageable, but if you are really good you may be able to do a little money making online.
17. Casino
Make sure to Establish limits to how much you want to win and lose a night before going to a casino.
Going to a casino may be a great place to win some quick cash even while you are on the trip if you are good at Poker or Black Jack. It is also a gret place to lose all your the money you have saved forcing you towards that paper route.
18. Get a Part-Time Job
Ahhh the classic. Need money? Go get a job.
