FishProfiles.com Message Forums

What are some easy ways to make a little more income on the side? I estimate that in three or four years, Danielle and I will be out of debt if we stick to the budget I made. At that time, the only bills we would have would be mortgage and utilities. However, that it the problem, sticking to the budget. Right now it is really hard considering that we have a wedding coming up, but after that, it shouldn't be too bad. We have money in the bank, but it seems like we are living paycheck to paycheck.

So what is there that is pretty simple and can get an OK income? (Something in the $200 to $500 a month range).

Getting anouther job is pretty much out of the question as I work 47 hours a week, Danielle works retail so she has odd hours (Mon, Tues, Wed we are both 100% booked up all day). So it would have to be something that we could do on our free time.

Any Ideas?

Good luck.

A better one would really to be to work extra extra hard on keeping to a budget. I'm good at staying on track (how else does one pay off school loans 9mths after graduating and buy a house a few years later!), but a certian someone else needs a little help from me every now and then .

Consider each and every purchase and think "do I really need this, is it REALLY necessary, what purpose will it serve" and I do mean every purchase (put the jell-o back unless it's really going to make you happy!)

The wedding is something the two of you will have to think about. Sure it's "the big day" and all, but honestly I don't remember much of mine, and it's not that big a deal! I had more fun in designing and making the dress, working with my sisters and friends on decor and with my sis and BIL in working out the program. In all it only cost us a few K (granted we only had 20 guests). And if you havent' considered the honeymoon yet, maybe go for something closer, more private, that might let you just enjoy time with each other....after all are you really going to be leaving the room much after all the time you've waited . You'll have the rest of your lives to do cool fun adventure type things.

As for cheap money on the side....don't do anything you see advertised in the newspapers, no pyramid scheemes, no 'make money in your spare time' deals .

If either of you are creative you could try crafty type stuff that you might be able to buy a table at craft fairs, but the start up takes a bit to start off, and there is a time comitment which you said you havent got (food is good too).

Might consider babysitting, I know it seems a step back but you two are mature adults (or so the parents will think ) that parents might be happier about leaving the kids with. If you've got any type of outdoor experience and the market isnt' too flooded already you could try yard work, concentrate on elderly couples that just can't do it anymore. Maybe check with people in any groups that you two are part of and see anyone has older parents or grandparents that might fit the bill, they'll have friends too.

Budgets are tough, but if both of you are comitted to it it makes it a great deal easier . Good luck .

^_^

granted i had a very extreme case, but i made $200-350 every weekend delivering pizza. and that wasn't counting the $150-200 i made on my check every two weeks as well

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

House-sitting is pretty good too.

><>

Sure it's "the big day" and all, but honestly I don't remember much of mine, and it's not that big a deal!

- i hope i remember mine

I know some folks around here have early morning paper routes. Doesn't sound too exciting, but the usually make $100 to $125 per week. The biggest problems with them are it is 7 days a week, and you always have to find someone to fill in for you if you're going to be gone.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I know some folks around here have early morning paper routes.

My ex did that and made quite a bit of money. With paper routes, pizza delivery, etc it's important to take the cost of gas into consideration...

As far as the wedding I agree with Babel. Make sure you're doing what the two of you want, not what family wants or what you think is expected. The first time around I had the big wedding blah blah blah...a few months later when reality sets in (house & car payment, bills, etc) I really regretted how much we spent.

Wedding #2 was different, obviously since it was the second lol but there are also 9 kids between us. We did an all-inclusive in Jamaica...we had a choice of ceremony locations, flowers, music, photos, reception. Other than what we wanted to wear, everything was included in the cost (hotel, food, drinks, activites). If I ever got married again (NOT! lol) I'd do the same. We'd actually like to go back to the same place for a second honeymoon someday...

Anyhow, do either of you have 'stuff' that you could sell on ebay?

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I paint apartments for around $10/hr and on my own hours. I don't have to deal with any customers either since apartments are painted between residents. Just ask management which ones and if they have a deadline, get them painted when I have time, and collect a check. If I end up unable to make the deadline I offer someone half the money for helping me paint an apartment. Usually most materials(at least the paint) are provided. Depends if your any good at painting or if you end up getting it all over everything. Anything ruined like carpet or wood trim you have to pay part of the cost to replace.

i agree with the pizza delivery. i made about $50 a night during the week and about 80+ a night on the weekends. plus my hourly pay.

as for what theresa said about the gas. no worries they generally pay a gas fee based on the mileage. when i worked for papa johns they paid 35cents a mile. plus when i fried my clutch (on the job)they paid for the parts so all i had to pay for was the labor.

*click *flash *click "whered he go???"

I am a pizza driver. I don't make as much as they quoted, but I only get 15 hours per week (the company has a lot of employees) Another thing I would suggest is starting up a small publication or buissiness centraled around something you are passionate about. Right now, I'm working on the "Tank Keeper's Digest" (basically a cross between Aquarium Fish and Chicken Soup For The Soul aimed at local begenners)

You could also try to put away a small amout of money each day. (I have trouble doing this ) If you have the will power, try setting aside $2-3/day or $10/week into a savings account that will pay you an interest rate, and has little fees. ^_^



Inky

Working as a Dj for years doing wedding after wedding, when it came to my big day, my wife and I choose the vegas wedding, the wedding itself wasn't to costly, but my wife had to have a lot of friends there. So tickets and hotel go me but still less than some of the big weddings I have worked. All I have to say was it was a good thing my friends could afford to pay their own way and I remember every moment of it. Even the part where I cried like baby when she was walking down the aisle. She was so beautiful and I'm still amazed she married a guy like me.

Back to you question Bablefish has it right suffer now and buy only what you need. My wife says I tight with money but we only buy things when I have save the money for it. Never use credit cards unless it is an emergency and than pay it off that month. You can save the 200 to 500 in interest on a card if you never let them charge you. Another way, to actually save money is to increase you mortgage payment say like me I payed 30 yr mortgage off in 10.5 years by sending an extra 200 a month an when my income tax check can in I sent it to the bank. I know that this is not going to put cash in your pocket right now but in the long run it will, and with your limits with available time its the only way I can see.

Good luck and congratulation on you upcoming wedding.

DjRichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

thanks for the tips.

Pizza delivery is out. Too much wear/tear on car. Will put money in pocket now but cost more later on.

We have a third car that if we could get up an running, I may be able to do pizza. Problem is that it needs about $600 to $1000 of work, so it would take too much time to pay that back, and by the time it did, it could break down again.

Can't really afford to put $200 a month extra but I do put about $60 a month extra which equals out to about one extra payment a year. When I get more bills payed off, I'll probably increase that.

As for putting a little money into a savings account, most interest rates are too low to make money come tax time. Common ones around here will end up costing more than what they gain.

I know a lot of you say, "Hardly remember the wedding" and "its only one day" but try telling most women "you only need one pair of shoes." There is so much that could be used for other things than the wedding. Heck, if I could take the money her parents are putting toward the wedding, I could pay off bills and probably pay $300 extra a month on the mortgage and probably have it paid off in 7 or 8 years.

Turns out that my own job ends up giving me more hours, but my drive is longer. Gonna find out what its costing me in gas to see if its really worth it.

i don't understand the lst part unless you have to drive your car for job. If not than the cost for gas would be the same to drive to and from work. Your right about pizza delicery it is to much wear and tear on a car, and at least were I live it's unsafe. What about a home bussiness?

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

To explain my job as it is, let me explain it this way. My job is at location X which is about 30 minutes from home. Until last monday, I was driving from home to location X then back home.

Last monday my job changed a little. In the morning I drive to location X, then at noon I drive about 20 minutes to location Y. Away from home. So now my driving schedule is this: home to location x (30 min), X to Y (20 min), then Y to home (50 min)(if I catch GOOD traffic). Thats 110 minutes of round drip driving totaling about 60 miles. Which is 300 miles a work week. Which is about a tank of gas a week, where before my car was going almost a week and a half.