Short Changed: Raising A Few Dollars Makes Perfect Sense

Sometimes your paycheck just doesn't have much give. So, stretching it further and further is taxing on your state of mind, and it isn't always easy to find spare change or extra cash simply lying around. You could always go down the path of a second job, but you're likely no different than most people, the ones who barely have enough time for the first one much less a second. How about this for a second job? Saving or earning money where you least expect it. And that starts with the simple act of changing your outlook on change. Everyone has that one friend who saves every last nickel and dime they have, and it usually is tucked away in some storage apparatus or the proverbial “change drawer.” You may look at this means of saving money as grossly overrated, but patience pays off once you decide to cash out. Those who implement a system of saving change every time they receive a few quarters, dimes or nickels back as part of a cash transaction typically can save a few hundred dollars per month, which translates into a few thousand in your pocket at the end of the year. Listen closely enough to those same friends who save their change, and you'll be amazed at the stories you hear about buying a flat screen TV or piece of furniture without ever having to swipe a credit card. Instead, they'll tell you they finally cashed in all that change and turned it into a major household item, minus the expense. In addition to stockpiling silver dollars at every turn, you may want to skip the part-time job and start earning money when the opportunity presents itself, perhaps with something like a babysitting gig or walking a group of neighborhood dogs for a fee. These aren't exactly part-time jobs but rather short-term solutions to save a few bucks without making yourself incredibly stressed with a full-fledged second place of employment. If that doesn't fit the bill for you, there's always the idea of working as a seasonal employee around the holidays or during summer months where applicable. Summer also is a great time for you to consider a garage sale or other means of getting rid of unused items and replacing them with extra money. The idea of holding a garage sale might sound a bit antiquated in the age of eBay or Craigslist, both of which are perfectly fine for selling items. The garage sale appeals to the computer illiterate and also might be an easier way of selling a bunch of items at once as part of one day, rather than sitting and spending hours listing and describing items online. Keep in mind with eBay and the garage sale that you'll be assessed with fees and shipping with the former and the cost of a newspaper ad with the latter. The last thing you want to do is spend more money than you'll make with either venture. That only will serve as a means to shorten the life of your paycheck when your original objective is to do the exact opposite.