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66 Ways to Save Money
66 Ways to Save Money (PDF) from the Consumer Literacy Consortium
66 Ways to Save Money was developed by a working group of representatives from government agencies, consumer groups, business organizations, and educational institutions that sought to develop and publicize money-saving tips. The initiative was managed by the non-profit Consumer Federation of America (CFA).
Over the past decade, nearly two million copies of this brochure have been requested. At present, the publication is among the most popular made available by the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC).
40+ Extra Income Ideas and Resources
40+ Extra Income Ideas and Resources
By Pinyo, on March 4, 2008
When I wrote Building, Diversifying, and Shifting Your Income Streams, there was an important element that I left out. That element was some practical real life ideas about how you can start building alternative income streams today. It is worth noting that not all of these are passive income ideas, so you will actually have to actively work for these income streams to grow.
In compiling this list, I did my best to avoid any sort of scams, and stay with practical ideas that work. I have not used all of these ideas, but I have used, or am using, many in this list.
Also, it’s important to note that some ideas may be worthwhile for you, some may not, depending on your financial situation.
Alternative Income Ideas:
In addition to basic ideas such as starting a business, getting a second job, and learning how to invest here are money making ideas you can try:
1. Build a CD Ladder using high yield certificates of deposit.
2. Switch to a higher interest savings account.
3. Lend money on social lending networks.
4. Sell used books and textbooks
5. Use cash back reward credit cards strategically
6. Sign up for Cash Crate, complete surveys, and refer your friends
7. Freelancing — e.g., GoFreelance.com, Elance, Guru, RentACoder, Amazon Mechanical Turk, etc.
8. Get cash rebates when shopping online using Ebates, and refer your friends for $5 each.
9. Make money blogging. You can learn more about blogging and start one. Here are some more good articles to start you off:
o How to Start a Blog for Fun or Profit – Introduction to a Series at Cash Money Life
o 28 Ways to Make Money with Your Website at Daily Blog Tips
10. Write for money — e.g., Squidoo, Associated Content, Triond, etc.
11. Becomes a landlord, or a real estate investor — e.g., rent out parking spaces, rooms, investment properties, etc.
12. Offer basic services — e.g., babysitting, housekeeping, gardening, painting, etc.
13. Offer skilled services — e.g., tutoring, resume writing, business consulting, blog development, logo design, etc.
14. Turn your hobbies into income streams — e.g., photography, videography, quilting, etc.
15. Perform your searches with Swagbucks.com and earn prizes.
16. Manage virtual portfolios and earn real money with UpDown.com and Wall Street Survivor.
17. Sell handmade products on Etsy
18. Write and sell eBooks
19. Ghostwriting
20. Enter contests and giveaways (use Google Alerts) and sell the prizes
21. Search for freebies and sign up bonus.
22. Turn your everyday spending into college savings with Upromise
23. Play the credit card arbitrage game (note: this is too risky for my tastes)
24. Becomes an Amazon Associate, and ask your friends to use your affiliate link to buy things
25. Sell unused items on eBay or Craigslist; or buy bulk items and resell them individually
26. Sell your collectibles
27. Start a bulk candy vending machine business
28. Mystery shopping
29. Find missing money — MissingMoney, Where’s My Refund, TreasuryHunt, PBGC database, and GovBenefits.gov
30. Create and sell CafePress T-shirts, and check out this creative idea from I Wear Your Shirt.
31. Set up niche online store — i.e., Amazon.com aStore or eBay Niche Store.
32. Participate in paid focus group studies.
33. Sell your body parts and fluids.
34. Collect cans and bottles for recycling.
35. Dog walking.
Alternative Income Resources:
1. 52 Ways to Make Extra Money at Prime Time Money
2. My Sources Of Alternative Income And How I Make Them Work For Me at My Two Dollars
3. Multiple Income Streams: 10 Ways to Earn Extra Income at The Dough Roller
4. Everyman’s Guide to $30 / Month in Passive Income at Four Pillars
5. How to Make Your Income More Passive at Frugal Dad
6. 5 Ways To Make Some Extra Money at Bible Money Matters
7. Spend less than you earn – the wrong way to think at Brip Blap
8. A Guide to Making Passive Income at Freelance Switch
9. 20+ Free Passive Income Resources at Life Optimizer
10. Passive Income: How to Earn More and Work Less at About.com
11. 8 Ways To Earn Passive Income Online at iSiteBuild.com
12. Five Ways to Create Passive Income With Little or No Money at Genius Types
13. Automate Your Income to Simplify Your Life at Zen Habits
14. Passive Income is the Key to Freedom and Retirement at All Financial Matters
15. 11 Great Ways to Earn More Money at Free Money Finance
16. Defining Alternative Income at Lazy Man and Money
17. Ten Ways to Translate Your Passion Into Additional Income at The Simple Dollar
18. 50+ Resources to Legitimately Raise Your Income at My Super-Charged Life
19. 40 Ways to Make Money on the Internet at Dumb Little Man
20. 102 Ways To Generate Extra Cash at Savings Advice
If you like this article, be sure to check out my Extra Income Guide.
10 Free Government Resources for the Unemployed
10 Free Government Resources for the Unemployed
By Barbara Safani, Posted Jan 26th 2011 @ 5:20AM
The Department of Labor, as well as many state, local and community agencies, all provide valuable free resources to job seekers. Here are 10 to check out.
1. Career One Stop
Career One Stop is a government resource for learning how to write a resume, cover letter or thank you letter. The site also provides tips on interviewing and negotiating your salary.
National Job Bank is a U.S. job bank that can be searched by occupation and location.
My Skills My Future helps job seekers find job opportunities based on previous job titles and job skills. The tool provides an overview of different occupations, salary ranges and information on the number of jobs that match a given title.
4. Occupational Outlook Handbook
Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on what specific jobs entail, the training and education needed for particular jobs, as well as earnings and expected job prospects.
5. Employment & Training Administration
Employment & Training Administration provides information on job training, worker dislocation programs and grants given to state agencies. The site also offers free online assessments.
6. 2-1-1
2-1-1 helps people find local assistance with training, employment, food pantries, affordable housing and support groups.
7. National Career Centers Directory
The government operates National Career Centers in all 50 states and offers job seekers training referrals, career counseling and job listings.
8. Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. Government and informs citizens of government benefits they may be eligible for while unemployed.
9. Worker Re-Employment
Worker Re-Employment explains how to apply for unemployment insurance and suggests government resources for people who need help with child care, groceries and other necessities. You can find your local unemployment office here.
10. Local libraries
Many local libraries throughout the country are offering free job search assistance via seminars, webinars, workshops, and one-on-one career coaching. In addition, many have subscriptions to proprietary databases of company information that can be useful in a job search.
Filed under: Unemployment Solutions, Employment News & Trends, Employing America 2011
Ten Top Resume Writing Books By Barbara Safani
Need help writing your resume? If you consider yourself a “do-it-yourself-er” there are a lot of great books on the market that can help you craft a compelling and visually distinct document. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Resume Magic
Filled with “before and after” resume examples that not only teach the author’s special method, but also show why they work. “Resume Magic” divulges the secrets of better resume writing from an expert with more than a decade of experience producing powerful, effective resumes. Hiring Now Search All Job Listings New York Jobs Los Angeles Jobs Chicago Jobs Philadelphia Jobs
2. Happy About My Resume
This book offers 50 tips for creating compelling copy and presenting it in a powerful way, to grab the hiring authority’s attention and get them to pick up the phone to call you in for an interview. The author provides practical and easy-to-follow advice as well as numerous samples that demonstrate each of her tips in action.
3. Expert Resumes for Career Changers
This collection of resumes is aimed at people who are transitioning from one career to another. The down economy has forced millions of people to change jobs or industries in order to stay employed. This book gives strategies as well as 180 pages of sample resumes for successful career changes. The authors present sound resume-writing advice, including how to create and use an electronic resume. The appendix includes Internet resources for an effective online job search. New for this edition are completely updated resumes, a new chapter on writing cover letters, and a collection of cover letter samples.
4. Best Resumes for $100K+ Jobs
Individuals expecting to make more than $100,000 a year need to craft a very special resume that commands no only attention but a high salary as well.
5. Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work
A collection of professionally written resumes aimed at anyone who has left work for a period of time and then wanted to return. This type of situation requires a particularly unique approach to crafting a resume and presents some unique challenges. In addition to nearly 200 pages of sample resumes, the authors present sound resume writing advice, including how to create and use an electronic resume. The appendix includes Internet resources for an effective online job search. New for the second edition is a chapter on writing cover letters, as well as a collection of sample letters.
6. College Grad Resumes to Land $75,000+ Jobs
This unique resume book includes 80 examples of resumes written by college students who actually obtained $75,000+ jobs in a variety of occupational fields. The book also includes sound resume writing advice based on the secrets of professional resume writers.
7. Best Resumes & Letters for Ex-Offenders
Addresses special employment issues facing ex-offenders and provides sound advice on how to write, produce, distribute and follow up resumes and letters for overcoming employment barriers.
8. Expert Resumes for Managers & Executives More than 100 professionally written resumes for people at all levels of management, from front-line supervisors to top-level executives.
9. Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree Addressing the unique resume needs of people without a bachelor’s degree, this book meticulously illuminates what a resume is and is not, as well as what it should say, and how it should be presented.
10. 30-Minute Resume Makeover This book is for people who already have a resume and need to update it quickly for a new opportunity.
30+ Websites to Visit When You’re Laid Off
This is a great article from Ben Parr – Mashable.com.
For the next several months (or maybe years), we are going to have to endure a new and stark reality – a tanking economy and swelling unemployment. The U.S. economy lost an eye-popping 540,000 jobsin January alone, making it likely you or someone you know has become a victim of the crisis.
But the worst time to panic is when you are laid off and lose your main source of income. We live in a new and powerful era of communication, one where we can find support, gather news, and network without ever leaving our computers. The following collection of websites has been put together as a comprehensive resource for anybody who has lost their job and is looking to get back on their feet again. Our hope is that this post will be a hub for finding support and financial resources.
Have an important site to add? Please help us out by adding it in the comments.
Step 1: Find Support and Recover
1. eHow: eHow has a massive collection of articles that can help you learn everything from how to support a laid off spouse to how to claim unemployment benefits. It’s tough to find the quality articles, so here is a good starter pack:
- How to Cope With Getting Laid Off
- How to Help an Unemployed Spouse or Partner
- How to Prepare For a Layoff Before it Happens
- How to Get Health Insurance When Laid Off
2. About.com: Job Searching: About has a similar set of articles, but focuses more on tasks such as acquiring unemployment benefits and how to file for them.
3. LaidOffCamp: LaidOffCamp is a movement to bring anyone who has lost their job or is self-employed together to discuss topics that are important to the laid off – living on tight budgets, becoming a freelancer, and more. The first LaidOffCamp is in San Francisco on March 3rd.
4. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration: The DOL’s first resource for those laid off, it outlines ways to get benefits, provides fact sheets, and gives you contact information for your state. It’s a good resource.
5. I’m in like with you: Seriously, relieve the stress by playing games for a few hours and indulging in the fun.
6 & 7. PlentyofFish and Okcupid: You need to get your mind off of losing your job and get out of the house and meet people. If you’re single, there is no better way than dating. PlentyofFish and Okcupid are both free dating services, making it cheap to find a date. Just make sure to pick an affordable date; I suggest a trip to the zoo.
8. Diddit: Now is the best time to pick up a hobby you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for. diddit is a relatively new social network for finding people who are doing the things you want to do. Use it to learn more or just find partners to go skydiving with.
Step 2: Manage Your Money and Stay Afloat
9. Careeronestop Unemployment Benefits Map: This map will link you to unemployment benefit information for your state.
10. Department of Labor Health and Retirement Benefits Toolkit: Another U.S. government website, this is the DoL’s job loss toolkit. It has fact sheets and publications on COBRA, pensions, and more.
11. Mint: Mint is a free budget management and finance tracking service. After connecting it with your online bank accounts and credit cards, you can see all of your financial activity and set budgets based on categories of spending. When you lose your income source, you need to be sure you are keeping on budget. Mint will even send an SMS if you go over your budget or have unusual charges.
12. Wesabe: Wesabe is similar to Mint in that it can track your finances by linking to your online finance accounts, but it also leverages its community to make recommendations and tips that can help save you money. Users can also share advice with the rest of the community by commenting on items.
13. Employment at SmartMoney.com: SmartMoney is a great resource for investing and managing your money. The Employment section specifically has videos, columns, and articles on starting your own business or surviving a layoff. It’s from the Wall Street Journal – it’s quality information.
14. Slickdeals: The popular deals website allows you to find discounts and freebies on a random assortment of items. When you’re in a crunch, every penny matters.
Step 3: Earn Short-term Cash
15. Craigslist: Even if you’re receiving unemployment checks and have a few months of savings to rely on, earning a couple of extra dollars can mean the difference between making rent and being in hot water. The #1 place to look is the world’s largest classified section, Craigslist.
16. Workstir: A newer website, Workstir allows you to find contract jobs near you. Everything from painting to web design can be requested, searched for, and accepted as work. Its Facebook Connect integration helps you search for gigs geographically.
17. HotGigs: HotGigs is a hub for freelance consultants and staffing firms. You can join, connect with contract firms, and even see information on average market rates for consultants in your industry.
18. Freelance Writing Jobs: Blog and write for some extra cash and get some added exposure as a bonus.
Step 4: Network, Network, Network!
19. LinkedIn: Start at the world’s largest professional network and start contacting everyone who might owe you a favor, be in debt to you, or fear your wrath. It’s time to let the world know that you’re looking.
20. Plaxo: One thing Plaxo does very well is contact management – it’s quick and simple to organize all of your business cards and contacts. Take the time to type them in and categorize them. Then email every contact you’ve got.
21. GarysGuide: Although most of us techies do our work from a computer, networking doesn’t always work that way. GarysGuide lists out tech events and gatherings in metropolitan areas. Start a system of attending at least two of these a week and shake hands with as many people as possible. You’re not going to find your next opportunity sleeping in late.
22. AllConferences: The same deal as GarysGuide; find conferences in your industry and attend them. If you’re low on cash to attend them, talk to the organizers and tell them about your situation, get yourself in as a speaker, or strike a deal to blog about the event with a news blog – you’d be surprised how easy it can be to get free conference passes if you put in some effort.
23. MeetUp: Even more networking homework for you, MeetUp is extraordinarily comprehensive in its listing of events and includes events for non-metropolitan areas.
24. Twitter: Oh yes, our favorite social media darling can also become your favorite networking darling in dire times. Primarily using Twitter, Bostoners were able to quickly organize a pink slip party. Use it to tell your followers you’re looking for a new opportunity, ask them to retweet, and then search twitter for relevant job keywords.
Step 5: Time to Hunt For a Job
25. Mashable’s Career Toolbox: One of my absolute favorite posts on Mashable is the Career Toolbox, a comprehensive listing and description of websites that can help you find a job and then land it. Start here when you’re looking for a job.
26 & 27. LinkUp and SimplyHired: Unlike most job sites, LinkUp and SimplyHired are aggregate search engines that search company and job websites for job postings and openings. This will give you an idea of openings in your industry and the general feel of what companies are looking for.
28, 29, & 30.USAJOBS, DirectGov (UK), and Australian JobSearch: There are a lot of government websites that can help you directly search for a job, I’ve only listed three of the best examples here. With multi-billion dollar stimulus packages flying everywhere, there’s bound to be some government jobs.
31. Mashable’s Job Board: No list would be complete without the Mashable Job Board. If you’re an avid reader of our blog, you’re probably going to find a job that suits you here. You can tell them that I sent you. If only that would actually help you land a job…
Don’t Lose Hope
When you are directly affected by the economic crisis, the most important thing to remember is don’t lose hope! There are jobs out there for hard-working, talented, clever individuals, but you’re going to have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and talk to every person you possibly can. I hope this post helps you or someone close to you get through this crisis. We’re all in this together.
If you have some other websites you think will help those who are laid off, make sure to leave them in the comments.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, hillwoman2
Unemployed Resources 