Ideas to make extra money

[Krischaser]

If any of you have read my threads you may or may not know that we have to pay our family's health insurance out of pocket for the whole thing. We don't qualify for any subsidies (long story). So our budget has taken a HUGE hit with hardly any money left over. So I need some ideas on how to make some extra money. I also work full time and have three boys..... Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

If any of you have read my threads you may or may not know that we have to pay our family's health insurance out of pocket for the whole thing. We don't qualify for any subsidies (long story). So our budget has taken a HUGE hit with hardly any money left over. So I need some ideas on how to make some extra money. I also work full time and have three boys..... Thanks!

I've been doing swagbucks and perk tv for extra money and GCs. Both require very little in the way of hands on interaction but you need some old smartphones or touchscreen music devices (like the ipod touch or an ipad). I make about $25/week from perk and about $5-$10 per week on SB, depending on how much time I have to do some extra activities. There are threads about each program floating around the budget board, so do a search and they should come up.

I also coupon like crazy throughout the year. It does mean that there are times when I'm spending more than my usual amount at the grocery store so that I can either stock up on a good deal or take advantage of a "must buy 5" sale. But then there are weeks like this week where I haven't purchased anything but milk and some fresh fruit. It takes me only 15 minutes a day to review the couponing blog that I follow and print my coupons. I keep a digital shopping list with the coupon match ups going all week leading up to my shopping trips and then spend another 15 minutes on the day of my trip to organize the coupons. It's not the same as "making" money but I save a lot at the grocery store because of the way I shop.

However, if you want steady guaranteed cash income (like to pay for extracurriculars for the kids), nothing is going to beat a part-time job. Maybe one evening a week working retail or waiting tables is all that you need. And if you find that you hate it more than you like the little extras that it provides, you can always quit.

 

[Krischaser]

Thanks for the advice. . What coupon ing site do you use? I know what you mean about buying extras. Right now kroger has their buy 4 mix and match. Really good deals but would be even better if I could find matching coupons for the cereal and granola bars. I have three boys so grocery savings would be good. My insurance payment is equivalent to a mortgage payment.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for the advice. . What coupon ing site do you use? I know what you mean about buying extras. Right now kroger has their buy 4 mix and match. Really good deals but would be even better if I could find matching coupons for the cereal and granola bars. I have three boys so grocery savings would be good. My insurance payment is equivalent to a mortgage payment.

I use livingrichwithcoupons .com but she focuses on the NYC/NJ/Philadelphia area stores for her match ups. You will do better with one that focuses on Midwest stores. But check out her blog because she also does matches for national chains like CVS, Target, and Walgreens. Who doesn't like free shampoo and razors, right?

I know what you mean about the cost of health insurance being high. We're owners of a small business and we don't catch any breaks. I could pay for a vacation home with what we are paying for health insurance! But thank goodness that we can afford good insurance. It only takes one serious hospitalization to see what going uninsured could cost you and we really got our money's worth over the past couple of months!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I sell on ebay and craigs list.

It took me 3 months to really get set up with ebay and some months alot sells and other months not so much.
I figure every little bit helps.
I'm cleaning out the house slowly but surely and getting extra money in the process. I'm kind of looking forward to starting in on the attic next year.

 

[tvguy]

I see a lot of folks at the recycling center who just pick up cans from the side of the road. And these aren't homeless people, they are working folks looking to pick up a few extra dollars. And they are helping clean up litter.

 

[StitchBuddy]

My DD17 recently needed to make some extra money to pay a speeding ticket. Her friends told her to take old electronics to the pawn shop. It was a great idea! I couldn't believe how much money she was able to come up with from stuff she hadn't touched in years. Just an idea, if you need extra money quick for Christmas.

 

[ajordan79]

If you have a smartphone don't forget about IBotta, Shopmium, Checkout 51, Snap from Groupon and Saving Star. These are coupon apps where you identify offers, scan the item and then your receipt. Some send you a check after you have saved so much while others offer gift cards or PayPal deposits. It's not going to make you a whole lot of money but I figure every cent counts.

 

[minnie1012]

I'm sort of in the same boat. My husband lost his job and I only work part time. We are paying a small fortune for benefits. I buy with coupons & watch sales to base meals & if I order anything online (not that we are buying much these days) I do it through ebates. I also try to get some food items at Walmart & use their savings catcher app. I also sell my old clothes, purses etc in good condition on Poshmark. I have made over hundred on there. Then I sell the kids old clothes on Totspot. I just started that I made about $50 so far. Good luck

 

[crazelion]

I see a lot of folks at the recycling center who just pick up cans from the side of the road. And these aren't homeless people, they are working folks looking to pick up a few extra dollars. And they are helping clean up litter.

I do this all the time. Its amazing that some my friends are laughing at me. When they can't afford take there kids some events around town. They complain about not having any money.

I also do mycokerewards too. I get all my flaps and my caps free that pick up off the ground. I have several amusements parks for free too.

 

[Dawnlight]

I also sell on ebay and it's a great way to make extra money. I mainly sell my kids outgrown clothing, books, and toys, but I also thrift shop and resell items. A couple recent transactions: $2 for a Ralph Lauren cashmere baby sweater sold for $40 and a pair of designer shoes bought for $6 sold for $80.

It does require patience and knowledge of the value of items, but it's a nice side income.

 

[emldrl]

My MIL does fairly well with AVON. Doesn't take a ton of work, and once you get steady clients, a lot of them will order frequently. If you have Meijer up there, their MPerks program is pretty good. Wal-Mart is usually cheapest, but we are getting sick of how busy it is, and usually only having a couple of lanes open. My FIL collects cans to recycle. He usually makes a few hundred dollars a year with it. Good luck!!

 

[crazelion]

This what do make extra money. I do mturk I only do surveys and typing business cards. I do the easy stuff on there. There is plenty do but have read a lot instructions. I make at least 50 to 100 month. It depends on how much time put into.

Perktv app do this and cashout cash and wal-mart giftcards. I clear 20.00 a week there. But I have 5 devices on my farm.

I do swagbucks just watch videos and encraves do there. I clear 10 week

Gifthulk just videos and get 5 dollars a week.

I do this all by watching TV and other stuff around the house.

Picking up cans off the ground.
Coke caps and flaps for mycokerewards.com for free stuff.

I think I am on every reward program that is. I think forgetting the shopping apps that do to. LOL

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Not sure if you live in an area with shift workers, but I know where we are some older teens get paid good money to stay over night. (For nurses, police, firemen, etc.)

Maybe you could find a family that needs someone to come at night once in a while to sleep while they work the midnight shift. It wouldn't interfere too much with your family - you'd be there in the morn to get them off to school, home after for dinner and activities, etc.

 

[drnp]

I took all my kids old books, DVDs, and CDs to a Half Price Book store and got immediate cash. I could have gotten more if I put everything on eBay, but it would have taken awhile. This way, I was able to clean out the house and pick up some extra cash within a few hours. I had forgotten how many books and DVDs I had from the kids that we would never need again.
Sites like Gazelle also take your old electronics/smartphones for quick cash.
I also get about $15-20/month from doing surveys on quickrewards

 

[lauradis]

If any of you have read my threads you may or may not know that we have to pay our family's health insurance out of pocket for the whole thing. We don't qualify for any subsidies (long story). So our budget has taken a HUGE hit with hardly any money left over. So I need some ideas on how to make some extra money. I also work full time and have three boys..... Thanks!

I have a friend that works at Arby's two days a week just for the insurance.

I would seriously shop around for different coverage, or find a part time job, with cheaper insurance.

Got to love ACA