Rounding up spare cash- what am I forgetting?

[StephMK]

Ohhh thanks for the reminder. I didn't think my regular medical insurance covered eye exams, and it does, so I need to submit that for reimbursement.

I also remembered that DH and I have a few savings bonds in the safe that are earning next to no interest, so we can cash those in as well.

DH gets fairly attached to media (dvds and cds anyway) so that may be a challenge but I'll give it a try.

That's so funny, that's exactly the same reason I thought to include that. I have 2 co-pays for eye exams that need reimbursement - DS & DH. DH is also really attached to his enormous collection of CDs but doesn't listen to at least 1/2 of them ever.

 

[StephMK]

Along the same lines as "media", do you have any books you could sell? If you don't want to wait for them to sell on amazon, ebay or half.com there are 2 or 3 websites for used book sellers that buy them. I'm on my way out the door right now, but when I get home I can look them up and post the websites for them if anyone's interested. They don't pay alot, but I think I averaged $1 a book (including children's books) which is still better than if I'd sold them at a garage sale.

Yes, I'm interested! Thanks if you can post those sites!

 

[3boymthr]

When we replaced our screen door they gave me $6 for the old one! My neighbors keep throwing out large metal stuff but DH doesn't want to let me trash pick. He thinks it's embarrassing.

Just do it when he's not home to be embarrassed

I second selling your old media. It's amazing how much you can get for some of that stuff.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We are down to 1 debt besides the mortgage and I am anxious to get it paid off! Trying to dig up 'forgotten' cash to pay it off. Here's what I've thought of so far:

spare change- $24 (we cash out our spare change pretty regularly)
cashout from paypal-$38
recycle aluminum cans from garage- $50
return stuff i've been meaning to return
use up giftcards- 15.85 from target, $10 Chilis, $10.50 Subway
sell old cell phone- $140
listed some stuff on eBay and half.com
sell broken gold bracelet I found
$15 swagbucks from paypal giftcard sale
cash out upromise (only has $5 available and about $30 pending so going to hold off on this)
missingmoney.com/IndianaUnclaimed.com- DH had $50! And I had checked within the last month, so keep checking yours too!
Savings bonds that aren't earning interest to speak of-160.22
Medical Reimbursement- $42
Close small checking account left over from when we switched banks
Any other ideas I may be forgetting?

This is really motivating to read! You've done a lot so far!!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Have you tried copying all of your CDs to a computer, and then selling the CDs? DH and I did it last year, and made several hundred dollars doing it.

 

[Evans Family]

Do you have any focus group facilities around you? Sign up for all of them. I made $100 this week for one hour of time.

google "focus group facilities" and the name of the city you live in.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Okay, these first two I personally have used.

www.cash4books.net
www.powells.com

This one I have not used:

www.bluerectangle.com/buyback

ETA: If you have a local Half Price Bookstore you could sell them there as well.

 

[mrsklamc]

I received a pre-paid priority mail box in the mail yesterday for the cell phone; I will let you know how the transaction goes.

 

[mrsklamc]

Score! Went to the dr. for my annual physical and had $164 credit!

 

[englishteacha]

Not actually "making" money but saving: I've turned off the heated dry option on my dishwasher and I'm trying to hang my clothes rather than use the dryer. It doesn't work so well when it's raining, but every little bit helps!

 

[cmrules]

Thanks for the missingmoney.com idea. I "found" money in both my husbands and my names, cha ching!

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks for the missingmoney.com idea. I "found" money in both my husbands and my names, cha ching!

I love that site; feels like playing the lottery for free. I haven't tried to claim through them though, I contact the state treasurer directly.

The money for my DH was listed as our current address so I have no idea how it ended up 'unclaimed.'

 

[dzaharchuk]

Wow!
Let's keep those ideas coming in! So far, I'm going to try:

yard sales
e bay/ craig's list
coke rewards
round up of spare change
maybe some pay to click sites? nervous..


I went on missingmoney.com, and found 3 relatives. My girlfriend that I mentioned it to found 5 people- make sure to check it out!! Too bad I wasn't missing any...

I also like the idea of purchasing SW credits, but it seems risky. Not sure yet on that one.

As of last week, and thanks to a post on Dis board, I am now an official US govt employee- got hired on to do the Census!! (fill yours out, people)

It has become my new mission to be able to pay for our airfare and spending without touching "household" money- just a fun goal- wish me luck!

 

[austinosphere]

I've never done it, but donating plasma... It's not easy money, but it's money.

 

[mrsklamc]

I've heard it can cause scarring. Not that desperate.

 

[pooh4brains]

What about consignment? I have been bringing in spring/summer items for the last month and i have made 200 bucks, 100 of which is mine at the end of April, and I still have more stuff to take. It's a great way to clear out your closet, and make some money back. My place takes shoes, scrubs, and men's and women's clothing. Some people will even give you their stuff and let you keep the money just so they don't have to deal with it.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

do you own your house? If so, ask your mortgage company if you have an excess amount in your escrow. We just received a check in the mail because we had too much in there and they refunded it.

 

[mrsklamc]

Hmm.. We got a check for excess money in escrow once... It seems like it was about a year ago, too. I will give them a call!

 

[mrsklamc]

Hmm.. We got a check for excess money in escrow once... It seems like it was about a year ago, too. I will give them a call!

Well, we didn't have excess in escrow and it turns out next month is going to go up because they have been UNDER estimating our taxes. BUT....

WE DID IT!! Paid off the last non-mortgage debt on Friday!!!

 

[mama2girls]

Ohhh thanks for the reminder. I didn't think my regular medical insurance covered eye exams, and it does, so I need to submit that for reimbursement.

I also remembered that DH and I have a few savings bonds in the safe that are earning next to no interest, so we can cash those in as well.

DH gets fairly attached to media (dvds and cds anyway) so that may be a challenge but I'll give it a try.

Buy a spindle of blank cd's and burn copies of your husband's music...sell off the originals! He can still keep his music and you can get the extra money from selling the original ones.