[USER]

What are some quick and simple ways to make some extra money? I know we are all in the same boat with this economy, but I’m beginning to run short each month for bills and am having to rely on credit cards.

I do NOT want to get into that hole again cause I’m in the process of getting myself out of it

I’m looking for practical, simple, and efficient ways to earn extra money to help cover my monthly expenses.

I have a full-time job, but I need additional income to manage bills. I’m open to suggestions for part-time gigs, side hustles, online work, or other flexible opportunities.

Ideally, I’d prefer options that don’t require a significant upfront investment or too much time.

Whether it’s something that can be done from home, or involves working outside, I’d appreciate any advice or ideas. What’s worked for you or someone you know in a similar situation?

Any tips or resources to get started?

[Terry]

Personally, I just try to find ways to cut back on everything. I try to all of my appointments and errands on one day to save on gas. I bring a sandwich, water and some popcorn with me so I don’t have to eat out.

I be sure to not leave anything plugged in that doesn’t need to be plugged in.

I get my haircut every 8 weeks.

No impulse buying, keep meals very simple and I use digital coupons for grocery savings.

[Cindy]

Start selling things you don’t need or use.

[Janet]

Find things around your house you no longer need/use. I recently sold a nice couch that I’d kept simply because it was my mother in laws.

I got enough to sit for 3 loads of wood for my wood insert which Dave a bundle in electricity.

I’ve sold old sinks, just taking up space, rugs I no longer used, and multiple other items that were just left here when I bought this old home place.

I post pictures on marketplace , check what similar things are selling for and wait patiently for a buyer. Win/win

[Adrienne]

Pet sitting or sitting with an elderly person so the family can run errands and things.

[Kaye]

The easiest way, if you can, is to get extra hours at your current job. You’re already there and probably don’t need to learn anything.

Housesitting is easy and most people don’t expect you to be in their house 7/24. If they have pets, you can charge more.

They will however expect you to sleep there so there is someone in the house.

[Janet]

Another suggestion, take stock of your talents. If you’re a good cook and enjoy it, put the word out that for a fee you’ll cook a meal( they furnish ingredients or pay for your shopping time plus for food on top of your time to cook) for a family, couples.

I’ve done some baking for friends for holidays and you’d be surprised what some will pay for good homemade goodies. Many women who work simply has no time for good home cooked meals.

I do this sometimes for my daughter who is a stressed out nurse!’ Occasionally make her up a big batch of sourdough biscuits, cook a dozen sausage Pattie’s and a lb if bacon and take her.

Just her and her hubs so that gives them several hassle free meals just by adding eggs.

I always share big pots of soups/ chile with them as well. Baked goods are highly sought after as holidays approach.

[Rita]

I tried selling on ebay, but its hard to make very much because there’s so many doing that.

Then I tried doordash, but with gas prices and people around here don’t tip much.

If you can tutor or clean houses, there’s money to be made.

[Sheri]

I delivered door dash and Uber Eats for like a year and a half… I would take my teenager and my baby at the time too

[Michelle]

Really you’re going to know the best ways to save money by looking at how you spend.

[Cindy]

Spend less or make more money
Have you cut out all non essentials from your budget? Do you qualify to use food banks?

Are you collecting points on all groceries and gas purchases?

Are you earning interest on savings?

[Dennise]

Fall is about here, get some leaf/garden clean up side jobs? Neighbors here are always looking for a day or 2 of help

[Jamie]

Not sure what your work hours are but pet care pays nice extra cash. I pay someone to let my dog out 3 days a week. She literally walks around the block with him once and puts him back in the house. About 45 minutes.

I pay 90 I cash or 30.00 a day.

I am a nurse and work long days. She has several people she does this for.

My dog loves her and it’s invaluable to me.

[Michele]

I only shop for groceries at discount stores and watch for sales. If it’s cheap we have it twice that week beginning g and end of week. Left over day so there no waste.

Orchard for apples, no take out, not even coffee. Bring everything from home and keep water bottle with you. Or in your car, with snacks.

How are you saving now? Family or by yourself. House or rental. Can you get a roommate or smaller place

[Winter]

Wait tables in the morning for one shift or two shifts at a busy breakfast spot that closes by 1:00 p.m. If they open early enough they will have two shifts…

You can take the early one, and they usually give you a free meal.

[Ana]

Babysit I’ve even gotten 400 for a few hours.
Or help an elderly to and from appts,.

[Jennifer]

It is a struggle. Just “cutting back” in this economy isn’t doing it if you’ve already cutting to the bone:(
We have to get some relief from the high inflation, taxes and interest rates.

[Kimberly]

Stay home. It costs money every time you go out. For ex. gas, snacks, food, drinks, something in the store…

You will spend at least 20.00. $20.00× 30 days= 600.00 mo. just on junk/nothing.

That’s $6,000 in 10 mo….

[Brina]

Try using handkerchiefs instead of tissue or something for your nose. Food banks also help

[Susan]

Go thru budget w/ fine tooth comb. Eliminate any spending that is not a need. Frugal eats, beans & rice ate great budget stretchers.

Meal plan based on sales ads… crockpot. No eating out.

Look into paid research studies, dog walking, pet sitting. Raise a/c temp, lower heat & wear a sweater.

Walk for exercise, use the library.

[Laura]

babysit for someone, donate plasma, get another job and find out what you can cut back on (sigh)

[Amber]

Without knowing what you’re buying, any special dietary needs, etc all I can suggest is altering what you eat. Swapping out fresh fruit and veg for frozen, making your own condinents and sauces, eating more tinned fish, swapping ground beef for ground Turkey, or extending beef by adding mushrooms or lentils.

You can also learn to do your own baking, make your own cleaning liquids, stop buying paper products or plastic wrap replacing them with reusable options, ditching dishwasher or washing machine pods for basic powder detergents, make your own stocks from scratch etc.

If you live near a US foods chef store buy in bulk there, you don’t need a membership and you can slowly build a bulk pantry.

If you do this investing in a chest freezer is a huge help, I have weeks where all I buy is dairy because I have a full freezer

[Janis]

When buying groceries:
Buy only what is on sale and use coupons.
Buy in bulk.

Try making soups and stews using less meat than a regular meal.
Don’t Buy canned soup. You can make twice as much soup for way less money.

Stir fry meals are real good using fresh veggies or frozen pkgs of veggies and again less meat.

I Buy chicken breast or leg and thigh portions only when on sale. Pork is great in stir fry. Rice is very filling and can go a long way.

Example 1 chicken breast dice boil until tender mix 1 large pkg yellow rice added to chicken and broth cook until rice is done. You may need to add water.

I enjoy sharing recipes that are good for you and cost little to make. Potato soup is my families favorite.

[LySette]

The 1st thing I’d do is go back through my budget and find every single thing I can reduce, even if it’s not much.

It will all add up over time. There’s always areas to reduce spending.

Focus on essentials and get rid of anything extra for now.

We all have various talents and qualities to offer when it comes to bringing in a lil extra. Lots of ppl will declutter and sell what they can.

Look up local side hustles or part time jobs which have short and hopefully, flexible hours.

For example, I have a local business who’s looking for someone to run the register 6 hrs a week on a Saturday.

Many will turn this down because it doesn’t offer much.

But I can compliment an existing income and give you what you need to keep from using those credit cards.

[Amy]

When I try to do is not go out to eat that is expensive. I make all my meals at home. If you’re at work and you need to go to the kiosk to get some pop or snacks don’t do it bring your own.

It’s way too expensive to buy all that stuff at work than it is to go to the grocery store and do that.

Keep a log of everything that you buy from gas, haircuts, groceries cuz it does add up and you don’t realize where all your money goes.

I’ve been playing a lot of games on my phone that you can get gift cards. Fetch is one. Where you play video games you got to play a lot to get this stuff.

You scan your receipts every receipt you have you scan it it earns you 25 points and those points can be turned into whatever you want which I normally go for the Visa gift card.

Which is $50 and I use that for groceries.

There’s also cash giraffe which you got to do a lot of that too to get a Walmart gift card or Amazon gift card.

Rewarded play is the same thing I’m doing all of that.

But think about this you do that before work when you’re in the breaks, lunches, whatever and it builds up.

at least rewarded play you play for 4 minutes and you get on certain games you get 250 points. If you go more as in you level up you get more points.

Right now I am trying for a $25 gift card to Walmart. Whatever helps. I buy pork chops at Kroger’s.

They have them five for five or 10 for 10. Where I put them in the crock pot with cream of chicken soup and a packet of ranch powder.

Pour that on to the pork chops cook it in the Crock-Pot on low for 6 hours it is very good. Here’s another recipe that I can do in the crock pot it’s called crack chicken.

Skinless boneless chicken, cubed Philadelphia cream cheese, 8 hours on low. Or 4 hours on high. 7 hours in you take 2 forks. shred the chicken in the Crock-Pot.

Take one cup of cheddar cheese, and how much bacon bits you want doesn’t matter. stir it all up.

Then scoop it out onto hamburger buns. It’s an easy dinner idea for the weekend.

I try to make enough for the whole week because it’s just me. But I’m a widow and it sometimes is hard to stretch your money.

[Darlene]

Keep a written log of what you are spending. That can be an eye opener in itself. Combine trips. Try to live on cash alone. See if you can pick up a side gig, babysitting, pet walking, house cleaning.

Take advantage of free entertainment such as walking, renting books,dvds from local library.

Do not get guilt tripped by weddings, events that require expensive gifts or friends who want to dine out at expensive places.

Buy essential clothes at thrift.

Trade items with friends. Times are ridiculously tough for most people.

[Author]

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