Answers to
Practical Questions
How can I earn at least $11.40 per week more so I can begin to invest?
Okay, the object of this game is to earn an additional $11.40 per week, or $592.80 per year (52 x $11.40).
Here are a few ideas:
If you have a lawn mower, knock on a few doors and offer to cut someone’s lawn. Maybe ask for $15 for a small city lawn and if they say no, ask them if you can do it for $11.40, and tell them you are going to save this money for your future. Most people will appreciate your tenacity.
If you don’t have a lawn mower, knock on a few doors and tell them you don’t have a lawn mower, but you are trying to earn a few bucks, so you will cut their lawn using their mower for $15.
Now if you are feeling entrepreneurial, ask them if you can use their lawn mower to cut other people’s lawns. Offer to pay them $5 per lawn for the use of their mower, and then you keep the rest.
Once you have saved a bit of money, you can buy your own lawn mower (check out MaxSold or Kijiji for a used mower) and you are in business!
Demographics are working in your favour!
The age 55+ category is growing fast! Seniors have a higher propensity to need additional services. Print yourself some business cards and introduce yourself by knocking on seniors’ doors offering to:
Cut lawns (see above tips).
Pull weeds and trim gardens, say $15 per hour.
Shovel snow in winter, say $15 to 20 per hour depending on the snowfall.
Grocery shop (grocery bags are heavy for seniors); say $11.40 per hour.
Clean house, depending on the size of the house and scope of cleaning, this could be $50 to $100 per session.
For families, you can offer to:
Babysit – knock on the doors of couples who have small children. They are so tired they don't know they need a break until you offer to babysit! Try asking for $15 per hour (take an age-appropriate game or craft with you and the kids and parents will love you!) My youngest daughter was particularly good at this angle, landing big tips!
Dog walk – offer to charge $5 to $10 per 30-minute walk, and then walk two or three dogs at one time to earn good cash
Wash and vacuum cars
Tutor kids in your condo or on your street if you are good at school, particularly at math. My daughter started out charging $20 per hour and is now charging up to $35 per hour for some clients! Also, you can offer to sell copies of your school notes and files.
If you are creative, try to:
Get paid to write online content – check out Listverse; click on “more” and then “write and get paid.” Also check out Problogger Job Board to get paid writing blogs.
Knit or make jewelry or create letterpress items. Sell your wares on Etsy, Cargoh, and other such sites.
Advertise your skills as a musician or photographer for weddings or other commercial events on your own portfolio site or through a service like Gigmasters and Snapknot. If you’ve got some eye-catching snaps, post them on Shutterstock, Photoshelter, and/or iStock.
Other employment ideas:
Offer to work for a temp agency such as Kelly Services.
Mystery shop – get hired to shop and then report back on your experience. Find out how it works and then, to avoid mystery shopping scams, find legitimate opportunities at the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.
Be a focus group participant –give your opinions on products and services. Try companies like Focus Pointe Global, MySurvey.com, and iPoll, among many others.
If you have an extra room or are leaving town for a few weeks, rent out your extra room or whole place, with Airbnb or VRBO.
If you have unused parking space in your driveway, or your condo came with a parking space and you don’t have a car, post a sign for monthly parking. This can earn you $100 per month in major cities.
If you own a car, drive for UBER.
Learn how to clean gas barbecues inside and out and offer to clean barbecues for people, who will love seeing them gleam like new. You can charge $50 to $100 or more for this service.
Got some stuff you don't need any more? Sell almost anything – furniture, bicycles, musical equipment, housewares, art, and whatever on Craigslist or Kijiji.
These are just a few ways you can earn an extra $11.40 per week or $592.80 per year to support your long-term investing.
If you have other ideas you are willing to share on how to earn some money, please submit them via "Ask A Question".
If I use your suggestion, I will donate $20 to The Sanfilippo Children’s Research Foundation.