A Little Bit Extra...

I originally published this list of potential side jobs a few months ago. Since then, more and more of of the people I know have pursued alternate sources of income. It just makes good financial sense in these uncertain economic times.

You don’t have to be a gifted entrepreneur to generate a decent supplemental income. Believe me—I’m not a brilliant business woman, but I have been earning a steady stream of non-salary revenue for over a year now. I certainly don’t plan on quitting my day job any time soon, but I have been able to rest easier knowing that Donnie and I are not entirely dependent upon our paychecks.

Here are some of the ways my friends, family, and coworkers are earning extra cash. How do you diversify your income?

• Planning weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other social events.


• Selling flea market finds on Ebay.


• Providing small-scale home repair and contracting services.


• Teaching music lessons.


• Taking on freelance writing, copy-editing, and graphic design gigs.


• Tutoring.


• Providing consulting and project management services for small businesses.


• Selling craft projects on Etsy.


• Participating in community garage sales and flea markets.


• Singing or playing an instrument at social events.


• Delivering pizzas.


• Selling fresh milk, eggs, produce, and baked goods at farmers’ markets.


• Providing translation services to local businesses.


• Baby-sitting, pet-sitting, or house-sitting.


• Selling homemade dinners to busy coworkers and neighbors.


• Designing, hosting, and maintaining web pages for local businesses.


• Decorating birthday and wedding cakes.


• Providing lawn, garden, and small-scale landscaping services.


• Taking on a paper or phonebook delivery route.


• Doing minor sewing and tailoring work.