Have you been there?
I think virtually all of us have been there at one time or another. It may be because you're just living pay check to pay check, and you need some extra money to catch up or have a cushion. Or, it could be because you or your spouse just lost a job...or maybe your hours got reduced...or maybe you work by commission and you just aren't earning enough. Or, it could be due to seasonality. I don't know about you, but for my business, sales decrease during the holiday and winter months...like clockwork...every year.
Or, it may just be that your income is steady and you really want to save up some money for a trip or to buy holiday presents or maybe a car.
Regardless of the reason, there are basically 2 ways to get extra money...either save more money or earn more money. It's as simple as that.
Now, trimming expenses is always smart, especially if you can do so without it having a major impact on your life. Certainly cutting back on splurge items such as going to restaurants) and making some simple cuts by cutting activities is doable. You can also look at trimming some of your monthly expensives (e.g. shop around for car insurance, trim your cable bill, spend less on heat/AC, etc.). I'm sure you can come up with many ways to save - some easier to do, some much more painful.
But, there is only so far you can take reduce your costs. You can be the judge on how far you can cut things. The much simpler and often more fulfilling solution is find ways to make more money. When you do that, you can usually reach your goal much faster and also create an ongoing extra stream of income.
I came across this article from a couple I know and it's all about ways to make an extra money...in fact an extra $500. In this article, Maleah and Russell share 13 ways to make an extra $500. Some of these may not be up your alley, but there is a wide array of options here, so it's easy for you to find an extra side hustle that's perfect for you.
One of the things I like about this article is that these are practical and realistic tips. They are not get rich quick schemes, but rather these are options that can get you an extra $500 in month...or in some cases each week. And, many of these ideas are scable meaning that if you have more time, you can make more money or if you have less time, less. And, most of these gigs are flexible, so you can do them as they fit into your schedule.
For me, I often have more time for some extra work in the winter months, but you can't just get a job to fill in the down time then. With many of the ideas in this article, you can work when it's convenient for you. If that means after work, or early the morning or late at night or weekend, or whenever, you make the call.
So, if you're looking for a little extra income, check out Maleah and Russell's suggestions. It can really come in handy if you just need a little extra income - whether it's a temporary boost or an ongoing activity.