Your Strengths, Your Money
© 2003 Darlene Arechederra
Need a few extra bucks to help pay down debt
or build up your emergency account? There are some simple
ways to do it without working another job or being away from
the children even more. Using your *strengths*, brainstorm
ways to zero in on new sources of income.
What ARE Your *Strengths*?
Do you Enjoy Working with Numbers?
If you're great at balancing your checkbook, you could pick
up a few extra dollars each month balancing for friends who
hate doing it themselves. A gentleman I know used to order
pizza for the bank teller in exchange for keeping his checkbook
balanced for him. He hated doing it. The teller found it very
easy. Perfect fit!
Are you Artistic?
Perhaps you're a penny-saver. You've created a beautiful decorative
container to hold your pennies. Would they make nice gifts
for others? Make some extras and see how they sell at Christmas
bazaars. Give away as gifts to nieces, nephews, grandchildren.
Others may see them and want one. Some may take them to school
and show them around.
If you make it fun for kids to use them, parents will greatly
appreciate it. In the meantime, children are learning a great
savings habit.
Are you a Perfectionist?
Can't stand a dirty car? Is your car always spotless, inside
and out? Next time someone compliments you on it (or wishes
their car looked great like yours), let them know you'll keep
theirs up to snuff for a few bucks every week or two. Their
friends and neighbors will notice, and before long you'll
have created a steady stream of income. Around here, the salt
and chemicals need to be removed on a regular basis during
snow season.
Do you Enjoy the Great Outdoors? Use the Seasons!
Fall
How about raking leaves? Bag up the leaves and take them with
you for homeowners who don't enjoy this type work, or who
can't do it themselves. Fall is also a good time to give lawns
a final mowing. Mow the leaves up with the final grass cutting
for the year. The leaves are actually great nourishment.
Winter
Shovel sidewalks. Shovel paths so others can get in their
cars (especially the elderly). Or run errands for them while
you're already out doing your errands. Wash the slush and
chemicals off neighbors' cars after a major snowstorm.
Spring
Weed, till soil, remove downed branches after a storm.
Summer
Your neighbors probably have swimming pools. Are you good
at cleaning them? How about making sure the chemicals are
just right?
Remove stray leaves that end up in the pool. (For safety reasons,
please don't take your children with you to these pools.
Water gardens in the evenings or early morning for those who
don't enjoy it or can't do it. Weed their flower or veggie
gardens. See what you can do for the neighbors in your area
while they enjoy their vacations.
Change of Seasons
Remove leaves from gutters for others. Again, there will likely
be lots of downed branches to gather and remove.
Now, obviously these are very basic ideas.
There are many more ideas you can come up with. Use your strengths
as your starting point and see what you can dream up.
Darlene Arechederra is author of Rat Race Blues-How to
Break the Stranglehold. Do what you *love* to do for
a living -- not what you *have* to do! Darlene offers hope
and help in *finding* money, time and energy to support your
dreams. Fr*ee weekly newsletter with mini-assignments and
rewards to get you back on track with your money and dreams.
http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com.
