Most of us can use a little extra income from time to time. Expenses like holiday shopping, birthdays, weddings, and graduations, along with household repairs and long-term college expenses, often place extra demands on a regular monthly budget. Instead of looking for a second job, here are a few suggestions for mining personal resources that could generate extra funds.
Language Translator
If you were raised in a home where a second language was spoken, you may be fluent enough to translate for local hospitals, businesses, and charities where second language skills are often in demand. Translators can make a fair hourly rate upwards of $15 to $25. Of course, the rate depends on the organization’s need and budget. If you don’t speak another language, consider learning American Sign Language. Interpreters for the deaf and those with hearing impediments are often hired for public services, including church sermons, certain kinds of broadcast programming, and other events where those with hearing problems need special accommodations. Sign language is not hard to learn, and when you have mastered it, you will probably find ready opportunities to earn money using it. Payscale.com reports the following wages: $14.80 – $41.51hourly wage, with an average of $4.83 in hourly tips and overtime at $57.13 per hour.
Personal Assistant
Many busy people today are eager and willing to pay for a personal assistant. Services required include scheduling appointments, taking kids to and from school, getting a pet groomed, or paying bills. Potential clients include senior citizens, busy executives, and parents with hectic schedules. Work may be scheduled two or three days a week, either the same days, or as needed. Another option is to work a certain number of hours per week or month. The schedule can be worked out with each employer.
Home and Garden Services
Let your special skills earn extra income when you assist neighbors, friends, and colleagues with tasks they cannot do or do not enjoy. This might include house cleaning, laundry, lawn care, pressure washing the exterior, or decorating a room or area. Organizing closets, cupboards, and outdoor work areas are also skills in demand. Hourly rates will vary, but often start at $10 or $15, although the rate can go much higher. This may be a one-time job per client, or a regular service scheduled as needed.
Professional Consultant
If you have work experience in administration, management, or sales, there are many jobs available that let you work from home. You might become an event planner, for example, or conduct surveys using your own phone at home. You could also provide consulting services in specialty areas related to your experiences or career. Tutoring is frequently needed by educational institutions and parents. Financial planning is in demand. If you are a good listener with a counseling background or have business-related experience, you might consider becoming a life coach or a career coach by providing consulting online or by telephone. Training programs vary widely in scope, focus, and cost, but it might be worth looking into.
Writer, Editor, or Graphic Artist
Good communication skills can open doors in many areas of commerce. For example, freelance writers for website content or sales articles are often needed. The pay can vary widely, starting with minimal pay of perhaps five dollars per 500-word article, but many writers can produce an article in less than 30 minutes without research. The more experience and publication credits a writer has, the higher rate he or she can request. Someone who is especially good at writing with professional experience in the workplace, such as writing a newsletter or producing written content, may be able to edit other writers’ work for a lucrative fee. Similarly, graphic design skill is widely sought for website design, newsletter development, and other public documents and reading material.
Whatever your background experience or interests may be, chances are there is a way to earn money from it. Browse online for a better idea of jobs that are available in your areas of expertise. Then experiment on a freelance or part-time basis to see what you are good at. Before long you could be earning a regular additional paycheck that will cover your extra financial needs.
