17 Quick-and-Easy Ways to Earn More Cash

Need some quick cash? Everyone does at one time or another. Here are some simple ways to fill your wallet:

Become an umpire or referee. Both children and adult leagues need someone to officiate. You may take some guff from the fans, but you’ll be paid for the effort. You could earn $15 or more per game.

Check for unclaimed funds. States collect deposits, savings and other accounts when the rightful owners can't be found. A few minutes on the computer could net you money you didn't know you had. Start your search at Unclaimed.org.

Skip the grocery store this week. See if you can feed your family with the things you already have in the pantry. You may find you’re able to save this week's grocery bill.

Join the online, small services marketplace. Sites like Fiverr.com and MiNeeds.com allow you to offer your services for a fee. It's not a full-time job, but could provide a quick cash infusion.

Get a paper route. A few hours early in the morning could earn you $10,000 or more per year—and you can still keep your day job.

Offer up your skills. Whether it's painting, cooking or another skill, your neighbors may be willing to pay you to do it for them.

Fill a temporary need. Retail stores need clerks leading up to Christmas. Florists need help around Valentine's and Mother's Days. Caterers are busy on holidays. Find a seasonal need and offer to fill it.

Walk the dog. Neighbors go on vacation. The elderly become housebound. Dog walkers can earn $20 per day.

Pick up an odd job. Everyone is busy, but the leaves still need raking and the gutters need cleaning. Offer your time to someone who's too busy to do it themselves.

Become an eBay reseller. An easy way to make money is to sell items on eBay. However, consumers can make more by taking things one step further. Collectibles and other valuable items often go for peanuts at garage sales. Buy and resell on eBay, where there are plenty of collectors to bid on your purchases.

Donate plasma. It might seem a little gruesome, but plasma can save lives. You could earn $25 or more for your time and travel.

Become a pet sitter. If you love animals, taking one or two into your home could provide love and a quick source of income. See if your vet will recommend you to his clients who planning a vacation.

Become an office fill-in. If you have office skills and are free during business hours, let professional offices know you're available to be a temporary fill-in. Small offices struggle when their receptionists go on vacation; you could be the smiling face they need.

Become a researcher. Companies often do focus groups or conduct surveys to find out what people think of their product; many are even held online. Search for “market research firms” and apply to share your opinion for compensation.

Help at a food co-op or community pantry. Many will give you food in exchange for your time, which will help you spend less on your next trip to the grocer.

Remove mortgage or credit card insurance. You may be paying for insurance on your mortgage or credit card balance. If you're not required to carry it, drop the coverage.

Ask for a raise. Don’t be afraid to discuss a salary increase—especially if you've saved your employer money or taken on additional responsibilities.

Don't let a temporary cash-flow problem hunker down your finances. By taking some of these steps, you can earn more money without overexerting yourself.

Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who founded TheDollarStretcher.com website and newsletters. The site features thousands of articles on how to save your valuable time and money including an article on raising instant cash.

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10 Ways to Make Store Brands Work for You

What can you do when your grocery bill explodes? You could try extreme couponing, but that takes dedication. Cooking from scratch saves money. But who wants to spend that much time in the kitchen?

Using a simple tool that's easy and can save big bucks every time you push a grocery cart through the store? That sounds like a good option. We're talking about replacing some nationally advertised brands with generic or store brands.

In the 1970s, stores started offering their own brands as a low-cost alternative. By the 90s, grocers were developing products that were as good as—or even better than—name brand products.

Recent Consumer Reports tests show many shoppers prefer the taste of store brands. Plus, the savings can be significant; many times as much as 25 percent. Here are ways to save money with store brands:

Start with paper goods and plastics. There's only so much you can like about a paper towel brand. Disposable products are the easiest ones to introduce to your family.

Compare labels. You're already considering changing brands, making now the perfect time to compare labels. Calorie counts and nutrition can vary significantly between manufacturers. Even if you stick with your old brand, you'll know more about what you're eating.

Contact your favorite brand manufacturer. They may sell the same product under a store label or package a similar product. Call them and ask if they produce other brands. Typically you can find their customer service line on the package or go their website to send them an email.

Set up a taste test. Not all store brands taste the same. Have your family do a blind taste test to decide which brand they like best. You may want to include your current brand to see how it compares.

Add your own flavoring. The difference you taste between brands is often the seasoning they use. Don't be afraid to test some of your own seasoning mixes added to the store-brand product. You'll find plenty of suggestions at online recipe sites.

Be willing to explore a new taste. We tend to like what's familiar, resisting change—but that ties us to the past and prevents personal growth. Break the mold by giving your family the opportunity to try something new.

Don't give up too soon. Since taste is a matter of familiarity, it's possible that you won't like any store brand at first, but give it a couple of tries; your taste buds could learn to appreciate it.

Explore store “premium” brands. Some store brands offer premium choices. They're priced higher than the normal store brand, but typically cheaper than the nationally advertised brand.

Recognize name-brand tricks. Often, ingredients like sugar and salt are added to make products taste better. Some research suggests those additions might not be good for your health. Switching to a store brand might be a healthier choice.

Plan to periodically revisit your choices. New store-brand products are being introduced daily, giving your family ample opportunity to adjust your grocery list and save money.

Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who founded The Dollar Stretcher.com website and newsletters. The site features thousands of articles on how to save your valuable time and money, including an article on store brands.

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5 Financial Precautions to Take Before Moving in With Your Partner

Living with your significant other is harder than most people think; just ask the 38 percent of renters in a recent Rent.com survey who ended a personal relationship with someone while still living together. When you’re going through a breakup, things can get messy, and sharing a living space only complicates the matter. Before taking the big step of cohabitation, here are some important financial precautions that will save you from headaches down the road if things don’t work out:

1. Decide who pays for what. Before you start searching for an apartment, have a conversation about how much each of you can afford to spend on rent—and remember that it might not be the same amount. More than half (56 percent) of the renters Rent.com surveyed said that rent payments are their biggest required monthly expense, so getting a place you both can afford is a must. You should also discuss how you will split the costs of utilities, household items and any other living expenses that might come up.

2. Write and sign a roommate agreement. You might think it’s extreme to sign the renter’s equivalent of a prenuptial agreement, but 17 percent of the renters in the survey who were stuck living with their ex said they would take this precaution in the future. Even if you’re fortunate to have an amicable breakup, working out the details of your split will be much easier when you’ve agreed on the terms ahead of time. Your roommate agreement can cover everything from who gets to stay in the apartment to how outstanding bills will be handled. If you share pets, you should also consider who will get custody.

3. Put both names on the lease. It’s important to have your name on the lease because it gives you more control in the event of a breakup, as the survey showed 21 percent of renters who went through a split while living together would tell you. If your partner is the only one on the lease, you will be the person forced to find a new home, which can be inconvenient—especially if you love your apartment. Having your significant other’s name on the lease is important, too. It won’t get you off the hook with your landlord if your ex moves out and doesn’t pay his or her portion of the rent, but it’s much easier to hold a partner responsible for the money if both names are on the lease.

4. Purchase large items individually. How do you split a couch or TV? Dividing up items was the hardest part of breaking up and moving out for 19 percent of the renters surveyed. Avoid this problem altogether by purchasing large items, like furniture, individually. If that’s not financially feasible and you have to purchase expensive items together, keep detailed financial records and include how you will handle splitting these items in your roommate agreement.

5. Keep your finances separate. Combining your finances might seem like it will make living together and paying bills easier—but think about the headache of dividing your shared finances. Worse yet, your ex could clear out your bank account or even damage your credit score. If you choose to open a joint checking account for paying rent, utilities and home expenses, keep the majority of your money in your personal account so you don’t end up penniless in the event of a split.

Niccole Schreck is the Rental Experience Expert for Rent.com, the only free rental site that helps you find an affordable apartment, gives you tips on how to move and then says, "Thank you" with a prepaid $100 Reward Card.

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