Five Easy Ways to Make Extra Cash

Recycle
Not only is recycling an excellent way to do your part in keeping our world clean but it holds benefits for you as well. If you recycle aluminum cans, cardboard, paper, copper scrap, etc. you can make a small profit. If you don’t mind taking them to your local recycling center yourself, you could make $10 or more cash. I know it’s not much money, but every little bit helps. For example, I took in 2 garbage bags of aluminum cans (uncrushed) and got back around $6. Note that prices do fluctuate and with a lot more people trying to find ways to earn an extra buck, the prices might be lower if they already have a lot of that particular item. Also, there are some people out there who steal copper and steel from sites and homes so they will ask you for identification if you are recycling copper, steel or any type of scrap metal.

Coinstar
You can find this service at most grocery stores. If you’re like me, you keep every penny but are uncomfortable in using them in excess when buying something (i.e., counting out 100 pennies may get you some unneeded hatred from the line forming behind you). I like to keep my change in a central location (I use a small basket). I find change when cleaning out my purse, doing laundry and cleaning the house. When my basket is full, I take it in to my local grocery store and use the Coinstar machine. You just drop in your coins, the machine calculates how much is there (they do take a slight percentage) and it prints out a cash voucher that you can turn around and cash in at the help desk. Last time I took my basket in, I made $10 from all my pennies, nickels and dimes (I use most of my quarters).

Secondhand Boutiques
There are some secondhand stores (not thrift stores) that will give you a cash option for your items or a store credit (usually the store credit worth more). The city I live near has a book store, clothing store and cd store like this. The only catch is that they give a very small percentage for your items and are usually picky, but this helps keep the concept and style of the store intact so I understand. The items that they don’t take I give to the local thrift store and get a tax receipt.

Antique Dealers and Auction Houses
If you have some furniture that has been passed down or you found for a good deal but now have no place for it and want cash for it, try bringing a picture of the item to your local antique shops and ask them if they’re interested. Again, you will probably only get a fraction of what the item is worth, but you can get the cash for it now instead of waiting for it to sell on consignment. Also, if you have a lot of items or an estate, try contacting an auction house. They will sell your items for a cut and give the rest of the money to you. Many auction houses will even pick up the items for you.

Pawnshops
Pawnshops are very popular these days because of the need for extra cash. You can take an item in and the clerk will give you a price for the item they feel is fair (keep in mind, the price will be lower than the actual worth because they need to make a profit too). I have never utilized a pawnshop but I would suggest knowing the worth of the item will help so that you won’t get ripped off.

Stuff to do for Free (or Close to Free)

No matter where you might live, there are many fun things to do - for free. It might take a little research, creativity or just a willingness to try something new but your wallet will thank you. You can usually find a state park or metro park website for your state where you are more than welcome to get some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature. A lot of parks even schedule group hiking or activity events for bird watching, tours, etc. Fishing is also a favorite pastime of mine and although not exactly free (you have to get a license for about $20 for the year) you can fish all year using your own bait. I find worms make the best bait and the kind that you buy, ie, catfish food, smell like, well…like what you would think it smells like.

Also, check out your local library for events especially for kids. They are always having readings, activities or art exhibits for free right there in the library. Our state has a website that lists all of the festivals that go on throughout the state by month. Not all of them are free but there are many that have no admission price. You can go to your local arts center, gallery, or local college and view the exhibits for free. Another one of my favorite pastimes is to go to an area that has more than a few antique shops within walking distance and it’s fun just seeing what is inside. Also, check out your city’s events calendar and see if there is a monthly art walk or gallery showing for free in your area.

If you’re stuck indoors, have a spa day. If you’re like me you have a barrage of mud masks, lotions, nail polishes and more that you don’t use that often. Well, put them to use alone or with a friend. You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive items. Really, a lot of natural masks you can make using ingredients around the house (honey, vinegar, cucumbers, etc.). You can use a large bowl or tub to soak your feet in and use olive oil after exfoliation to get your feet smooth. The only spa treatment you might need help with is a massage.

Another thing you can do is have a themed movie night. Watch comedy movies, horror movies, or remake vs. the original movie. A good resource to get free movies is, again, your local library. They probably won’t have a lot of new releases but they do seem to have harder to find movies.

If you have children, there are even more things to do, especially at home. Check out teacher resources on the web and you can print out coloring pages or activities for the kids to do. Baking cookies together is always a fun activity. The easiest ones to make are homemade sugar cookies and require flour, sugar, baking soda and other ingredients you probably already have. It doesn’t have to be the holidays to make sugar cookies. Let them create their own cookies however they want. Challenge for you - try to have fun for free this week…