Saturday, September 6, 2008

My Alternate Income Streams

So, how am I going to make my $900 this month? Well, hopefully with a number of alternate income streams (a.k.a. whatever I do for cash outside my traditional daily job.)

I always get to start the month off with bank interest from the month before. You know, I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to getting out of this situation and being able to build my emergency fund and make my interest income grow! There are some silver linings for next year in this regard- for one thing, my car will be completely paid off. My last payment will be in May. That's another $300 each month! Another is that at the rate I am presently going my credit card debt will be paid off in 16 months. Of course, I hope to accelerate that. I am already making far more than minimum payments, now all I need is an extra check or two to help me wipe it all out! (Who knows? It could happen. Windfalls hit in July!)

The other item that I get to start the month off with is budget savings. I have been able to cut my cabin mortgage payment by $80, my auto-spending habit by $50 and trim down my life and home insurance bills by $31.44. That is like money in the bank - every single month. I love it! I usually wait a few days to add those to my goal there in the sidebar so I will probably do that on Monday.

I have also been doing some work for my mom. (Do I feel guilty taking money from my mother for helping her out? Why yes, yes I do. Thank you so much for bringing it up.) Basically she has been hiring me to help her out with some things she doesn't know how to do. It's a typical non-passive "dollars for hours" arrangement that has been working out well for both of us. She gets to help me out financially - something she's been itching to do, and I get to accept help with some of my guilt assuaged by the fact the only other way she could get this stuff done is by hiring someone far more expensive than me.

Also this month I have a secret shopping gig lined up and three nights that I will be house managing at the theatre. Not a ton of money involved, but still, extra income I could certainly use.

I've also been continuing to list books, CDs and DVDs for sale on Half and Amazon.com. This month has started out better than last month in sales and I am hoping that with the holidays approaching that it will continue to pick up (knock on wood.) I do have some eBay items to list as well, so hopefully I can sit and take some photos of those in the next couple of days.

My other item is posting my extra garage stall for rent. I don't know if I can get a renter right away - but it won't be for a lack of trying!



NonPassive Reading:

Book Selling - Amazon vs eBay vs Half.com

Mystery Shopping as NonPassive Income

Small Checks Can Add Up

And speaking of alternate income streams - see what Passive Family Income has been doing in his July Recap

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you have a great plan in place Dawn for your credit card to be paid off. And, your already thinking about passive income. Fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Dawn - Thanks for the link! It is nice to hear that you are making good progress on things. Keep up the good work!

Dawn said...

Thanks for the compliments guys! I keep thinking about something I read on a blog once, "Just because they are passive income streams, doesn't mean they are quick." It all takes time, I guess.