Make Money During Unemployment

Since the recession many Americans have become unemployed and have experienced financial crises. Other Americans have taken the opportunity to start businesses or go back to school to improve their financial life. If you are currently unemployed take time to reflect on your life and develop short and long term goals you want to achieve. Develop an action plan to ensure that you achieve those goals.

The days when a recruiter or head hunter finds you to hire you for a job are over. If you want to get employed you have to make opportunities happen. If lack of finances are a major factor in your life you will have to think outside of the box and think of creative ways to make money. Here are a few tips to help you earn money while you are unemployed.

1. Cleaning. Become a maid or janitor by cleaning houses or office buildings.
2. Dog walker. Walk dogs and/or groom pets. Offer to bathe dogs or cats.
3. Part-time. Look for part-time opportunities including those not in your field. Some companies hire part-time employees as full-time employees or offer benefits.
4. Volunteer. Offer to become a volunteer at a company that is in the same field or a similar field you want to work in. Some companies hire volunteers as permanent employees.
5. Babysitter. Offer to watch children during the week or on weekends when parents need to run errands or go for a night out.
6. Seasonal Work. Get hire during seasonal employment recruiting periods such as Christmas and the summer time.
7. Temp Agency. Sign up with 5-10 temporary or staffing agencies that find part-time or full-time temporary jobs. Some jobs are converted to permanent employment after 90 days.
8. Service Industry. If you have good customer service skills you can work as a customer service representative answering phone calls, serve as a hostess, waitress or receptionist.
9. Secret Shopper. You can become a secret shopper for a company or go shopping for elderly or sick individuals.
10. Sell Items. Sell new or unused items on eBay or Craigslist.
11. Network. Network with neighborhood workers to see if they need assistance with doing odd jobs such as lawn care, snow removal, tree removal, washing cars, etc.

5 Ways to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Americans are living above their means, drowning in debt and the problem is getting worse. Many Americans are foreclosing on their homes will be forced to live on the street because they are in so much debt. Many Americans spend their entire paycheck the same day of within a week of being paid. If you are living paycheck to paycheck here are 5 ways to improve your financial situation.

1. Direct deposit. Cashing checks at a check-cashing store costs on average anywhere from 1% to 5% of the amount of the check. If you do this each payday this is money that you are losing. Use direct deposit for free and save yourself some money.

2. Education. Go back to school to further your education or take training classes to expand your skills at your current job. This will put you in a better position to get a promotion at work or salary increase. That money can be used to create a savings account, plan for retirement, pay down debts and pay for necessary expenses.

3. Budget. Stop using your credit cards and pay for everything with cash. If you do not have enough money to pay for necessary expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare create a budget for yourself to determine your total monthly expenses and your total monthly income. Reevaluate your spending habits, reduce your expenses and various plans or cancel them (cable, phone, cell phone, internet, etc.). Shop at discount stores, outlets, use coupons, carpool, etc. to find extra money, which can be used to pay down debt.

4. Savings. You should enough money saved to pay at least 3 to 6 months worth of bills. The interest rate at banks right now is very low. Try opening a high interest online savings account such as www.emigrantdirect.com or www.ing.com which earns you on average 4 to 5% interest on your money. Then develop long-term savings goals such as planning for retirement, college education, homeownership, etc.

5. Seek Help. Don't feel like you are alone. Talk to friends, relatives or neighbors who have gone through similar situations. Go to the library or do research on the internet for various ways to reduce expenses, gain new skills, and shop on a budget. Some great websites are Budgetdial and Stretcher. In addition, many groceries stores teach classes on how to shop on a budget.


If you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck you have to change your mindset, take a leap of faith and focus on your financial goals. You can also watch financial shows on television or check out books at the library on personal finance, financial empowerment and other topics.