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Finding extra cash

I usually share ideas on how to SAVE money, but today I'm listing ideas of how to EARN a bit of extra cash if you have more money left than month (and don't have time for a side gig!)

I have google searched this before, and the ideas are usually terrible... like "take surveys" online which works out to a whopping $3/hr. or "rent your car" (hahaha... I drive old cars with quirks like a noisy air conditioner compressor that makes the engine sound really unreliable even though it's fine for us).

If I'm short on an important bill coming due and out of liquid savings, here are some quick things I do:

    - Check your cashback bonuses on rewards cards or your balance on Venmo to see if you can transfer that chunk of money to your checking account.

    - Likewise, if you have any medical expenses you paid for out-of-pocket, you can reimburse yourself with your HSA.

    - You can sell unused items in your home on FB Marketplace.  Clean them up, take nice pictures in good lighting, price things well, and you can quickly trade clutter for cash.  

    - If you're already a minimalist and have no clutter to sell, consider flipping furniture or other free items on FB Marketplace or Craigslist.  Sometimes, things are offered for free just to get rid of them fast, but with some refreshing and/or better pictures to market it, the value of the item is more obvious.

    - During the 1st quarter of the year, if you haven't filed taxes yet, submit your return.  If there's a refund due, you'll be glad you got it done early.

    - Some employers offer cash incentives for having a health screening or scheduling a physical, if that's true for you or your spouse, get that on your calendar for tomorrow.

    -Look up event staffing opportunities.  You may not have time to take on a part-time gig every weekend, but if there's a one-time event for just one weekend, it can be kind of fun to help with it.

    -Check out you state's Unclaimed Property database for things like checks mailed to old addresses or refunds that were never claimed (this is common if your utilities switched last time you moved.)

    -Consider switching to more affordable insurance.  I comparison shop on our homeowners and car insurance, but over time the premiums rise and what used to be the best deal may not be any longer.  Not only will you save on premiums, but you may get the rest of your policy period reimbursed.

      -Pet sit.  Our kids love animals, but with pet sitting, they get to enjoy playing with and caring for the animal for a short period of time, so it's fun and doesn't last long enough for the work to start feeling like a chore.  Let neighbors who are out walking their dogs or friends whose pets your family is already familiar with know you'd be willing to come feed & play with their pets next time they're gone.

I hope something from that list of 10 ideas is a viable option next time you're short on funds!  Have a great day!

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