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this weeks dilemma & responses
respond to this week's dilemma
Most of us work or pursue some vocation or avocation that brings us money. We spend a good chunk of our waking lives working, and another chunk spending or trying to save the money we earn. And, unfortunately, work & money can bring us exasperating, frustrating, or otherwise difficult problems: ethical choices, unfair bosses or companies, ends that don't meet, worker-companions who rile, careers that get off-track..... But, hey -- you're not alone! In this forum Tripod members ask each other for help and advice; the results are often very enlightening (and always interesting).From the many very deserving questions we receive every week, we select one and post it so that Tripod members can help unstick their financial sticky wickets. How about giving us your two cents worth?
"I'm a college student and working on an internship. I have a desperate need to get my own place, so I'm trying to figure out a way to make extra money to pay for an apartment plus utility bills. My goal is to make an extra $1,000 a month that doesn't require too much of my time. What can I do (though I'm not much of a salesperson) to get this extra cash?"
posted Tuesday June 18, 1996
THEdeirdre: I work a part-time internship and also work part-time as a waitress. I work evenings 3-4 days a week at a family restaurant and make about 6-700 a month. Restuarant jobs are 'a dime a dozen' even if you don't have experience, and the hous are very flexible. If you feel you are working more than you want, shifts are often easy to cover from fellow servers (and the same applies to picking up shifts if you want to make more money) Just pick a few places, keep applying, and I guarantee you will eventually get hired!
WASTE: Short of selling your sex on the street corner, I'd say find your skills and go after some sort of freelance or contract gig. You've made it to the web, so you have some sort of computer skills. Every company is looking for cheap grunt work.
raycohen: You may not be a salesperson......but making money should include the element of fun. Try thinking of things you enjoy, ask people if you can help them with it and charge them a nominal fee. Since you are proficient at the INTERNET, why don't you train older people in using basic E-mail and Internet!!!!
DJB: At one time I also pursued an internship siuation, due to my education in audio engineering, and my interest in video editing. I never could justify, to myself, the idea of being slave labor, with only the possibility of paying gigs after an unspecified amount of time working for free. But, I did get some good feedback from others who were committed to it. As I saw written, there is always the waitering/pizza delivery/messenger types of positions. These are usually pretty flexible because they are used to employing people in your situation. Others did pretty well doing DJ gigs for local social events. And there's always the wedding photographer/videographer jobs. They are almost always on the weekends, and you can make $50-$150 dollars a pop. These companies are often willing to train inexperienced people because they want you to learn their exact methods. You just have to come across as very into the whole photo/video scene. It's hard work, but you're always attending the most important day in someones life, and you're always at a party with lots of food ;). Good luck. It's never easy.
paboola: I don't know where you live or anything, but $1000 a month? C'mon, man, get realistic and lower your sights! You can't have champagne living on a wine cooler budget!
Jaynee: Everyone is urging you to use computer skills, and I agree. But I would suggest going to temp agencies and applying for work there. If you DO have reasonable computer skills, you could make $10-13 an hour. If you only work as a temp for 30 hours a week at $10, that's $1000 a month once taxes are taken out. But if you have better than average computer skills (not just word processing), you can probably make closer to $1500 a month as a temp if you can devote a full 8 hour day. Make $13/hr, that's your $1500 right there.
nolte: A lot of people suggest that you should make money on your computer. I think the most important and most valuable skills you have are your people skills. I am a scientist, working about 60-80h a week, not even making 30K a year, but it is fun. Because of our children, we decided to start our own business on a part-time basis, investing just about 10-20h a week and producing long term income. Hey, just consider the tax benefits! Email me and I'll give you some information on how we got started. ([email protected])
GolfGizmo: An extra one k a month, huh?! That's all anyone wants! Best bet - sell something. Siding, cars, anything big ticket that doesn't require an IQ. It's your only chance to do what you want, where you are, with what you have. "Not much of a salesman" pretty much describes all salespeople who aren't able to sell anything, but who have the nerve to keep trying. Becoming a good salesman is fairly easy to learn, and all it takes is one little secret: HARD WORK. Good luck!
eboepple: If you're on the internet, then you already have far more computer skills than many who get excited about ads at Christmas and buy computers about which they know nothing. Although I'm a professional clinician, I have recently begun combining my hobby with "work" by tutoring simple computer basics (one student paid me to show her how to use the mouse and navigate Windows). I also install peripherals and software, "fix" their crashes, etc. It's a very time flexible thing, I have them bring their CPU's to me, or make housecalls. When my daughter was in college she spent lots of panicky time on the phone long distance with me when she crashed her computer or couldn't get a doc. to print. So a few well-placed ads at your college should bring you LOTS of business! Good luck!
jw7731: All I know is that I make extra money for a few hours a week talking to people. If you keep an open mind and also enjoy talking to people you can to. The potential of oncome can greatly exceed what you need. In other words, you get out of it what you put in. If you want more info., e-mail me at [email protected] and I will respond within 24 hours.
PepsiKid: Part time computer troubleshooting. I make a descent amount of side money finding the glitches on people's PC's. I charge and am eagerly paid a miniscule $40.00/hour. Some retail chains would charge $120/hr for on-site service like this. Think about it.
Moneyman: You should try sales. Do it on a flat rate plus commission basis. This will gurantee you a certain amount of income when business is slow.
DrAushaus: In response to your "dilemma", let me say this: There are no simple answers, no magical answers and no definative answers. What may have worked for me or my acquaintances, may not work for YOU. Basically, you should approach this decision like any other, logically. 1. Assuming you are unwilling to move, your first constraint is your location. You can't work the "Log Ride" at Disney World if you live in Albany, N.Y. 2. Secondly, you should not try employment within an industry with which you haven't a clue. ie: Don't answer Marty the Mortician's ad in the Classifieds unless you recognize the term, "Arterial Catheter #12" Third. (And most important) If you plan on graduating sometime in the future, (keyword here being, "future"), then do not choose part-time employ with strict termination policies,ie: Drug Runner. Other than these three "Guides For Life", I would say just about any job you qualify for, can get to, get paid for and that doesn't kill you, would be suitable. (If you happen to bring in $1000/month, so much the better!)
VectorRBS: I'VE GOT IT!!! I'm in the same boat with you dude! Here's how I make my extra cash ($2200.00 P/MO.) -- I sell software over the NET and Online services. It also does well on campus and through direct mail. If you would like to see the software, just drop me a line at [email protected] and I'll upload a 1.6MB file for you to check out. If you don't want the upload, send me you SnailMail Address and I can drop a copy in the mail for you.
Gary VanHornINGILAZ: I'm also a student at Uni. It seems that even though I never work I get by on 'Fixes.' For example, last term I was strapped for cash and had used up all of my credit at the bank so I asked my friend Hamish (he's studing art and drama) to make snarling faces while lurking around half-naked in the bushes at the local park. I took some pictures and sent them into Sunday Sport, which is a paper over here that will believe anything. They paid me a small amount for what they belived was 'Monkey Boy' living in Hyde Park. I'm not sure if they have printed it. Now Im thinking of breaking into the music business, printing T-shirts of an imaginary group then creating demand at high street music stores by actually asking for the shirts and sending many written orders to mail order companies. Once the T-shirts have been sold to the firms I can sit back and think of my next 'FIX'
andor: Have a big tag sale. Admittedly this will probably only work once, but you can make a buttload of cash over a weekend, plus you get rid of piles of crap you never use. That old bike, kitchen appliances, fish tanks, clothes, glasses, cd's, electronics, sports equiptment and old furniture. Empty out your parent's attic of their junk. They'll thank you, and you'll laugh all the way to the bank. It is definately the most entertaining way to make money; watching a steady stream of people giving you good money for your garbage while you're sipping beers on your front lawn. You can easily make 500 bucks. It's a start.
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