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Five Tips Shoppers Are Using to Save On Computer Purchases

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on May 21, 2012 at 9:17 am {no comments}

Intel Core i5 + Asus P7P55D (Photo credit: icools)

Computers are an integral part of most people’s lives. When it comes to new technology, everyone wants the latest thing, but it can sometimes be difficult to afford. There are ways to get the technology you want without having to spend a fortune.

Buying cheap laptops can help get you the technology you need at a price you can afford. There are other tricks buyers are using to save money when buying computers that you can use as well.

Using Accessories to Your Advantage

As the market for computers evolves and grows, so does the market for accessories. The smart buyers are starting to see that they can use inexpensive accessories to get the kind of computer they want without spending too much on the extra features. For example, you can get a smaller hard drive in your computer to save money and use removable USB drives for your extra storage.

Processor Compromise

In the early days of computers, Intel processors were widely considered to be the best. When Intel Pentium processors were introduced, they were light years ahead of anything else. Intel introduced its Celeron line of processors to give users an inexpensive option, but the speed of the Celerons was nowhere near the same as Pentium.

Because of the proven quality difference between Intel processors and other processors, Intel was significantly more expensive. Over the years, manufacturers such as AMD have closed the quality gap, but Intel still insists on keeping the price gap in place. If you want to save money on your next computer, then focus on the processor speed and not the manufacturer.

Comparison Shopping

Buying a computer is like any other product in that you should shop around to find the best deals. You should create a list of features you want, and then see which manufacturers can meet your needs and your price point. You will find that shopping around saves you a lot of money.

Consider Clearance Deals

When a computer retailer puts a computer on clearance, most people automatically assume the computer has dated technology. The smart buyer knows that computers on clearance often have many of the same specs that current machines have and that you can find a great deal on a clearance machine if you just look hard enough.

Customize the Build

If you are not a gamer or audiophile, then do you really need the large speaker system with the amazing subwoofer in your computer system? For that matter, do you really need the $500 graphics card that comes in a system that has other features you want?

Smart buyers know that customizing your build gets you exactly what you want and prevents you from paying for features you do not need.

Saving money on your next computer purchase can be done if you just know what to look for. Follow the advice of the smart buyers and save money on your next computer by knowing how to buy and where to look.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I have been compensated for publishing the article. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

Five Grocery Secrets that Save You Money

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on May 9, 2012 at 1:55 pm {no comments}

When money is tight, one of the easiest places to cut a chunk out of your monthly expenses is to shop smarter at the grocery store. And we’re not talking about switching to a diet of only rice and beans, or packaged blocks of noodle soup. You can actually get great food for a lower price by using some of these five grocery store secrets.

1. Buy Generic Items

If you’re purchasing name-brand items, you’re probably paying a premium just to get a different packaging. The food inside the box, bag, or can is not noticeably different from the item marketed under the store brand. If you’re suspicious, pick up the leading brand and the generic and give the ingredients a quick scan. Comparing the ingredients will show exactly what you’re paying for with the pricier brand versus the generic. Plus, once you get used to seeing the different packages in your kitchen, you’ll never want to go back to paying extra for the name brands.

2. Plan Your List

Impulse buys make up a large portion of your grocery bill, and planning out your list before you head to the store is the best way to keep impulse purchases to a minimum. It also encourages you to pick the meals you will cook for the week ahead of time, which decreases the chance that you’ll have to go to the store again mid-week for a missed ingredient. To give yourself some wiggle room for in-store deals or things you forgot to put on the list, set a specific dollar amount you can spend on non-list purchases each week.

3. Use Coupons

Manufacturers and individual stores release tons of coupons for products that you may be buying anyway. Look at the store circular, Sunday newspaper, and printable coupon websites to find free coupons you may want to use. When you take the coupons to the store, make sure you’re actually getting a deal by comparing the after-coupon price to similar products. Also ask yourself whether the product is something you’d ordinarily buy anyway, rather than purchasing something you don’t need just because you have a coupon for it.

4. Grow Your Own

Growing produce in your own yard is one of the best ways to cut your grocery bill, especially during the summer months. A little garden space can turn into a lot of food, especially if you stick to planting the things that you know your family will eat. Plus, if you use organic methods and seed, you’ll get organic food without paying a premium. If you can’t bring yourself to garden, at least educate yourself about what produce is in season at any given point and stick to buying those items, which are at their best prices of the year.

5. Stock Up on Sale Items

When you know that your household uses a particular shelf-stable product and you see it listed in the grocery store’s sale circular, go ahead and stock up on it so you can get enough for several months at this week’s low price. Most sales ads run in 6-week to 12-week cycles, depending on the store and region, so don’t bother getting more than you can use in three months. Regardless of what you’ve seen in extreme couponing television specials, you don’t actually need a two-year supply of toothpaste.

Being a savvy shopper requires a little bit of attention, but the time and energy you put into your grocery shopping will pay off big in your household budget’s bottom line. The typical family can cut at least 10 percent off the grocery bill by implementing each of these strategies. In the process, you may even find some inexpensive, nutritious foods that your family loves eating!

Authors Bio:
Holly Watson is a stay-at-home mom, former financial adviser, and baking enthusiast. She is currently obsessing over perfecting her ‘Mimosa’ cupcakes. She blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands she uses.

Simple Ways to Change Your Habits and Lower Your Gas Expenses

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on May 8, 2012 at 1:36 pm {no comments}

Old habits are hard to break. We get used to doing things a certain way and we’re not interested in changing no matter what. But with gasoline exceeding four dollars a gallon it’s time to rethinking our old driving habits to see if we can cut down on fuel consumption.

Fuel efficiency can be done in a number of ways. By adding just a mile or two per gallon here and there it will add up to significant savings over a period of time. Oil is a non-renewable resource and when we save on gas, it helps us with our reduced dependency on foreign oil. Over 50% of our gas comes from foreign lands!

Many of our bad old habits can simply be avoided by- Driving Sensibly. Avoid aggressive driving. In other words steer clear of rapid acceleration and quick braking. This alone can lower gas mileage up to 33%.

Of course you don’t speed. Do you? Speeders rarely get to their destination much earlier than law abiders and waste a lot more gas. Gas usage goes up considerably at speeds over 60 mph. For each 5 mph your drive over 60 you can add an additional 30 cents a gallon to your bill, not to mention the cost of a speeding ticket.

When you’re on the highway, use cruise control, which helps maintain a constant speed. Use the highest gear possible and overdrive gears if you have them. The faster an engine is turning the more gas you’re using. Pay attention to your tachometer. Plus, a slower turning engine means less friction and engine wear.

Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. It doesn’t get much worse than that. If you’re stopped for a train or backed up in a fast food take out line or waiting for a drive thru bank teller, stop your engine if you’re going to be idling for more than 30 seconds. The bigger your vehicle the more gas you’re using even when idling. It costs less to restart than idle.

Turn off the air conditioning. It may get hot but try opening a window and breathe in the fresh air. An air conditioner can lower your mileage by two to three miles per gallon.

Is this trip necessary? Don’t drive until you have several errands or appointments to combine. Avoid doing these errands during peak rush times. If possible, and the distance is short, try walking or riding a bicycle.

Know where you’re going before you start out. Don’t drive around looking for something. I’m afraid the good old days of dragging Main Street with friends are gone. Now, it’s called car-pooling and friends who share the gas bill or drive next time. Public transportation is also a good option.

Changing your bad driving habits doesn’t cost you a thing but it will pay you big dividends in fuel economy and saving money.

You can also go the extra mile by keeping your car well maintained and using fuel enhancers to help increase fuel mileage. Spending a little money up front to care for your car now can save a lot of money down the road.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation in the form of money or credit. By clicking the link you are helping to support Money Saving Secrets Blog.

Save on Contact Lenses with 1-800-CONTACTS!

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on April 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm {no comments}

Before getting Lasik surgery 8 years ago, I wore contact lenses everyday. It was very important for me to make sure that I always had fresh contact while still staying in my budget. That was not always an easy feat. So when I found 1-800-CONTACTS, I was very excited!

As the world’s largest contact lens store, 1-800-CONTACTS is dedicated to providing you with a simple, hassle-free way to replace your contact lenses. They provide the exact same lenses your doctor prescribes, but delivered straight to your door at a great low price. By ordering such large quantities of contact lenses, 1-800-CONTACTS can offer its buyers the same designer brands at a lower cost. Plus any order over $50 will qualify for FREE Shipping. It you do happen to find the same contact lenses elsewhere for a lower price, 1-800-CONTACTS has a 20/20 Guarantee and will not only match it but beat it by 2%!

I think it took me so long to start using 1-800-CONTACTS because I thought I would have to do a lot of work to get my contacts. But that is not the case. Ordering from 1-800-CONTACTS is very easy. All you need to place your order is your prescription, which can be found on your contact box and your eye doctor’s information. 1-800-CONTACTS will verify your prescription for you. Then all you need to do is wait for that cute little 1-800-CONTACTS box to show up at your door!

If you have never used 1-800-CONTACTS before, I would recommend giving them a try. Brows through their many reputable brands and see if how the prices compare to what you are already paying. With the free shipping over $50 and their 20/20 Guarantee, I do not see how you can loose. If you have made the switch to 1-800-CONTACTS, please leave me a comment letting me know how much you have saved by switching.

This is a Sponsored Post, which means I have received compensation for this article. However, the opinions are 100% honest & mine.

Simple Home Tricks to Save You Money

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on March 6, 2012 at 8:49 am {one comment}

Budget-conscious people are always on the lookout for ways to save money. Given the unfortunate state of the economy, the need to do so is greater than ever. Thankfully, sacrifice isn’t necessary. Making simple changes around your home can result in big savings over time.

In the laundry room

Wash clothes in cold water. The primary cost associated with washers is from the energy required to heat water. Appliances that carry an Energy Star rating are designed to be more efficient and to save your household money. To increase your family’s cost savings, use your dryer selectively; clothes can be hung up to dry, which will lengthen their life and reduce shrinkage. Save additional coinage by making your own laundry detergent. The necessary ingredients are readily available at the grocery and can be used in all types of washing machines.

Power down

Save money by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use less electricity than traditional incandescent light bulbs, last longer and aid in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. You can also put your lights on timers, especially if you work longer-than-average hours or will be gone for vacation. The easiest money-saving solution is to turn off lights in any room you’re not using.

Appliances that are always plugged in, even when not in use, continue to draw power. Everything from televisions to cell phone chargers will use energy that adds up in small but noticeable increments. Utilize a power strip to switch off items with one simple motion or go a step further and unplug everything that isn’t in use. Before long, you’ll see your utility costs begin to decrease.

Waste not, want not

Instead of running water to rinse or wash dishes, fill a tub with soapy water and use it to clean your tableware. Fill a second tub with clean rinse water to save your faucet from running for minutes on end and wasting gallons of water. Your dishes will come out just as clean; your water bill will drop; and the Earth will thank you.

Refrain from taking long showers. Though relaxing, they use significant amounts of water. Consider installing a low-flow showerhead to cut down on water usage, showering every other day, or installing a timer that signals when it’s time to get out. While you don’t want to start thinking about your daily ablutions as money running down the drain, it’s a visual that might help you remember to shut off the faucet a couple minutes earlier.

These tips can get you on the road to saving your family money throughout the year. Think of things you do that might be costing you money, such as doing partial loads of laundry or having every light in the house switched on. Understanding the financial impact of these simple tasks is a great way to learn about saving money. You might even enjoy the challenge of discovering cost-saving measures around your home.

Author Bio-
Holly Watson is a stay-at-home mom, former financial adviser, and baking enthusiast. She blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands she uses.

Areas You Shouldn’t Cut Back on to Save Money

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on February 2, 2012 at 8:41 am {no comments}

Everyone likes to save money, even the least frugal among us. Very few people would turn down a discount or a good deal. However, there are some areas of life where corners should definitely not be cut. In some cases, it is a matter of personal comfort and enjoyment of life; in other cases, not cutting back and can actually be a serious loss. Not paying for something like airbags in your car, health insurance or an ADT home security system could leave you majorly regretting your budget cut in the future. If a wreck, fire or a break-in occurs, there is no telling the amount of damage that could occur.

While we can easily forgo some luxuries, there are comforts worth spending a little extra money on to increase quality of life. This would especially apply to things we use every day. For instance, the mattress you sleep on every night—since you are spending about one-third of your life on it. It should really be a joy to lie down on it every night. The quality of your sleep affects the quality of your waking hours, so investing in a more expensive option is well worth the extra money.

There are also some items that could be called “affordable luxury” which should not be skimped on if at all possible. For example, a coffee drinker who absolutely loves a certain brand of coffee should bypass the generic coffee, even if it’s much cheaper than the preferred brand. Spending a little extra to get the favored brand can add to quality of life in ways that are hard to quantify or assign a dollar amount to. It’s the “little things” that all add up to our life experience, and the things we do every day are worth the occasional extra investment.

While spending a bit more on one’s preferred brands of food and drink may be considered optional extra spending, there are other areas of life where spending more for quality is far less optional. Repair and maintenance of one’s vehicle should not be taken lightly, and definitely not be skimped upon. A reputable dealer or car repair facility should be selected for this important job, even if they charge more for their services. Having your car regularly taken care of will extend the life of your vehicle.

Smoke and fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and home security systems, are other realms where one should avoid cutting corners. When it comes to the personal safety and security of yourself and your loved ones, saving money should not be the main concern. The cheapest option may not be the best, and one should consider all options carefully. A quality home security system can provide peace of mind as well as security from fire and home invasion; and the peace of mind quality security offers is definitely something that each of us wants more of.

Authors Bio-
Holly Watson, who blogs on behalf of her favorite brands, is a stay-at-home mom and former financial adviser. She loves making cake pops and is training to run in her third marathon later this summer.

Throwing the Perfectly Affordable New Year’s Party

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on December 26, 2011 at 7:00 am {one comment}

New Years Eve is a fantastic holiday. Whether your year has been fantastic or dreadful, starting a new one is oddly therapeutic. We are rarely more conscious of time passing than on New Years Eve. In the face of such a unique holiday—people just wanna party. Any soiree can get expensive. Follow these tips to throw a New Years Eve party that will make sure you still have money in 2012.

The Scene

The first way to save money is by not breaking what you already have. Prepping your house is important as New Years Eve is one of the partyingest eves of the year. When hosting a New Years Eve party you should take extra precautions to make sure all your stuff survives the excitement. Clear away all valuables. Crystal, vases and your great grandmother’s serving platter do not need to make appearances. Clean the room of lamps and candles, plugging in Christmas lights instead. Having all those guests in one place will generate a lot of heat. Prepare for this (and save a few bucks) by turning off your heaters about an hour before guests arrive. The first few people through the door may feel a little chilly. Don’t worry, by the time their first cups are empty and more people have arrived they will be as snug as a bug in an NYE rug. Although initially ridiculous, it may also be fun to cover your floor in bubble wrap. Bubble wrap won’t rip when walked on, will protect your floors and is cheaper than a steam clean. When the clock strikes midnight your guests will create a symphony of popping that Scarface would be proud of.

The Snacks

Don’t do it all yourself. Any guest worth having won’t mind bringing something to the party. Spare your wallet and ask a few of guests to bring a side dish, appetizer or bottle of New Year cheer. You’ll notice that New Years Eve is the holiday of glitter. Drinks with shimmering liqueurs like goldschlager are encouraged. Glittering icings, sprinkles and other garnishes are also appropriate. For added showpersonship you can put a sparkler in just about any food with a little girth, so do that.

The Screaming

It’s highly possible that midnight on December 31st/January 1st is the loudest time to be on planet Earth. You can’t blame the hullabaloo. A new year is exciting for so many different reasons and at no other time do so many parties climax at exactly the same time. When 2012 hits, you and your guests will want to make as much noise as possible. However, you don’t need expensive tools to put on a show. Even a budgeted party can easily be the boomingest bunch on the block. Make your own party poppers or use things found around the home. Bang together pots and pans, buy a small air horn or throw a string of those cheap firecrackers in a coffee can. Your lot can easily be the loudest, even if the Jones rented a real cannon.

Author Bio:
Holly Watson, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, is ruled by her four clever children. She was a financial adviser until she ‘gave it all up’ to stay at home with the kids. Holly likes party planning, loves party going and is trying to think up a New Years resolution that doesn’t involve rice cakes. Never. Again.

Guest Post- Money Saving Secrets for the New Year

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on December 16, 2011 at 8:53 am {no comments}

If you think creatively, you can come up with a number of money saving ideas, but it is always handy to do some research on how you can save even more money going into the new year.

Investing in cash ISAs or Individual Savings Accounts is one of those ideas. For the more financially aware there are also stocks and shares ISAs but the one where you will find the savings is the cash ISAs. The benefit of the account is that you don’t have to report the interest you earn to the IRS (up to a certain maximum) and you can withdraw as much money as often as you like. The drawback is that you cannot use the funds in cash ISAs as security when you apply for a loan.

Budget, budget, budget – if you don’t have one, the time is now. By budgeting, you know what your income and expenses are. Then, if you don’t have any money left, you cannot spend it on trivia. Your budget will prevent you from overspending.

Start a predetermined savings program. Not only will it come in handy the day when you retire but it can prove useful in the case of unforeseen emergencies.

In the event that you have debt, you must try to clear that away as soon as possible. This is the one area that is definitely going to cause you to throw money away in all the interest that you will constantly be paying.

Do You Really Need a Contract?

A contract commits you to 24 months and what you could afford when you started it is possibly not what you can afford a year along the line.

Instead of a gym contract, you can start walking in the neighborhood. Get the family to join in and get them all fit and healthier. Consider a pair of hiking boots and discover nature. Walking or hiking is something you can do whenever it suits you and will not commit you to a specified amount every month.

When your cell phone contract expires, try doing it the pre-paid way. Once again, there are no monthly payments.

Other Areas of Saving

Energy comes at a premium and will most probably not become cheaper in future. Reduce your household electricity bill without fail.

Is public transport cheaper than going by car? Can you team up with neighbors or others in your neighborhood when driving to work? You can take turns with cars, helping you save on fuel, maintenance and wear and tear on your own car.

Look out for special offers in stores. If a special is offered on an everyday item, consider buying in bulk and storing. Don’t, however, buy foods you won’t be able to consume.

You don’t have to have everything that your neighbor has. You might envy them for their car and equipment, but you don’t know how many loans they might already have to pay for all of that.

All members of the household, who are of a working age, should attempt to generate some form of income. Look at your hobbies and your interests. Is there a gap in the market where you could sell your skills?

Cancel any store cards after you have paid them off and buy only when you can pay cash for items. This way, you will instill a buying discipline.

Use the allowances of cash ISAs. You don’t pay tax on interest accrued, which is a saving already.

This article was written by Andreas, who works as a financial writer for MoneySupermarket.com, the UK’s number one comparison website for savings accounts, including bonds and cash ISAs.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation in the form of money or credit. By clicking the link you are helping to support Money Saving Secrets Blog.

Guest Post- DIY Holiday Gifts to Save You a Fortune

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on November 30, 2011 at 7:00 am {2 comments}

Between work, family, friends and the different organizations my family is wrapped up in—we have a long list of people to be thankful for. Being a die-hard DIY’er, our house has quickly begun to resemble Santa’s workshop. The workbench in our garage trades wood and tools for ribbon and paper. I’ve been using a few great ideas to bring cheer to my friends without taking it out of my wallet. Enjoy these suggestions for great gifts that can be made cheaply.

Recipe Jars

Give a man a cake and he snacks for the day, teach a man to bake and he snacks for a lifetime—or something like that. Recipes are like currency. The best ones are hard to come by and some old recipes are kept so secret that you’d have to marry into the family to get them. Making someone a delicious dish is a great gift, but giving her or him the recipe takes it a step further.

To create a recipe jar simply combine the correct amount of dry ingredients for your favorite recipe into a mason jar. Add instructions to the top or the side of the jar. The jar recipient should be able to simply dump the contents into a mixing bowl, add the necessary wet ingredients and have something delicious in no time.

Recipe jars are especially beneficial for dishes that call for a less common ingredient. It is easier for you to buy an entire bag of rice flour or xanthan gum and give it to a few people than expect everyone to acquire ingredients they’ll only use a few times.

Personalized Wine Glasses

Plain wine glasses can be found cheaply and glass paint is available in any craft store. You don’t have to be incredibly crafty to create these. Simply print a stencil or design off the Internet and cut out the pieces you would like to be painted on.

Clean the glasses and attach your design using tape. With a small brush, fill in your stencil with glass paint. You can get creative with painting the stem or the bottom of the glasses. Paint around the rim, however, is more likely to rub off. Place your glasses on a cookie sheet and allow them to dry completely.

To set the paint, put the glasses in a cold oven and set it to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches that temperature, let them bake for 30 minutes and then turn the oven off. Let the glasses cool completely before using. With treatment, the paint will be dishwasher safe.

Dog Biscuits

If you have a few canine lovers on your Christmas list, then baking some homemade dog biscuits is a fabulous and cheap gift. Not all of the items needed are “everyday” ingredients, but most well stocked kitchens should have all of them.

After preheating your oven to 325 degrees you should combine
3 whole eggs
3 tbsp fat (vegetable oil, shortening, or bacon grease)
¾ cup liquid (broth, leftover gravy, or water with a bouillon cube dissolved in it)
3 tbsp dry milk powder
3 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup wheat bran
1 tsp salt
and
1 tsp garlic powder
into a large mixing bowl.

Knead the dough for a few minutes until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The dough can be rolled out into an 11 X 15 pan or divided into shapes with cookie cutters.

Bake the treats for one hour and then turn off the oven. Having the biscuits stay in the oven as it cools (about 30 minutes) will allow them to crisp up. Crispy treats are easier to keep in your pockets, etc. These treats will surely wag some tongues.

Author Bio:
Holly Watson, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, is a stay at home wife and mother of 4 beautiful children. She was a financial adviser until she ‘gave it all up’ to stay at home with the kids.

Guest Post- 10 Easy Ways to Raise Money for College Text Books

Filed under Saving Money by Jennifer Billy on November 29, 2011 at 6:00 am {2 comments}

Take a cue from other students who are earning money in creative ways

As the recession worsens and college and university tuition costs rise, students are finding new ways to deal with smaller family budgets while still pursuing higher-education and the expensive textbooks that go with it. Students might be working more and spending less on eating out or vehicles. And other students might even opt to go with textbook rentals rather than purchase their college textbooks outright.

If you’re a student struggling with the costs of college, here are 10 ways that others like you are raising the funds to go to college and buy college textbooks:

1. Get a job

In any college or university town, there are many jobs waiting for you on or near campus. Look for a part time job in a place that is willing to hire college students—that way they will be prepared to adapt to your student schedule.

2. Tutor other students

Are you an A student in English, Math, Science or Sociology? Well, post tutoring services around campus and charge for it. You can bet there are other students who aren’t doing so well and who could use the extra attention. Plus, you don’t have to pay for an office if you use the library, cafeteria or even Skype.

3. Rent your textbooks

An easy way to save money on college textbooks is to rent—rather than buy them. You can also photocopy versions of your textbooks and offer to sell them to other students for a nominal fee.

4. Get an internship

There are many organizations looking to hire students for paid internship or work-study programs for a few months. This way, you earn some bucks and learn some valuable real world skills in your profession of choice.

5. Offer to do odd jobs for elderly neighbors and family

Tell your friends and family that you are looking to mow lawns, shovel driveways, babysit, provide dog walking and pet sitting, clean homes and garages, plant flowers, and grocery shop for elderly neighbors in exchange for a small fee. Not only can you determine your working hours, but you’ll be shocked at how many people need help and will pay for the smallest of chores to be done around their homes.

6. IT repair

Are you handy with a PC? Know your way around a laptop? Offer to repair computers or hook up new systems for a fee.

7. Make jewelry

Take a look on marketplace sites like Facebook, Ebay, Etsy or Craigslist where shoppers will pay a pretty penny for a snappy new bracelet or necklace. If you have a knack with beads, make your own jewelry and list it online for sale. You can generate a pretty decent part-time income from online sales.

8. Get in the holiday spirit

Offer seasonal services—such as snow shoveling, raking leaves, delivering poinsettias, or offer to wrap holiday gifts.

9. Office assistant at large

Ask your professors if they are in need of an assistant to do things like answer phones, make photocopies, do research or even wash their car.

10. Official note taker

Offer note taking services—even if it’s just in the classes you take. Think about it this way, you’re taking the notes anyways, so all you need to do is photocopy and sell them to your classmates. If you’re notes are well organized and clear, you’ll soon find a lot of eager customers

Author Bio

Tina Jacobs is a registered nurse and freelance health writer who has written for numerous print and online publications ranging from education to health topics. Tina is a proud Georgetown University and plans to expand her portfolio while she waits to take her nursing licensure via the NCLEX exam. Most days, Tina can be found studying or writing in her beautiful bay window with her cat, Oscar, for company