Recession Employment: Diversify Income Streams

Posted on Monday December, 14 2009 | 0 Comments

While most experts agree the worst of the recession is behind us, the unemployment rate is still hovering around 10.0%.  What this means is there are still millions of folks in the U.S. without jobs.  Some of those individuals may have found a job but be making significantly less than the job they lost.  Some of those folks are hoping that they'll find something before unemployment benefits run out.  Below are some suggestions for anyone who desires to maintain an income in this job market.

  • Work part time somewhere and make a difference.  Be an invaluable team member.  Do your job with great fervor and ask the boss what you can do to help the organization's bottom line.  Part time can become full time if you work at it.
  • Do any job you can find.  You have an income to find.  This is not the time to be picky. Establish some income first.  Work on the right job after you have an income coming in.
  • Ask yourself some important questions.  What skills can I offer an organization?  What hobbies or interests do I have? Are they marketable in the current job market? 
  • Ask your friends what unique skills or talents they think you have (only ask 'real' friends).
  • Work from home.  Are you or your spouse gifted in the area of cooking? Catering can be done from a home kitchen.  Are either of you interested in internet? You can conduct all kinds of business from your home computer.
  • Blogging.  Are you passionate about a given subject? Cooking? Gardening? Technology?  While income from this takes time, if you're truly interested, it could eventually bring an income. 
  • Be a freelance writer.  You can write for another blogger or service and get paid.
  • Babysit.  Some folks have the patience and interest to care for children.  My wife began this service in our home 3 months ago and it has added several hundred dollars to our monthly income.
  • Rent out a room.  If you have the comfort of extra space in your home, why not use it to produce income? 
  • Barter.  You may have a skills that someone else could use.  They in turn can provide you a service you could use.  I have a friend who works in the medical field.  He has assisted friends with basic medical issues in exchange for some carpentry work in his home. 
  • Mow grass.  A lot of local grass cutting outfits look for extra help to serve all their customers.
  • Deliver something.  Whether it's pizza or papers it doesn't matter.  These are ways to create extra income.
  • Throw boxes.  This time of year UPS or FedEx sees a rise in business.  Give them a call.

My hope is that a couple of these may prove helpful to someone looking to improve their income situation.  Having adequate income to support your needs is important.  Maybe there is a few I left out.  Please add to the list by commenting.