Do you want to earn some extra income during your spare time or on weekends? Starting a side business may offer the ideal solution - and it may be easier than you think. Compared to a part-time job, running your own part-time business can give your more flexibility and freedom. The earning potential is greater as well.
For example, take errand running, babysitting, lawn care services or a dog walking business. No specialized skills are needed, and you can start with almost no money. Work a little or a lot - weekends, holidays, evenings. It is a great way to make some extra cash during your downtime. You might even be able to turn a hobby into "work" you get paid for.
Dog Walking
Dog walkers and pet sitters can make good money - and it can be relaxing and fun weekend work. For weekend travelers, kennels are not cheap, and they would rather have their pet happy and cared-for at home. If you enjoy being around animals, a dog walking service is one that is easy to start - requiring virtually no skill or start-up cost.
If you are looking for long-term work, dog-walking can provide consistent weekly income. A dog walking business also allows you to schedule your work hours when you want, not to mention the added benefit of a regular workout routine without having to set aside extra time or pay for a gym membership.
Freelancing - Not Just for Experienced Writers
All sorts of companies need writers, but often they want to outsource the work rather than pay the high costs of hiring a full-time employee. The internet is a great way to find this type of work.
The funny thing is, you do not have to be an expert writer. If you can form complete sentences and conduct a little research, you can many times get a freelance writing job done - no problem. Have a little humor or writing experience? Even better.
Whatever your skill level, there are weekend work opportunities waiting to be found. Do a search online for "freelance writing jobs".
Get Paid Cash for Your Gadgets
Get rid of all of your old cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, MP3 players, movies, camcorders and other electronic devices. A company called Gazelle wants them - and they will even pay for your shipping!
An interesting piece of information that I noticed on their site: they pay their customers an average of $115. That is a nice little weekend cash bonus for the amount of time it takes to find your stuff and stick it in a box.
Auto Detailing Work
If you want to earn extra money on weekends and enjoy working on cars, auto detailing may be the ideal weekend work for you - all year round.
It can be fairly inexpensive to start an auto detail service, while at the same time, it can pay well. In fact, if you enjoy working on cars, you may not even consider this task "work". And with just a few regular paying customers, you can have a stable, consistent side-job.
If you are not familiar with detailing work, educate yourself. Visit your local bookstore or library and check out some auto detailing guides or enroll in a class - you can find schools online.
Cake Decorating
If you can bake and have some creativity, you can have a lot of fun with your own cake decorating business. Anyone can buy a cake at a grocery store, but if you have a creative flair, you will attract customers who want your unique creations (that they can not get anywhere else).
Cake decorating can be a profitable business because people tend to spend more money on others than they would for themselves, and unique items that can be enjoyed by many people tend to bring in more cash.
Pet Photography
Photography is a profitable business, and pet photography is specialized a niche, so it eliminates much of the competition. If you have some camera skills and a little creativity, you may be surprised at how a "little business idea" like this could take off. I recently read a feature story of a successful "niche" photographer who took pictures exclusively of sleeping babies.
Set up a basic website and post some sample photos of your "pet photography" work so people can see what you do.
Keep in mind that pet owners love their pets - to have a pet/owner photo is pretty cool. A unique birthday gift, holiday cards, you could even create a photo calendar of a pet.
Crafty Idea
Are you creative? There are some online stores where you can sell your own customized items. They supply the products, and you supply the design. You do not have to buy any inventory up front or pay for a website.
Customers visit these websites (like Cafe Press), where they can find your products. When a customer purchases a product with your design, the company ships the customer the product for you and then pays you a portion of the profits.
Watch out that your weekend work does not become too profitable. You might just have to quit your day job and run a business doing something you love.
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