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When in a Cash Crunch...
- When we were low on cash, I used to go around collecting aluminum cans and other scrap metal and turning them in at the scrap yard for cash. Cans are easily found in parks, along roads, at highway truck/rest stops, and under or around the bleachers at sports fields. Sometimes soda drinking friends will even set their cans aside for you, if you ask.
We would get about a dollar for every three pounds (prices per pound vary at different times of year and in different areas). If there is a nicer neighborhood nearby, try checking the prices at their scrap yard. They may pay more than one in a lower or middle class area because there is more of a demand for aluminum there. While you're there, pick up a list of the other metals they purchase, as well.
- Don't neglect "treasure hunting" on garbage day! Neighbors throw out some of the neatest things, many just because they grew tired of them. We made over a thousand dollars last year, just eBaying and yard-saleing other people's trash! We brought it home, cleaned it up and sold or pawned it at a pawn shop. This can be done in almost any area, but again, nicer neighborhoods often throw out nicer stuff in better condition "because they can." Metal can also be picked up this way, and scrapped as mentioned above.
- The weekly "sales papers" that show up in your driveway (whether or not you subscribe) often hire delivery people, some even still deliver on foot! Pick one up out of your driveway and call the printer to find out!
- Better yet, contact any paper carriers in your area (you may use an ad card on a bulletin board, if need be) to drop off extra newspapers at your house (or offer to collect them). Then, check under "paper recycling" or "scrap" in your local phone book to find a place where you can be paid $1 or more per 10 pounds.
- Speaking of phone books, many phone companies pay individuals money to deliver phone books in the spring and summer months. Try Verizon, Sprint, or Yellow Book for about 8 cents a book (deliver about 1,000 or more in a trip), and see how many routes you may deliver.
- Those free real estate, auto, employment, and local papers you see in boxes on street corners often hire weekly or monthly delivery people. I helped deliver an Auto Trader (Trader Publications-not a free publication) route for a while and there was no investment required.
- You may also consider bringing old clothes to a consignment shop or selling books on eBay or at used book stores. Places like Goodwill or Salvation Army shops will give you a receipt for a tax write-off if you make a decent donation of clothing or housewares.
- Nearby libraries often raise money with used book sale carts where you can purchase books in good condition for a dollar or less. We have done this and then sold the books on eBay, Halfdot, and at used book stores. Some text books we sold on halfdot brought in over twenty dollars a piece! This benefits your wallet and your local library!
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