Any ideas to earn money?

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
... I need some


I have a new job that I start in 3 weeks. I'm a weekend assistant librarian and I will work 8 hours a week. I'm also going to university in late september, to start a 4 year degree.
Until then however, I am feeling poor. I start uni soon enough that I can't get a normal job as no company in their right mind will hire someone who is available full-time for less than 2 months.
I've been looking into bar/barista work, but so far the hours have clashed with either uni or my new job.
I'm probably going to apply to starbucks as they seem to offer the most flexible hours of all the coffee chains in my area.

Is there anything you guys can think of that I haven't considered yet?

Should I lie to companies about going to university?
 

fwan

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
13,279
Purraise
2
Location
Australia
I don't know how starbucks will go as they are closing down a lot of shops.
Can you baby sit? or do something like that?
 

fwan

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
13,279
Purraise
2
Location
Australia
I dont know what your skills are, but you could teach another language, or offer some help with homework ect for teenagers instead? Pet sitting is good, but it can be a seasonal thing though. you could offer your elbow grease
I know if someone was bored for the next two months id tell them to come and clean up here and there. Otherwise cafÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]s are good because you can work during the day. Coffee shops ect. Gardening is also an option.
I'm sure others have a better idea. hehe
 

carolpetunia

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
9,669
Purraise
17
Location
Plano, Texas
Maybe you could talk to a temp agency? Summertime, people on vacation... they might need fill-ins for just the right amount of time.
 

natalie_ca

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
21,136
Purraise
223
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by cata_mint

Should I lie to companies about going to university?
I'm afraid so.

It will be a lie by omission. Just don't put it on your application or tell them. That is the only way you will get a full time job right now. I was in the same boat in 1994 when I lost my office job and had plans to go to school in August of that year. I sent out applications to every single law firm in my city. No one would hire me. I finally got hired by a self practicing lawyer who I accidentally came across in the classified section. I didn't tell him I was going to go back to school. He hired me.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
I've tried calling a few temp agencies and I've joined a couple, but the reaction I get when I mention how long I have before uni has never been positive

There is one I'm planning to call today though, I'm hoping they do short term placements.
I've also tried a couple of cafes but they have so far required availability on weekends. I'll keep trying.
I'm good at Maths, Chemistry and French. I could offer my services to my parents' friends who have a little girl who I know has been struggling a bit in school. And it wouldn't hurt to advertise at summer clubs etc.

I do feel guilty at the thought of just ditching a company when I've given the impression I would be there for a while, but I'll consider it if I have to.
You've all given me some really helpful ideas
 

cdubbie

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
Messages
842
Purraise
3
Location
Maryland
Originally Posted by cata_mint

I do feel guilty at the thought of just ditching a company when I've given the impression I would be there for a while, but I'll consider it if I have to.
You've all given me some really helpful ideas
Most companies don't feel guilty about dumping employees when their bottom line is threatened, so I wouldnt feel guilty about making myself #1.

I agree with Natalie (?) who said not to share it. ESPECIALLY with temp agencies - they don't care about their "employees" at all - just their clients. (And temping is commonly short term anyway, not a new concept for any client or agency)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
Originally Posted by CDubbie

Most companies don't feel guilty about dumping employees when their bottom line is threatened, so I wouldnt feel guilty about making myself #1.

I agree with Natalie (?) who said not to share it. ESPECIALLY with temp agencies - they don't care about their "employees" at all - just their clients. (And temping is commonly short term anyway, not a new concept for any client or agency)
True. I've applied for a Data Entry job which would end just after my uni starts, so if I get it I won't feel like I'm totally leaving them in the lurch.

Temping seems to be much more long term than it was when my mother did it. I've called some of the companies that she temped for on a day to day basis and they say 'oh well we're more internet based now, and tend to have min 6 month placements'. It seems no one hires someone just for a week or 2 anymore.

I have joined a temp agency which does get really short term placements, although their computers were being slow, so I have to call tomorrow to confirm my details etc.

My search continues
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
We have an older community here, and I know people who have made money sitting with elderly people (people who can take care of themselves but may need help with making dinner, watering their lawn, etc), not necessarily medical patients. Also, advertising to go to the market or run errands for the elderly can bring in a few bucks on the side. Just an idea. I have no idea if you have a lot of older people in your area...but mothers with children may like it as well.

I also knew one guy in college that started his own side business picking up food for students from fast food places that didn't deliver. Unfortunately, he got too caught up in the job that he started skipping classes and ended up dropping out because of his grades. But, I will bet anything he was a success at whatever he decided to do!

But, I agree, if you have to "hide" the fact you are going back to school to get a reliable paycheck, do it.
 

icklemiss21

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 14, 2005
Messages
16,465
Purraise
20
Location
in the land of poutine and ice
There are a couple of temping agencies that supply bar and barista staff for major events, I worked for one in London one summer and it was fun, you work somewhere different every week but a lot of it was weekend work too being events.

They will happily take you on the days you are available though - I worked at football stadiums, the Oval etc
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
Until I made this thread I had never even considered the traditional ways to earn money

I looked into jobs that involve running errands for/helping the elderly and it seems I'd need a CRB check.
Icklemiss21 I'll PM you for the company info.
 

kristykitty

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
237
Purraise
1
Location
Wisconsin
Everyone posted some great advice
The only other thing I can think of is selling some stuff on ebay!
Or having a big garage sale perhaps? I also thought, maybe some place would give you a paper route for a few weeks. Or maybe you can fill in for people who can't do their route or something.

That's all I can think of right now.
Good luck!
 

whisky'sdad

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Feb 4, 2002
Messages
1,058
Purraise
1
Location
Orange, CA
When I finished my job at the camp last summer, I came home and looked for work. In October, I hooked up with this lady doing gardening at her place. She had 2 acres. I would just clean out weeds, plant, install drip irrigation, etc. Whatever needed to be done. I really started to enjoy it and now can't wait to get my own garden going! (Yes, I'm a man who loves gardening!)

She paid mr $10/hr (under the table)

I placed an ad on a free site called zzstar and craigslist.
 

cococat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
4,953
Purraise
12
Location
USA
To make money - sell some of your things, start learning how to live frugal, use less, sell plasma (I have a friend that did this in college), maybe sell services like dog walking, house cleaning, baby-sitting, some yard work, these are just some basic ideas I am sure you already have had
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
Everyone has so many ideas!


I would sell my stuff on ebay, but the only thing I have too much of is books, and no one buys books on ebay. I have been meaning to take them to a secondhand bookstore though. thanks for reminding me.


I'm a bit freaked out by needles, though I would consider selling plasma, but in England we can't sell plasma, we donate it.
 

flisssweetpea

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
8,885
Purraise
4
Location
At the kitty's beck and call
I think looking at temp agencies is a great idea. Try some of the big stores in your local shopping centre as well, they may hire on a flexible basis. A lot of my students work for the big chain/department stores and get great hours during the summer. Don't be tempted to work too much while you're doing your degree though - it really does affect your studies.

Good luck!
 

cc12

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,370
Purraise
4
Location
Pacific Northwest
You can be a catering server for a catering company and possibly keep doing it in school.
Tutor in French and math for younger students.
 

mrblanche

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
12,578
Purraise
119
Location
Texas
I know there ARE people who go by all the yard sales on the weekend (get there first!!!) and pick up stuff that they then sell on e-bay. The trick is to buy stuff you know something about. I once made over $200 on an electric guitar I found at a pawn shop, way underpriced, but that's pretty specialized.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

cata_mint

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
979
Purraise
2
Location
Maybe its because I'm a...
Mrblanche, I wish I could do that.


I have a job!

I'm a Data Entry Temp until the end of September! I now have almost more work than I'd really like; the job starts next Tuesday, and lasts 10 hours a day, Mon- Fri. I start my weekend job that week too, so I won't have a day off for a month! But the money will be worth it.
Thanks for all the advice you've given me, it really helped me focus.
 
Top