Readers making money in unusual ways...

I put out the call to my readers last week to
share some unusual ways they make money.

If you have any to add, simply send them to
me at ljq@leoquinn.com and I'll get them
posted.

Here they are...

Hi Leo,

Just wanted to share a money making idea with you and the group. My 12 yr. old daughter sent a flyer to our neighbors who live on our cul-de-sac (9 other houses) offering to "pet sit" for them when they went away.

She made an elaborate list of fees for "walking twice daily", bathing, feeding,etc....and included mail and paper retrieval or even turning lights on in different parts of the house at different times so it appeared as though someone was home.

While her business didn't take off right away, within 6 months she needed a calendar of her own to keep track of all of her customers' needs. To date, all have included caring for a pet, but some neighbors have encouraged her to stay and do homework to keep their pet company. Many pet owners would prefer NOT to take their pets to a boarding facility, so she has filled a niche in our neighborhood while making money at the same time.

as a foot note: my husband is a Veterinarian in our small town, and some of these neighbors would potentially have boarded their animals at his facility, but he's not minding the "competition". :)

Pam


I wrote back to Pam that she should really encourage this entrepreneurship. If you have children, you should too!

***

Thanks for letting us know about

cash4books.net

I have been using a different site:

campusi.com

It searches 200 online bookstores and lists all the ones that are
either paying cash for your book, or will let you list your book on
their site for sale. This way you can choose the one with the highest
price.

Ginny

***

Dear Leo;

I bought a 16 hp tractor and a rototiller and a trailer. I did 125+ gardens each Spring. I took off half a day during March, April, and May and made a week's pay every day from noon until dark.

I had a full day on Saturday and Sunday. I had a coworker's wife take calls for me and schedule my work load. I took the two of them out for a steak dinner at the end of the season and paid her 10% of what I made even gardens that she did not get a call on because I would do a neighbor's garden but I would not have been there if she hadn't taken the call.

My tractor was the best tool for the job as others were smaller than mine. I did a BETTER job than if they rented a tiller and did it themselves. They laughed at me at work and stopped as I came to work every day with a dirty tractor from the day before. The money was GREAT. I mowed a bunch of lawns.


Another kid I grew up with saw a subdivision being built next to his home. As the houses sold, he would approach the owners and sell them on having him mow their grass and rake their lawns so they saved money on not buying a lawnmower and yard tools and he did the work. He got his first job after he graduated high school. Tom formally from Connecticut

Thanks Tom. I really like that last one. Lots of new construction around where that idea could be used. Almost makes we wish I had some kids so I could encourage them. Huh...that feeling passed quickly! :>)

Hi Leo,

An unusual way to make extra cash that worked for me was selling earthworms and night crawlers. Of course, you have to be in the right place to do this so it won't work for everybody. We lived at an intersection where two of the four roads were traveled by local fisherman on their way to various lakes. For those who can, it's a great money maker.

My kids had a blast digging garden worms with me - and it was a real treat to be outside after dark picking fat, juicy night crawlers out of the grass. We used empty yogurt and other dairy containers - one dozen per container with a little dirt and some bedding.

A sign at the end of the driveway directed customers to "ring the door bell for service". We often made $50 in a weekend but that was 25 years ago. I'd guess double or more than that today.

-Judith

***

On the theme of kids making money...a neighbor who had difficulty getting around in the snow approached my 9-year-old daughter with an opportunity to walk her dog. She offered my daughter $5 a week if she would walk the dog 3 times a week. This is a huge windfall for my daughter, who loves animals, the outdoors, and the new responsibilities, so this summer (when things are less busy) she plans to offer her services to all the neighbors who have dogs that need walking.


Julie

***

Julie must be peeking in my mailbox because the theme HAS BEEN kids making money. I think that's great. Your kids make money, learn personal responsibility, customer service etc and you earn a hefty consulting fee. Some of these could turn into serious businesses, paying for college and more.

Send me your ideas to ljq @ leoquinn.com