How to Survive the Recession

In a slow economy, it's no time to be lazy!

An additional income through a side job, part-time job or small business are perfect ways to come up with some extra cash. Here are some of the more palatable options that might be to your liking:

1. Home Parties: companies like Tupperware, Shaklee and Silpada all offer home-based parties that sell merchandise. Try and find one that suits your personality and increase your income.


2. Part-time Jobs: from working at the local Starbucks to picking up a few hours at the gym down the street, this is an easy enough option to pull in some much-needed dough.


3. Newspaper Delivery: being the paperboy/girl isn't the same once you get a car. Get it done in a snap before or after work.


4. Rentals: Have a second home that's just sitting there? How about an extra room? A finished basement? An expensive piece of equipment that you wouldn't mind loaning out for a fee? Rentals are a great way to earn some passive income.


5. Handyman: If you're handy, you can easily earn some extra cash by putting an ad in the paper, and best of all, make your own hours.
   

   



6. Pet Sitter: This is easy enough! Walk and feed the neighbors dog, get paid...and it's fun!


7. Ebooks: Information is a valuable thing...if you know plenty about a particular subject and you're a decent writer, people may be willing to pay for that information. Bundle it up into a nice package and sell it in mass quantities to the buying public. Try eBay or Clickbank.


8. Affiliate Marketing: Like selling stuff but don't want it around the house? You can be an affiliate marketer and sell other people's things without having the clutter. Join Commission Junction, LinkShare, eBay, Amazon, or many of the other affiliate marketing programs and start advertising other people's stuff and get a cut.


9. Car Detailing: If you do a great job at making your own car shine, why not get paid to do it for someone else? With a nominal investment, you can make quite a bit for this in-demand service.


10. eBay Trading Assistant: There are plenty of people out there that don't have the time to sell on eBay, may not have a computer, or don't have the right knowledge to sell their own stuff. If you do, here's your chance! eBay's Trading Assistant Program will allow you to sell other people's stuff, and you get a percentage. Make your own rules and your own commission rate and start selling!


11. Online Surveys: Big companies always need the latest input from customers. Find the ones that pay you for your time and start seeing some extra cash come in.


12. Tutoring: If you're a math whiz, English expert, Science geek or history buff, put that knowledge to good use and rake in some extra dinero with a little tutoring.

1. Craigslist: It's free to list, and often times the customer will come to you to pick up the item. The downside? Your limited to just the local area.


2. eBay: Auction sites will get rid of your items quick, and no other auction site gets the traffic eBay does. Start it cheap if you're willing to part with it no matter what, or research the current price. Don't settle for pennies...learn how to get top dollar for your eBay stuff here.


3. Garage Sales: Liquidate your stuff in one big day-long sale and get some instant cash, not to mention the bonus of a cleaner house and garage. Consider donating the rest for a tax deduction, too.

For nearly two decades, jobs have been relatively safe, and the unemployment rate has been at a semi-steady rate. In 2007, those numbers slowly started to slip, leading to where the world economy is today. No longer can we afford to slack off at work. But what exactly would an employer define as "slacking off," or being a bad employee?

1. Don't talk on the phone at work. Unless it's your job to talk on the phone, don't do it unless you absolutely must. The more the bosses see you working, the better you'll look to them if layoffs ever do come.

2. Don't talk smack at work. Keep talk about your personal life to a minimum, especially negative things. Don't talk about other employees in a negative light, gossip, or spread rumors. These things have a way of getting around quick! While you may not be fired for this one thing, it could add to a list of reasons to get rid of you.

3. Don't leave early. People notice this, whether you think they do or not. If possible, stay late if needed once in a while, and if your company is having a tough time during the recession, stay extra late. Prove yourself to be an invaluable employee that can never be sacrificed.

4. Don't put details about your job life (complaining about the boss) on Facebook. Employers have been going around and looking at employees personal MySpace, Facebook, and online profiles, so don't put this stuff out there for them to see!

5. Don't break for extended periods of time, and don't take extra breaks. Taking long breaks is a good way to get yourself noticed in the wrong way.

6. Put off your vacation time until you've been at your job for at least 6 months. Otherwise, you could look lazy and "never there" to your bosses.

7. Quit complaining! No one likes a complainer, and no one wants to be around one. Businesses have enough problems to deal with besides you right now, so try to work these things out yourself, or if you need to, head to Human Resources.

8. Cut out the personal emailing. This is just like talking on the phone, but maybe even worse since it can drag out all day long!

9. Always show up on time. A late employee is a great one to fire.

10. Stay up on your education. If your employer pays for you to go to school, take advantage of it. Not only will your company benefit from your new found knowledge, but you can take it with you to your next job if there is one.

What led you here? The pursuit of information most likely. In a bad economy, everyone is looking for the same thing...tips on how to make extra cash during the down times so they can survive the recession and barely or better yet, not feel the effects. Some companies and services even profit much more in a bad economy. Sound impossible? Here are nine hot products and services to take a look at:

1. Information. It brought you here, right? Imagine what other people are searching for! Get into their heads and see what they are focusing in on during this economy. Provide information they could use, and make money on that information through using Adwords, ebooks, publishing or royalties. If you own a business, consider incorporating a product or service that people might be searching for in these difficult times.


2. Necessities. No matter how much you cut back, there are still those necessities that everyone buys. How can you earn your share of the necessities? Well, everyone still needs clothing, a ride to work, a job, a place to live, food, and some mental stimulation. Where do you fit in?


3. Green Products. Despite the market, green products are still hot and continue to grow. As people buy new things or replace old things, they are buying the "green" version of whatever they used to buy.


4. Green Services. If you are in a trade or service-based operation, green services are all the rage right now. Think about it...who would you rather come to your home, the environmentally friendly landscaper or the pesticide-friendly one? Those that don't consider this important aspect will be left in the dust by the competition.


5. News about the Bad Economy. You know all those articles online about how bad the economy is, how unemployment is rising, how the stock market is plunging...all of those publishers are making money from those stories, and those stories sell. Maybe you can earn your slice of the pie by offering your take of the current economic status.


6. Stress Relievers. People still need to escape the day-to-day grind of work in some way, shape or form. Some of the healthier outlets for stress relief profit during the flopping economy. Exercise related activities like running, boxing, bicycling, tennis and swimming are all favorites. Even spas can see an uptick in customers looking to get away for the day.


7. Home Improvements. Instead of investing money into vacations, home owners often tend to spend their money on their homes during a recession. They see it as an investment of sorts, and they'll still reap the benefit of the renovations. Consider where you can squeeze in here and make a buck or two.
   


8. Day Trips. Long vacations are unfortunately one of the first expenses to get the ax when currency weakens. Instead, many opt for day outings to nearby places. This means tourism may be up from local residents, and that means the people around you might be in the need of information about the area you know so well. How about a Squidoo lens featuring that area? Write a good one, insert relevant products, and you could see some cool passive cash income coming your way.


9. Home Gardening. If you've been to the supermarket lately, you shouldn't be surprised that gardening is making a comeback in a big way, especially with food. If you can provide the tools, products, seeds and information quickly and reliably, you may have found yourself a niche.

Surely if you are suffering a loss during a recession, your lifestyle has been compromised or just because of a sluggish economy, you may need to make some sacrifices. Here's a quick list of cutbacks you can make to start saving some cash in your monthly budget:

1. Coupons.
   
   Both online and paper coupons can save you a bundle. Don't forget, most supermarkets will match competitor coupons, so save those too. It might be worth it to do a quick Google search for coupons on products that you commonly consume as well.


2. Buy in Bulk.
   
   When it makes sense, buy in bulk if the cost benefit is worth it. If you have a large family, this is often a good option. However, for a family of 2 or 3, a trip to save a few bucks to the Costco 20 miles away might cost you more than it will save.


3. Save on Gas.
   
   Everyone's cutting back on fuel costs, and you can too. Public transportation is a good alternative that is far cheaper than driving to work. If you're driving, make your car more fuel efficient by replacing air filters, fuel fitlers and inflating the tires to their proper weight. Removing heavy items from your car will also improve mileage. Plan out your drive to include stops along the way home that might save you some gas. If you're in the market for a new car, consider buying a hybrid. Better yet, buy a used hybrid to save even more.


4. Make your Home Energy Efficient.
   
   
   
   Efficiency will pay off quickly...just picture lost heat and air conditioning as literally money passing through the cracks. Seal up drafty areas, use window ventilation, ceiling fans, heavy drapes and tightly sealed fireplaces and you're sure to see a difference.


5. Cut Back on Restaurant Eating.
   
   If you're anything like most Americans, you eat out at least once a week. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to cut it out entirely. Try opting for salads instead. They're cheaper, not to mention healthier...and if you're healthier, you work more efficiently, you don't spend as much time at the doctor, and you have time to do things you enjoy more. So, load up on those veggies and fruits!