Evan Vitale

Extra Income Opportunities

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By Evan Vitale

You’ve cut your budget; you’re watching your spending and you’re working a full-time job yet still it would be nice to have a little bit of extra money each month.

True, you could seek out a part-time job and work evenings and weekend, but there may be some obstacles that prevent taking on another job (i.e., child care; night classes, etc.). So, what could you “juggle” in order to create some extra income?

Simple. Start a small, at-home business. Here are some ideas that might help generate the creative juices:

  • Start selling on eBay, Etsy or other online selling platforms. You probably have some things around the house that you could clean up; take photographs and list for sale. Start researching eBay to get an idea of what people are buying. You’ll be surprised.
  • If you have children, perhaps you can offer some evening and weekend child care services to other family members and friends. Try not to get carried away so that it creates a problem for neighbors (and for yourself).
  • If you can sew, check with a local dry cleaner and offer them your hemming and repair services.
  • If you can write, there are many writing and editing opportunities with online services such as guru.com.
  • Be sure to check out Fiverr.com for ideas. Here, you will find some quick-paying gigs – but there’s a catch: all initial projects are completed for only $5.

This is just a start! Think about your time and your skills and what additional income you would like to earn with a few evening and weekend hours. The possibilities here are endless and you’ll still be able to be at home!

 

Evan Vitale – Scrooge Bonuses This Year?

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By Evan Vitale

Let’s talk more about your holiday bonus or, perhaps, the lack of a holiday bonus.

Here are some scenarios that could happen this year and some steps you can take so you’re not left in the dark when it comes to receiving a holiday bonus.

First, if you’ve never received a holiday bonus at your new job, don’t plan on getting one this year. If it’s something your company has never offered to employees, don’t expect a surprise envelope.

Second, refer to your employee and benefits manual to find out if there are any provisions for a holiday bonus. In some cases, a bonus check may be based on tenure and performance. If you’re worked at your current job for less than a year, you may not be in line for a bonus due to employee policy. Talk to your human resources person – or the owner of the business – for more details.

If you’re still in the dark, the best course of action is to have a discussion with your HR person; department manager or the owner of the business. Just ask, but don’t show any emotion either way when you receive your answer.

Remember, a bonus is actually what its name implies – a bonus. It should never be expected and you should never feel (or act, say, e-mail, etc.) that you are entitled to a company bonus.

Don’t overspend during the holidays in anticipation of a holiday bonus. Note: a friend of mine and his fellow employees did this all the time because bonuses would be handed out the Friday before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the company was purchased in October and the holiday bonus structure ended (without notice). Instead of a check at Thanksgiving, employees were given a coupon for a free turkey from a local supermarket. Some employees cried on the spot and a few turned in their notice to end employment.

So, the moral of story is don’t spend money before you have it. Don’t plan on a holiday bonus until you have the check and don’t expect a holiday bonus. Keep working. Be happy with your job. Look at all the other positives and benefits you enjoy every day with your current job!

Evan Vitale – Finding A Seasonal Job

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By Evan Vitale

Many of us look forward to the holidays as it creates seasonal employment opportunities to earn some extra income for gifts, trips, paying off debt, etc. Now – as we head into the busy shopping season – is the time to start looking for a part-time holiday job as many businesses are hiring.

Note: A friend of mine easily picks up a holiday job every year and, in almost every instance, the business asks him to stay at the end of the year.

Here are some ideas on where and how to find seasonal employment:

  • Always keep in mind where you live in relation to where you are applying. Try to stay close to home or close to your other job. That way, you are minimizing travel time between jobs and your home.
  • Decide if you are looking for restaurant or retail work.
  • Consider applying at businesses where you normally shop or places that offer products and services you enjoy. Some businesses will offer employees a shopping discount, so that will mean extra shopping savings and help you stay within your budget.
  • Consider applying at a temp agency. Many businesses prefer to hire through a temp agency giving you a larger employment pool of job opportunities.
  • Be flexible. Chances are good that many retail stores are open Thanksgiving Day and may require you to work nights, evenings, weekends, etc. If you are restrictive in the days and times you are willing to work, you will become less attractive to a potential employer. Of course, if you have another part-time or full-time job, try to make yourself available during other hours of the day, weekend, etc.

Searching for seasonal employment is almost like a full-time job. Dress the part, hit the pavement and be prepared to complete numerous employment applications. Make sure you take a complete list of references, addresses, phone numbers, dates of previous employment, detailed list of skills, etc. This will save you time when completing applications (and there won’t be a need to fumble around on your mobile phone for information).

Start applying for a job today. Chances are good you can find something soon and earn 10-12 weeks of income between now and the end of the year!

Evan Vitale – Working Full-Time AND Part-Time

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By Evan Vitale

Even with a full-time job (and sometimes with benefits), individuals and couples still have a tough time paying off old debt, keeping up with current expenses and making ends meet.

At some point, you might want to consider finding a part-time job to bring in some extra income.

While finding a part-time retail or restaurant job might be easy to find, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you flood the market with applications and resumes. Here are a few pointers:

  • Check your current employee manual or have a discussion with your human resources manager to see if working a part-time job violates any company guidelines. In some cases, companies discourage “moonlighting” because it may interfere with your current position. It’s not that your current employer is worried about you working at the mall during the holiday rush, but sometimes when employees are working two jobs, they become tired and less productive.
  • Be well aware of the hours that you will be asked to work with your part-time job. Mostly likely, you’ll be working nights and weekends so there will be little time left for yourself, your family, special events, parties, etc.
  • If you are working evenings, make sure you have allowed enough travel time from your full-time job to your part-time job. Always allow for a little extra time in case your boss asks you to work a little extra time one evening or bad weather is causing a traffic headache on the highway.
  • In many cases, your part-time job will require you to stand a lot. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes, which might be different than your business dress shoes for the office.
  • Juggling two jobs, family and other responsibilities will require you to be organized. You’ll need to use your “free” time to run errands, pay bills, go grocery shopping, etc. Plan accordingly.
  • While it might be difficult, it’s important to eat well, take your vitamins and get a good night’s sleep. By working more hours, your body and immune system will be at risk.

Set your financial goals when considering a part-time job. Perhaps, you’ll work part-time until a certain bill is paid off or until you’ve saved enough money for a down payment on an automobile or you’ll looking for extra money for the holidays.