So you’ve cut back.  You’ve learned to live on less and adjust as much as you can.  Listening to any more money saving tips sounds like finding another teaspoon to help you bail out a sinking ship.  So now the big question: what’s next?  Where is this extra money going to come from?  How can you make that needed amount that will allow you to live comfortably within your means?  Here are some solutions.

#1 – Offer your services part time – Offer your services online for some extra cash.  As the economy changes, many employers prefer to outsource jobs as a means to cut back.  They pay more per hour, but less overall (due to less hours.)  Check out Janglo or some other more community sites for opportunities.  Also, sites like jobshuk.com try to connect employers with outsourced employees in Israel (I have not used jobshook yet, although I am registered.  I will try to update how it has been going once I use it a bit more).

#2 – Offer other services part time – So you realized no one need a marketing analyst after 5 PM, now what?  Well, offer something that people are demanding.  Offer to tutor English in your local neighborhood.  Offer to babysit.  Ask anyone if they need help cleaning a couple of hours a week.  Hang up some posters in the area and see what you can get.  There is no shame in doing something extra, even if you think it is beneath you “superior” education.  The only shame is in living beyond your means when you can do something about it.

#3 – Get rid of stuff you don’t need – Go through those extra books, clothes, toys and see what you can get rid of.  Try having a yard sale or selling items through ebay.  While this will not get you tons of money in the long run, it will buy you some time and help you keep things organized.

#4 – Maintain windfalls responsibly – This is probably one of the easiest things you can do with little to no extra work.  When you receive extra money – for birthdays, holidays, special occasions etc – it is important to put the money aside and use it like other income.  I am not saying not to live a little extra, but consider putting aside 50% of “extra money” you get and only spending the remainder.  Remember, emergencies do happen, and those are windfalls of expenses, so balance both kinds of windfalls and be prepared.

#5 – Look into your spouse working part time (if he or she isn’t working already) – Many times it makes sense to have only one sole supporter of the house; someone has to stay home to take care of the kids (childcare is crazy expensive), one spouse is being supported so that he can learn etc.  But just because it does not seem viable for one person to work full time, a part time job may fit quite nicely.  Even a half a job or quarter of a job can be a tremendous unburdening of the costs that are incurred by a household.  Living on one and a quarter salaries may not be as great as living on two, but it is better then living on one.

If you have any other ideas, please include them in the comments below.  Thanks.