A neighbor needs her dog walked and a few errands run, the lady around the corner needs someone to put together the bicycle she bought her little boy, a man nearby is looking for someone to help him carry a sofa down 3 flights of stairs, and the business down the street needs a helping hand with data entry.

Your neighbor’s to-do list might be a money making opportunity for you with TaskRabbit.com.

If you’re spending more money than you have, there are 2 choices…

1. Cut back your spending
2. Make more money

 
Making more money is not always easy in today’s economy, and if you’re a stay at home mom it can be tough to find a job that fit’s into your schedule.

The Today Show, The New York Times and The USA Today have touted Task Rabbit as a great way for college students, retirees and stay at home moms to earn a little extra cash, and you can make it fit your schedule.

Here’s how it works…

• Fill out the application to be a Task Rabbit.
• They’ll do a background check on you.
• Once you’re approved, apply for tasks you can fulfill.
• Get paid!

 
The bad news? Task Rabbit is only available in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Portland, San Antonio, San Francisco and Seattle.

The good news? They’re expanding quickly and expect to offer their services in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and London soon.

How much money can you make? Currently the average rate for grocery shopping is $35 and house cleaning is $60. Of course, the list of tasks and prices is endless! I’ve seen people wanting someone to cook and freeze meals for them, tutor their child, bake desserts for their party or list items on Ebay.

If you’ve got a little free time and need a little extra money, Task Rabbit is worth checking out!

Let me warn you, this is one of those articles that sounds too good to be true.

Let me also warn you that you won’t get rich by watching TV, but you might as well earn a little for something you’re already doing.

Now that the warnings are out of the way, are you ready to learn how to get paid for being a couch potato?

1. Apple or Android users download a free app called Viggle.
2. Check-In when you’re watching TV by simply holding your phone near the TV, so Viggle can identify what you’re watching.
3. Earn points for each show you watch.
4. Earn additional points by playing interactive games or trivia contests on your phone – these are available for some TV shows.
5. Cash in your points in the Viggle Rewards store. Popular rewards include a $5 Starbucks card for 12,500 points or a $10 Papa John’s Pizza card for 20,000 points.

My teenagers love this app, and my college age son claims he bought all his Christmas presents with Viggle rewards!

I decided to give Viggle a try, so I downloaded the free app, and I’ve tried to remember to check in every time I watch TV. After 2 months, I have nearly 20,000 points…enough for a $10 Papa John’s gift card or a $10 Sephora gift card!

Was it fun? Yes! Many shows come with interactive trivia questions, and my daughter become quite competitive with me!

Will I Viggle again? Yes…I want a Papa John’s gift card!

If you’re watching TV, you might as well be earning a little something.

Ciao for now. I’ve got some TV watching to do.

In today’s economy, everyone is looking to cut expenses and make the most of their money. Working from home, rather than commuting to a more traditional work space, is a cost-effective option for business owners, employees, and especially for those just starting a business. Even if you only telecommute a few days out of the week, this increasingly popular alternative can save you money and give you more time to accomplish your professional and personal goals.

For Business Owners:

If you have your own business or are just starting one, running it out of your house can significantly cut down on your costs. First and foremost, working from home eliminates the need for buying or renting a storefront, which will save you on related expenses such as utilities and maintenance. When you get rid of a separate workspace, you avoid additional bills for amenities such as electricity, Internet and phone services, cleaning services, and trash pick-up.

Working from home also frees you from worrying about the security of your office space when you’re not there and saves you the monthly expense of paying for the services of a security company. Moreover, operating out of your home means that you don’t have to pay for commercial property and liability insurance. Just make sure that you review your local and state regulations to ensure that you meet all the legal requirements and that this option is the best for you and your business.

For Employees:

Many companies are now offering employees flexible work hours and the choice to complete work at home one or more days each week. Whether you are a full-time telecommuter or only work from home a couple of days a week, your savings on gas, highway tolls, and vehicle maintenance will quickly add up over the course of a year. Furthermore, you’ll save on related expenses such as eating out for lunch and dry cleaning for your professional wardrobe.

If you have young kids, working from home will significantly cut down on your childcare expenses.  A more flexible schedule allows you to take care of your kids and complete your job duties while your children are napping, at school, or after they go to bed for the night. Many employees find that having the ability to choose their work hours and location increases their productivity and job satisfaction.

While working from home gives you the opportunity to save money, you need to make sure that you establish guidelines for yourself so that you can separate your home life from your work responsibilities.

Start by setting up a space in your house that is removed from distractions and dedicated to your job. Whether it’s your garage, basement, an extra bedroom, or even just your dining room table, make sure that your work area is clutter-free and has all of the equipment that you need in order to be successful.  Additionally, set up “office hours” for yourself to hold yourself accountable and ensure that you stay on top of your workload.

Overall, whether you are an employer or an employee, working from home can not only cut down on your expenses, but also reduce your stress and give you more time to spend with your family.

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written by:  Stephanie Marbukh

Stephanie Marbukh is a freelance blogger who writes about topics ranging from money-saving tips to Internet news.

Earn & Play is a new mobile app that rewards shoppers with cash, and the first 10,000 subscribers get it FREE with promo code: EPBETA

You can’t get the app through the app store yet, but if you click on the picture you’ll be able to get your name on the list and hopefully be one of the first 10,000!

Why not earn a little extra cash while you grocery shop?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Are you having a difficult time finding a job that pays enough to support your family? Have you been looking for work for an extended period without success? Do you feel trapped in a job that does not offer any challenges or satisfaction? Do you have some unique ideas, talents or skills that you feel are being wasted? If the answer to these questions is “Yes,” it may be time to consider starting your own business.

Many women reject the desire to become an entrepreneur because they do not have the necessary savings to get started, but funding is available for many enterprises if you just know where to find it. The following sources have helped many women establish successful businesses, and they may be able to help you also:

Women’s Financial Fund

This organization offers grants to new start-up businesses and to those in need of money for further expansion in existing businesses. The grants given are between $100 and $5000, depending on which type of grant is needed, and focus on the needs of women trying to begin or expand a business related to the service industry, the internet, or marketing. United States citizens who have contributed at least $15 to organizations financial fund are qualified to apply and do not have to pay any further fees for application.

Huggies Mom-Inspired Grant Program

The well-known diaper maker offers African-American women the funding to get a new business started if the new adventure concerns products that would be helpful to mothers or their babies. If you have developed an ingenious product that fits into this category, Huggies wants to see your business plan and hear your ideas. This is a competitive grant program which awards $15000 so a clearly defined market and creativity do matter.

Halsted Bead Incorporated

This company offers a grant worth up to $6000 to women who have plans to start a business in jewelry design. The details of this annual grant change slightly from year to year, but this year’s grant focuses on professional jewelry designers in the United States who wish to market their brand of silver jewelry regionally.

WomensNet.Net

Through the Amber Grant Foundation program of this organization, women can receive from $500 to $1000 to open a business that lets them work from home or one that is internet-based. Women who have a great idea and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals can get help through this foundation, but they must also be willing to pay the funds forward to other needy women when their business becomes a success.

These opportunities for funding have been ongoing for several years, but many other organizations periodically offer grants, prizes, or scholarships for small business development. The best way to find these is to do frequent internet searches or visit a local library for research. The local chamber of commerce or small business bureau may also have information about funding for new businesses. Women should never pay for information of this type because it is available without charge.

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This is a guest post from Jennifer Lewis, who writes for a website that has more information on start up grants for women, including grants for minority women. She believes women should not give up on their dreams of running their own business, and thinks it’s worth finding out what financial aid they may be entitled to.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of BestMark for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

BestMark is currently expanding their mystery shopping opportunities in Canada and the U.S.  Each month there are over 15,000 mystery shopping jobs available!  Become a Shopper and enjoy flexible hours and extra money!  BestMark has been featured on Oprah, the Tyra Banks Show and Essence Magazine, and they’ve earned a Better Business Bureau A+ rating!

What is a Mystery Shopper?

Companies hire mystery shoppers to get feedback from every day individuals.  Mystery Shopper Jobs are most often available in restaurants, retail and automotive.  Anyone can be a mystery shopper, but 85% are stay at home moms between the ages of 25 – 55.  My sister has been a mystery shopper, and she loves it because of the flexibility and the opportunity to get paid to shop!  It just might be a shopaholic’s dream job!  

Mystery Shopper Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older

Must have reliable transportation

Must have good written communication skills

Must be able to focus on details

Must have full internet access

How do I apply?

Apply online at http://shop.bestmark.com

Applications are reviewed within 48 hours.

If approved, you’ll be able to search for mystery shopper jobs available in your area right away!