Alternative Income Generators and Hustles

I love to learn about the unusual ways that people make money. I am intrigued by the ways that people can make money. Growing up, the future was all about the American Dream. Go to college, get a good job, buy a home and have a family. It all sounds good right? Until you realize that the college degree comes with a hefty price tag, the good job is hard to find, you might as well have immaculate credit to buy that home and well it just goes on and on from there. These days, the internet has opened a whole new world of possibilities. Colleges degrees have evolved and continue to change on a daily basis. What was relevant when you began your freshman college year may be ancient in comparison to the current technology or financial environment. People are evolving too. Families are exploring the country and even the world while completing their education on the road. Advancement in technology and education have changed by leaps and bounds. A degree or career that one may plan to obtain, may be obsolete by the time one is ready for the dream to become true. A high percentage of young children will find that many of today’s jobs will not exist when they are grown. The majority of careers for the younger generation have not even been created yet. I find this all to be very interesting. I am most intrigued by entrepreneurship and small business. I love how the internet has changed business. I believe in supporting small business and ingenuity. I find it interesting to learn how others invest in their futures and create passive income. Entrepreneurship and side jobs have the ability to generate income and to create a flexible lifestyle. It is not easy to conform to the American Dream Job of working 9-5 or a combination of other hours. Unfortunately, life does not fit into the 9-5 style of thinking. A regular schedule at a traditional job is not very flexible. I am fascinated by entrepreneurship and small business. I find it to be captivating to learn about how other people think out-of-the box to create their own stream of income. I have recently read many articles about how a variety of individuals from all walks of life earn extra income or hustle if you will. I have read about anything from dog walking to highly unusual side jobs. For instance, there are several recent articles about a lady that makes a handsome living by streaming an internet show of herself eating large meals. I also read about a college student that would sell dirty socks worn by men on EBay. From the mowing of lawns to freelance writing and everything and apparently anything in-between, side money can be made. I am personally making a little extra money by simply reading email and performing short task through both Inbox Dollars and Send Savings websites. I am freelance writing, writing content for other websites, and providing virtual assistant services. I sell a little on EBay and on Etsy. I have most recently joined Swap.com to make extra money with items that we are no longer using. I am making extra money but near enough. I would like to learn additional ways that I can make side money. How do you make extra money? What is the strangest way that you have heard about people making money?

A New Interest

I love it when I stumble upon a new interest!

Olá amigos! Eu quero aprender a falar português.

Translation: Hello Friends! I want to learn how to speak Portugese. Earlier this week, I encountered an issue with a service that a client had ordered. I realized that I was not equipped to handle the language barrier. However, I wanted to ensure the best possible service to the client. I decided upon utilizing the Google Translate to try to email the client. Much to my surprise, the email was successful. The client contacted me and we are handling the issue and nipping a possible negative situation in the bud.

I was really excited about the possibility of completing this international business deal. It felt great to help the client. Over the last two days, it seems that I have had portugese clients. Over the telephone, my company partners with a translation service. I was able to successfully complete a transaction with a portugese client in Brazil.

I came home from work yesterday and was thinking about the portugese clients. I wanted to learn more about the portugese culture, language and history. I was not aware that portugese was a commonly spoken language in Brazil. I decided to read about the history of the language in Brazil. I had previously thought that Spanish was spoken in Brazil and perhaps the majority if not all of South America . Obviously I was wrong. I'm now interested in learning more about South American cultures including the portugese language and Brazil. I was even surprised to learn that there was originally a Royal Portuguese Family in Brazil.

I love finding new and intriguing interest.  Although it is still a distance, every since I was a little girl, I have wanted to visit The Galapagos Islands. My favorite book shared animals from around the world such as Pigeons in Paris for instance and the Giant Galapagos Tortoise. Oh how I loved (love) Turtles. I would love to tour the Galapagos and make my way to Brazil. I'd love to visit and write about my experiences in Travel. Travel writing would be awesome. I have written about family travel as a freelance writer, It would be intriguing to write about Brazil and the Galapagos to name a few.

Anyway, I would like to learn portugese to help my clients at work and to enrich my life and knowledge as well.

My Budget Train Detailed Derailed

If my bank account and budget was a train, it would have derailed and exploded. A brief history lesson,  I grew up in a somewhat middle class at best family. My mother always worked hard and her efforts were spoiled by an alcoholic husband. She always worked hard and sacrificed for her family. This was a stepfather and not worth writing much about. When I was fourteen,  my mom met my Dad ( stepfather but my Dad.A wonderful man) Anyway, Dad had health problems but was a hard worker and encouraged my mom to become a stay home mom. We were absolutely delighted and loved her being home.They had a small business and did well, not rich, but we always had what we needed and we were fed and happy. We truly loved mom being at home!

Fast forward,  I grow up go to school while working 60 odd hours a week and marry at 21. My husband haf a great work ethic. We were doing well. If we wanted to go out big deal, we went out. If we wanted this or that we usually got it. We planned a baby and were blessed with a little lady when I was 24. I stayed home until she was in school because I wanted to be the person to raise my child.I loved my mom being home and wanted that for Miss.J. We loet income and I contemplated returning to work when she was a little bigger but with the average expenses for clothing, gas, child care and so forth,  it was a waste of money for meto work. So eveventually, it was time to work but unfortunately,  this time was matched with the unexpected loss of my husband. Unfortunately, this meant that working would not enhance our family income but become necessary. I worked and cared for my daughter as a young widow.It was a trying time to say the least. Fast forward and life took an interesting but life changing direction again, as life's curve balls usually do. An unexpected turn of events found a six year old family member in need of a foster home placement. Two years later, I became the adoptive mother of this little girl and her newborn brother. so, within 2 1/2 years of losing my husband,  I was now a widow with three children. After a maternity leave of eight months, I returned to work but quickly learned that my son's health management would be a full time endeavor. Due to health problems relating to fetal exposure to drugs and alcohol,  my son would need around the clock care. When he came home from the hospital, I was informed to not expect him to see his first birthday. (Happy to report he's a thriving wonderful seven year old!) I had to stop working to care for Mr.K. So, we've been on a tight budget with little room for fun!

So, with having to juggle a thin budget, I've learned to be creative . I'm always looking for ways to save money. This January,  I wrote iut a budget. It was going pretty well. At least, the bills were getting paid and beginning to pay down debt. We relocated at the beginning of summer to an area that we have been interested in. I personally would love to leave this state but I'm out voted, yet once again.  So, I've decided to try to "Bloom Where I am
Planted!" ( Quote Author unknown to me.)

So, now that summer is winding down, our fall schedules will begin. I decided that now thatMr.K. wwill be starting the first grade that it's time for me to go back to work . I've piddled here and there to make extra money with online endeavors including blog jobs, freelance writing, an Etsy shop and craft shows. However, I'd like to continue my odd jobs with a stable income to speak of. It's incredibly hard to budget when the income is tight. So, as I learn to pay down debt, save money and save for important occasios, this novice beginner of learning to coupon,  save and so firth, I'd like to invite you along to share experiences. People feel to share your wisdom.

Time to get this derailed budget and financial house in order. (I Hope.)

Blue Skies ahead? I think I see some bumps ahead?