7 ways to find unclaimed money

Nowadays, we could all use a little bit of extra cash. However, many people have no idea that unclaimed money is waiting with their name on it. In state treasuries alone, 1 in 10 people are owed money from places like banks, former employers and unclaimed tax refunds. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, you might be eligible for free dough.

1. Did Your Bank Recently Close?
Once a financial institution fails, the FDIC takes over and is responsible for paying insured deposits and the liquidation of remaining assets. If you did not claim your funds when the bank closed, you still can. “If your bank was never bought out by another bank, there is likely money out there for the bank account holder or power of attorney,” says Marcia Keppy, an unclaimed property expert and asset protection specialist. You can search for unclaimed funds in your name at www2.FDIC.gov/Funds/Index.asp.

2. Did Your Credit Union Fail?
When a credit union with federal insurance is liquidated, the National Credit Union Administration’s Asset Management and Assistance Center is responsible for paying the share accounts to members. Due to uncashed checks or incomplete addresses, some of the money remains unclaimed. If you think the National Credit Union Administration may have funds in your name, contact its Asset Management and Assistance Center at 512-231-7900.

3. Do You Have an FHA-Insured Mortgage?
Then you might be eligible for a refund from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Find out if there’s a refund for you at HUD.gov/Offices/HSG/comp/refunds/index.cfm.

4. Are You a Former Employee of a Company That Went Out of Business?
If a company you worked for went belly-up, you may still be eligible for any pension earned while you were there. When a company goes out of business, the pension plan is generally transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). “The company should contact the former employees, but it just depends,” says Keppy. If the company doesn’t reach out to you, you can check the Missing Participants service at PBGC to see if any money is owed to you at https://Search.PBGC.gov/mp/mp.aspx.

5. Did You Not Receive Your Tax Refund Earlier This Year?
If you have not received your tax refund, it could be due to an incorrect address. There could be other reasons as well. “If you recently got a divorce or a close family member passed away, the IRS could still have an unclaimed tax refund on file,” says Keppy. Visit IRS.gov to claim it.

6. Could You Possibly Have Unclaimed Property in Your State?
Over $32 billion in unclaimed property is currently being safeguarded by state treasurers and agencies. Unclaimed property refers to accounts in financial institutions and companies that have been inactive or had no contact with the owner for over a year. It includes savings or checking accounts, uncashed payroll checks, certificates of deposit, stocks and more. Every U.S. state has unclaimed property programs that help find the rightful owners. “If you’re over 40 or if you’ve moved often, you’re more likely to have unclaimed property,” says Keppy. Also, if your parents have passed away, be sure to check their names. Go to MissingMoney.com to do a free search for money that might be due to you.

7. Do You Qualify for Government Benefit and Assistance Programs?
If you’ve been affected by a disaster or disability, need help with child care or health care, or require tax or living assistance, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the government. Go to GovBenefits.gov and search for specific benefits or take a questionnaire to find out which program(s) you may qualify for.

Traits that billionaires have in common

Want to become a tech titan or hedge fund tycoon? Up your chances by dropping out of college or going to Harvard and working at Goldman Sachs.

Are billionaires born or made? What are the common attributes among the uber-wealthy? Are there any true secrets of the self-made?

We get these questions a lot, and decided it was time to go beyond the broad answers of smarts, ambition and luck by sorting through our database of wealthy individuals in search of bona fide trends. We analyzed everything from entrepreneurs' parents' professions to where they went to school, their track records in the early stages of their careers and other experiences that may have set them on the path to extreme wealth.

Our admittedly unscientific study of the self-made members of the Forbes 400 yielded some interesting results.

First, a significant percentage of them had parents with a high aptitude for math. The ability to crunch numbers is crucial to becoming a billionaire, and mathematical prowess is hereditary. Some of the most common professions among the parents of Forbes 400 members (for whom we could find the information) were engineer, accountant and small-business owner.

Consistent with the rest of the population, more American billionaires and near-billionaires were born in the fall than in any other season. However, relatively few of them were born in December, historically the month with the eighth-highest birth rate.

Of the 274 self-made tycoons on the Forbes 400, 14% either never started or never completed college. The number of precocious college dropouts is highest among those who forged careers as technology entrepreneurs: Bill Gates of Microsoft (MSFT), Steve Jobs of Apple (AAPL), Michael Dell of Dell (DELL), Larry Ellison of Oracle (ORCL) and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

Forbes 400 members who derive their fortunes from finance make up one of the most highly educated sub-groups: half of them have graduate degrees. Roughly 70% of those with M.B.A.s obtained their master's degrees from one of three Ivy League schools: Harvard, Columbia or the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

Goldman Sachs (GS) has attracted a large share of hungry minds that went on to garner 10-figure fortunes. At least 11 current and recent billionaire financiers worked at Goldman or one of it subsidiaries early in their careers, including Edward Lampert, David Tepper, Daniel Och and Leon Cooperman.

Several Forbes 400 members suffered bitter professional setbacks early in their careers that heightened their fear of failure. Pharmaceutical tycoon R.J. Kirk's first venture was a flop--an experience he regrets but appreciates. "Failure early on is a necessary condition for success, though not a sufficient one," he told Forbes in 2007.

According to a statement read by Phil Falcone during a congressional hearing in November 2008, his botched buyout of a company in Newark, N.J., in the early 1990s taught him "several valuable lessons that have had a profound impact upon my success as a hedge fund manager."

Several current and former billionaires rounded out their Yale careers as members of Skull and Bones, the secret society portrayed with enigmatic relish by Hollywood in movies like The Skulls and W. Among those who were inducted: investor Edward Lampert, Blackstone co-founder Stephen Schwarzman, and FedEx (FDX) founder Frederick Smith.

© Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Parents Had Math-Related Careers

The ability to crunch numbers is typically a key to becoming a billionaire. Often, mathematical prowess is hereditary. Some of the most common professions among the parents of American billionaires for whom we could find that information were engineer, accountant and small-business owner.

© Brooke Slezak/Getty Images

September Birthdays

Of the 380 self-made American tycoons who have appeared on the Forbes list of the World's Billionaires in the past three years, 42 were born in September--more than in any other month.

© iStockphoto

Tech Titans Who Dropped Out of College

Forget everything your guidance counselor told you: You don't have to go to college to be successful. Close to 15% of the self-made American moguls on the Forbes 400 never finished college. Many of the list's drop-outs made their fortunes in tech, including Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Michael Dell (Dell), Larry Ellison (Oracle) and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook).

Skull and Bones

Several current and former billionaires rounded out their Yale careers as members of Skull and Bones, the secret society portrayed with enigmatic relish by Hollywood in movies like The Skulls and W. Among those who were inducted: investor Edward Lampert, Blackstone co-founder Stephen Schwarzman and FedEx founder Frederick Smith.

© Chris Hondros/Getty Images

Goldman Sachs

A stint at investment bank Goldman Sachs is a prime credential for achieving greatness on Wall Street. Of the 61 tycoons on our list who derive their fortunes from finance, at least six cut their teeth in Goldman's investment banking, trading, or asset management divisions. The company's crown jewel: its "risk arbitrage" unit, which launched the careers of billionaires Edward Lampert and Daniel Och, as well as former billionaires Tom Steyer and Richard Perry.

Get Paid By Riding Your Own Car

How it works

Here's the basic premise of the "paid to drive" concept: A company seeks people -- regular citizens, not professional drivers -- to go about their normal routine as they usually do, only with a big ad plastered on their car. The ads are typically vinyl decals, also known as "auto wraps," that almost seem to be painted on the vehicle, and which often cover a large portion of the car's exterior surface.

The car owner is then compensated, usually a few hundred dollars per month, which is essentially a "rental" payment for letting the company use that space. In the past, there's also been a "free car" version of this concept. The company provided the driver with a new, prewrapped car. In this situation, the drivers usually didn't get any cash; their payment amounted to the free use of a new car. However, companies quickly discovered that giving away a bunch of free cars didn't make economic sense, so few still take this approach, says Drew Livingston, president of Free Car Media in Los Angeles.

What does the company get out of this type of ad strategy? Lots of exposure. The auto wraps tend to be colorful and eye-catching and attract lots of attention. Plus, it's a form of advertising with a captive audience, meaning people who are stuck in traffic and can't avoid seeing the wrapped car alongside them, Livingston says.

The companies usually select drivers who live in desirable locations such as high-traffic, urban areas. A company's ideal driver can vary depending upon the target demographic they want to reach, according to Brandon Clarke of DrivenMedia, a Phoenix-based advertising company that specializes in creating branded vehicle campaigns for clients. For example, a tech or electronics company may seek drivers who live on or near college campuses, so as to gain exposure with the college crowd.

The vehicles in these programs are often equipped with GPS tracking devices, so the companies can make sure the drivers spend sufficient time in the desired areas.

'Paid to drive' primetime

Paid-to-drive programs were very popular five to 10 years ago. Gas was cheaper, and people were spending more time on the road. There were plenty of Web sites devoted to these programs, including many fee-charging sites that acted as a middleman and promised to connect willing drivers with companies seeking vehicles for their ads.

Then, fuel prices spiked and people weren't spending as much time in their cars, Clarke says. At the same time, online advertising became the rage.

Current opportunities

Still, there are opportunities out there, if you know where to look.

Livingston says his company's client companies still have plenty of campaigns running nationwide. Business slowed slightly right before the recession but returned when the economy started going south.

"Consumers are seeking ways to make money, while companies are cutting back on spending for television campaigns and looking for more affordable advertising strategies," Livingston says.

On average, Livingston's clients put about 800 to 1,000 wrapped cars on the road.

Like other similar companies, Free Car Media serves as a matchmaker. Interested consumers register at MyFreeCar.com and then are notified when they meet the criteria a client seeks in potential drivers.

Drivers are paid an average of $700 to $900 per month, with campaigns usually running a few months long. Drivers use their own cars which are fitted with the wrap. "They don't actually get a free car," Livingston says. "But the monthly payment is generally enough to cover their auto expenses like car payment, gas, etc., for the month, so that's where the name comes from."

It doesn't cost anything for drivers to sign up, and Livingston warns people to avoid any sites that do charge a fee.

"There are a lot of unscrupulous companies that want to charge you $20, $30 or more when you can get this information yourself for free. I get calls on a weekly basis from people who are upset because they were scammed," he says. Livingston says that anyone who is directed to his site after paying a fee to another service should demand a refund.

Adding to the confusion, many of the sites -- legitimate and questionable -- have very similar names, often some variation of the words "free" and "car." So it's important to check out the Web site carefully, watching for any mention of fees or membership costs.

Finding drivers

Clarke says his company puts a lot of effort into recruiting brand influencers, or drivers who are a perfect fit for the client's target audience.

"Recent engagements have focused on family-oriented and consumer driven advertisers who are generally trying to create awareness within a specific region among active moms with active families," Clarke says, adding that busy soccer moms would make perfect driver candidates for these campaigns. "With active families being such a coveted demographic, incorporating their vehicles is ideal since they're getting tremendous exposure parked in the pick-up line at school, at the Saturday morning soccer games, etc."

There are important criteria for driving candidates. "Background, driving record, employment verification, personal interview, as well as having mandatory minimum auto insurance coverage are part of the vetting process," Clarke says. "We're also looking to incorporate an online personality assessment tool and a short online defensive driving course."

Interested drivers can sign up for opportunities at Drivenmediaonline.com. "We compensate drivers within a range of $300 to $500 per month, with incentives and other engagements that allow them to earn more," Clarke says. "Our typical campaign lasts three to six months, with the time frame and vehicle type being the primary factors for determining their monthly compensation."

5 ways to save $500 every month

Challenged by the current financial crisis and recessionary woes? While the world is watching Wall Street, many of us are struggling to preserve our own checkbook on Main Street.

There doesn’t appear to be a quick fix for the economy, but there are some things you can start doing today that will have a real impact on your personal finances as well as the health of the environment.

We’ve found five easy changes that you can make which will save you $500 or more each month, all while helping to conserve energy and reduce waste.

1. Share a ride: Save $50.

Car-pooling can save a boatload of money, and you don’t have to own a new model hybrid to realize the savings either (although it would be a big plus).

Let’s say your current vehicle gets a fuel mileage that’s middle-of-the-road for today’s averages or about 23 miles per gallon. Let’s also assume that your daily two-way commute is 40 miles per day, five days per week.

At today's gas prices, your average cost of solo driving is about $94 per month. However, if you share the task of driving to work with just one other person, you could save as much as $50 each month. Commute with three people and your savings will go up to more than $60 per month.

Here’s how:

Locate available commuters at work through the use of email lists and company bulletin boards. Check with your neighbors and friends to see if you can coordinate scheduling. In addition, see if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week or stack your schedule to work 40 hours in four days instead of five.

2. Go with a lower flow: Save $48.

The average American household runs four, eight-minute showers per day, requiring about 20 gallons of heated water at the rate of 2.5 gallons going down the drain per minute per person. Instead of turning the main water valve off on your kids when eight minutes are up, you can reduce the water output from your showerhead to save on energy costs.

Here’s how:

Install a newer low-flow showerhead to reduce your hot water consumption to 1.59 gallons or less per minute per shower. If you’re concerned about sacrificing water pressure, don’t be. Today’s efficient low-flow showerheads preserve water and pressure by mixing air with the water flow. They’re also easy to install yourself, so there’s no need to hire a professional.

3. Brown bag your lunch: Save $60

Buying your lunch every day during the workweek can seriously dent your budget. Even when exercising frugality, the average cost of a meal and drink comes to at least $6 per day or $120 each month.

According to the U.S. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, bringing lunch to work costs about 45-50 percent less than buying it. That means you can pare down your workweek lunch expense to less than $15 per week.

Here’s how:

Buy only what you’ll consume during the workweek to avoid wasting food by the weekend. In addition, select a variety of sandwich fixings, whole grain breads, and ready-to-go fresh fruit and vegetables to avoid boredom. Rinse and reuse sandwich bags to reduce waste and save even more. Alternately, tote your lunch in glass or reusable containers whenever possible. Use a cloth bag or a shopping bag that’s easy to reuse.

4. Wake up, smell the coffee: Save $98

Wake up, smell the coffee, and save almost $100. However, do it in your own kitchen. If you begin your daily grind by picking up your morning brew from a coffee shop, you’re spending about $2.45 per day for most foamy concoctions, more if you typically go for super-sized or signature varieties. The second cup to get you over the afternoon hump brings this spending figure up to $98 each month.

Making your coffee at home will run about $0.12-0.28 per cu -- small beans compared to store-bought. Assuming the higher end of that estimate calculates to just $1.40 per week or $5.60 each month. For that sweet price, you can afford to take a refill to the office in a reusable travel mug ($11.20 per month) for a later pick-me-up.

Here’s how:

Invest in a no-frills coffeemaker ($15 and up), if you don’t already own one. Coffee prices vary, but even fair-trade, organic coffee can be found for less than $15 a pound. The cost of a splash of milk or flavored creamer is minimal. Keeping the disposable coffee cup out of landfill: priceless.

5. Stay home for dinner: Save $252

Stay home for dinner and save $252. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American households spend an average of $3,034 a year on take-out food and dining at restaurants. Curbing this habit will not only save you money, but will also reduce the amount of plastic and Styrofoam containers being tossed into the trash.

Here’s how:

Plan meals ahead. You should know what’s for dinner before lunchtime rolls around, or you’ll be more likely to pull out the take-out menus. Also, take advantage of leftovers from home-cooked meals by freezing them for another night’s meal. However, you may be able to realize even greater savings.

For instance, if there is more than one person in your household taking coffee and a bagged lunch each day, or carpooling to work, then the additional contributors will increase your monthly savings.

You can also feel good about the fact that these simple strategies are good for the environment. For each money-saving action you commit to undertake, you’ll be helping to reduce energy and disposable waste every day. And, if you can save this much each month doing it, just imagine the effect your actions will have year after year.

Living Healthily on Without Spending Much

Health Care

It's possible to save on health care, but skipping regular checkups and screenings to avoid an insurance co-pay isn't one of them, said Dr. Thomas J. Weida, professor in the Penn State College of Medicine's Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Those checkups and screenings are meant to look for health problems that, if nipped in the bud, will cost a lot less to treat than if they're allowed to get worse. "It's almost like a leak in a pipe," Weida said. "It usually doesn't go away by itself, and it can only get bigger. It's a lot easier to treat things earlier than later."

Strategies that Weida suggests for cutting health-care costs include:

• Discuss switching to cheaper medications. "If they're on chronic medicines, they should have a talk with their doctor about switching to cheaper alternatives or cutting back on dosage or number of pills," he said. "I'll often try to work with patients to see what I can get for them on these $4 prescription lists that some chains offer."
• Stay out of the emergency department. "That chews up a lot of money," Weida said. "Having an established family doc is critical to doing that. If you go into the emergency room with a cough, bringing up yellow mucus, you're almost always going to get a chest X-ray. I may treat you but say, 'Hey, if you're not getting better in a few days, give me a call and maybe we need an X-ray.' That's because I have the benefit of follow-up."
• Treat colds and flu at home. "A lot of what we see are colds and viruses and flu and things like that," Weida said. "If that is following its usual course with you, then you probably don't need to see the doc on that. Come see your doc if you are experiencing worse symptoms or different symptoms."
• Call for advice. "Sometimes just a phone call asking the doc handles the question," Weida said. "We do a lot of advice over the phone."

Diet

Cutbacks can be made in the food arena, too. "You can eat healthy and still stay on a budget," said Bethany Thayer, a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "It just takes a little bit of extra planning and a little bit of extra thought."

Thayer's advice includes:

• Prepare more of your own food. "Make as much as you can from scratch because the prepackaged foods are often the most expensive," she said.
• Have a plan at the supermarket. "Don't go to the grocery story hungry, and go with a list," she said. "These things can help you stay on track."
• Take advantage of seasonal produce. "Produce that's in-season is going to be a little bit cheaper than off-season produce," Thayer said. "Also, when buying perishables, make sure you're only buying what you're going to consume. If it's on special but you buy more than you'll consume, you haven't really saved any money."
• Stockpile non-perishables. Thayer suggests stocking up on canned foods when they're on sale. "Fruits and vegetables can sometimes be cheaper because they'll last longer than the fresh," she said. "Buying food in bulk is good if it doesn't spoil before you use it."
• Buy inexpensive sources of needed nutrients. "Beans are a very inexpensive source of protein and fiber, and very versatile," Thayer said. "There are many varieties of beans, and you can do many things with them." Popcorn and oatmeal are inexpensive grain options, and nonfat dry milk is a cheap source of dairy and "a great thing to have on hand," Thayer said. "It's inexpensive, and it's got shelf life. You just mix it up when you need it."

Exercise

You don't need a pricey gym membership to keep fit, said Michael Esco, an exercise physiology instructor at Auburn University Montgomery in Alabama.

"The thing people need to realize is for general health, physical activity is what's recommended," Esco said. "That's any bodily movement that results in energy expenditure. For health, we don't really have to go to the gym."

To keep physically fit on the cheap, Esco recommends that people:

• Buy a pedometer. A simple device, which can be bought for less than $20, can spur more activity. "Studies find that just by wearing the pedometer, people walk an extra mile to two miles a day," Esco said.
• Get a jump-rope. "It's a less-expensive device that can really get your heart rate up," he said. "You can achieve a comparable workout to what a gym would give you."
• Buy a bicycle trainer. The equipment turns a regular bike into a stationary bike and can be tucked away when not in use. "For $100 or less, you can have a stationary bike with a bike you've just got laying around," Esco said.
• Use your own body weight, or cheap alternatives, as resistance. "People can go a long way doing push-ups, sit-ups and body weight squats," Esco said. Heavy cans of vegetables, bottles filled with water or sand and inexpensive elastic bands also can provide weight resistance.
• Purchase a physioball. "You can do all sorts of exercises with these balls: push-ups, crunches, squats," Esco said. "Those are also cheap, less than $40."

5 of the Best Work-From-Home Jobs

Web Designer

Working as a Web designer requires a good grasp of graphics and design. As a Web designer, you'll spend hours in front of a computer keyboard as you work with the day-to-day creation and maintenance of websites. A Web designer must be able to handle several tasks at once, have excellent communication skills, display the ability to work in a team on large projects, and be prompt in delivery of promised work.

Though there is no absolute minimum of education required to work as a Web designer, the business is highly competitive, so those with associate's degrees or higher in Web design or a related field will have better chances of advancement. Having a great deal of relevant work experience on your resume will help you stand out from the crowd, no matter the degree you hold.

Salary: Web designers made an average of $71,510 per year in 2007. (Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Bookkeeper

The job of a bookkeeper is to keep track of financial records. This requires minute attention to detail, a good working knowledge of financial matters, and the ability to put it all together into reports and spreadsheets. Bookkeepers might also handle payroll, manage multiple accounts, order items, and generate invoices.

Bookkeepers must have a strong knowledge of computer software as well as an understanding of financial industries. Training on the job is essential to keep up with constantly changing laws and procedures. While a high school diploma is required for entry positions, some higher-paying jobs require an associate's degree in finance or accounting. Certification is not required, but is helpful for advancement.

Salary: $31,560 was the median salary a bookkeeper could expect in 2007.

Computer Programmer

Writing, testing, and maintaining computer programs is the primary job of the computer programmer. They are responsible for creating programs that instruct computers to perform a specific task. The exact nature of the work depends upon the employer. For instance, writing programs for air traffic controllers is very different from writing financial programs. Computer programmers must have sharp attention to detail, the ability to work with multiple programming languages, and the desire to see a job through from start to finish.

A bachelor's degree is required for the vast majority of computer programming positions, though an associate's degree might be enough for some entry-level jobs. Continuing education is required in order to keep up with new advances in computer technology.

Salary: Computer programmers made a median salary of $68,080 in 2007.

Customer Service Representative

Being a customer service representative requires good communication skills, the ability to think creatively, and a great deal of patience. Customer service representatives work as the point of contact between the customer and the company and are often asked to deal with complaints or resolve problems. Customer service representatives who work at home must be proficient with computers, have a dependable phone line and fax machine, and be knowledgeable about company products and procedures.

The competition for good customer service representatives is very strong, so although only a high school diploma is required for some positions, an associate's or bachelor's degree in sales and marketing is recommended. Speaking multiple languages is a plus.

Salary: $29,040 was the average take-home pay of a customer service representative in 2007.

Medical Transcriptionist

The job of medical transcriptionist involves a lot of listening and typing. Medical transcriptionists listen to doctor's notes on a headset and type out the information, editing for clarity when necessary. Their duties might include medical discharge orders, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation notes, and the like. The medical transcriptionist must have a good working knowledge of medical jargon and the ability to convey information with the utmost accuracy.

To become a medical transcriptionist, an associate's degree or one-year diploma from a medical transcriptionist training program is recommended. Being familiar with medical jargon is a plus.

Salary: Medical transcriptionists brought home a salary of $31,250 per year in 2007.

While these jobs are traditionally office jobs, modern technology can allow you to perform all of these jobs from home. More companies are realizing the numerous benefits from allowing their employees to work from home. Education and career training is available for the jobs that will feed your desire to work from the comfort of your own home.

Web Designer

Working as a Web designer requires a good grasp of graphics and design. As a Web designer, you'll spend hours in front of a computer keyboard as you work with the day-to-day creation and maintenance of websites. A Web designer must be able to handle several tasks at once, have excellent communication skills, display the ability to work in a team on large projects, and be prompt in delivery of promised work.

Though there is no absolute minimum of education required to work as a Web designer, the business is highly competitive, so those with associate's degrees or higher in Web design or a related field will have better chances of advancement. Having a great deal of relevant work experience on your resume will help you stand out from the crowd, no matter the degree you hold.

Salary: Web designers made an average of $71,510 per year in 2007. (Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Bookkeeper

The job of a bookkeeper is to keep track of financial records. This requires minute attention to detail, a good working knowledge of financial matters, and the ability to put it all together into reports and spreadsheets. Bookkeepers might also handle payroll, manage multiple accounts, order items, and generate invoices.

Bookkeepers must have a strong knowledge of computer software as well as an understanding of financial industries. Training on the job is essential to keep up with constantly changing laws and procedures. While a high school diploma is required for entry positions, some higher-paying jobs require an associate's degree in finance or accounting. Certification is not required, but is helpful for advancement.

Salary: $31,560 was the median salary a bookkeeper could expect in 2007.

Computer Programmer

Writing, testing, and maintaining computer programs is the primary job of the computer programmer. They are responsible for creating programs that instruct computers to perform a specific task. The exact nature of the work depends upon the employer. For instance, writing programs for air traffic controllers is very different from writing financial programs. Computer programmers must have sharp attention to detail, the ability to work with multiple programming languages, and the desire to see a job through from start to finish.

A bachelor's degree is required for the vast majority of computer programming positions, though an associate's degree might be enough for some entry-level jobs. Continuing education is required in order to keep up with new advances in computer technology.

Salary: Computer programmers made a median salary of $68,080 in 2007.

Customer Service Representative

Being a customer service representative requires good communication skills, the ability to think creatively, and a great deal of patience. Customer service representatives work as the point of contact between the customer and the company and are often asked to deal with complaints or resolve problems. Customer service representatives who work at home must be proficient with computers, have a dependable phone line and fax machine, and be knowledgeable about company products and procedures.

The competition for good customer service representatives is very strong, so although only a high school diploma is required for some positions, an associate's or bachelor's degree in sales and marketing is recommended. Speaking multiple languages is a plus.

Salary: $29,040 was the average take-home pay of a customer service representative in 2007.

Medical Transcriptionist

The job of medical transcriptionist involves a lot of listening and typing. Medical transcriptionists listen to doctor's notes on a headset and type out the information, editing for clarity when necessary. Their duties might include medical discharge orders, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation notes, and the like. The medical transcriptionist must have a good working knowledge of medical jargon and the ability to convey information with the utmost accuracy.

To become a medical transcriptionist, an associate's degree or one-year diploma from a medical transcriptionist training program is recommended. Being familiar with medical jargon is a plus.

Salary: Medical transcriptionists brought home a salary of $31,250 per year in 2007.

While these jobs are traditionally office jobs, modern technology can allow you to perform all of these jobs from home. More companies are realizing the numerous benefits from allowing their employees to work from home. Education and career training is available for the jobs that will feed your desire to work from the comfort of your own home.

10 Part-Time Business Ideas that earns big

Baker

Man does not live by bread alone, or so the saying goes. But if anyone checked the sales of some of the best independent bakeries around the country, they'd be astounded. In 1994, Jim Lahey started Sullivan Street Bakery after several years experimenting as a home baker. Today, his company, which has about $6 million in annual revenues and about 90 employees, is a New York City bread-baking institution. Lahey has a word of warning, though: "Knowledge of cooking is much greater than 20 years ago," he says. "The market is more competitive and if you want to develop a cottage industry, the product better exceed expectations."

And if you want to jump on one of the hottest trends nationally—cupcakes—you might even find yourself selling upwards of 2,000 a day, an amount that New York's famed Magnolia Bakery easily exceeds. At $2 a pop, you can do the math, even for your home-based business.

First steps: Break out your market. Are you going to make muffins and cupcakes or bagels and baguettes? As with most food businesses, you'll need a state license in order to sell to the public. If that seems daunting, you can start by selling to friends and relatives or at local bake sales.

You also need to decide how much space you'll need. If you outgrow your home kitchen, consider renting space in a professional kitchen.

Time needed: Baking is a time-consuming business, so expect to devote 10 to 20 hours a week on it for part-time work.

Average sales: $41,000, based on Labor Dept. data.

Blogger

It's true that few bloggers make enough to earn a living—most make nothing at all. But if you can write well about a topic you're passionate about, you may develop a following, and with enough page views you can start bringing in revenue from ads. Pick a narrow topic that you're intimately familiar with and that has a well-defined audience. For example, a site that covers the world of digital SLR cameras in minute detail has a more natural audience than a broad technology blog; likewise, a general restaurant review site may elicit yawns, while a blog chronicling the seafood shacks of New England could attract a cultish following.

First steps: Begin writing and start participating in online communities where people interested in your topic hang out. Start for free on a platform like Blogger or WordPress.

Time needed: Prepare to spend at least a few hours each day writing. Keep a regular schedule to make sure your blog doesn't get stale.

Average sales: $24,335, based on Economic Census data.

eBay Seller

Yard-sale mavens who already spend weekends trawling for hidden treasures can resell what they salvage online, on eBay or other sites. Pick a niche that interests you and that you have some expertise in and monitor what already sells online so you can set prices accurately. If you know your vinyl, buy old record collections in bulk and resell the gems individually online. From books to electronics, you may be able to find resalable items out on the street on trash night or given away for pennies at moving sales.

First steps: Set up a shop on eBay or other e-commerce sites and begin to build your seller rating. It's free to list items on many e-commerce sites, though eventually you may want to invest in your own Web site, advertising, or premium services.

Time needed: Expect to spend several hours a week finding inventory and listing it for sale.

Average sales: $22,196, based on Economic Census data.

Floral Designer

Turn your love of flowers and colors into bouquets and arrangements for occasions that vary from weddings and bar mitzvahs to confirmations and dinner parties. About one-third of the estimated 87,000 floral designers are self-employed, according to the Labor Dept.

First steps: Community colleges, vocational schools, and private floral schools all offer courses in flower design. You'll need to find a source for flowers, too. If you don't live near a flower wholesaler, a growing number now sell online. This is a supply-intensive business. You'll need a workshop space, refrigeration system, and some means of delivering your goods to clients.

Time needed: Three to 20 hours per week.

Average sales: $21,700, based on Labor Dept. data.

Jewelry Designer

It's probably easier than you think to turn your love of bling into cash on the side. About half of all jewelry makers in the U.S. are self-employed. You can sell online or to thousands of brick-and-mortar retailers.

First steps: You'll need design flair, manual dexterity, and attention to detail to get started. Technical and vocational schools offer classes on basics; community colleges also offer courses on design. A clean, well-lit workspace is necessary. Be sure to design pieces in a variety of price ranges. You'll probably spend $500 to $2,000 for materials, from beads and wire to gold and silver to cloth and wax, plus tools like a vise, pliers, and jigs.

Time needed: Evenings and weekends.

Average sales: $30,000, based on Labor Dept. data.

Pet Sitter

Love animals? Opportunities abound in the pet care industry. Consider walking dogs during the day, grooming or training pets on weekends, or boarding animals overnight. Even if you're not equipped to keep others' pets in your home, you can offer to wash and groom animals at clients' houses, or check in on their pets at their home while they're away. Owners often need someone to watch their pets on weekends and holidays, so pet care can be an easy business to start if you work during the week.

First steps: Start by caring for your friends' animals and get referrals through them, because trust is key for people placing their pets in other people's care.

Time needed: You can get started working on weekends and evenings.

Average sales: $22,183, based on Economic Census data.

Photographer

The barriers to starting a photography business virtually disappeared with the dawn of affordable digital SLR cameras and software like Photoshop. If you're skilled in taking great pictures, pick a niche and build a business around it. You might want to shoot weddings, bar mitzvahs, or corporate events. Or consider family or individual portraits. You could even set up a small studio space in your home. Consider what services you'll offer clients beyond just taking pictures—can you build a Web page to showcase the photos of their event as well?

First steps: Put together a portfolio of your existing work to show potential clients.

Time needed: For event photography, expect most gigs to be on weekends or evenings (galas, for example). You may be able to arrange portrait appointments on a more flexible schedule.

Average sales: $26,259, based on Economic Census data.

Translator or Interpreter

Those who speak more than one language have a ready skill to turn into a part-time business. You can get work translating documents or as an interpreter over the phone or in person. Focus on an area you have some deeper knowledge in. For example, if you have a legal background, angle your business around translating legal documents.

First steps: Get a certificate proving your proficiency from the American Translators Assn. and/or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Time needed: Translation work can be done from home on your own schedule, but be prepared to meet client deadlines.

Average sales: $21,541, based on Economic Census data.

T-Shirt Vendor

Launching a T-shirt business is about as American as apple pie and your first paper route. Take the Life is Good guys, Bert and John Jacobs, who started out in 1989, selling their shirts door to door, at street fairs, and from the back of their van. Today, the company has about $100 million in annual revenues. T-shirt design is a hotly competitive market, however, and it should go without saying that the barriers to entry are low.

First steps: Create a catalog of design ideas, or simply one good one, like the Jacobs brothers, whose smiling stick figure captured the national mood. You need to decide if you will invest in the manufacturing materials or use a third-party designer, frequently known in the trade as a publisher: Lots of these exist, from CafePress to T-Shirt Monster. Using a publisher is cheaper, but you have less control and you'll be handing over most of your profits. On the other hand, investing in your own equipment, including a heat transfer press, can be expensive: $500 to $1,000. Again, this is an intensely crowded and competitive industry.

Time needed: Nights and weekends.

Average sales: $48,000, based on Economic Census data.

Web Designer

If you're adept at coding and have an eye for sharp design, you make be able to make a business making Web sites—especially if it's something you already do professionally. Begin by building sites for friends and contacts to accumulate a portfolio. Focus on a niche, like designing pages for bands or restaurants, where you can develop a name for yourself in the community and get referrals from your early clients. Decide whether you want to build a one-time site for clients or take on the responsibility of updating and maintaining it, and bill appropriately.

First steps: Set up your own Web site with a portfolio of your work.

Time needed: You can make your own hours as long as you meet client deadlines—which may mean pulling some all-nighters.

Average sales: $42,104, based on Economic Census data.

10 secrets - Millionare Money Management

Start early to avoid financial pitfalls. Adrian Cartwood, 49, author of the blog How to Make 7 Million in 7 Years, made his fortune by living frugally while he built his technology-related business. People often get into trouble, he says, by racking up personal debt early on, which acts as a big drag on their earnings. "Learn how to live within your means and how to delay gratification; these are the habits that you need to maintain on the way up, so you can keep your millions when you get there," he says.

Believe that you can do it. Before investing in real estate and becoming a millionaire, Alan Corey, author of A Million Bucks by 30, read as many biographies and autobiographies of millionaires as he could find. He says he was searching for a common characteristic that could help him in his own quest. "What I found was they all had an incredible self-belief that they would be financially successful," he says. Corey says that embracing that level of self-confidence helped him get to the top.

Articulate your vision for success. Jen Smith, author of the Millionaire Mommy Next Door blog, says that the saying, "I want to be rich," is too vague. Instead, she recommends imagining what your ideal life as a millionaire will look like. Smith offers this example: “I want to have $2,000,000 invested so that I can live off of the interest. Then I will quit my job so that I can volunteer, travel, learn to play tennis and watercolor, and enjoy picnics at the beach with my family.”

Smith's vision involved becoming financially-free before becoming a parent. She cut out images from magazines of beautiful places she wanted to visit and people doing fun things and put them near her desk to help her keep that vision in mind.

Insure against life's risks. Bankruptcy is often caused by divorce, a death in the family, or a disability that renders someone unable to work. Conversely, protecting against those risks through insurance protects wealth. In The Quiet Millionaire, financial planner Brett Wilder writes that many people either fail to get adequate insurance or pay too much for it because they don’t understand it.

Work hard—and you'll get lucky. In his new book, Think Like a Champion, Donald Trump attributes his success to his hard work, which to outsiders often appears to be luck. But Trump says luck only comes from working hard. "If your work pays off, which it most likely will, people might say you're just lucky. Maybe so, because you're lucky enough to have the brains to work hard!" he says. That same concept, of course, was advocated by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century. He said, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Practice smart budgeting. Smith recommends tracking how much you spend each month, something she does religiously. Every month, she downloads her transactions into a spreadsheet to keep her spending on track. Smith also says that, as prosaic as it sounds, maintaining a good credit score is essential to becoming and staying a millionaire. "A good credit score can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime," she says.

Do what you love. Sure, a career in finance might come with a hefty annual salary, but you probably won't excel at something you don't enjoy. That's why Corey recommends going into the field that you find yourself reading about in your spare time. He asks, "Do you read fashion magazines? Get a job in fashion. Do you read gossip blogs? Get a job in celebrity-based enterprises. Do you read Car & Driver? ESPN.com? Yahoo Pets Forum?" Even if the field doesn't seem lucrative, there are ways to make it to the top—something that's more likely to happen if you love it.

Decide how much money you really want. For many people, $1 million won't be enough. "For most Gen-X and Gen-Yers, retiring with a couple million when they are 65 won't be anywhere near enough to maintain even an average lifestyle, because that little pup called inflation is constantly nipping at your heels as you try to run towards building your own retirement nest-egg," says Cartwood. A more reasonable goal might be $3 million— an amount that Cartwood considers the minimum to be a "bare bones millionaire" these days. Consider your ideal lifestyle and what you would like to be able to fund. A mortgage of a certain size? Exotic vacations? College tuition for your children? Having a concrete goal in mind makes it easier to get there, says Cartwood.

Invest against the grain. Corey recommends making investment decisions based on the exact opposite of what everyone else is doing. Right now, for example, stocks are relatively cheap because so many people have sold off shares, which means anyone buying can get them at a discount to their values from a year ago. Corey's rule of thumb doesn't just apply to stocks. "Buy a foreclosed house, fill it up with roommates, and you can get a pretty good passive income," he suggests.

Live below your means. Even Eminem, a celebrity and millionaire, scales back his purchases out of concern for frugality. In February, London's Independent newspaper reported that as Eminem considered buying a $15,000 watch he liked, he started worrying that he should save his money instead. Eminem reportedly said, "I don't want to run out of money; I want my daughter to be able to go to college." And so far, at least, Eminem hasn't fallen victim to the financial challenges so many other stars, from Aretha Franklin to Annie Leibovitz, have faced.

On the same note, Smith says that even though she's a millionaire, no one would know it—and that's the point. She recommends saving at least 10 to 25 percent of your income. She also suggests avoiding buying "status" items, such as fancy sports cars or mansions. After all, bling doesn't make a millionaire—and in fact, too much of it can prevent you from ever becoming one.

How to Spend Like a Frugal Millionaire

Saving thousands while still spending.

Millionaires make up just 2 percent of the population. They get a bad rap during recessions for being wasteful with their money and are frequently used as examples of excess. It's the millionaires that you don't see that you can learn from in times like these. I call them the frugal millionaires and interviewed 70 of them to uncover ways we can all be smarter with money.

Nearly 70 percent of the economy is based on consumer spending. To keep the economy going we need to keep spending but not waste money in the process. This is where the frugal millionaires come in. They've been smart with their money all along and haven't lost it all and had to remake it. These are the kind of people you want to learn from when it comes to spending your money.

Spending philosophy.

Frugal millionaires are unique thinkers when it comes to spending money: 1) they can easily delay their need for gratification when purchasing; 2) they are resourceful in getting what they want by carefully timing their consumer purchases; 3) they make living below their means painless; 4) they don't like wasting anything (especially money); 5) their sense of "self-entitlement" is highly minimized: and 6) spending is OK with them...depending on what they are buying (think: appreciating vs. depreciating assets).

Buying tips.

These millionaires keep more money than they spend, that's why they are rich. Their tactics work for them so they'll work even better for you. Key Point: They don't view shopping as a sport. They shop efficiently and spend their time doing more important things with their lives. Here are their tips that will help you save while spending:

Cars: Buy used (or off lease) fuel-efficient cars, often with "certified pre-owned" warranties. This warranty can be better than a new car, plus the initial depreciation hit is avoided. Drive the car for a long time and never lease it.

Eating Out: Bring half of a meal home to eat later (this also saves the waistline). Eat at happy hours. Bring wine from home and skip dessert. Value food quality over expensive ambience.

Eating In: Eat better and less expensively by cooking at home. Make it a friends and family event. Get your kids involved. Bonus: You can have that extra drink without worrying about getting busted for driving under the influence. Also: buy day-old bread at the best bakery in town and freeze it. Eat oatmeal, because it's the most cost-effective breakfast food. Get a supermarket "club card" and buy food on special. Play the game of trying to see how much of a discount can be saved off the total food bill.

Clothes: When you buy something new donate something used to charity. Buy traditional clothes, but wait for the off-season to acquire them. Go for high quality - not high price. Buy vintage clothing and avoid logo clothing and keep people guessing who the designer might be. Hint: There shouldn't be one!

Consumer Electronics: Buy low-end gear that has the basic functionality of the more expensive stuff. Don't be the first to buy new technology. Wait at least one lifecycle so the bugs are worked out. Buy refurbished electronics whenever possible.

Computers: Buy more mainstream computers with proven technology. Select higher capacity hard drives, a decent amount of RAM (the memory that the program runs in) and a cost effective processor. Super fast doesn't always equal super good...unless you are building airplanes or bridges. Laptops are a good compromise between desktops and netbooks. Don't go through the pain of upgrading operating systems on existing computers, it's not time efficient and you will probably go insane trying.

Going green: Being green and frugal go hand-in-hand. Yet frugal millionaires don't readily fall for the trendy green hype machine. They typically buy green if it helps the environment and lowers their costs. They look at the timeframe when a product can pay for itself. They do use compact fluorescent lighting, turn off lights and equipment that isn't being used, monitor AC and heat usage (with programmable thermostats), drive efficiently, live in "right-sized" homes and turn off the water when they aren't brushing their teeth or washing dishes. Because they have trained themselves to not waste money they won't waste anything else either. They get into good habits and keep them going. You can, too.

You dare to ask for raise in this recession?

1) Performance. "Offer specific examples of your overall performance. Think 'made, saved and achieved.' Ask yourself what you have done for your company that will put an extra value on you," says Glenn Dubiel, vice president of the Mergis Group. Prepare well in advance and be equipped with how your performance has helped the company and how you plan to do so again in the future.

2) Pay. Knowing how your salary stacks up to others can help you decide if a raise is warranted and timely. Compare your pay rate with those of your peers using the tools at salary websites, like PayScale.com. PayScale.com lets you look up the salary ranges by job title, experience level, and geographic area.

3) Skill level. Are your skills superior to others in the same line of work? Have you exceeded expectations through initiative or problem solving? Are your actual skills what set you apart, or are you just in the right place at the right time? "Employers don't pay for luck very often," says Ron Price, CEO of Price Associates.

4) Reputation. Take time to assess how you're viewed by your peers. Are you the most talented software engineer, the best sales person, the most creative producer? Do you cooperate with coworkers to get things done? Are you absolutely solid on basics like professional appearance, attendance, and diligence at work?

5) Occupation. In general, expectations for salaries across the board are flat. A few, though, are growing. "Two jobs with very strong pay growth over the last two years, and still good over the last six months, are pharmacist and physical therapist," says Al Lee, director of quantitative analysis at PayScale.com. Other jobs command a greater salary depending on years of experience. This is especially true for software developers and IT managers.

6) Company climate. Has your company just announced layoffs, salary freezes, or wage cuts? If so, this does not necessarily mean you shouldn't ask for a raise. You do, however, have to proceed with caution. "If you can't demonstrate how your performance improves cash flow or will strengthen your company's position in the immediate term, forget it," says Stefanie Smith, executive consultant-coach at Statex Consulting.

7) Timing. Most experts agree, the best time to ask for more dough is after you feel your performance has really stood out. If you have just completed something spectacular, this might be the perfect time to ask for a raise. If your performance has been good, but not the absolute talk of the halls, consider waiting for your performance review period. In the meantime, Price suggests having a conversation with your boss with the following talking points:

• What is the most significant contribution you want me to make to our team's, department's, or the company's success?
• How do you think I am doing regarding this?
• What could I do better?
• What new skills or disciplines would you like me to work on?
• What guidelines, philosophies, or parameters do you use in determining my compensation?
• How would you like me to prepare for our discussion about my compensation going forward?
• Is there anything else that would be helpful for me to know or to prepare prior to my performance review?

8) Popping the question. Be sure to equip yourself with your performance highlights written down and fully prepare by doing the homework outlined in items 1 through 7. "Focus on selling yourself and your value, not on begging," says Dubiel. He also suggests presenting your case in a humble manner and rehearsing several times before you actually have the conversation.

9) Alternatives to raises. "Be willing to temporarily take responsibility without money; sooner or later the compensations will come and this will show career progression. In other words, if you can't get the raise, go for the title," says Dubiel. Other options include asking for a one-time bonus or a reinstatement of a cut benefit such as 401(k) matching.

10) What to avoid. Don't act entitled or adversarial. "Don't threaten to leave -- if you decide this is a necessary step to take, do it without threats so that you control when and how you go," says Price. Also, skip any reference to seniority or financial need. This will divert attention from the only leverage you have -- your performance.

No Outsourcing - How to Train the American Best Jobs

Education Administrator, Elementary or Secondary School

While online education is an increasingly popular option for college-level students, younger students still need live teachers, and live teachers require supervision by education administrators.

Career Training: A master's degree in education administration or educational leadership, plus related experience in a field such as teaching or school administration, is the most common route to becoming an education administrator.
Average Annual Salary: $82,120.
Job Outlook: 12 percent growth is expected between now and 2016. Some of the most secure jobs will be for public school administrators, since public schools are funded by public tax dollars.

Physical Therapist

Health care jobs are a great bet for job safety in terms of outsourcing worries. Not only is health care the largest industry in the US, employing over 14 million people in 2006, but it deals with a population that needs hands-on, personal care.

Within health care, physical therapists are essential. An increasing elderly population, new technology in the field, and longer life expectancies of disabled patients are all contributing factors to this important and quickly growing profession.

Career Training: A master's degree in physical therapy and state licensure is a requirement for most physical therapists. The master's degree program for physical therapists usually takes two years.
Average Annual Salary: $71,520.
Job Outlook: Much faster than average job growth is expected, at 27 percent between now and 2016, says the BLS.

Sales Manager

A lot of jobs can be performed overseas, but when it comes to selling merchandise, American companies still need teams of salespeople selling their products in-person, as well as managers to oversee operations. Sales manager positions are highly coveted, but are expected to stay put and even expand over the next several years.

Career Training: A bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing is the surest route to success. Many sales managers work their way up the ladder, starting as sales clerks or assistant managers.
Average Annual Salary: $106,790.
Job Outlook: 12 percent growth is expected between now and 2016, according to the BLS.

Computer and Information Systems Manager

While it's true that some computer-related jobs may be threatened by outsourcing, more complex jobs like this one can't be as routinely trained and shipped overseas. Computer and information systems managers will remain necessary because technology in the workplace is only expected to rise in coming years, and managers will always be needed to oversee it.

Career Training: A bachelor's degree is often required, and some employers even prefer a master's. An MBA with technology is especially desirable. Training in information technology or computer information systems management will help put you on the right track.
Average Annual Salary: $113,880.
Job Outlook: This profession is expected to grow by 16 percent between now and 2016, or "faster than average".

Automotive Service Technician or Mechanic

This job requires more technical knowledge than it used to in the days of simpler cars and automotive technology. For this reason, the term "mechanic" is quickly being replaced by the term "automotive technician."

Career Training: Auto technicians must keep abreast of the latest automotive technology, making a formal training program extremely advantageous to those looking to enter the field. An associate's degree or certificate in automotive technology can be a great way to get started.
Average Annual Salary: $36,480.
Job Outlook: As more Americans look to repair the cars they already own instead of buying new ones, auto technicians and mechanics are expected to increase by 14 percent, higher than the average 10 percent for most professions.

If you're worried about the future of your career, consider transitioning to a field where the jobs are more likely to stay put. The right training and education can help you transition to a field where jobs are growing instead of shrinking.

11 Ways to Get Extra Cash

Sell Your Stuff Online

Kiplinger’s senior editor Jeffrey Kosnett and his wife recently made $200 selling flatware they no longer used through the popular online auction site eBay. You, too, can unload everything from furniture and furnishings to collectibles and clothing on eBay or Craigslist.
Sell your old, unwanted books on Amazon. Kosnett’s wife, Deborah, says the key to selling your wares on the Web is to research similar merchandise that has been sold recently through the site and price competitively.

Be a Shopping Spy
You can get paid up to $20 if you agree to browse a store and provide feedback on customer service, merchandise quality, and other quality-control metrics. Start by visiting the Mystery Shopping Providers Association’s Web site (www.mysteryshop.org) to see a database of jobs with legitimate companies. Sign up with several companies because it can take a while to be contacted. If you like to shop, can pay close attention to detail and can be dispassionate, this could be a good money-making opportunity.

Operate a Call Center From Your Home
You might consider a job (for up to $14 an hour) with a virtual call center, such as Arise Virtual Solutions (www.willowcsn.com), West Corp. (www.west.com) or Alpine Access (www.alpineaccess.com). As an independent contractor (or, in some cases, an actual employee with benefits), you would provide customer support for companies such as Office Depot, Sears, J.Crew and even the Internal Revenue Service.
In general, you must provide your own computer, designated telephone line and high-speed Internet connection -- and, in some cases, pay for your training to become a certified agent. But if you have the time, companies need “operators standing by.”

Tutor Students
Some parents are willing to pay big bucks to see Junior and Janie succeed. So if you speak a second language, such as Spanish or French, or have great math, science or writing skills, you might be able to earn extra cash imparting your knowledge to kids -- even college students -- for $20 to $30 an hour.
Check with local schools and universities to see if you can advertise your services on their bulletin boards. Or post your services on Craigslist.

Join a Street Team
This is a relatively easy way for young adults who are outgoing and articulate to earn some fast cash. Street teams promote products, films, albums, events and more by handing out samples, interacting with people on the street, or dressing as mascots.
To get a job at $17 to $25 an hour, sign up with a company such as Street Team Promotion.com or A.D.D. Marketing. Actually, if you sign up with several companies, you’re more likely to get a steady flow of jobs, says James Aquafredda, managing director of Street Team Promotion.com. Make sure, though, that the company has a contract that specifies when you’ll get paid.

Walk the Dogs
Why not get a little exercise while you earn anywhere from $15 to $30 an hour? Working folks will pay plenty for you to take Rover or Scruffy on a daily stroll while they’re at the office.
If you don’t want to brave the elements, you might consider pet sitting for people while they’re on vacation. Advertise your services in veterinarians’ offices and on Craigslist.

Be a Babysitter
Just graduated and can’t find a job? Retired and looking for a little extra dough? Like children? From full-time gigs to occasional stints, babysitting can be a fun way to put money in your pocket. In big cities such as New York and Washington, expect to earn up to $20 an hour as a babysitter or nanny. (In small and midsize cities, the going rate is closer to $7 to $10 an hour.)
Advertise your services on Craigslist, the bulletin board at your local house of worship, or by word of mouth.

Write for the Web
Sorry, Kiplinger.com isn’t hiring. But plenty of Web sites are looking for freelancers to write blogs, commentary, and reviews for about $15 to $30 an hour or article. For example, if you know a lot about a particular subject or region, you might be able to be a “guide” and write articles for About.com (http://beaguide.about.com/ ).
In all major U.S. cities, Craigslist has ads for writing gigs. Demand Studios (www.demandstudios.com) offers freelance work for writers, copy editors and filmmakers.

Make Your Hobbies Pay Off
Amateur photographers are in demand to shoot weddings and events, especially in a recession when people are reluctant to hire high-priced pros. If you’re a great cook, you could hold a workshop or prepare meals for a busy family. Tech-savvy? You could teach classes on Web design.
See what your services might fetch by checking out ads on Craigslist or in your local paper or community Web site. Then hang out a virtual shingle.

Sell Your Unwanted Gold Jewelry
Although the price has dropped a bit since the beginning of 2009, the going rate for this precious commodity is still near $900 an ounce. That’s a pretty penny for jewelry you no longer wear or bling that reminds you of a best-forgotten suitor.
Gold-buying shops are popping up at malls across America.

Adjust Your Tax Withholding
This is probably the fastest and easiest way to put more cash in your pocket. If you got a big refund this year, you’re not alone: The average refund so far this year is $2,700. But think about it: You're letting Uncle Sam hold on to your money for a whole year and paying you 0% interest.
Why wait until next spring to get the money you really need now? To see how much you could gain by adjusting your withholding, try our easy-to-use withholding calculator.