Your Strengths, Your Money
By Darlene Arechederra, Fri Dec 9th

Need a few extra bucks to help pay down debt or build up youremergency account? There are some simple ways to do it withoutworking another job or being away from the children even more.Using your *strengths*, brainstorm ways to zero in on newsources of income.

What ARE Your *Strengths*? -- What are you really good at? --What do your friends/coworkers compliment you about, over andover? -- Are you a perfectionist in certain things? -- Whatthings do your friends/family tease you about, or findirritating, because you do these things so well?

Do you Enjoy Working with Numbers?

If you're great at balancing your checkbook, you could pick up afew extra dollars each month balancing for friends who hatedoing it themselves. A gentleman I know used to order pizza forthe bank teller in exchange for keeping his checkbook balancedfor him. He hated doing it. The teller found it very easy.Perfect fit!

Are you Artistic?

Perhaps you're a penny-saver. You've created a beautifuldecorative container to hold your pennies. Would they make nicegifts for others? Make some extras and see how they sell atChristmas bazaars. Give away as gifts to nieces, nephews,grandchildren. Others may see them and want one. Some may takethem to school and show them around.

If you make it fun for kids to use them, parents will greatlyappreciate it. In the meantime, children are learning a greatsavings habit.

Are you a Perfectionist?

Can't stand a dirty car? Is your car always spotless, inside andout? Next time someone compliments you on it (or wishes theircar looked great like yours), let them know you'll keep theirsup to snuff for a few bucks every week or two. Their friends andneighbors will notice, and before long you'll have created asteady stream of income. Around here, the salt and chemicalsneed to be removed on a regular basis during snow season.

Do you Enjoy the Great Outdoors? Use the Seasons!

Fall

How about raking leaves? Bag up the leaves and take them withyou for homeowners who don't enjoy this type work, or who can'tdo it themselves. Fall is also a good time to give lawns a finalmowing. Mow the leaves up with the final grass cutting for theyear. The leaves are actually great nourishment.

Winter

Shovel sidewalks. Shovel paths so others can get in their cars(especially the elderly). Or run errands for them while you'realready out doing your errands. Wash the slush and chemicals offneighbors' cars after a major snowstorm.

Spring

Weed, till soil, remove downed branches after a storm.

Summer

Your neighbors probably have swimming pools. Are you good atcleaning them? How about making sure the chemicals are justright?

Remove stray leaves that end up in the pool. (For safetyreasons, please don't take your children with you to these pools.

Water gardens in the evenings or early morning for those whodon't enjoy it or can't do it. Weed their flower or veggiegardens. See what

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you can do for the neighbors in your areawhile they enjoy their vacations.

Change of Seasons

Remove leaves from gutters for others. Again, there will likelybe lots of downed branches to gather and remove.

Now, obviously these are very basic ideas. There are many moreideas you can come up with. Use your strengths as your startingpoint and see what you can dream up.

About the author:Darlene Arechederra is author of Rat Race Blues-How to Break theStranglehold. Do what you *love* to do for a living -- not whatyou *have* to do! Darlene offers hope and help in *finding*money, time and energy to support your dreams. Fr*ee weeklynewsletter with mini-assignments and rewards to get you back ontrack with your money and dreams.http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com.