Practical ways to earn supplemental income in 2009

The economic crisis may have created challenging times for many families, but as a resourceful people, we Filipinos can still find many accessible, viable opportunities that will help provide that much-needed supplemental income. Here are some practical ways to earn extra cash and ride out the present credit crunch.

Earn money from your hobbies. Turn your garden into a produce shop, put your wood-shop skills to good use, or offer scrapbooking services to friends and neighbors. Can you sing or play an instrument? Put your musical talents to good use, hire yourself to play at small parties or offer music lessons for a fee per hour. Have a garage sale ? everybody’s always looking for a good bargain so put those unused or unwanted items up for sale!

Think you’re the next J.K. Rowling? Put your writing skills to good use and take advantage of freelancing opportunities or place an ad in your local paper to market your writing or editing abilities. If you’re fluent in another language or a wiz at math, become a tutor. Post flyers around your neighborhood or place an ad in the local paper and put your expertise to good use. Rent a room? If you have a spare room in your house or apartment that is just collecting dust, consider taking in a renter.

Embrace your inner chef and have a neighborhood bake sale with your famous cookies, pastries and pies or find a local restaurant looking for fresh, homemade pastries. Are you great at organizing parties and events? Party your way to money by putting those skills to good use. Coordinate and plan events like birthday parties, bridal showers and christenings. Most parties happen on weekends so these won’t get in the way of weekday work.

Become an Avon Representative. With a minimal start-up fee, Avon provides the opportunity to run a flexible home-based business while dedicating whatever hours you have in your day.  And with its Avon Philippines Web site which features a virtual brochure, you don’t need to travel far to refer friends and friends of friends to check out Avon products online and just call you to place their order.

Avon Philippines president and general manager Bob Briddon presented the Avon direct selling opportunity as one of the best options as people look for ways to survive in today’s economy. 

Briddon shared, “The great thing about the Avon Earnings Opportunity is that you make of it what you want. Whatever your goal may be, you adjust your personal investment of time and effort accordingly. Being an Avon Representative empowers women to run a business in a way that works for their lifestyle. Some representatives choose to make Avon their full-time career—and some of them earn well into the six figures. Others choose to do it part-time along with taking care of their children or working a part-time job.”