Abigail R. Gehring

In today’s world, making extra money is often a necessity. But even when it isn’t, taking on an odd job can be challenging and fun.
Working — even occasionally — can bring excitement in doing something totally different and in meeting new people. Ideas to consider…

1. Male dance host on cruise ships. Dance with partygoers who don’t have partners. You must be a competent ballroom dancer, dress appropriately and have charm and confidence.
Downside: You won’t always want to dance with everyone who wants to dance with you. Also, you’re on call for all social activities on the entire trip.
What you’ll earn: $25 to $100 an hour plus the cost of the cruise.
More information: Dancing List (800-815-9158, http://www.dancinglist.com/hosts/host1.htm).
2. Mystery shopper. This work requires you to visit a bank, shop, car dealership or restaurant posing as a customer and to evaluate your experience — for example, you’ll report back on the service, product quality and how items are displayed. Sometimes you may be given a small amount of money to make a purchase. Other times, such as at a car dealership, you only pretend to be interested in buying. (Caution: Beware of help-wanted ads for mystery shoppers. Most of them are scams requiring money up front.)
Downside: Sporadic assignments.
What you’ll earn: About $100 a month in cash, food and/or merchandise if you work two to four hours. Note: You are hired by the mystery shopping company. They pay you and bill the company you visit.
More information: Idea Lady (www.mysteryshoppersmanual.com).
3. Movie or TV extra. You do not need to belong to a performer’s union to work as a movie or TV extra (since you have no spoken lines). Sign up with a local talent agency or watch for newspaper ads to learn about work opportunities. To do this work, you must have the particular look that the production company requires — such as a certain age, ethnicity, hair color, etc.
Downside: Twelve-hour days — including sitting around for hours doing nothing — are not unusual.
What you’ll earn: About $100 to $200 a day if you are not a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Agencies take a 20% commission.
More information: EntertainmentCareers (www.entertainmentcareers.net).
4. Resort receptionist. During busy holiday periods, resorts are always short-staffed, and they are very happy to have extra help checking people in and out of their rooms, answering the phone and accommodating guest requests. Generally, you get to stay at the resort for free. To do this work, you need customer service skills and good command of English (fluency in other languages is a plus).
Downside: You’re expected to present a positive image by always being particularly polite and helpful around hotel guests, even when not working.
What you’ll earn: About $10 an hour (varies with location and type of resort).
More information: Resort Jobs (www.resortjobs.com).
5. Focus group participant. Meet with a group led by a moderator to give your opinion on an idea, evaluate a service or test a product. Sessions last one to two hours. Requirements for participation vary according to the needs of the client paying for the session. You’ll need to supply information about yourself — education and income levels, profession, marital status.
Downside: Sporadic work — many companies only allow you to participate once every six months.
What you’ll earn: About $40 to $100 an hour.
More information: FocusRoom (212-935-6820, http://www.focusroom.com) for New York City groups. Focus Pointe Global (www.focusgroup.com) for groups in other locations. Or, type “focus group” into a Web search engine, such as Google.
6. Home-based sales representative. Sell a product (such as cosmetics or health supplements) for a company through “parties” or personal contacts. Some companies require you to buy a certain amount of product at a wholesale price (for example, the cosmetics company Mary Kay requires you to buy a minimum starting inventory). Others require you to pay to become a member of their sales force (for example, the natural health supplement company Shaklee charges $19.95 for membership). And you do need a knack for selling.
Downside: Pay depends entirely on how much you sell.
More information: Avon (800-367-2866, http://www.avon.com)… Shaklee (800-742-5533, http://www.shaklee.com)… Mary Kay (800-627-9529, http://www.marykay.com).
7. School crossing guard. Most guards work two to four hours a day. Qualifications vary by state — you may need a driver’s license, high school diploma and first-aid certification. Depending on the school district, you may be given some minimal training. Good eyesight and hearing are a must. This is an ideal job for early risers, and those who want the satisfaction of providing safety for school children.
Downside: This can be stressful work — for example, drivers may not stop even though you’re standing in the middle of the road, but instead zoom around you. You may have to work in inclement weather.
What you’ll earn: An average of $7 to $10 an hour.
More information: National Center for Safe Routes to Schools (866-610-7787, http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/crossing_guard/index.cfm).
8. House sitter. Just stay in a home while the residents are away — all you need for this work is to be responsible and have common sense.
Downside: If something goes wrong (fire, flood, robbery, the dog dies), there’s a good chance you’ll get blamed. Protect yourself by asking your lawyer to write up a liability contract (or fill out an “Employment Contract” form at http://www.lawdepot.com) with the home owner that spells out what happens if you need to leave for a personal emergency and you can’t fulfill your obligation.
What you’ll earn: Free rent is the biggest payment, plus you can house-sit anywhere in the world. If you have additional responsibilities, such as caring for a pet or doing yard work, you could make up to $300 a week.
More information: House-Sitters 4u (www.housesitters4u.com).
9. Gift wrapper. Have gifts brought to your home — or pick them up from customers — and wrap them in style. Or ask a local store owner if you can wrap gifts during busy periods. The cost of getting started is modest — $40 to $100 for supplies (wrapping paper, tissue paper, tape, gift bags). You need creativity and efficiency. Put an ad in your local paper to get customers. Also, add a rider to your home owner’s insurance to cover loss or damage to items that you’re wrapping.
Downside: Paper cuts.
What you’ll earn: About $3 to $10 per package.
More information: Mommy’s Place (www.mommysplace.net/gift_wrapping_business.html).
10. Complete surveys. Sign up on-line to complete surveys on anything from coffee preferences to toothbrush use. All you need is a computer, Internet access and patience. Surveys generally take five to 25 minutes.
Downside: You can waste time starting a survey only to be told after several pages of questions that you’re not eligible because you don’t fit the desired profile of the survey group.
What you’ll earn: About $3 to $5 per survey.
More information: Survey Savvy (www.surveysavvy.com).

Retirement interviewed Abigail R. Gehring, author of Odd Jobs: 101 Ways to Make an Extra Buck (Skyhorse). She lives in Edgewater, New Jersey, and has held 24 of the jobs included in the book.

I agree with you completely. My male relatives and friends are for the most part anti Obama. They seem rabid for him to fail. Any suggestion that his stimulus plan might work causes unending arguments.

I would hate to be black in this country. I could not see myself with a black man because my family would disown me. I will buy a nice picture of President Obama to put in my room. Imagine sleeping with that hunk over your head!

Christine

Your “Girlz” in Texas.

We will kick ass for you.

Mary

Most of their friends and relatives have lost their homes, jobs, and level of income they had under Clinton. Bush took it all back and gave them two wars and bankruptcy of the country.

Yet they continue to mouth the talking points of those ignorant republican senators who cite non existent reports as authorities for their positions.

Like bush they just make up whatever they want to get their point across. Most of those guys couldn’t add the graft they demand without their fingers.

Tiffany