**13 Financial Resolutions for 2013: Resolution #7 – Boost Your Earnings!**

13 Financial Resolutions for 2013: Resolution 7 - Boost Your Earnings!

This post is part of a series on 13 money resolutions for 2013. If you’re genuinely committed to tackling your debt, you need to generate more income. Cutting expenses and negotiating bills can only take you so far.

In my case, I’ve already slashed a lot of unnecessary spending—I rarely eat out or shop. So, to come up with $3000 a month to pay off my debt, my only option is to increase my income. There are countless ways to make extra money without upfront costs.

Rent a Room in Your House
If you have a spare room, consider renting it out to tourists via Airbnb or getting a full-time tenant. While this might compromise your privacy, it’s a great way to earn money without spending any.

Sell Stuff Online
While cutting down on purchasing new items is essential, you probably have some clutter that can be converted into cash. Craft well-written ads with detailed information and good photos, and you’re likely to sell your items at a reasonable price. eBay is a good platform for general items, though niche sites may get you better prices for specific items like CDs, games, and DVDs.

Take a Night Shift as a Waiter or Barista
Getting a second job may sound unappealing, but it can significantly speed up your debt repayment. Jobs in social settings like bars or coffee shops can even be enjoyable, and you’ll earn tips.

Babysit Some Kids
Babysitting is an ideal option for students or bloggers, as you can often study or work on your own projects while the kids are asleep.

Find a Writing Gig for a Popular Blog
Job boards like Problogger or Elance are good places to look for writing gigs. You can also inquire directly with your favorite blogs. I used to double my salary by writing for travel blogs, and though I’ve scaled back, it remains a good income source.

Sell Your Crafts on Etsy
If you make jewelry, clothes, or other crafts, think about opening an online shop to sell your creations.

Here are some other flexible odd jobs I’ve had:

– Call center employee
– Tutor
– Piano teacher
– Language teacher (French and Spanish)
– Website translator
– Business document translator
– Event waitress
– School cafeteria lunch supervisor
– School field trip supervisor
– Substitute primary school teacher
– Disneyland hostess
– Weekend sports shop employee
– Database entry
– Hotel clerk
– Supermarket night inventory
– Cosmetics tester

These jobs mostly paid minimum wage but offered flexible hours. Thanks to these varied gigs, I was able to graduate college with savings.

While there are limits to how much you can save, there’s no end to the ways you can earn extra income. By directing that extra money towards your goals for 2013, you’ll achieve them faster.

This year, my plan to earn extra includes selling plots of land, starting a B&B, blog income, writing gigs, and rental income. My ambitious goal is to find $3000 a month to put toward debt repayment.

Even starting small can make a difference. Just trying to earn extra money is a step in the right direction. For example, $3000 at 18% interest costs you $540 per year, so paying it off saves you that interest.

Do you have a target for extra income this year? How do you plan to achieve it?