Five Weekend Jobs I’d Do If I Needed Money Fast

The economy is doing pretty well right now and that means you might already have a job. But precisely because the economy is strong, there is huge opportunity for you. The super cool thing is, you can bring in some big stacks of “Benjamins” working just a few hours on the weekend alone if you do it right.

You see, most people around you might already have a job – but none of them have enough time on their hands. And that’s your opening. You can lighten the load for your working brethren, free up their calendar, relieve some of their stress and make some serious coinage in so doing.  On top of that, you can easily build any of these ideas into a side business if you have just a little bit of entrepreneurial spirit.

Here are 5 services you can provide that most people need, are easy to market and can put lots of pesos in your pockets all at the same time. Let’s get going:

1. DVD Converter

I’ve always loved this idea. Take people’s old video tapes and convert them to DVDs. Everyone knows they have to do this before their old VHS memories fade out, but nobody is doing it.

Yes, there are companies that provide these services but you can easily eat their lunch. Print up a bunch a flyers and pass them out in your neighborhood. Then, watch the orders flow in. Just make sure to deliver a great service. Offer free pick-up and delivery and emphasize that you are a neighborhood business with a complete money-back guarantee.

In order to get into this business you will need a little equipment but you should be able to buy a VHS – DVD combo player recorder for under $200. Once business takes off, hire a high-school kid to do the work while you focus on marketing. He or she will likely be able to do a better job than you anyway especially when it comes to editing.

2. House Cleaner

I am amazed at how expensive it is to get our house cleaned and how bad a job most people do. If I needed the money this is absolutely something I’d do. First, I’d do a little research on how to correctly clean a house like a pro (there are plenty of great vids and posts on this). I’d perfect my own technique and process and advertise by handing out flyers in the neighborhood emphasizing my attention to detail, professionalism and a guarantee not to leave the premises until the owner is delighted with the job. Then I’d assemble a short manual, hire and train a few crews and put them to work under careful supervision. Cha Ching!

3. Bookkeeper

Let me tell you something from first-hand experience. It is i-m-p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e to hire a qualified, trustworthy, responsible, professional bookkeeper. I often need to find bookkeepers for my clients and in all the years I’ve only found one who knew what she was doing (and was responsible). Needless to say, she gets all my referrals and now she’s too busy to handle the flow.  Did I mention that she isn’t a CPA and doesn’t have a college degree?

Either teach yourself QuickBooks, take a few courses or do both. This is the software most CPAs want their clients to use and you do not need to be a rocket scientist to master this program. Then, contact a few CPAs and some local businesses. Let them know you are available and deliver fantastic professional service. Before long, you’ll have more work than you know what to do with.

4. Technology Teacher

Here’s something most people over 55 need – a technology tutor. Many people from my generation might be embarrassed to admit it but we just aren’t that comfortable with all this new-fangled technology and software. Relieve our angst by offering to teach us how to enter the technology society.

Once again, the key to success in this business is responsibility, professionalism and communication skills. Ask a few people what technology they want to understand but don’t and market your services highlighting those programs. Make sure to ask for referrals and watch your business fly.

5. Photo Album Creator

We live in a world where everyone takes pictures all the time – but nobody looks at them. That’s because most of us keep our pics as pixels in a digital format. This means all the effort we put into to posing for that perfect selfie was just a waste.

Offer to go through other people’s digital files, pick out the best shots and arrange them in both a physical and digital album. Do a good job and you’ll have people standing in line to pay for your services in short order.

Each of these businesses are easy to launch. Most cost less than $200 to start (if anything) and all are in high demand. To be frank, I honestly believe you could turn each of these into a thriving full time business easily if you:

• Offer great service.
• Stand behind your work.
• Market the service effectively.

None of these ideas are new but they are still high-demand professions because many of the people currently in these jobs don’t wow their customers. If you focus on your clients, make it easy for them to hire you, surprise them with outstanding service and guarantee great results, you will amazed at how quickly your side gig starts making your cash register sing.

Do any of these ideas appeal to you? Are there other alternatives that we should consider? What are they?