You probably never stopped to think about who painted the numbers on the curbs in your neighborhood.  Someone has to do it, though.  In reality, it’s possible to make $100 or more in just a few hours when you paint house numbers on curbs.

This niche industry is full of opportunity and possibilities for a self starter.  The major reason is that few companies actually paint house numbers on curbs exclusively.  Companies that do various types of industrial painting (like those who paint fire hydrants and traffic lines) will sometimes do curb number painting.  Some won’t bother at all.

However, those who will usually charge the same hourly rate that they charge for doing larger jobs.  Many homeowners simply aren’t willing to pay an industrial painter 50 dollars or more to paint house numbers on curbs.  Chances are excellent that they’d pay someone like you 20 dollars or less to do this.

The start-up cost for equipment to paint house numbers on curbs is minimal.  You’ll need to purchase number stencils.  These are available at most hardware stores.  They typically cost less than 20 dollars, and many are under ten dollars.

You’ll also need paint.  You should plan to spend around 50 dollars to start with.  This will get you a few cans of spray paint in different colors.  (Black, yellow and white are most commonly used for painting house numbers on curbs.)  You may want to invest in some type of reflective paint or other material so that numbers can be seen in the dark.

You may want to do some advertising when you first start out.  The cost will depend on what kind of advertising you do.  Printing and handing out flyers is relatively inexpensive; plan to spend about 50 dollars if you do this.  Newspaper advertising costs a bit more, but may be worth it because you’ll reach a larger audience more quickly.

However, the easiest way to get started is to simply go door to door and/or make phone calls.  First, cruise local neighborhoods and find houses that don’t have numbers or whose numbers are worn away and/or difficult to see.  Then, start knocking.

You can also drum up business by contacting the homeowner’s association agents of townhouse and condominium complexes.  Many of these require number painting on an annual or bi-annual basis for entire groups of homes or areas and would be happy to save a bit of homeowner’s money this way.

The ongoing costs to paint house numbers on curbs will also be minimal.  You’ll need to purchase paint on a regular basis.  You’ll also have to replace stencils when they wear out.  However, these costs will probably be just a few hundred dollars per year, depending on how much work you’ll be doing.

The competition for admission to American colleges and Universities gets fiercer every year.  One major factor that helps college admissions boards determine a potential student’s academic ability is his or her ACT score.  This has given rise to an industry of para-education classes to help students improve ACT scores.

The ACT is a standardized exam for high school students.  It is a broad test covering four academic areas: math, science, reading and English.  Students can also choose to take an optional writing test.  The test is administered in every U.S. state 4 to 6 times per year in a controlled setting.

The ACT exam gives colleges and Universities a standardized way to evaluate a student’s knowledge and abilities.  This is crucial since every State’s graduation requirements vary.  It also provides a way for students from private schools and home schools to be evaluated on a level playing field.

Those with a background in teaching or tutoring may stand to profit from the competition to enter college.  Many teachers and former teachers make extra money by starting classes to help students improve ACT scores.

Starting a class to help students improve ACT scores requires a good working knowledge of the ACT exam.  Copies of past ACT tests can be purchased from the producing company.  There are also numerous study guides available in bookstores and online.

Aside from a love for education and a familiarity with the exam, starting a class to help students improve ACT scores will require rental of space.  Teaching space is often available to rent from schools during off hours, or at libraries, churches or private event halls.

Conversely, facilitators may choose to simply tutor students one-on-one or in small groups.  This may eliminate or greatly reduce the price of renting teaching space.

Training should take place over a series of weeks.  Six to ten week classes are typical, with one session per week.  Classes are best held just prior to the administration of the ACT exam in your area.

Besides the cost of renting space, other expenses will include teacher training materials (students typically pay for their own training manuals) and advertising.  These extra costs will probably be minimal, and can easily be incorporated into the fees you charge.

Starting a class to help students improve ACT scores can be more than simply a way for educators to make extra money.  The satisfaction that can be gained from helping a student enter the college of his or her choice can be very rewarding.

If you’ve ever spent time in a local craft/gift shop, you’ve probably seen handmade wildflower gifts.  Cards, pictures, candles and many others feature real wildflowers.  They make beautiful additions to craft items and are popular with customers.  This demand has opened up a niche for people who want to pick and sell wildflowers as a source of extra income.

Contacting local crafters and artists can help you find places to market wildflowers.  You can also contact bigger companies which use wildflowers in products they manufacture.

Sometimes flower shops and decorators also purchase wildflowers.

People who pick and sell wildflowers typically get paid either a few cents per flower or a few dollars per pound.  If you aren’t sure what you should charge, talk to a florist, horticulturist or artisan for an idea.

Before you pick and sell wildflowers, make sure you follow a few simple rules and guidelines:

• Make sure its legal to pick and sell wildflowers.  Most locales don’t have rules regarding this one way or another.  However, some have rules when it comes to the removal of wildflowers.

• Find out if there are any wildflower species which are protected in your area.  If you pick and sell wildflowers that are protected you might be in for a hefty fine or even a short stint in jail.

• Familiarize yourself with noxious weeds.  Many wildflowers are actually weeds.  This is okay; they’re still marketable as long as they aren’t on a local list of “noxious” weeds.  Noxious weeds are those that may poison or cause damage to other local plants, wildlife or humans.  Noxious weeds are often non-native plants that have been displaced from their native territory to another area.  If you do pick them, not many dealers will buy them from you anyway.  Make an effort to avoid them.

• Don’t pull wildflowers up by their roots.  Instead, bring a pair of scissors or gardening shears and cut the flowers.  Leave the plant’s main stem when possible.  Pulling out the roots destroys the whole plant, which can upset the balance of the environment.  Besides, leaving the root means that the plant will produce more flowers for you to harvest later on.

• Know where you’re picking.  It may not be illegal to pick and sell wildflowers, but it IS illegal to trespass on private property. Don’t remove flowers unless you have permission or aren’t on private property.  Likewise, don’t remove flowers from public parks until you find out if this is legal in your area.

• Grow your own wildflowers.  This can be a very rewarding experience, both for the money you make when you pick and sell wildflowers, and for environmental stewardship experience you’ll gain.

People who pick and sell wildflowers for extra income tend to be nature lovers who really enjoy what they’re doing.  It’s a wonderful way to get in touch with the great outdoors, spread the environmental message through art and craft, and make money too.

Flower bulbs are a fast and easy way to make money during the summer months. Flowers are very popular. People love beautifying their property with an explosion of color during the warm, sunny months.

Step One

To begin with, decide what bulbs you want to grow and sell. Investigate the popularity of specific types of flowers. Some are in demand more than others. Also, different types of flowers may be more expensive than other types.

Step Two

Determine who your target market will be. This is a good opportunity to talk with local wholesalers who would like to buy large quantities from you. Other ideas would include placing your products in the back of a pickup. You can then sell the bulbs or flowers parked on the side of the road to travelers. Another great idea would be to plant the bulbs and then attend craft and garden shows to sell the pre-planted bulbs.

Step Three

Educate yourself on the bulbs you want to sell. Certain bulbs will need to be refrigerated for several weeks, depending on the variety. Determine which variety you want to sell by the month which it blooms. If you are an industrious person you could grow all types of varieties year round to sell.

Find publications which will help you learn more about the flower industry. Some of them focus specifically on flower bulbs. There are also many free newsletters in which you can receive for free.

Step Four

You will need to purchase some materials for your venture. Select the bulbs you want to sell, potting soil, and pots. Other items you may need are a trowel, fertilizer, and insecticide.

Step Five

Gather information about your local government laws and requirements, concerning a small business. Fill out any business license application as required by federal, state, and city laws. If you wish to sell to wholesalers then you may need to be a legal business entity before they will do business with you.

Step Six

Seek out professional organizations which you can become a member. There are many of these organizations which can help you. They offer you the ability to discuss any questions with other growers and network. Also, they offer training, workshops, and information on flowers.

Step Seven

Market yourself. Create business cards on your personal computer. Using software and images of your flowers, you can fashion a brochure of the products you sell. Begin a free blog or design a website, which will give flower enthusiasts information regarding when you sell your plants and a pricing list. Make sure you make your contact information available on your promotional materials.

Conclusion

You can make money by planting bulbs or selling bulbs. You can also make money by planting the bulbs, watching them grown into beautiful flowers and then selling them. Plant a cash crop today and watch your wallet grow.

With the rise in electronic devices, people struggle learning about the device, and also how to connect it to other devices. For example, families need their Blu-Ray DVD connected to their big screen television, X-box 360 to a television, or a video camera to a television.

Many families need multiple items connected to their big screen, including their personal computer. Having the knowledge of how to connect multiple devices to TV is an advantage for anyone willing to plug into this opportunity.

Step One

Examine your skills. Do you have the skills necessary to perform the tasks necessary? Be honest with yourself. Are you only marginally good at connecting devices? If you believe you need more education consider enrolling in a course or take a workshop. Read everything you can get your hands on, like owner’s manuals or books. Most entrepreneurs possess self-starter qualities as well as a willingness to constantly improve your skills.

Step Two

Decide what types of equipment you can connect. The more you can do the better your pay will be. You will also need to decide how much you will charge for each connection. Choose between a flat rate price and an hourly rate. Most people are not electronically literate and will be willing to pay someone to connect their electronic devices.

Step Three

The equipment you need will be basic tools. Look for pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. Also, have plenty of batteries available so you can check the devices to make sure they are working properly. Having quality video cables on hand is a necessity.

Step Four

Find customers. You can begin your business by practicing with family and friends. Offer your services free of charge to obtain a good source of free word of mouth advertising. You can also take an advertisement out in the newspaper. Consider sponsoring local activities to achieve name recognition.

Create your own business cards using computer software. Consider creating a free blog or a website. A brochure works nice for handing out to neighbors and leaving brochures on car windows.

Step Five

You should gather information about your local government laws and requirements, concerning a small business. Fill out any business license application as required by federal, state, and city laws.

Phone your insurance company and check liability rates. You will need to protect yourself in case a mishap happens.

Conclusion

You can make money by connecting other people’s electronic devices to their television. Many families have several interests, such as playing movies with their DVD player, watching home movies on their television, using their video camera, playing electronic games with different name brands consoles and software, or needing to connect their personal computer to the television. Most people are unaware of how to connect these devices and are willing to pay you for your time.

With the right vehicle and accessories, you can earn money by pulling stranded motorists off the side of the road during wintertime storms. You vehicle is an asset when ice storms or heavy snow storms plague cities. Many car owners do not know how to recover their vehicle from being stuck. You can obtain the accessories necessary to pull cars out of a rut and then charge them less than a towing service.

Step One

Gather necessary information about what you need for towing. You will need a hitch. Many hitches come in different classifications. Know your vehicle and about the weight you want to tow. More than likely, you will need a Class 3 Receiver Hitch for pulling cars.

Shop around and find a sturdy and stretchable recovery strap. The strap works by attaching the strap to your vehicle and the motorist’s vehicle.

As you drive away from the motorist, the recovery strap stretches just like a rubber band. It then pulls the vehicle from the stranded area. The straps are flat with sewn loops and no hooks. The recovery straps are safer than chains and are easier to use. Some recovery straps do come with hooks and that may be helpful to you.

You will also need to study towing points of vehicles. Know the towing points of your vehicle and different types of vehicles. If you don’t take the time to study towing points, you could damage the other motorist’s car and be held liable for the damage.

Step Two

After you have bought the necessary accessories and have outfitted your truck with a receiving hitch, you are ready to help people in need. Tell friends and family that you are willing to pull stranded motorists off the side of the road for a price. Call around to different towing services to price check their towing fees. Make certain your prices are lower. Word-of-mouth will cause you to obtain business. If you don’t want to wait until someone calls you, then drive around town in your vehicle and spot stranded motorists.

Step Three

When you arrive to the scene of a stranded motorist, remain calm and allow your cool manner to help calm the other driver. Come to an agreement about your price to pull out their car. Bring with you an already typed document, excusing you from being held liable for any damage which may incur from the towing. Have the driver sign the document before attaching the recovery strap. To protect yourself even further, come to an agreement that you will hook your vehicle and the driver of the other car will hook his vehicle. This way if damage does occur, you are not to blame.

People enjoy visiting the beach. Experiencing the sun, water, and full breeze captivates the interest of beach enthusiasts. However, most people will agree the most aggravating aspect of visiting the beach is losing valuables.

Some people would like to have access to a metal detector to find their lost possessions while others would like to comb the beach searching for treasures to sell. Metal detectors are handheld devices which can be used to find metal lost in the sand or has been washed ashore by the ocean onto the beaches. You could make money by offering metal detectors to beach enthusiasts for a reasonable charge.

Step One

You should first gather information about your local government laws and requirements, concerning a small business. Fill out any business license application as required by federal, state, and city laws.

Step Two

Comparison shop for metal detectors by visiting different hardware stores and researching store inserts. Determine how many units you will need. You may want to begin with one or two and see how your business grows before investing too much money into your business venture. Determine from other metal detecting businesses how much they have set their service fees and then set your prices for less.

You will also need to purchase headphones. It is important to offer headphones because it makes it easier to hear signals when the wind is blowing or the surf is up. Another reason for offering headphones is so your equipment doesn’t interrupt beachgoers who are relaxing. The constant beeping could be annoying.

Step Three

Determine which beach you want to set up for your business.  Look for a beach that is frequently visited or one that was used a lot in the past. At first, you may want to set up your shop in the back of a pickup bed until your business grows.

Step Four

Paint some large signs to post near your store displaying your services and prices. You will want to list a rate by the hour for people to use your metal detectors. Then list charges for offering your headphones.

Step Five

Once you have all of your business set-up finished, create business cards and maybe even a free blog, listing hours of operation and charges. You can also visit marinas and ask for manager referrals. Also, ask if you can leave your business cards for them to hand out to customers.

Conclusion

If you enjoy treasure hunting and love going to the beach, you can combine your passions to earn extra money. You can rent metal detectors and headphones at the beach. Begin small by purchasing only a couple of detectors. This way your business can begin with little investment. Consider running your business out of the back of a truck bed, so you will have no overhead. Renting metal detectors is a great way to earn money.

We live in a moment of time when security and peace of mind are not only essential but they have become a commodity. Parents want to raise their children in a neighborhood which is safe from pedophiles, thieves, and vandals. Parents want their children to be able to ride their bicycles around the neighborhood without fear of strangers. Parents want to lay their heads on their pillows at night without the worry someone will break into their homes or vehicles. For a reasonable price, you can be the solution to their problems by becoming a neighborhood security guard.

Step One

Before beginning this business venture make certain you possess a high school diploma or a GED. Even though a formal education is not required for this position, having a diploma or its equivalent will help you in acquiring clients who actually prefer to have someone who has an education.

Step Two

If you do not already have some experience as a police officer or soldier then you should enroll in a training program. Many community colleges or vocational schools offer security guard programs or even a police academy program. This type of program will help you in learning the basics of providing security for others.

Step Three

Check with your local government and with your state about the requirements to become a security guard. Most all states require that you become licensed. To receive your license you will need to pass a performance and written exam. Some states require you pass a criminal background check and a drug test.

You will need to buy liability insurance for your business. People want assurance the security guards they hire to protect their home and land are backed by a large insurance policy to protect them in case of property loss or bodily injury sustained from an accident or incident.

Step Four

Consider what type of guard you want to be. Will you carry any type of weapons? Most security guards who are armed make more money for the additional responsibility of becoming trained to handle firearms. If you want to be an armed security guard, then you need to enroll in a training course for weapons. Make certain you carry a valid license and permit to carry the gun.

Step Five

Decide on what type of services you want to offer. Some of the services could be: neighborhood security, mobile security, video surveillance, special event security, and security consultation. You can offer nightly security for each house at $19.95 a month.

Step Six

You will need references to get started in this business. Consider doing pro-bono work for friends, relatives, or organizations to obtain the reference you require. You will need to create professional-looking business cards to pass to potential customers. Consider making flyers to hang around town or place an advertisement in your local newspaper.

In actuality, the pet sitting industry has grown tremendously over the years… so much so the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which was founded in 1989 by just a few pet sitters, now supports thousands of members.

It is a business that can be performed in your own home, provided you have the space, or the home of your clients. Initially, you need to make the decision as to which animals you prefer to care for. You might choose to offer services strictly to dog and cat owners or branch out to care for fish, reptiles, exotics and even small farm animals.

You also need to choose what types of services you want to offer. They include (but are not limited to) basic pet care, dog walking, pet transportation, grooming and/or “pooper scooper” services.

Some pet sitters add to their income by offering house watching services in conjunction with pet sitting. A house with an “unlived in” look is highly prone to burglary. Performing tasks such as bringing in the mail and newspaper and turning on lights in the evening will help to reduce the possibility of a break-in.

Since you will be going into other people’s homes, it is a wise idea to get bonded. The process is both simple and inexpensive and will protect you in the event of a variety of unlikely scenarios such as accidental damage to client property or possessions.

There are several ways to advertise this type of business. One no-cost method is to post your service on Craigslist and bulletin boards in brick-and-mortar establishments. You can also get permission to leave business cards in locations like pet stores or veterinary offices.

A pet sitting business is the perfect choice to start on a part-time basis. It is entirely possible to generate income working just a few hours each week.

Qualifications

Most programs vary in the qualities they want. There are some standards which are general for all women. Egg donors should be between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five. Younger women will have greater chances of receiving a contract because older women don’t respond as well to fertility drugs. Also, older women’s eggs may be abnormal resulting in birth defects of the baby. Some programs want only egg donors who have already given birth or have successfully donated eggs in the past. The reason behind this preference is the facility believes women who have already had a baby or have donated are more likely to be fertile then women less experienced.

Procedure

Once a woman has been accepted by the program to become an egg donor, several exams will need to be run by a doctor. These tests include a physical and gynecological exam, a medical and family history, blood and urine tests, and psychological evaluation. A woman’s rights are discussed with her at this point.

To begin the actual harvest, the egg donor will need to inject a series of fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce many eggs at one time. While using the drugs, there will be several medical tests and numerous doctor nurse salary visits. When the time is right, the egg harvest will be performed using a surgical procedure.

Repeat

Many programs will not allow women to donate her eggs repeatedly. Doctors are not certain how repeating an egg harvest might affect a woman’s health. Ethical reasons also exists. If many eggs from one donor result in successful births, those children will be genetic half-siblings. If these children mature and meet later in life and are unaware of their relationship, their children could be born with potential health problems.