10 Smart Money-Making Ideas for 2012 and Beyond
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10 Smart Money-Making Ideas for 2012 and beyond
Despite the poor state of the economy, some people will make lots of money in 2012. You need to remember that not everyone these days is impecunious. What can you sell to people who still have money to spend? What service or product can you provide for them? Although some traditional money-making ideas may not pay off well in 2012, here are a few time-proven, affordable, and practical ideas that may prove to be exceptions:
1. Start and operate a useful club. The goal is to come up with a unique idea that provides benefits people would be willing to tap into. Possibilities include a food/personal products co-op, a self-defense/personal safety coalition, a board game competition club, a travel-for-less-as-groups association, etc. Clubs allow people to meet new friends, get products and services at lower prices, travel less expensively, and enjoy special privileges available only to the members. The club makes money by charging annual membership fees, selling its exclusive products & services, getting the support of corporate sponsors and from fees paid for special events, competitions, and activities.
2. Become a “picker.” Thanks in part to the now-popular TV show “American Pickers,” more people are considering this always-interesting, open-to-anyone profession. Ironically, used-stuff businesses fare better during harsh economic times. For buyers, it means saving money on things they might not otherwise be able to afford; for sellers, it means a steady source of products, customers, and, if done right, profits. The trick is to sell for more than what you pay.
Start and operate a useful club
3. Hunt for precious stones and gems. There are quarries and mines throughout the country where you reside (as well as caves, underwater caverns, and abandoned sites) where you can look for valuables. You pay a fee for the privilege of digging but usually get to keep anything you find. This idea requires that you educate yourself on the different stones and gems that may be found, keeping in mind that they generally look different when first unearthed than they do in jewelry store shelves.
4. House-sit for empty property. Buildings, condos and houses for sale (or for rent) may have to stay unoccupied for long periods of time. While unoccupied, empty property can easily become subject to arson, vandalism, illegal occupation, and burglary. More prevalent during bad economic times, burglars break into empty property to steal built-in appliances, electric fixtures, wiring, pipes, water heaters, paneling, flooring, central heating/air conditioning units, etc. You can help prevent this by moving into such property either rent-free (saving you money) or for a flat, agree-upon fee. Considering how bad the real estate market is, the rent-free option is probably the most realistic.
5. Become a blogger. Even people who never thought of themselves as “writers” have been making good money by blogging on the Internet. By writing short, informative, and entertaining articles/blogs for websites, electronic newsletters, landing pages, and the e-versions of established hardcopy publications, you can provide a much-needed, in-demand service.
Very creative and funny idea
6. Invent or create something new. Do you have an idea for a new type of food, a new recipe suitable for mass production? Maybe you or someone you know has an original recipe for a delicious cookie, pastry, pie, cake, sandwich, etc. Or maybe you can improve a product that is already out there. Apply for a patent for your idea, if you can afford the fees; otherwise, there are companies that will help inventors make their dream come true for a percentage of the profits.
7. Help people clean up, re-arrange, and get rid of old items in garages, basements, and attics. During hard economic times, people often want to get rid of extra “baggage.” Such emptied places may then be turned into rooms people can rent for storage or even to live in. You can also offer to run a yard sale on behalf of the client, either at their place or yours—the proceeds can either be shared or be counted toward the fee to be paid to you for the work you did. If you have handyman skills, you can also offer to fix, renovate, or upgrade the places you just cleaned up.
8. Run errands on an as-needed basis. Most people would love to have a personal assistant who can run errands (pick up clothes from the drycleaners, grocery shop, take children to sporting events, drop off packages, type up important letters, make calls, drop you off at the airport, answer your emails, be your personal answering service, etc.) for them, if they could afford it. You can make it affordable for them by charging one flat, per-hour fee, in addition to reasonable mileage fees if driving is involved. You can be available on a 24/7 basis (even though they only pay you for the time they use you), for a low fee being their chauffeur, secretary, answering service, shopper, researcher, delivery person, etc.
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9. Get a good digital camera and put it to use. There are many Internet sites, publications, and individuals who are willing to pay good money for unique, special topic, well-taken, clear, and attractive photos. Ask professional paparazzi, if you have any doubts. A picture taken of celebrities (especially if they are where they are not expected), for example, can be worth a small fortune. Fortunately, though, other subjects/topics can also be profitable, especially if you can capture something rarely seen, amazing, useful to someone, or particularly beautiful to behold. The idea is to keep your camera with you at all times. Learn how to master it. Also, familiarize yourself with businesses/sites that buy photographs, paying close attention to their standards, photo-taking guidelines, and submission requirements.
10. Get a metal detector & go treasure hunting. This is perhaps one of the best all-time money-making opportunities. You will need to learn how to use your equipment well and with ease (which may require several months of on-the-job use); you will have to learn about and abide by laws governing this activity (making sure to always ask permission from property owners before digging on their premises); and you will have to invest lots of energy and time. The good news, though, is that there are metal detector models to fit every budget, there are always more things to find buried all around us, and there will always be land that no one has searched for buried treasure. Some of the things you can find include lost jewelry, old coins, Civil War relics, Native American paraphernalia, buried buttons and bullets from previous centuries, and hundreds of other now-valuable items.
Ten smart ideas that you can realistically put to good use, provided that you are willing to put in the necessary hard word, learning, and commitment needed!
Whatever you do, May 2012 be the year of success, happiness and prosperity for everyone!
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Good tips, maybe you could do a hub on each one of these topics in more detail such as what sites buy photos or where you can dig for gems. I enjoyed it very much.
Some great ideas there you have.
Nicely written article
Regards Dale
Great ideas... I really like the idea of the different types of clubs. About a year ago, in the area where my son lives, someone started a poker something (don't know the name) they travel to different parts of the city every night of the week and people come in droves, I understand. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Voted up and useful.
very useful and well thought out ideas thanks
This hub contained lots of interesting ideas, that many different people can put to use. Great job!
These are some great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Now for the motivation to get started.
These are great ideas, with many that are new to me. I especially like formulating a club. Voting this Up and Useful. Thanks for SHARING.
Thanks for taking your time and sharing these great ideas. I would start a recipe club as I enjoy to cook and invent new Brazilian recipes. I most times try to find new trending ideas, this is a general point, always to think outside of the box! Up and Interesting.
Great choices! I've been freelance writing for blogs and websites for nearly two years now, so I can personally attest that the blogging idea works. Thanks for SHARING
Thanks for the ideas, it's very inspiring. Thanks for SHARING.
You must have really had the creative juices flowing to come up with these 10 unique money-making ideas. Thanks for sharing them; now you have my creative juices flowing.
Voted up and SHARED.
hey... great ideas you got there.. i thouroughly enjoyed this hub. I'm voting up and SHARING =)
Very well written hub with great information. We are seeing food co-ops springing up where we live and they are doing very well.
These are some very unique and interesting ways to make some money!
Well done..
Awesome article! I think you are very right in being creative this year when it comes to making money. Thanks for the great tips!.
What a great idea you got here! I will go for the club idea. Very useful.Voted up!
Great ideas! I like #6: invent or create something new. I have about 30 ideas, but I do not know anyone I can trust. Thanks. Voted up, useful, and interesting.
Great ideas. Thank you for sharing. I've noticed a lot more people blogging for cash then ever before. I'm not quite sure if that's a bad thing or a good thing. As for you're other ideas, you provide information on some really interesting ways to make money.
Nice ideas. Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks for the useful information! A few of these methods I hadn't considered and will research further.
Checkout Lending Club (lendingclub.com). Investing in notes here can earn you some pretty good truly passive incomes. Adjust the notes that you buy according to your risk tolerance.
nice ideas... i like the passive income ideas you have.
Loved the list of ideas some that are practical for most people and enough out there ones to push you too thinking maybe I could do that one. Great hub!
What I like the most is your tips # 5 and 9. I always want to be an expert photographer. :) and the same time get some passive income from those what I love.
yes these are good ideas but success lies in implimenting keeping to work... lets have more ideas.
interesting hub. I like those ideas you shared with us :)
I have digital camera that wasn't use for any commercial gain. I now have to change that. Thanks for giving me that idea.
Excellent hub with great ideas to make some extra cash or a lot of cash. Thank you for sharing them with us. Have a wonderful day!
awesome hub. Thinking outside the box!
Terrific Hub! I would love to get into photography. Camera's are quite expensive! Maybe I'll start a photography club instead. haha. Thanks!
Interesting Tips! Thanks for sharing!
I am amazed at how much money there is to be made from being a "picker". It looks like fun but you really have to know what you are doing to make a living at it!
These are all great ideas! I especially loved the mining, picking, and the metal detector racquets. I have always wanted to purchase a detector and try my luck, but haven't found the room in my budget for one. As for the picking, I love it! Can't stop watching storage wars, and would love to find myself in a similar business. Amazing Hub, thank you very much.
gud one! thnkx for sharing
Good tips, blogging is def. the way to go :D
Great ideas here. I have done some freelance writing and did make a little money with that. I like the photography idea a lot. Always enjoyed taking pictures. Thanks for sharing these useful ideas! :)
Very interesting ideas. The photography idea is the one I have been doing. Thanks for the hub
Few were impracticable but 3 were highly attractive like opening a club, photography and Blogging. Thanks for encouraging me Jangaplanet!!!
I love when I get at least one new idea. You have expanded my "to do" list exponentially.
So many busy people wish for someone to pick up the slack and/or run errands because they simply do not have the time. These are great ideas and very timely. Voted up.
great stuff.Opportunities are always there the challenge is to find them
Hi.. very informative and interesting hub.
I never thought about making a profit by starting a club. That is a clever and fun idea. Thanks!
These are great tips! Some of them I've never considered until after you brought them up here! I might have to take some of them up as "hobbies."
Good Hub!
Never thought of operating a club for profit. I'm going to have to do some more research on that one. Great idea about the errand service but don;t know if I'd want to be availble for 245/7 that could get pretty intrusive depending on the client.
Great information, thanks for sharing.
Interesting tips on how to make money. Now if only I lived by a beach where I could hunt for coins with my metal detector haha. The photo tip could be worth pursuing though...
Thanks for sharing these great tips :) Voted up and useful!
Interesting hub, thanks for sharing your ideas!
Very useful ideas, thanks for sharing voted up and useful I think I'll share it on Pinterest
Thanks, Janga
I had actually thought about the personal assistant angle but hadn't thought to market it under that "role". Somehow "errand runner" didn't sound as effective or attention getting. Thanks for the idea. I like some of the other ideas as well and also the idea of you writing hubs on each of these ideas sounds great. Voted up and interesting!
Lisa
This is both informative and funny! *Like*
very informative...............thanx for sharing such tips and expects more such hubs from you in future....
Pretty useful hub. I guess my preference would be blogging ;)
Yep, dying to put my new camera to use - -good ideas here!
You have some creative ideas! I like the hunt for precious gems idea. I am always out hiking and will have to start looking closer at the rocks. Maybe I will find something!
Awesome article about some fun ways to make money. Blogging is ofcourse at the top of the list, for me.
Fantastic tips here Jangaplanet. I'm actually interested in Tip#5 :)
Definitely some cool ideas presented here for how to make some extra cash. Your ideas are very creative and you can tell that you were definitely thinking outside the box, which is quite refreshing. I voted up!
You have some interesting and good ideas. I hope they work for you and I just might try one or two myself :) Great hub!
Great Article with great ideas! I am a freelance and earning handsome amount from freelancing.
Some great ideas here!
Thanks!
Cool ideas :) thanks for the tips :)
I agree very good ideas - That's thinking outside the box! Voted up and everything.
Great tip, will use!
Nice hub. Good tips here. Will definitely try some of these out this year.
Love to learn new things thanks it was use info...
Lot's of great ideas here, thanks!
Really inspirational. I'll have to find some good ways of making money. I doubt I'll get rich solely by writing Hubs!
LOVE this hub, especially the one about metal detectors! I really would like to try that! My daughter is employed by a person who buys all that stuff!
Thank you so much for your great suggestions! Blessings, Sparklea :)
Voted up! and and Pinned @Pinterest. Well done!!
Hi,
Something new, really! Rated up!
These are fantastic tips! I definitely will be using some of these to save/ gain money!
Great tips on saving money in 2012! It's a very delightful article as well.
well written and useful article
Number four is great. I work for a real estate investor, he has many houses he rents out. Sometimes a house becomes empty, and thus becomes a concern. Empty houses are targets for theft, mostly of the copper pipes out of the walls. He pays someone to house sit the empty house until it is rented because it is cheaper to pay someone to watch the house, turn lights on and off and make it look lived in, than to repair damage.
To make money you could try calling the owners of any vacant houses in your area and striking up a deal to keep an eye on it until it is rented, for a fee of course.
Wonderful ideas. voted up
Loved this! Thanks for giving me more ideas on how I can make money from home! Voted up. Take care, Kelley
I think your choice number 2 is not for the faint of heart. I don't think someone can just become a picker that will actually make a profit without years of experience. Being a picker and making money at it is different then having a hobby or collection of things.
Interesting ideas! Some of them are really great to make money in 2012.
Good number of ideas. I will try to pick one. Thanks for sharing.
Great hub you got there! I have learned a lot.. Thank you!
Nice sentiment, good trashie topic, well written and fun to read. Gotta follow your lead. Voted up Cheers F.
Thanks for the ideas - some really different and creative ways to make money. I am already blogging and thinking about housesitting in future too.
I love blogging and interested to make more and more money through it.
I am now seeing myself a rich man just from your teachings. I want right from the word go to start investing. Thanks! Keep writing and I voted up!
very informative and interesting hub!.
Great tips but I rather try photography. It is fun and I enjoy taking photos.
Wow! this is huge list of ideas on how to make money online. Truly this is a great help especially nowadays,money is all we need. Thanks for posting your ideas in here Jangaplanet!
Great hub! I would think that world is filled with pickers not that the show airs on the history channel. I know people that have been picking for years. I remember one of my friends' parents would go into the "rich" or upper class neighborhoods on trash day. She would get all of the old furniture and toys and repair them. She would then turn around and sell them in her flea market shop.
Great ideas, I like that. Thanks for sharing :)
Great hub! Hey, if you combined 2 and 7 a person could have a gold mind there. Help someone clean and rearrange some house space that's service number 1 Then when your done just initiate service 2 by saying, "Hey, I was cleaning out the garage and noticed you had [insert antique item here]. Would you want to sell it?" :}
These ideas are wonderful. Thanks for the ideas about photography. Great hub!
James, I agree. I have an associate that made a business cleanin and sorting the homes of horders. Theninxe a month he will the take some of the unwanted items and host a yard sale. They split the profits with th hoarders.
Hi,
Some of the ideas very good and some are funny. Thanks for a great hub!
Rated up and funny!
Nice hub. People can also save money by walking more and or using mass transit instead of paying $4-5 per gallon of gasoline. Thanks!
Hey, some great ideas and very interesting to read. However, as a medic, I see something medical that would be in high demand in few years time, which is treating 'social media addiction'. I am sure there would be thousands who would seek such help in the future :) voted up!
nice info dear thanks its amazing keep hubing
Very interesting and informative hub. I like the 5th one.
It is easy and can be done at my convenience.
Thanks for sharing the tips.
Wonderful ideas! I never knew about that house-sitting deal. That's a neat way to earn extra money. Or save money.
Thank you, Great ideas! Especially the one about moving into the houses!
I think blogging is something most hubbers can do since they have the ability to sit and write in front of a computer and finish a thought or two.
Interesting ideas! I think starting a club is a very good idea because similar people get together.
These are fun ideas! My husband is an "inventor" in that he's always thinking up new ideas and new ways to do things. One of these days, he's gonna make us rich! haha. :0)
I loved each and every idea. I think that if everyone put at least two of these to use, poverty levels would go way down.
Great ideas indeed, nothing else to do but to vote up and wish you luck! :)
Great Ideas.Thanx
Really useful ideas, with the actual economical crisis we have to be opened to save and earn as much as possible.
Thank you!
Woah .. Talk about a timely topic ... Great ideas ... Thanks !!
These are some great ideas that you don't typically come up with when thinking of different ways to make money, especially housesitting empty homes! I enjoyed reading your hub, jangaplanet!
Thank you for writing this hub- great idea, and well written!





















































































































Taniatravels 4 months ago
Very informative hub! These are great ideas! Starting you own recipe club sounds like my kind of thing! Great hub, The ideas outlined here are not only interesting ways to earn money but fun as well! Thanks for sharing!