Advice on making extra money...tips for the unemployed

This week was a very good week for me in making some extra money. I have a semi-permanent part time bookkeeping/personal assistant job for a contractor, but I only work random hours that average to about 15-25 hours a week, depending on the week. He, like everyone else, is struggling and I don't always get paid on time and it certainly doesn't pay enough to live on. This week was busy and I worked 25 hours.

I am of course always looking for a permanent full time position, but like way too many people its been tough. I lost my job of eleven years about 3 years ago and since have sent out at least 750 resumes. A week ago I even dummied down my resume thinking that's something I haven't tried. I have a Masters Degree and formally worked as the Executive Director and Curator of a historic museum and not-for-profit. Those jobs are hard to come by and fundraising is difficult as hell now. My job ending trauma really burnt me out on working for a board of directors and I think the only one I want to fundraise for now is myself. I'm trying to find something with a larger more stable company.

Last week I realized that I really need to be creative or I am going to end up homeless. I've been taking every opportunity to let people I meet know I'm looking for extra work and what my skills are. It resulted in my sister connecting me with a guy that needed his resume written and I shared a job putting together a 6,500 envelope mailing (hand collating and envelope stuffing). All this made me an extra $350, almost doubling what I've usually been making each week.

I also mentioned to the concrete guy that fixed my sidewalk that I do bookkeeping and he referred me to an electrician that he knows. I haven't hear from him yet, but its supposed to happen next week. Saturday before I went envelope stuffing I photographed and measured some furniture that I'm going to put on Craig's list for a family friend. If it sells I will get a commission. She's not good on the computer.

So my point of this all is be creative and don't be to proud to tell people you need to make money and what you are good at. I had a professor in grad school that told me once Sometimes you have to create your own job position.  I always think about that.

Keep at at it, but be prepared to sacrifice your time. I just worked 7 straight days, my house is a mess, my dogs are pissed and I'm totally exhausted. Tomorrow is Monday and a new week of working begins, but at least I can pay a few of more bills.