Work More? Try Save More First

As belts tighten and budgets shrink, we are forced to make difficult decisions. For most of us, that includes looking at how much money we are making and what we are doing with what we have. Many of us have the flexibility to pursue additional income by taking on more clients, working overtime or freelancing in the evenings and on weekends. But at what price?

When my wife and I discuss meeting our obligations in times of uncertain income, my primal instincts as family provider are to do whatever it takes to make more money. I tell her about potential new clients, more networking opportunities and new organizations I want to join to extend my outreach efforts. I tell her that although I will be gone more, it is necessary to make up for making a little less than we are used to.

She responds in a manner consistent with her primal instincts as the smart one. “What if instead of concentrating on making more money, we concentrate on spending less?” she asks.

Hmmm. Sounds crazy, but it just might work. Her point was not that I shouldn’t work hard, but that maybe there were other ways to keep everything afloat that would not take time away from my family. Since that conversation, we have made changes and have been reminded that being a good steward of what we have makes sense no matter the economic climate, both at home and at work. What if instead of using everything we make, we use only what we really need and use the rest for doing good stuff – like giving to worthy causes or helping a neighbor. And even if we do use everything we make but can avoid having to work more to make ends meet – that also is a step in the right direction.

In addition to saving money (BTW – check out the coupon blogs on the list over there → if you want to get really serious about it), you often can find money hidden in your house. In fact, there is a new business in town that makes it pretty darn simple to do just that.

Cash From Your Closet, the brainchild of a smart and motivated pastor’s wife and mother of four, offers busy people an opportunity to sell their stylish but dust-collecting designer clothes without ever leaving their home. Simply e-mail her with what you have, she fires back an online quote and if you like it, she will pick up the items and hand you money at your convenience.

I am not sure how making money could be much easier than that.

She is looking for designer clothing (Coach, Dooney and Bourke, Louis Vuitton, Brighton, Prada, Gucci, etc.) as well as children’s toys and clothing (American Girl, Gymboree, Chez Ami, Plantation Shop, Amanda Remembered etc.) and even stuff like sunglasses, handbags, perfumes, toys, baby gear, jeans, coats, old toys and fun costumes. For more information, visit http://www.cashfromyourcloset.com/ or email owner Susan Gilbert at georgiagilbert2@aim.com.

As I have said before, all challenges present opportunities for those able to recognize them. Sometimes, that means filling a new business niche, and other times it just means making positive changes in your life you might not ordinarily be motivated to make.