How to Raise Extra Cash After a Job Layoff

Did you just get laid off from your job?  If so, you are likely to receive a severance package and unemployment benefits.  Unfortunately, they do not last forever and rarely come close to what you were making before.  For that reason, you may stress about your current financial situation.  You may want raise extra cash and quick.  Luckily, you have many options.

So, how can you raise extra money after being laid off from your job?

Host a yard sale.  We all have items inside our homes that we no longer want, need, or use.  Just glance around your living room and you could likely find at least 5 things to sell, like an extra chair, an unused picture frame, and old movies.  These items are doing nothing but collecting dust.  Why not try to sell them and raise a few extra dollars.  In the summer months, host a yard sale.  Advertise your yard sale online and in local newspapers.  Price your items fairly and watch them sell.  It all depends on your prices and what you have available to sell, but you could easily raise an extra $100 or $200 by holding a yard sale.

Sell on eBay.  As previously stated, a yard sale is a great way to raise extra money after being laid off from work.  Unfortunately, yard sales aren’t for everyone.  You may need money now, in the middle of winter, or you may live in an apartment complex that prohibits yard sales.  A good alternative is to sell on eBay.  If you aren’t already a website member, create a free account.  You are charged seller fees, but if you have quality items to sell, you should make money.  Take pictures of your items and follow their step-by-step guide for creating a listing.  Most eBay auctions last 7 days.  If your items sell, you will get your money fairly quickly.

Sell on Craigslist.  Have you heard of Craigslist.org?  If not, visit the website and look around.  It is a free online classified website.  Although it does not reach as many people as eBay, it is free and you deal with local buyers.  There is no worrying about shipping a product or paying the extra costs if you charged too little.  Find your closest local city and list what you have available for sale.  Set a fair selling price, including pictures, and write a detailed description.  Interested local buyers can contact you by phone, email, or the website.

Collect your spare change.  In the past, you may never given pennies, nickels, or even dimes another thought.  After all, they are more of a pain that anything else.  But now?  They can help you raise extra cash.  If you have a change jar, you are already off to a good start.  If not, start looking around your home and in your car.   You may be surprised where you find coins lying around.  Fill a jar and take it to the bank.  Avoid the coin counting machines at grocery stores, as they usually charge you a fee.  Your bank should take your coins for free.  From now on, save any additional change you have or find.

Collect bottles and cans around your house or the neighborhood if your state pays for returns.  As with spare change, you may have never given soda bottles and cans a thought before.  If you live in a state that charges you a bottle deposit at purchase time and if you drink soda, start saving them.  As for around your neighborhood, you don’t have to go all out with a garbage bag, just pickup any cans or bottles you may find lying around.  The .5 cents you get back for each return can easily add up.

Collect on money owed to you.  Did you lend a friend or relative $500 when you were in better financial standing?  Have they yet to repay you?  Politely ask for the money now.  It is important to be polite because the economy and job layoffs have not just impacted you, but all Americans.  Explain your financial situation and the fact that you could really use the money, but don’t outright demand it.  Be calm, polite, and even willing to expect small installments.

Finally, cut your expenses.  One of the easiest ways to raise extra cash is to reduce the money spent.  Do you really need the largest cable package with over 20 movie channels?  No, so opt for a cheaper package instead.  Limit your impulse purchases.  Only go to the grocery store once or twice a month, instead of each week.  Use coupons to reduce your grocery bill, and so forth.  You don’t have to go without, just try to reduce the money spent.

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