[Saving in So Cal]

My parents are notaries and make extra-income as real estate loan signing agents. Basically, they go to the borrowers' homes to get the borrowers' signatures on loan papers. (They do not sell, recommend, or comment on the loans. They just notarize the signatures.)

The business wasn't too expensive for them to get into and the necessary classes/testing (two one-day sessions) are offered quarterly by the local colleges. They put their availability into a national notary database and the lenders call them for jobs. The pay is $50 to $125 a job depending on where it is and whether they have to print the loan papers. They are averaging about 3-4 signings a week. Most jobs are at night or on weekends.

They are retired and they like having the extra income without committing themselves to a regular job. (They like to travel.) A lot of the jobs come up at the last minute, so it might not work for you unless you have child care at the ready.