"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing


Join Now or Login

part-time job

Preparing for McDonald’s Monopoly 2014

By 3 Comments

McDonald's Monopoly 2014

I received an interesting e-mail from a reader who wanted to know what was the best way to prepare for McDonald’s Monopoly 2014. While many people simply play this game for fun and entertainment, there are a number of people who take the game quite seriously as a way to earn some extra money during the year. It’s possible for someone to earn several hundred dollars on this game, if they know what they’re doing and decide to try to make money instead of try to win the contest. The e-mail that I received wanted to know what was the best way to prepare for McDonald’s Monopoly in 2014. This is what the e-mail said:

“I’m looking for the best way to earn money with the next McDonald’s Monopoly game that comes out. I see that you have written about this contest in the past, and I was wondering if you had any advice on what would be the best way to prepare for the contest so that I can make the most money when it does arrive. I’m looking to use the contest as a way to supplement my income at college, and I want to do everything that I can to make sure that I’m successful when the contest comes about. Any advice you might be able to give me would be greatly appreciated.”

Here are a few steps you can take to better your chances of making money when McDonald’s Monopoly 2014 launches.

Get a Job with McDonald’s

This might be going overboard a bit, and could be difficult to time since the Monopoly game isn’t set for a certain time of the year. It launched in July in 2013, but it had been held in October and November in previous years. That being said, if you want to have access to game pieces, working at McDonald’s would be one of the best ways to accomplish this. You likely won’t be able to take them directly from the packaging (most stores inventory the packaging quite tightly for these games), but you’ll have first access at all the game pieces thrown away by customers.

Make Friends with Those Who Work at McDonald’s

Another way to get early access to game pieces is to have friends who work at McDonald’s. If they aren’t collecting game pieces for themselves, they can save you the pieces customers throw away. The best scenario would be to have friends at different McDonald’s locations across the city or town where you live. This will allow you to have friends collecting the pieces from several different stores, instead of from a single location. This has the potential to get you quite a few game pieces in a short period of time.

Recruit a Team to Help You

Another way to acquire game pieces is to have a team who helps you collect them. By finding a number of people who are willing to help you well before the game begins, you’ll be ready to collect as many game pieces as possible from day one. If you wait until the game begins, it can take several days to organize a team, and waste valuable time collecting game pieces when they’re most in demand.

Come up with a Strategy

Take the time to come up with a strategy for all aspects of the game. You need to figure out ways to collect as many pieces as possible, and how you plan to sell them to make money. By creating a strategy well in advance of the game beginning, you can be ready to put it into action the day that the game begins. The sooner that you’re able to do this, the better chance you have of making money on the game.

Start Quickly

The best time to make money with McDonald’s Monopoly is the first week or two of the game. This is because people haven’t had the chance to collect many game pieces themselves, and many of them decide to buy ones to fill in their board. It’s important to realize that a lot of people don’t understand how odds work. There are many who collect game pieces trying to get any peace that they don’t have regardless of whether it’s a common piece or a rare piece. In the beginning, even common pieces can generate quite a bit of money because there are so many people who are trying to get them for their board. By knowing that people who play the game don’t always logically look at the value of the pieces, there’s an opportunity to make money if you can start selling them early enough.

Commit to Making Money at the Game

It’s important to commit if you plan to make money on the game. There are enough people who do this these days that if you aren’t committed to getting yourself organized to begin selling as soon as possible, there’s a good chance that it won’t work out for you. By creating a strategy, putting it into action as soon as the game begins, and committing to put the time and effort into selling the game pieces, you should be able to come away from the 2014 Monopoly game with a little extra money in your pocket.

(Photo courtesy of Miguel Vaca)

Become a Movie Extra: Strange Ways to Make Money

By 1 Comment

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of being in a movie but you took a boring day job instead. Maybe you just want to make a little extra money while getting to see the inside workings of movies and TV. If this is you, you might want to become an extra.

Extras are in almost every production. They are all of the people you see in the background of a movie or TV show. They make up the crowds and other people who fill up a realistic looking set. They’re walking on the street while the main characters fight the villains. They’re the other people riding the subway while the main characters are having a meaningful conversation. They’re the other diners in a restaurant scene. Extras are seen but never heard.

You don’t have to have movie star good looks for this type of work. Attractiveness doesn’t hurt, but since most extras are supposed to represent the diversity of a crowd, not everyone in the crowd is going to be drop dead gorgeous. You also don’t have to be a trained actor, but you do have to be able to take direction and do what you’re told. A basic knowledge of film terminology can’t hurt, but it’s not necessary.

Pay varies widely, depending on whether the film must abide by union agreements or if the production is free to pay its own rate. Generally you can expect hourly rates in the $7 – $9 range with daily rates ranging from $50 and up. It’s not a way to get rich, but if you can land on a recurring project like a TV series you can make more consistent money. However, even a production that’s filming in your area for two weeks can net you a nice side income if they need you every day. If you’re interested, here are a few things to help you along.

Never pay money: There are tons of scam artists out there offering to hook you up with an audition, listings of places that are hiring, or guaranteed work if you’ll only pay them a fee. Legitimate agencies and auditions don’t charge fees.

Find work: Some productions will advertise auditions in local media or on Craigslist if they are recruiting in your area. Others may set up walk-in auditions at the film site. Some may not even require an audition per se, they may just have people show up on set in the morning and place them accordingly. Most major metro areas have agencies that recruit extras. There are websites that list upcoming auditions (but remember, never pay a fee). If you want to look further afield or make a career out of being an extra, you should look in trade journals or join the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG).

Know what you’re responsible for when you show up on set: Do you have to bring your own clothes, or will wardrobe be handling that? Do you need to bring your own lunch/snacks? Can you bring electronics or bags, or is that a security risk? Are you allowed to bring a camera, or will it be confiscated? What time do you have to be on set and how long can you expect to stay? Know as much in advance about what you can and cannot bring and do so that you are prepared.

Don’t make a nuisance of yourself: This film is not about you. Your job is to be seen and not heard. Do only what you’re told to do. Don’t embellish or try to get more screen time. This behavior will not help you “break in.” It will only annoy the director and ensure that he or she never hires you again. Stay out of the way of the “real” actors and don’t try to get autographs or photos. If the actors offer, fine, but don’t be pesky. Don’t get in the way of the cameramen, electricians, or stunt performers, either. You don’t want to be responsible for broken equipment or causing an injury.

Be aware of the legal side of things: Many productions will make you sign a confidentiality agreement, as well as waivers against injuries or accidents. Make sure you read anything you have to sign and that you are okay with it.

Being an extra isn’t terribly hard work and it’s pretty fun if you’re into movies. It is tiring, though, and it’s a lot of work for very little screen time. However, if you’re looking to get your foot in the door as an actor or if you just want to see how a film is made, it can be your best way in. If nothing else, one day you can show your kids that you were in a movie.

Take a Job For The Discount and Other Perks: Strange Ways to Make and Save Money

By 4 Comments

If you spend a ton of money at one store, you might want to think about taking a job at that store and using the employee discount to offset your spending. I have a friend who did this when he was remodeling his house. He took a job at a local home improvement store and was able to get his materials at forty percent off. Even though he spent most of his wages at the store, the job allowed him to renovate his home without taking out any loans or raiding his savings account.

Another woman I know makes money in her spare time with her crafting and sewing projects. She decided to take a part time job at a craft store so she could get her materials at a discount. This improved the profit margin of her craft venture since she was no longer paying full price for the materials. Any money left over from her job is plowed into her business in other ways.

In addition to the discount, a job at your favorite retailer or working with people who share your interests may reduce your other expenses. For example, the friend who was renovating his home met several skilled people at the home improvement place who were willing to provide some labor for him for free or at reduced rates because he was a friend. The crafty woman met several people who taught her new techniques and gave her ideas for expanding her business.

Even a job at a less specialized retailer can help you save money. Working at Wal-Mart or Target, for example, can save you money on everything from groceries to electronics. Restaurants not only provide discounts, many provide free meals if you’re on shift and some will let employees take home the leftover food or produce that can’t be saved at the end of the day. If you like what they serve, you can cut your grocery bill. If you have a family to feed and clothe, these savings can add up. Some stores, such as Disney, provide other perks like theme park tickets. If you’re planning a trip, that can save you a fortune.

Here are some things to consider if you want to take a job for the discount:

You’re most likely not going to make enough to live on: Taking a job for the discount works best if you have another source of income, say from a spouse, another job, or a business you run. Most part time retail (and many full time) jobs don’t pay enough to live on, even with the discount.

Consider what might eat up your savings: Is the commute long? Do you have to buy special clothes? Will you have to get childcare? A twenty percent discount on merchandise may not save you much if you’re driving an hour each way to get to the job or if you’re having to pay for daycare every day.

Are you disciplined? I know too many people who took retail jobs for the discount to help their families budgets and then proceeded to blow all of their wages and then some on stuff that they didn’t need. They loaded their houses with knick-knacks, Beanie Babies, and all sorts of things other than what they needed and took the job for in the first place. You have to be disciplined enough to buy what you need and can use and leave the rest.

Make sure the discount is enough: Some employers give as little as five percent. Others give as much as fifty percent. Five percent might not make the job worth it to you, but twenty might. If the discount is a make or break factor, know what you’ll get before you accept the job.

Think about what other benefits you might get: Will you meet people who share your interests? Can you further a business you own? Will you meet possible contacts? Can you find people who can help you with a project? Those things aren’t money, but they are perks that can save you money in unexpected ways.

Will you be paid enough to make it worthwhile? It’s rare that the discount will save you enough to make the job worthwhile on its own. Will you be paid enough otherwise to make it worth your time and sweat? If the pay isn’t enough, you have to ask yourself if the discount it really worth it.

Will you enjoy the work? If you’re not going to enjoy the work, don’t bother to take the job. You’ll likely end up quitting before you get to use any of your perks and that will leave a bad mark on your resume. There’s a big difference between shopping or eating somewhere and working there. Make sure you will enjoy the work.

Taking a job for the employee discount can save you some money. If it pays well, you may also make a little money, too, above what you plow back into the store. It’s hard work but if you find yourself spending all of your money at one retailer, you might want to consider just working there.

Work While You Travel: Strange Ways to Save Money

By 1 Comment

If you’ve ever wanted to travel extensively but aren’t sure how you could afford to be on the road for months at a time, work share arrangements might be the answer you’re looking for. When you work share, you receive either free or discounted lodgings or meals in exchange for your labor. The work you may be asked to perform can include landscaping, maintenance tasks, cleaning, receptionist work, or helping arrange/host special events or parties. If you have special skills such as photography, accounting, or design skills, you may be asked to help with the books, or design a new brochure for a bed and breakfast.

If work share arrangements don’t appeal to you, you can also find other work in many destinations. Temporary work, seasonal jobs like farm work or Christmas tree sales, and part time jobs are also alternatives. If you need to supplement your income while you’re on the road, here are some ideas:

Work camping: As a work camper you will usually receive your site rental for free and possibly a discount on any metered utilities. You may also get some meals for free if the campground hosts a special event. You may have to mow the grass, answer the phones, clean the bathrooms, or help maintain the facilities in exchange for your freebies. Some work camping arrangements can be short term (just a week) or long term (a whole season). Many campgrounds post openings on their web site, but it can’t hurt to call and ask campgrounds in your area if they need help.

Farm work/seasonal labor: In many areas of the country, the need for heavy labor is seasonal. During planting season and harvest time, farmers and ranchers often look for extra hands. Seasonal businesses like Christmas tree lots, pumpkin stands, corn mazes, and other attractions may also need short term help. If you are hired, you’ll probably have to find your own lodgings, although there are still some farmers who let the labor sleep in the barn or bunkhouse.

Work in the hotel/hostel: You may be able to find a temporary job in a hotel, hostel or B&B in exchange for a free or discounted room. You may help answer the phones, clean rooms, do laundry, clean up the property, or do maintenance. If you are skilled, you may be able to make some additional money helping with other aspects of the business.

Get a temporary job: Temp agencies are all over the country. When you sign up, you can specify the type of work you’re looking for, as well as your preferred work duration. You can take assignments that last for a week, a day, or a couple of months. You can often work full time or part time. The work is usually clerical, although some agencies contract out laborers or technicians, as well. When you get to a new town, look for the temp agencies and see if they have any work for you.

Take a part-time job:: Sometimes it’s hard to find part time work since many places don’t want to train you when you’re only going to be in the area for a couple of months. However, there are certain times of the year when this is easier. During the holidays, retail jobs are easier to come by. If the area your in has a busy tourist season or an upcoming big festival, this is also a good time to score a part time job. You can also take a part time job at the same chain in every city. Once you’ve worked for a Target, another Target is more likely to hire you since you will take little time to train. Pick a chain you like and go from city to city working for them.

Work for a mobile outfit: Some people take jobs with circuses and fairs just for the travel. True, you don’t get any say in which cities you visit, but it can be a decent way to get paid while you see some of the country. On your days off you can tour the city.

Work for the landlady: You may be able to find a private room for rent in some locations. If you help the landlord with maintenance tasks or yard work, you may get a discounted meal or room rate.

Working on the road is an adventure: You meet new people and you get to use your skills to pay for your travel. You might be able to see places you couldn’t otherwise go and you’ll likely get the local perspective on a place. On the other hand, the work is often not glamorous and you may not get much say in which tasks you are assigned. This can turn some people off of working while traveling. The good news is that a job only lasts as long as you are in a place. Then it’s on to the next town and the next job.

Versatility Equals More Income

By 2 Comments

People often want to know how they can make more money. Beyond the standard answers of sell your stuff, take a part time job, do online surveys, or other ideas, there is one way that a lot of people don’t consider: Become more versatile. While there are some professions that reward specialists with high pay (think medicine, law, and the sciences), most of us need multiple skills if we want to earn more money. We need to let go of the notion that one job or one skill will be enough to carry us.

This is particularly true for the self-employed. Self-employment income can be variable with periods of feast and famine. Wouldn’t it be nice, if during a slow period, you could pull out another skill and get more work? For example, let’s say a freelance writer makes a good income writing support manuals for computer software. She specializes in technical writing. But one day, the tech writing work is hard to come by. No one is hiring and our writer’s income is in the dumps. It
would be nice if she could also write grant proposals, magazine articles, or advertising copy. Those markets might still be hiring and she could be earning money while she waits for the tech market to pick up. Even better, what if she could not only write, but also design web sites or brochures? Her opportunities just increased some more.

This works in all fields. Some examples: I know a freelance computer network engineer who has also taken the time to learn about sophisticated phone systems, as well as electrical engineering. When it’s hard to find computer work, he can also look for work setting up these phone systems or designing electrical systems. He’s never without work. I know teachers that also tutor, and writers that teach at the community school level. I know an artist who both teaches and does commercial work when her personal artwork isn’t selling. I know a secretary in a medical practice who works nights as a medical transcriptionist. The mechanic at the local quickie lube teaches shop class at the high school and does freelance shop work.

You can become more versatile in two ways. The first is by doing the same work but in different fields. The writer profiled above is an example of this. Everything she does is writing based. Grant proposals, technical writing, articles, and advertising copy are all writing activities but the markets are different and, when the need for one is on the wane, chances are another type of writing is still hiring. The second way to become more versatile is to acquire more and different skills. You can still work within your primary subject area, but you do different things. This is the case of the artist who also teaches art classes, or the teacher who does private tutoring. They are both still working in their chosen field, but they are tapping different skills and markets. If you can combine these two approaches, for example becoming a writer who can write in many areas and also teach, you open up your opportunities even more.

Even if you aren’t self-employed, being versatile can make your employment more lucrative. The more skills you have and the more roles you can fill at your employer, the more money you can command. Being versatile will also make your job searches easier. You can look for work in more than one field or narrow job description. During times of recession, if you can tap many markets or search for more than one skill based job, you are better off than the person who can only look in one area.

Becoming versatile takes some time. You have to learn your extra skills and then build up experience in your chosen markets. You have to invest time in educating yourself and improving your skills. However, the effort will quickly pay for itself. If you have no income coming in from your primary endeavor, anything you bring in from another job will be welcome. Even if you’re making good money from your first job, additional money may allow you to reach your goals faster. Versatility is one of the best ways to boost and protect your income.

A Life Without Debt: Work Doesn’t Have To Be A Drag

By 12 Comments

My last “real job” where I worked full-time for someone else was a mess. There was sexual harassment, bullying, unfair hours and demands, and all sorts of other foolishness going on. I was young and hadn’t yet saved up a large emergency fund, so leaving wasn’t possible unless I had another job lined up. Not so easy in the recession of the early 90’s (much like today). To leave would have meant living on credit cards and, since job prospects were very low at the time, probably racking up debt that I’d still be paying for today. As miserable as I was, I wasn’t willing to do that, so I saved money like crazy and took a part time job so I could save up a big enough cushion to leave. I had to stay in that miserable place because I didn’t have any other choices. By the time I finally saved enough money to leave, I was depressed and hating life.

At least I didn’t have any debt. If I had, I would have had to stay much longer so I could keep on paying those bills. Debt would have slowed down my goal of buying my freedom. When I finally left, I knew then that I never wanted to be in that position again. I never wanted to be in a position where someone else had that kind of power over me simply because I didn’t have enough money to move on. I vowed that if I ever had to work for someone else again that I would be in the driver’s seat. I would be free to take or leave the job based on factors other than money.

Living debt free has made keeping that vow possible. Because I’m not mired in debt and have saved a large amount of money, I’m much freer to choose my own path. I haven’t worked full time for someone else since that mess. I’ve taken many part-time and temporary jobs to explore new fields, learn new skills, and to supplement my freelance income. While none have been as bad as my last full time job, there have been some losers in the bunch. I’ve been free to walk away because I don’t have to have the money. I’ve also been free to take some great, fun, but low paying jobs because I don’t have to have a large salary to pay off lots of debt. I’ve been free to develop my freelance business to the point where it provides all the money I need. Had I been stuck under a lot of debt I would have had to take any job, no matter how much I hated it. I probably wouldn’t have been able to launch my own business because I’d be too tired from chasing the paycheck for fifty hours a week.

I know too many people who are miserable at work but cannot leave because they need the paycheck to pay for the cars, houses, toys, clothes and other items that they’ve bought on credit. They have no savings to live on while they find a better work situation. I feel for them because I know what it feels like to be trapped in a miserable work environment. The only way out is to literally buy your freedom. You have to pay down the debt and save up enough money to walk away. Then you can walk away, do your own thing, and enjoy the freedom to work only at things you enjoy. But as long as you have to make payments, your boss can take advantage of you, yell at you, and make ridiculous demands of you and you can’t say anything because you need the job. That’s an awful way to live. We spend too many hours of our lives working to waste them in a miserable situation.

I won’t rule out working full-time for someone else in the future, but it’s going to be on my terms next time. Thanks to debt free living, I will be in a position to be very choosy about which job I take and to walk away if things go sour. I will be able to be firm with my superiors and refuse to do anything that’s demeaning or unreasonable. No one will be able to take advantage of me again and make my work life a living hell. Because I’m debt free and don’t have to take just any job to pay the bills, I get to make my work life what I want it to be: An enjoyable experience where I get to do things I enjoy with people I like and respect. Not a bad trade off for living debt free.