When the loan money dwindles and the holidays loom, the stress begins to mount in even the most well-intentioned, budget-minded student. With final projects or papers due, you do not have the option of working extra shifts, but there are still a few choices you can try out to make extra money.
Fast-cash options such as Coinstar, or selling your clothes, books, CDs, and even your plasma are popular solutions, but some students have utilized other ideas when strapped for cash.
First, you could try odd jobs. If you are from this area, this could be especially lucrative considering you probably know people who need yard work, babysitting or even housework done. Sophomore Hayley DuPre, an exercise science major, uses this technique.” I make extra money cleaning a lady’s house every other Saturday. For three hour’s work, I make about $65.”
Also, if you live in the dorms, you could take advantage of the great number of people within small confines. Sophomore Sallie Biles, a pre-pharmacy major, says that she has a yard sale once a year at her house.
You could customize this idea by possibly having a floor or hall yard sale. A former resident adviser told me that soliciting is not allowed in the dorms, so you might want to check with your adviser to see if you could plan a yard sale. Also, when offering services to others, you can get creative. If you are good at something, try to see if there is a need for that kind of service. Do not let this small list limit your options.
In addition, with the finals season approaching, offering a service typing papers at a reasonable price could be an appreciated and successful venture. Ads for similar services usually charge around $10 an hour, but you are catering to peers in the same financial situation, so you might want to charge a lower price.
If all else fails, there are always the old tried and true methods to making extra income. Sophomore Derek Kirby and freshman Brandon Queen frequently use Coinstar. Coinstar is a machine that converts loose change into dollars, but takes out 8.9 cents for every dollar the machine counts. “Food is unfortunately a commodity after my bills are paid,” Queen said. Luckily for him, Coinstars are set up in both of Johnson City’s Kroger’s, so he can kill two birds with one stone.
Selling your clothes at Clothesline, Recycle Wear or Plato’s Closet is also an option. Early education major Jane Masters, a sophomore at ETSU, says that she sells her clothes about three or four times a year and that this has produced good results. Winnie Ng, co-owner of Recycle Wear, says she thinks about 30 percent of her trade-ins come from college students. “Holidays or spring break is a busy time for us because that is when most of the students come in” she said. Selling clothes during their off season can get you more money, because there is less competition.
Right now old sweaters or winter coats would sell easily since the weather continues to get colder. Basically, you want to sell clothes that are in season, and would be something a buyer needs right now.
Another popular option is to sell your books, DVDs or CDs to stores like Mr. K’s or Dad’s. However, sometimes selling back these items can be a bit more difficult because scratching a disk or damaging a book on accident is easy to do. Kirby states that he usually makes money at Mr. K’s, but Jane Masters said every attempt she has made trying to sell CDs at the store has failed. Mr. K’s Assistant Manager Charles Jones explained, “I think less than 5 percent of our trade-ins come from students.” He later goes on to add, “At the beginning and end of the semester we will see an influx, but for the most part, we do not see students very often.”
Thanksgiving break is just around the corner and then soon after that finals arrive. If you want to stay on top of your financial situation as you head into the home stretch of this semester, I suggest you utilize these fast-cash options. Along with making extra money, maybe we as students should also keep better track of our money by eating at home more often, using our credit cards less, or possibly attending a money-managing course.

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