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8 Ways to Make Extra Money

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Since we were kids, most if not all of us were dreaming of having lots of money and having a stable job, but in this economy it is almost impossible to keep a stable job. Having a job is one of the ways to make a desired income. There are many different ways to make extra money. Since almost everyone is using the internet for their own convenience, you can use the internet to earn money as well. Discovering and trying new ways to make money is one of the trends in this generation. Here are 8 ways to make extra money even from home:
1. By cooking and baking:

If you are fond of cooking, baking and making homemade foods, this is for you. With this, you can make extra money. A lot of people like homemade cookies and cakes, knowing that homemade foods maybe better than the ones that are being sold in the markets and malls.

2. Freelancing:

This is a great source of extra income for yourself. There are many jobs that you can do as a freelancer, freelance models, writers and many more. This is a job that requires great skills and flexibility. This will also allow you to work at home, making it more convenient for you.

3. Blog:

If this is your field of expertise, you can create your own blog or website that can make a lot of money for you, the way many bloggers do.

4. Making cash out of your creativity:

If you have the talent for knitting, making accessories and others (handicrafts), you can surely make extra income from your talent and skills. Since there are lots of tourists coming and going, you should be able to make lots of sales.

5. Garage sale:

Having a collection of dresses, shoes, and many other things that was kept over the years can help you in making and acquiring extra income. You can sell them from your own home; this is popularly known as a “garage sale”.

6. Photography:

Since there are lots of people who are in need of photography, you might consider this profitable opportunity especially if you have the talent and skills in photography. This is a great skill to have and a chance to make some extra income. Weddings, birthday parties, and many more are common events that need photography services.

7. Provide service for others:

There are lots of people who don’t have time to do the many other small tasks in their lives, because of their busy schedules, so they will definitely call on service providers like, someone to clean their home, or just clean their carpet. Some women are good at cleaning and styling nails (manicure) and more. If this is your field of expertise you can use this as your resource for extra income.

8. Rent your precious car out:

If you have a car, try offering your car for rent, like for example as a bridal car, this is popular nowadays. This will probably help to bring in some extra income.

There are so many ways to make extra money even if you choose to work from home, using your talents and skills; you will surely acquire the extra money you need, this will make it more convenience to stay at home and work, and the fact that it is your field of expertise will make life more efficient and effective.

Can Your Business Survive

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Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.”
But when you’re starting your own business, there’s no guarantee that your “mousetrap” is going to survive, especially in today’s fast-paced business world.

Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first two years of operation. The number one reason for business failure is inadequate planning. The second reason is under-capitalization.

So before you mortgage your house, or go into debt financing your business, you need to know if your business is going to do more than survive — you want to know if it’s good enough to thrive! Here are three things successful businesses that have stayed in business for five years or longer have in common:

1. The idea. A successful business start-up always starts with an idea. Something that makes your business stand out from all the rest. So how do you know if you’ve got a good idea?

You’ve probably got a good idea if you can answer yes to any of the following questions: Does your idea provide the solution to a significant problem for your target market? Does it satisfy a need or want? Does it create an opportunity?

The most successful businesses either fix problems (either real or perceived), or they increase your customer’s pleasure. They create a repeat need for a product or service among the target market.

2. The market. Your chances of survival are better if you can answer the following questions with a yes: Is there already a market for your product or service? (It’s much easier to fill a need than trying to create an entirely new market.) Can your target market afford to buy your products or services? (If they can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter how great it is, you won’t sell any!) Will your target market perceive your product or service as valuable? (If they want it, but don’t think it’s worth what you’re selling it for, you won’t make any sales.)

3. Your ability. Do you have the people, the resources and the knowledge to be able to consistently provide your products or services to your target market? Can you maintain a competitive advantage? Do you have enough manpower? Can you purchase the supplies and materials you need over the long run?

Your first step always is to create a solid business plan. Your business plan is more than an essay on “Why I deserve to get funding for my idea” however. Don’t spend all the time creating a business plan and then toss it in the bottom drawer of your desk. Your business plan should be a living, breathing roadmap that helps you make sure you’re on course and reaching the goals that you set for your business.

The second step to business survival is getting enough financing. Although the term “bootstrap entrepreneur” describes most small business owners, having enough capital to be able to keep your business afloat is vital to your survival.

When you’re creating your financial analysis of your business, make sure you’re being realistic about costs and expenditures, so that you give yourself the cushion you need to succeed.

If finding financing is a problem, either because you don’t have enough credit or equity, or there are other problems, take the time to look into the resources that are available in your community. There are a wide variety of grants and loans (including microloans) for entrepreneurs, if you know where to look.

Some great resources will be: -The Small Business Administration -Local Small Business Development Centers -Women’s Organizations -Local University or Community College -Chamber of Commerce -SCORE (The Association for Retired Executives) -Nonprofit organizations that work on economic development in your area

Use other successful business models as a guide. When you’re getting started, look around. What businesses are successful? Why? What is it they’re doing that is working? What attributes do you admire, and why? You stand a better chance of succeeding if you’re modeling someone who is already successful.

Find a mentor. Most entrepreneurs have great skills and abilities, but no one does everything well. You probably already know what your strengths and weaknesses are. (If not, there are many resources and tools that can help you figure it out!) Rather than ignoring your weaknesses, find a mentor who can help you either build your skills in your weaker areas, or offer advice for getting what you need.

If you take the time to plan to succeed, you could be creating a legacy that will be enjoyed by future generations, and that other entrepreneurs will look at as a model for building their own businesses.

Self-Driving Trucks in the Shipping Industry

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Whether it’s coming from Google, Apple, Uber or others, self-driving vehicles are going to be a major game changer in the next few years. These autonomous vehicles are sure to interject themselves into many industries, but one that is bound to be hit the hardest is the shipping and transport industry. Every day truckers log thousands of hours driving across the country transporting goods from warehouse to warehouse, but what if drivers weren’t needed?
If these shipment trucks could get from point A to point B without the need for drivers, how would this affect the industry? One of the biggest changes to come would of course be the hit to workforce. Currently there are over 3 million truck drivers in the USA alone, so this would be quite devastating to the job market. The pros of autonomous trucks would come in shipment companies’ savings as the need for skilled truck drivers would be diminished, the roads would be safer, as so far self-driving vehicles have safer driving records than manned vehicles, and it would also allow shipment managers to better manage their shipment scheduling, as you don’t have to worry about taking into account the sleeping / eating needs of the drivers.

Shipment managers are perhaps some of the most excited for this new technology to become mainstream. Currently, there are apps and software platforms that provide freight tracking solutions that give real-time information and updates on shipments for transport carriers and brokers, but in the future these apps may be even more versatile. They could integrate full shipment automation that would allow the managers to set start times for shipments and have the ability to plan routes well in advance all from their office – without having to spend the additional time in coordinating with drivers.

The technology needed to allow completely autonomous shipping trucks is still quite a bit down the line, but it is something that those in the shipment industry need to keep on their radar. Tech companies are racing to be the first to unveil completely self-driving vehicles, when will their goal be reached? It’s too early to say with certainty, but it is probably closer than you may think.

Clean Air in Birmingham: Headache for Drivers?

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Getting to grips with the city’s air pollution problem – which costs £2.7bn nationally through lost productivity – is a priority for Birmingham City Council. They plan to have a Clean Air Zone in place by 2020. So, is this bad news for drivers? It doesn’t have to be.
The city’s residents will have a chance to consult on the plans by the end of the summer, and plenty of them will be aware that businesses rely on road traffic to stay open and remain profitable. Deterring courier work because of extra tariffs is damaging for the bottom line. But as many other cities are facing similar targets, the onus is on councils to find a way to retain transport links and keep things moving.

What’s The Plan?

The area inside the A4540 Middleway ring road will form the new Clean Air Zone. This means no extra charges for “clean engines”, but could mean congestion-style charges for:

? Vans and lorries ? Private buses, coaches, perhaps even public transport ? Private hire vehicles like taxis ? Larger or older cars

Up in the air

Aside from the more obvious financial impacts, pollution in the air of our cities costs the country billions each year in lost productivity from sick days that could have been avoided. And it’s not just days out of work – pollution costs lives, especially in the more vulnerable members of society.

It’s clear that cities – Birmingham included – simply cannot function without a robust haulage network to support and supply its needs. The plan’s main focus is to shift unnecessary traffic away from the inner city: commuters who could be taking public transport, cycling or walking to work, and shoppers who congest the city centre when taking a bus or train would be more environmentally friendly.

What does it mean for the industry?

The ACFO is deeply involved in the consultation process with Birmingham City Council, and as advocates of courier workers large and small, their role is crucial in making sure both business and the community can benefit from these plans.

Whether you’re a fleet manager or a self-employed driver, you’ll know that all the recent developments in the industry have pointed towards greener engines, more sustainable fuelling models, and less impact on local air quality. Early adopters of green freight technologies have a big opportunity to make strides in this new urban landscape, and if they can make it worth couriers’ while to switch, councils and drivers can help each other to thrive.

By 2020, the UK government wants to make cities greener – which will certainly have an impact on the average courier. Work will still be there though, as the cities will always need logistical links; keeping aware of the plans, and thinking about how to make them work for you is the first step to success.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.