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Losing a job can be a scary experience for anyone. Faced with the reality of dwindling income, most people don’t know where to turn. Finding ways to make extra money on the side or to replace the income that you have lost as a result of being laid off or due to being underemployed is essential.
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Side gigs are great because they can help you make extra money and give you a sense of purpose. If you’re looking for ways to make money on the side, check out these tips from DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation.
 
Use Your Talents That You Didn’t Know Were MarketableMany people have talents that they never knew could be marketable. It’s worth exploring what your talents are, as they may lead to work opportunities. What if you’re an artist? Could you design graphics for a company? Could you make or teach music? There’s no reason why not!
 
How to Use Your Talents to Find WorkIf you have certain skills that you didn’t know were marketable before, now is the time to put them to good use. One of the easiest ways to make money on the side is to use talents that you might not know are marketable.  For example, if you’re skilled at making great photos on your phone, then it’s possible that there are companies out there looking for someone to take photos and videos who would be willing to pay you for your services.
Similarly, if you’re a skilled writer, there are plenty of opportunities out there for freelancers who can help businesses market themselves on social media. As a writer, you can develop content for businesses in the form of blog posts, write white papers on company developments, and more.
 
Find Work Helping Businesses Market ThemselvesThere are many businesses out there who want to reach a larger audience but don’t have the time or know how to do it. They may need help with their social media profiles, or they may want someone to write blog posts for them.
If this is something that interests you, put up a profile on a site like Upwork and wait for offers from businesses in need of your skills. This will allow you to find work that suits your schedule without compromising pay!
 
Do Odd Job GigsIf none of those ideas sound right for you, then consider doing odd job gigs. These are jobs where employers post what they need doing, and then people bid on completing the tasks. Some examples include data entry, transcription, editing photos, and even designing logos!
 
Develop New Skills and KnowledgeWhen looking for side work, you may find that there is work you are interested in but you lack the requisite skills or knowledge to qualify for it. This can be discouraging, but instead of letting it demoralize you, use it to propel you to learn more. Returning to or starting college degree work online can significantly boost your knowledge and qualifications for work, anda degree in criminal justice is a great way to give back to the community. Plus, flexible scheduling online means you’ll be able to work while going to school.
 
There are many strategies for finding work when you need to. All it takes is the ability to adapt, along with a little patience. Carefully examine your own skills and interests to match an employer’s needs, or apply yourself to learning new ones.
 
DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to building a better tomorrow by educating people today, in order to forge a financially literate America. Call 609-751-3300.

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Becoming an entrepreneur is a big decision. Many people have ideas about the type of
business they’d like to start, but if you aren’t sure yet, don’t let that discourage you. There
are some ways to discern what type of business is most suitable for you. By evaluating your
skills honestly, pursuing a business you’re interested in, and being mindful of the
challenges involved, you can succeed.

Here are some tips from DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation for getting started as an
entrepreneur.

Your Area of Expertise Is a Good Place to Start
The business you’re probably most suited to is the one you’re already knowledgeable
about. Look at your prior work experience as well as any academic achievements you may
have. Even if you aren’t interested in that industry directly, you may have acquired
significant knowledge about related industries. Pursuing entrepreneurship in an industry
you’re familiar with saves you a lot of time that you'd otherwise spend learning about it.

Nonetheless, it’s still preferable to pursue a business related to something you’re
passionate about since you’re more likely to enjoy the work and can weather obstacles
more confidently.

Evaluate All Your Resources
Even if one industry seems most favorable to you, there might be significant barriers to
entry that can prove difficult for you to surmount. Businesses with investment or licensing
costs that are much higher than you can afford or that require specialized education you
don’t have probably aren't good starting points. If you can’t pursue the business of your
choice at first, consider starting a business in an industry with a lower barrier of entry to
use as a stepping stone.

It’s common to have a tight budget when starting a business, which means having to get the
most out of every dollar you spend. Digital marketing via social media is a great way to get
the most for your money, especially with free tools available to support your efforts. A free
online banner creator, for example, can be used to give each of your various social media
profiles a consistent graphical look. You can customize a template with images and text,
plus resize it as necessary, for a great banner to feature on your accounts.

Ask Yourself if the Business Is in Demand
It may not be wise to start a business in an industry that’s highly saturated. If one type of
business is highly common in Texas, you may want to consider trying something else. As a
new business owner, you're less likely to have the experience or resources needed to break
into extremely competitive markets or the advertising dollars required to be noticed. It’s
typically easier to enter a niche market where the business in question is in demand but
not yet oversaturated.

Get Your Paperwork in Order
As an entrepreneur, make sure you’re always legally protected by reducing the liabilities
involved when dealing with customers, the state of New Jersey, or the federal government.
Starting a limited liability company (LLC) is often the simplest and most cost-effective
route for entrepreneurs and offers protection from certain personal liabilities while
yielding some tax benefits. Hiring a formation service or even filing the paperwork yourself
is typically much less expensive than using a lawyer to form your business.

If You Choose the Right Business, It Can Thrive
Being a successful entrepreneur is about hard work as much as strategy, and choosing the
right industry at the right time can be a big determinant of your success. Be honest with
yourself about the resources and time you have available, assess your own capabilities to
make the decision easier, and structure your business as an LLC so that you can take
advantage of legal advantages and tax benefits.

DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to forging a financially fit
America by providing education to students. For more information, please visit our website or
contact us today!

You're ready to take a little break and get away for a weekend, but you don't want to spend too much on a vacation. After all, your overall and long-term strategy for saving money depends on budgeting and saving now. To this end, DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation outlines a few ways you can enjoy a weekend trip without breaking the bank.

Choose the Right Destination
If you're on a budget, you must choose the right destination for your weekend trip. You might, for instance, only travel an hour or two away from your home, somewhere you can easily drive. You can still have fun and experience new things, but you'll save on airfare.

You might decide to spend a bit more and fly to your destination, but you can still make choices that fit into your budget. Research the cost of motel rooms and attractions in various cities, and balance those factors against what you'd like to see and do. You might have to make some sacrifices or postpone some activities, but you won't break the bank either.

Find Some Deals on Travel and Even Sports Tickets
Next, Nomadic Matt suggests finding some deals. You can often combine travel expenses, motel rooms, dining, and even admission fees to attractions into one package, thereby saving money on all of them. Spend time on a number of travel websites, experimenting with various packages to come up with the right one at the right price, then book it right away before anything changes. Alternately, you might consult with a travel agent, but be aware that most travel agents charge a fee, and that money must come out of another area in your budget.
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You can also find some great deals on seats at your favorite baseball stadium. For instance, if you’re a big New York Yankees fan, you can score tickets for the Yankees at a deeply discounted rate on sites that sell seats for low or no fees. Check online for tickets and available seats when you’re making travel plans, and pencil in a day for some fun at the ballpark this summer. Don’t forget to budget for a hot dog or two!


Pack Like an Expert
You can also save money on your weekend trip if you pack like an expert. Several days ahead of time, make a list of whatever you need to take on your trip. Include everything from aspirin and sunscreen to snacks. You don't want to have to purchase anything when you arrive at your destination. If you're flying and must check a bag, try to get everything into one suitcase that stays within the carrier's weight and size limits. Check out packing tips online for ideas.

Leave Your Business in Good Hands
If you own a business, you'll want to make sure you're leaving it in good hands while you enjoy your vacation. Even though it may be difficult, delegate some tasks to employees. You know your employees, and you know which ones you can trust to do their jobs well. Honor that, and allow them to take over while you're gone. Follow the rule of thumb that if your employee can do the job 80% as well as you can, go ahead and delegate.

Preserve Your Memories
Finally, preserve memories from your trip. Take plenty of pictures, and share some of them on social media. You can use an online picture resizer to make them easier to upload and view. Don't forget to add some captions, too. 2 Aussie Travellers points out that you can even keep a travel journal. If you're trying to save money, go lightly on the souvenirs and select one special item.

Enjoy Your Weekend
You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a great weekend trip, so start planning – and keep saving. Choose your ideal destination, find some deals, and pack like an expert. You’ll be able to enjoy your short time away without worrying about how it’s going to affect your wallet!
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DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation builds a better tomorrow by educating students today, so they can contribute to a more financially sustainable community. Reach out to discover more! 609.751.3300