I am a total sucker for any variety of "save more money now!" magazine articles and books. I even eagerly pounced on the Parade magazine in last Sunday's newspaper because there was an article in it about saving more money in the new year (and Parade magazine is not usually something I pounce on with any great anticipation).
Invariably, of course, I am let down. All of the saving tips seem to be of the "don't get cable" or "find a cell phone plan that doesn't charge for individual texts" variety, and since I already don't get cable or text (I have a cell phone for emergency purposes only that I still haven't figured out how to answer, which is okay because I haven't given anyone the number, because I don't like to talk on cell phones), those don't really help me. Invariably Mr. CR points out I should skip reading that stuff, because as someone who hasn't bought new socks for at least five years*, I'm really not their target audience.
So now I have moved on to "make extra money in your spare time!" books.
And that's how I found Abigail Gehring's Odd Jobs: How to Have Fun and Make Money in a Bad Economy. I thought I'd just look it over and see if there was anything suitably freelancey that I could try out from home, but it turned out to be not that kind of book. What it is, which actually turned out to be a lot more entertaining to read, is a compendium of, well, truly ODD jobs.
Some of the jobs explored? Escort. "Closet Exorcist." Street Furniture Sales. Lipstick Reading. Motivational Dancer. Human Scarecrow. Christmas Tree Farmer. Dog Handler in Alaska. Soap Maker. Body Part Model.
It's really quite the awesome recreational read (which I was not expecting). Each job is covered in about two to three pages, which is really all the more you want to read about these jobs. Gehring describes what you do, what you get paid, what it costs to get started, what you need to start, perks, downsides, and a few Internet sites to check out. And, bless her heart, she's a pragmatic writer, our Abigail. Here's my favorite bit from the "Escort" description:
"If you're thinking this job sounds too good to be true, it's because in most cases it is. Don't be naive. The majority of men paying $1,000 for an evening are expecting something more than arm candy." (p. 17.) Perhaps former Olympic athlete Suzy Favor Hamilton was not aware of this.
I really enjoyed this book. It didn't make me want to work any of the jobs, but let's face it, I like thinking about working and making money much more than I actually have any skills at working and making money.
*I think. The socks I'm wearing were already oldish when CRjr arrived, years ago.
Just came across this: http://helaineolen.com/books/pound-foolish/
Posted by: lesbrarian | 24 January 2013 at 03:21 PM
Lesbrarian,
Ah, now we can add another category to my addictions: books about the personal finance industry! Thanks for the link.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 25 January 2013 at 09:12 PM
Closet Exorcist sounds like fun...at least if it is what I think it is.
Also CR, don't forget to give up that daily latte to save $$! :)
Posted by: Ruthiella | 27 January 2013 at 11:24 PM
And anything to do with books - unless you are James Patterson - doesn't get you any money.
Better to make crafts out of old Readers Digest condensed books and sell them on Etsy.
Posted by: Sarah | 28 January 2013 at 01:37 PM
Ruthiella,
If I remember, I think it's cleaning out peoples' closets, not performing exorcisms IN closets, as I originally thought. Although either job would appeal to me, frankly.
Ah yes, the daily latte. And all the going out to eat and spa days. It is to laugh. :)
Sarah,
Well, if my life isn't proof of the "books don't make you money" dictum, I don't know what is! And I think there's enough stuff on Etsy without me getting involved. Maybe someday when I get out of books.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 28 January 2013 at 08:44 PM