Recently I received a letter from a mom whose ex-husband lost his job and probably won’t have money to pay child support for a while. Her hours at work were reduced and she is scrambling to find a way to make cash quickly or start a side business to supplement her income.

She asked for my advice so this post will serve to answer her question.

I dug through the Rich Single Momma archives and found 9 articles that speak to her question. There are over 15 ways listed within these articles for this single mom to begin making extra money today.

Sell Possessions to Make Cash Quickly

To sum the articles she can begin by selling some of her possessions, like a diamond engagement ring, either through the local classified ad, through craigslist, or at the local pawn shop. Having a yard sale (especially during this time of year) is also a very good option.

Sites like Worthy.com is a great place to sell diamond engagement rings or wedding rings that you have in your jewelry box. You will get more money when you sell your ring on this site because the ring is appraised and diamond dealers from around the globe bid on it. So in essence people are bidding on your ring.

Cook or Bake to Make Cash Quickly

If she has cooking and/or baking skills she can buy some ingredients to make cakes, cookies, or whatever her specialty item is and sell them to the neighbors and co-workers. If she makes up some samples to give away she could get pre-orders.

Use Everyday Skills to Make Cash Quickly

If cooking is not her thing, she could use her everyday skills to make extra money. Many people learn basic typing and computer skills and perhaps have had a class in using Windows or Adobe Photoshop in school. Technology becomes more and more advanced each year, delivering information to our fingertips, enabling us to learn new skills.

These resources could be used to make extra cash with necessary tasks such as filing taxes with TurboTax or logging accounts with Quicken. A lot of the usual clerical skills are now learned in grade school and can be useful in small self-employment opportunities. There are a variety of resources available on the web that could enhance your knowledge of these easy to use skills and help you earn an income.

The Biggest Reason We Fail

The biggest issue many people have is fear of their plan failing. They are afraid to try because it might not work. This is a very valid fear. When I first started making money on the side I was not all that confident.

I tested things out first to see if there was any interest. The way most products or services sell is through word of mouth or recommendations. People do it every day. A friend or family member has a good experience with a product or service and they tell someone else.

Spread the Word to Make Cash Quickly

The key is to begin telling people about what you are offering. If you are giving samples of food it should be fairly easy to get things going. If people are asking you for certain things all the time it may be a clue that what you have to offer is or can be in demand.

First Things First to Make Cash Quickly

If this single mom is in desperate need of money then I suggest she begin selling possessions first. It can be books, popular DVDs, small electronic items, instruments, clothing, furniture, or other valuables. Selling her gold jewelry is also a very good way to get a good amount of money fast.

These tips will help this single mom make money quickly. She doesn’t have to struggle or be afraid there are no options for her. The reality is there are many ways to make extra money in a short period of time.

Below are links to the archived articles on what I like to call side hustles or how to make extra money.

Make Money Ironing and Mending
Make Money Renting Your Space
Make Money Baking
Make Money Through Temp Work
Make Money Side Hustling
Make Money Selling Your Stuff
Make Money with Your Change
Make Money the Quick and Easy Way

I hope you enjoyed reading How to Make Cash Quickly.

Do you have any specific questions you’d like to ask me about making extra money or how to reduce your stress as a single mom? Send me an email to samantha at richsinglemomma.com or simply leave a comment below.

Samantha Gregory

Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.

Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.

She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.