HAVE A HOBBY THAT IS A CASH GENERATOR

One great way to have some extra money is to turn your hobbies into cash generating machines.  If you have a  hobby that you want to start to make money on, you already know about how to buy items for your hobby. Hence, you already know how to sell your items. You might be selling them on eBay, another on line service, in the news paper, at consignment shops, bazaars, auctions, word of mouth , hobby clubs, rummage and garage sales, conventions and shows, your own on line store or the conventional brick and mortar shop.

So, there are many ways to sell items from your hobby.   Of course before you start a business hobby you need to know the costs.  Costs can be anything from materials, extra electricity, extra phone  and Internet services, costs of machines like copiers ad computers, labor, time, transportation and, shipping costs.   In addition to costs you must make sure you have the space to accomplish all you business tasks.  You will need a desk area for records as well as a place to create your projects and an area to package your items for sale and shipping.

Many of your costs can be deducted on your income tax although some, like machines, may have to be amortized (a small deduction each year instead of deducting the full cost in the year you purchase the machine).   You will need to consult a good tax person before you are up and running as a business.  Other ramifications like sales taxes, business taxes, social security taxes etc., may have to be added to your costs.
Of course depending on the state you live in and, if your business is small enough, you may have very few if any extra costs imposed by government entities.  One very big positive to having a small hobby business is that  you may get some nice tax breaks against other income that you have. 

What if you don't have a hobby yet but, want to find something to do that can be fun and rewarding and be profitable as well?  Going on line is the one great way of seeing what hobbies are available.  Checking at  hobby stores or visiting places like bazaars and consignment shops that sell hobby items, can also generate ideas.   Your hobby does not have to be about producing an item for sale.  It could also be a service like landscaping or cooking meals for on the go families. There are hundreds of computer programs you can purchase to help you create a small business.  For example, fixing old photographs.   If you like to travel then, being a tour guide might be a great hobby/business.  On line publishing of things like children's books, maps, articles, photos,calendars,etc., are just some ways of making money via Internet services.

Overall, there are literally thousands of hobbies that can be turned into businesses.  Some people eventually, make their hobby/business into their main source of income.  They might even expand and have to hire people.  Starting with a small hobby/business is a good way of testing the waters so to speak, to find out if a hobby can be a viable business and, if you can be a viable business person.

SAVE MONEY WITH YOUR OWN HERB GARDEN

Want a great way to save money and get some really good food.  Do you have a small space and want to get a big bang for your buck? Try a herb garden. Herb gardens are easy to grow and many herbs are perennial in Northern Michigan(will come up next year without replanting). Fresh herbs are especially expensive in stores where a few stalks of oregano, sage, chives etc., can be $2.00 or more. Furthermore, nothing tastes better than fresh herbs. Once you start using your own herbs you will wonder why you spent so much money for so little flavor from dried store bought herbs?

Some favorite Northern perennial plants you can grow in your herb garden are: sage, mint, chives, oregano and catnip. Basil is a popular herb to grow but, it is an annual in Northern Michigan. Dill will sometimes seed down and come up the next year but, I don't count on it.

All of these plants can be purchased in most garden centers (sometimes in produce departments in some supermarkets), and are easy to grow. Just plant in well drained soil and keep them watered enough so they won't dry out. Remember though, keep your basil plants covered when it freezes. Also, remember that oregano spreads by roots and is a prolific seed producer so, you will need to keep it contained from the rest of your garden and yard or, it will cover your entire property.

The herbs talked about in this article require little care other than weeding, watering and trimming in the fall. I like to start my plants with a little peat around the roots when I plant them especially, if the soil tends to dry out and get hard. Once established outdoors however, a good mulching is all the soil care these plants require. Any basic fertilizer will work on these plants but, you should avoid high nitrogen fertilizers since they will burn the leaves of your plants and make your harvest less abundant and succulent. Overall, herbs can be taken care of just like your other plants. The herbs mentioned above do like lots of sun and water so, plant in fairly sunny locations and don't be timid about getting out the hose or watering can.

Herbs are great for container gardening so if you have a sunny patio or window sill, you are ready to start herb gardening. From window sill to sauce or frying pan gives you the freshest herbs you can get for your favorite dishes.

I like to plant my herbs with my other perennial plants like rhubarb and asparagus. That way, with all my perennial plants in the same area, I know which garden to clean off first in the Spring.
Overall, herbs are easy to grow, will save you lots of money and, give you a fresh garden to kitchen flavor in your cooking.