“4 Creative Business Ideas” plus 1 more

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Do you want to start your own business and make a little extra money? It can seem daunting at first, since there are so many others out there trying to get something started. The key is to find a niche and then fill it. You need a creative idea to get going. The good news is that there are some businesses that you can start if you have a little creativity — and some time. Here are 4 creative business ideas: [Also see 5 Creative Business Startup Ideas]

1. Sell Items Online — For Others

One of the most interesting businesses you can start is to sell items online for others. There are plenty of people who don’t want to go through the trouble of putting items up for sale on eBay, Amazon, Craigslist or local online classifieds. Many of them don’t have the tech savvy to do it. If you have an account with a web site that allows you to post items for sale, you can provide a valuable service. Post the item up, and manage the sales. You can even ship the items for your clients (for an extra charge). Claim a percentage of the sale price, and you’re on your way.

2. Luxury Portable Toilets

If you have a little cash to throw around, or a small business credit card, you can purchase portable toilets that can be rented out. Instead of just renting them out, though, you can make them a little bit nicer. Clean them up. Add air fresheners, include nice soap and lotion, fluffy hand towels, and decorate the inside. These nicer portable toilets could be rented out for upscale outdoor events like weddings, company parties and special receptions.

3. Late Night Food Delivery

One of the coolest businesses I saw while at college in Syracuse, NY was started by a couple of people offering to deliver large cookies to dorms late at night. This was perfect for late night study sessions while in college. Many delivery services close by midnight, and you can gain an edge by offering to deliver from 10 pm to 3 am. And you don’t have to just bake cookies; you can make pizzas and keep a stock of sodas available as well. If you live in a town with a university, it can be a great way to make extra money, while providing students with something they are probably willing to pay for.

4. Scrapbooking

If you have a talent for scrapbooking, you can start a business helping others put together scrapbooks. They can bring over their photos, and you can put them together, in an attractive and memorable presentation. It is also possible to start a business as a digital scrapbooker. If your clients have blogs that they update with pictures of vacations and kids, you can offer to put together scrapbooks from these blogs. This is becoming increasingly popular, but many people don’t have the time or know-how to put together these scrapbooks, even using the online resources that are available to help with digital scrapbooking. However, they might be willing to pay you to present their memories in a beautiful way.

What are some of your ideas?

Dollar Matters: Plutus Awards Edition, Part III

Posted: 21 Sep 2011 09:03 AM PDT

Today is the last day of voting for the Plutus Awards. (Hint, hint.) We’ve been featuring posts from nominees this month for our Dollar Matters roundups, and today is no different. Still working our way through the great nominees up for consideration:

Homemade Shaving Oil and Aftershave

Looking for an inexpensive and natural way to get a great shave? DIY Natural offers a look at how to create your own homemade shaving oil and aftershave, and includes the proper shaving technique for using these items. Frugality at its finest.

16 Ways To Reuse Old Coffee Grounds

Over at The Good Human, you can find some great uses for coffee grounds. You can save money — and the planet — with a little creative frugality.

Skip the Gym, Sweat at Home 2

Instead of spending money on an expensive gym membership, you can get the same results at home. Prairie EcoThrifter offers some great ideas for workouts that can help you shape up for free.

Four helpful money saving tips for the autumn

Looking for ways to save this fall? Sustainable Life Blog offers some great ideas for saving money during autumn. Then you’ll have a little extra financial cushioning for the long winter months.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

You can improve your health — and your wallet — with these great tips from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff. Indeed, you are provided with a sample menu for the day. Inspiration for eating right without breaking the bank.

Untemplate Your Mind

Are you ready to free your mind (and hopefully your finances)? Untemplater takes a look at how you can let go of your fears and live the life you want.

What NOT to Buy at a Farmers Market

A farmers market can be a great place to get fresh produce at a reasonable price. However, you need to be careful. Wise Bread offers this look at what to avoid at the farmers market.

Frugal Feature: Simple ways to trim Your Expenses Now

At Frugal Beautiful, there is a simple, and immediate, list of things that you can do right now to save money. Follow these tips, and you’ll be surprised at how the savings add up.

Smart Stores: Consumer Monitoring in Exchange for Your Information

Are you signed up for reward programs and discount programs? If so, you might be trading in your privacy. Frugal Confessions looks at some of the ways your purchases are being tracked.

Back to School: 10 Health lunch box ideas for under $2

Don’t make your kids suffer for your frugal instincts: You can put together some great lunches for less than you think. Squawkfox offers a look at some of your options.

Raising a Family on Less Than $600 a Month

Can you raise a family on less than $600 a month? Yes, I Am Cheap offers some insight into raising a family. It’s a look at generational poverty, and thinking about whether or not you can afford a family.

Cost of Owning Vehicles

Debt Free Adventure takes a look at how you can save up for future vehicles, and points out that vehicles are expensive to own. Be careful before you buy.

Goals, Goals and More Goals

If you want to pay off debt and be financially free, you need to have goals — and a plan to reach them. Debt Free by Thirty offers a look at your options, and provides inspiration.

Investing – The Whole Return

Learn more about the whole return of investing. Enemy of Debt offers a look at what you can really gain by investing.

Companies that don’t suck

Do you want to do business with good companies? Punch Debt in the Face offers a great look at some companies that don’t suck.

Life Insurance Blog

Thursday, September 22, 2011