During my frustrating job search, and with d/h laid off recently, I have been trying to come up with ways to generate some cash.

I am thinking about putting together some flyers for my neighborhood offering an "extra set of hands". (Okay--no catchy name yet! Just starting to brainstorm this!) I could make myself available for a million different thing, for example:
mother's helper/babysitter; running errands; helping paint a room or strip wallpaper, etc.; planning children's parties and/or making goodie bags; help cleaning out the closets & organizing; doing the crazy clean when you find out your in-laws are coming in two hours, or getting the house clean while you prepare your food for a get-together...

I would charge hourly for most tasks, though if I were making items for party bags, that would be a charge for materials + time.

In my neighborhood there are many who use 'help' for just about everything, so I don't expect too much resistance to spending money for these things. Just trying to figure out the best marketing, the best bullet-point ideas for a flyer, etc.

I appreciate your honest feedback!
Thanks!

It's not something *I* or anyone I know would probably use but that doesn't mean there isn't a market for it. I would ask around to those in your neighborhood who you think would utilize such a service. What would they expect to pay? How much notice would you need?

Things to look at before "going into business" is business insurance. Many people overlook insurance when it can be bought minimally. What if you get hurt at someone's house? Do you have workers's comp? I know as a homeowner, I wouldn't bring a homecleaner or worker into my home without insurance. Too many people out there looking to score on an *injury*. Not saying that is you but with insurance, you are more legit.

I wish you luck whatever you decide

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Wow - you've got a lot of good ideas - and you must have lots of energy, too!

My one concern is that if I were you, I'd try to streamline what you're offering just a little bit. If you are putting yourself out there as someone who could help with such different diverse projects/tasks, it might cause people to wonder which one(s) you are *truly* good at. Or they might just think you seem a little "overly enthusiastic," which might also be a turn-off.

But at the same time, I have 2 ideas for business names for you:

"Jill of All Trades" (sort of like Jack...)

or "Your Fairy Godmother" (a friend of mine has a name similar to this one - she does housecleaning, but I think it would apply to a lot of jobs!)

If I were you, I'd stick to one theme (like cleaning/chores/organizing) and try to make that work.

Good luck! I'm interested to see what others think.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

If you plan to go into business and be legitimate:
You'll probably need to get bonded and get a business license. You'll need a tax ID. I would suggest basic fill in the blank contracts.
In some states you can be classified as an independent contractor by your Dept. of Labor, this can allow you to operate without Work Comp Insurance (this varies by state).
I highly, highly advise you to speak with an attorney about starting a business, the legalities, the pitfalls, the liabilities, your responsibilities, contracts, etc.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Thanks for the quick responses! While I agree these are not things I would pay someone to do (mostly because I am a control freak & can't even let anyone touch my laundry!), I have neighbors who would absolutely pay someone to change their toilet paper rolls if they could! Crazy, but that's what I see.
I agree I'll have to narrow my scope a bit in order not to seem like a manic shoe organizer! I love the Fairy Godmother theme!!
I have the legal and insurance issues covered, but thanks.

Here we have rent a hubby to do all the jobs that the hubby won't do. Having worked near senior housing I have heard many people who wish to get their walls washed and light bulbs as well as batteries in smoke detectors changed, and they are willing to pay for these services. How about "At your service" for a name?

I had someone like you when I lived in Chicago....she was a "personal assistant." I was one of 8-10 people she worked with. She helped me run errands, set up for parties, took care of the house when I traveled.....would grocery shop for me sometime....even did some of my holiday shopping for me. It was great. I paid her by the hour, but she was on salary for some of her clients that were more demanding. Also, she had a business lic and was bonded.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Well, you are several steps ahead with the legal and insurance covered. Since you will have to keep up with a lot of the details anyway for tax purposes, so people sitll use spread sheets for that type of stuff, if so you could add a couple fields for such things as a personal rating for each job, personal rating for a client. I am sure you can think of other things as you go, but that way after say a month or when you have time to think about which type jobs you enjoy the best and which are more financially productive, as you get busier, then you can streamline the jobs you advertise for and take, AND if you get that busy, and need to hire help, you will already know which ones you want to delegate. Just tossing out ideas, so you hopefully really think about everything.

Perhaps rather than just throw yourself out there with flyers, it might make sense to network with your neighbors or others and do a few jobs "locally". That way you could have some experience, some clients, and hopefully some referrals.

Good luck with your business venture!
cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Thanks again. The spreadsheets are a good idea to help me concentrate on what works and what is wasted time. I do plan to give the flyers to my friends & neighbors to start, asking them to pass them on if they know of anyone who might be interested.

I think it is a great idea. If you live in a neighborhood that can spend that kind of money. I know most cases I would not spend that money. However there have been some times I would do it. Like right now we are painting a couple bedrooms and would love to have a service that charges an hourly rate to paint, We also have rental properties and usually need painters when a tenant moves out. DH goes on Craigslist and finds them there offering a certain amount to pay for the entire unit. I would also pay per hour to spring clean a couple rooms in my house because it seems the older I get I end up not getting to a room sometimes 2. Wish I had flyer like that in my mailbox right now I would be calling you.

When I was young and getting divorced, I needed to hustle extra money to pay for the lawyer and to make the ex go away.

A bacholar that I knew hired me to do the things he hated to use his days off to do. Basically I would clean through, change sheets, do laundry, a small grocery shopping and errands run. He paid me well and I could usually be done in about 4 hours. He told a couple single friends and they hired me to do the same. I also would help out in planning and logistics if they were having a party or get together.
I guess I was their housewife without benefits

My advise would be to try and identify a specific need area. Maybe over 55 gated living areas or mobile home parks. Or young singles that need someone to do for them so they have their off time to play.
Whatever way you decide to do I hope it works out well for you and that you let us know.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

It sounds great! Make sure to get insurance or if something happens there goes your house and anything you might have.
Also you might want to think about not posting an hourly wage I would say to give an amount for a job. For example "I will clean your house for $75" in your head consider hours, travel, etc. Be a little flexible but don't get taken advantage of.
Keep your books really really well and give and get receipts.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

There is a gal I know locally whose hubby is "Rent a husband" do all the crap your husband won't do. I guess it would work for a housewife as well.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I always laugh when I hear about these "rent-a-husbands." I must be dirty-minded or something - It always reminds me of a wife pimping out her husband.

I think it's a great idea. There are handy men all over the place. Why not a handy woman. I swear if you were in my area when I was cleaning my son's room and going through his closets, shelves, dresser EVERYTHING, I would have loved to hire someone to help.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

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Mary

I think trying to go into a retirement community is a good idea. There are so many older people who need people to take them to the doctor or to the grocery store. My MIL takes a lady (actually the women is younger than she is and my MIL is 83), but anyway, she takes her to the grocery store -- picks her up, walks with her around the store, takes her home and puts her groceries away. She gets $10 an hour.

Not sure how heavily I want to work in the retirement communities. I do enough of that with my mom, and honestly it can be extremely frustrating. I would not be comfortable taking anybody in my car due to liability. Maybe running some errands would work, but as I said I know how errands go for my mom ("I need blueberry yogurt, green socks--not itchy please, a pair of pliers (??!!) and a red sponge". ARRRRRGGGGGHHH)

Again, I appreciate all the ideas & feedback as it gives me a lot to think about & plan out in terms of what I will or will not do, etc.

And I'd be happy to come clean out your closets!