The current economy has left many of us in financial dire straits.
With the job market continuing to falter and no real relief in sight, bringing in the money for the day to day is becoming priotiy number one.
For the long-term, starting your own business is the best option for taking control of your worklife and financial future.
In the short-term, here are five ways to get the cash rolling in while you work on your startup idea.
Sell your stuff.
The odds are that you have plenty of stuff lying around that you don't have the time or desire to use anymore.
Now is the time to gather it up and sell it off.
Whether you organize a yard sale, list on CraigsList, or sign up with eBay, you might be surprised how much cash you can gather from your extra stuff.
Don't worry about missing it - your startup is going to take up all your time for awhile, and once you are ready to work on your hobbies again you will have more than enough money to replace every bit of it.
Join the blog revolution.
Although the internet is full of bloggers, there is still room for niche topics...
especially if you have something interesting to say.
You can pick up your own domain for around $10 and add affiliates and Google ads in just a few hours of effort.
You aren't likely to make millions from blogging, but you can make enough to keep you above water while you work on your startup.
And, the better and more frequent your blog content, the more you can earn.
Be a sales rep.
Thousands of products are sold through independent sales reps, many of whom work on a commission-only basis.
Don't be afraid of the commission-only pay structure...
you can do very well with a little organization and some solid networking skills.
Rephunter.
com is a clearinghouse for manufacturers looking for reps, and you only need to be willing to hit the streets to convince retailers to carry your lines of products.
Better: find products to rep that are related to your startup idea.
This way you can get to know other players in the industry and potentially find some support for your new business, all while keeping the bills paid! Consult on what you know.
Look into short-term contract and consulting opportunities in your industry.
While full-time jobs are in short supply, short-term gigs are available in just about every industry.
From construction to accounting, computer skills to cleaning, you can find all kinds of opportunities to earn a few hundred dollars at a time.
Check out the "gigs" list on Craigslist...
and check it frequently.
New ads pop up all the time and the quicker you respond, the better your chances of getting the work.
Also, keep in touch with former employers and co-workers as they can be great resources for short-term contract work.
Find another small business niche and start it too! As you are working on your startup, keep an eye out for additional opportunities.
One LaunchX grad ended up starting three companies simultaneously because he didn't want to let opportunities slip by...
now he is doing well enough that all three have a staff of their own! The trick to getting through the toughest part of startup is to be innovative.
There is money out there to be made, you just have to be creative and willing to find it!