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I thought I'd post this idea for some Christians that might be needing an income.  After all, if we have money we can help the Lord's work more so.

Have any of you ever thought of going on a game show?  Most of the game shows award cash prizes.  Some of the best ones are Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  On Deal or No Deal, the top prize is one million dollars (and also other large descending amounts) and no special knowledge is required.  Wheel of Fortune is solving a word puzzle as letters are revealed....prizes are mostly cash, with some cars and trips.

I am not the type to go on a game show....but if any of you are, it might be a good way to get some income.  I've even seen some pastors on these shows.

Hello Debp,

Good morning!

I think that I would rather just live more simply.   ;)

You did get me to thinking about many years ago when I was young and times were fairly hard. There was always a variety of things to do, and they usually involved some pretty hard work. I'm thinking about cutting wood, clearing brush, stumping trees, light hauling, painting, yard work, roofing, and a huge variety of things that always need to be done. Someone is usually willing to do the work, and they get paid pretty well. Many times, it's just a matter of someone offering to do the work.

Well, if I live any more simply, I'll be on the street!   :)  I don't even have a computer (I use a neighbor's in exchange for caring for her cat...she travels, etc, alot).  No car, no cable, no cell phone, etc.

Hello Debp,

 ;)  If you were the type to appear on a game show, how would you get the money for transportation and lodging to go appear? It sounds like a vicious circle, and most people probably just waste their money in getting there. If I were a woman, and I'm not, I would probably spend that money on a sewing machine, crafts to make, or tools of some sort to make the income I needed for the long term. Just as an example,

1 - A squeegee on the end of a long pole, a sponge, some old rags, a bucket, and some cheap soap can be used to clean business windows. Nobody likes to clean windows, and most businesses are happy to pay for this once or twice a month. Someone doing a good job could easily get an entire shopping center.

2 - $10 worth of tools to hang wallpaper. This is easy to learn, and most folks don't want to hang wallpaper.

3 - $10 worth of paint, stencils, and misc. to paint address numbers on curbs for emergency services to use. $5 per number set is very reasonable, and homeowners usually don't do things like this. The profit margin is about 80%, and some folks do entire neighborhoods when the numbers start wearing off.

These are just a few ideas, and this doesn't get into all kinds of regular jobs that are available for all kinds of people, including the elderly and the disabled. There's a million different honest things to do for people needing an income or a supplement to pensions, etc.

Sister, if you use any of these ideas, all you owe me is 10%.    ;D   ;D 

Sewing machines in this area can be picked up at garage sales for $15.00 to $25.00 that are in really good shape. The most they usually need is minor cleaning and oiling if anything at all. Even if a person does not use them for others at least they can be used to make clothes for themselves. Material can be obtained for $1.00 a yard at Wal Mart and sometimes at Hobby Lobby or other places such as this. Sometimes material can be obtained at garage sales also for even less.

This material can also be used to make quilts. I just made one myself and it cost me less than $5.00 to make it. Such quilts are going for $100.00 or more. That's quite a profit. Some people will gladly pay for curtains that are tailor made which is also a big profit.

Speaking of stencils. A friend of mine uses stencils to put signs on store windows. He uses a soap base solution to paint with and makes quite a bit doing so. He then gets paid for washing the windows when it is time to remove the signs.

Well, first of all, let me explain I am not complaining about my income.  I feel very blessed....it's just that I do not see paying out extra money for things that I do not really need like a cell phone, cable, etc.  Also, car insurance alone is extremely expensive in L.A., so I am happy to hop on the subway or take a bus.  (Also, then I don't have to take a car to the shop, etc.  Been there, done that.)

I got the idea for this topic from reading someone else's post.  I don't think there is anything wrong with them appearing on a game show, if they really need the money and have their priorities right with the Lord.

I live in Los Angeles so for me it would be no problem to appear on a game show....if my application would be accepted.  But I have no leading to do that....so I won't.  :)

When I was in my mid 20s, I tried to sew a dress for myself.   :o  Disaster in the making...  :)  I finally gave my sewing machine to my aunt in Arizona.  (I was a good oil painter at least!)

That's great you made a quilt, Pastor Roger!  Actually, in some other areas of the USA, you could probably get much, much more than $100 for them.  I once ordered a catalogue from a store in an Amish area....they wanted $500 and up for even a twin quilt!  I finally found some quilts on sale at the department store for $40.  They were made in China but still handmade.

Also, one of my other aunts in PA made me a quilt which I still appreciate very much and I remember her often for doing this.  (It came at a time when I was very ill and arrived on Christmas Eve with some other gifts for my mom and myself!!  It really was a wonderful surprise.)

Talking about the windows, here in L.A., some people paint store and restaurant windows for Christmas.  That's a good idea, too, for extra income.

The quilts that the Amish usually make are all hand sewn. The ones that I normally make are tied quilts. They are quicker to make and not as hard on my hands. I have done the stitched ones before but I am in no way good enough to charge that much. I first started making quilts when I was 15, recovering from surgery that kept me from doing much else. Since then I have made at least 500 different quilts and many quilted wall hangings and pillows and such. They do make for excellent gifts for family and friends.

Wow, that's great!  What exactly are tied quilts?  I've never heard that term before.

A few months ago I read an article in the L.A. Times magazine.  It was about these elderly black women that made quilts.  They were "discovered" by some people and the quilts can now fetch even $10,000...or more, I think.  They are rather primitively made, too.  It was amazing to read....the income enabled these poverty stricken women to even buy small homes for their families.

Tied quilts have just that a knot that is tied every so many inches apart. I use crochet thread and leave a little thread dangling on the top side of the quilt. I call them little rabbit ears.

Interesting.  Are you able to post any photos of your quilts?  Would be nice to see some.  That's if you have any photos already....don't worry about it if you don't.

This is just two of the ones that I could find on my computer right now. These were fairly simple as there was no piece work required.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/100_0426.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/100_0427.jpg)


This is the set of curtains that I made from scratch including embroidering the emblem on them.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/100_0147.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/Curtain.jpg)

These are very nice - beautiful work! It has me wishing that I could do something like this, but I'm fortunate to be able to sew a button back on something.

Many in my family have made quilts, but they are quite different. Most of the ones I remember look like many small squares of material sewn together. There is some kind of insulating material sewn in the center that makes them very warm. Typically, most of them are soft and smooth materials - maybe cotton. Children usually like them immediately because they are so soft and warm. No two of them are alike, and many different patterns and colors are usually involved.

If I remember correctly, the materials were bits and pieces of things left over from making something else or things that were worn out. These were hard times when very little was ever wasted. The subject of the depression always came up, and it was quickly apparent they had experienced times of need.

I have done a number of those patchwork quilts also. Those are a bit more time consumming but they are very nice and as you said can be made from bits of clothes that are otherwise worn out. I have used old quilts that were slightly worn and recovered them also.

Very beautiful quilts, Pastor Roger!  That embroidery on the curtains must have taken alot of time.  Several years ago I did a few cross stitch Christmas ornaments (and enjoyed it) but it was too hard on my eyes so I can't do them anymore.  Or if I ever do try again, I probably can only do one little row here and there.

When you say your quilts aren't pieced...do you mean you use very large portions to put together?

Blackeyedpeas, those quilts you mentioned (made out of other odds and ends) sound like the quilts those elderly black ladies made in the Times article.  I forgot the name of the quilts....but they are worth alot of money....like I previously posted they sell for $10,000 and even more.  Can't remember the name of the organization or people that "discovered" these ladies.  I think it was people connected with the "art world" in New York.

When I say they aren't pieced I mean that I buy bolts of material and use the full lengths I need without cutting them into small pieces. Sometimes it may be necessary to sew to lengths together to make for a proper width but that would be the extent of any piece work involved. I can sometimes find entire bolts of material for only $1.00. It is rare but it brings the price down tremendously. I got some yellow material with "Oh Henry" designs on it that way with enough material to make three quilts, both front and back with it.

What do you stuff them with?  Do you machine stitch patterns in them to hold the stuffing in place?  The ones I bought are lightweight quilts....a little of that "white stuff" in them.  They've lasted several years which is good considering we machine wash them.  Also, I have 2 cats....one of them sometimes likes to try to scratch the quilts....luckily not too often!  Now and then a little bit of the seams pull apart and I stitch it back up.

If I can afford it at the time I use store bought batting. I have used old blankets or extra heavy weight material that I have gotten at low price. Some have no stuffing that we use as summer quilts.

I only use the machine sewing to finish off the outside edges of the quilts. All the rest are either hand stitched or tied. The following is a close up picture of the one quilt that shows the tying with yarn a bit better.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/Image1.jpg)

I still have a number of quilts that I made 15 yrs ago. We machine wash ours also. I also have some quilt tops that I refuse to finish. They were my great grandmothers. She passed on before she could finishe them. The material is still quite good even though they are slightly yellowed from age.

Thanks, Pastor Roger, it's very interesting to hear about your quilting.

We have two crafts stores in Glendale, CA.  I haven't been there for awhile (takes about 45-50 minutes on the bus to get there).  One is JoAnn's....it has materials as well.  The other is Michael's which is much, much larger and has about everything imaginable in crafts.  Around Christmas I usually do some beaded ornaments which are just for my own use and pleasure to do.  I did give two away last Christmas.

We have several JoAnn's in this area. I rarely go to them as they are fairly high priced. I get my sewing supplies from WalMarts $1.00 bin, garage sales, estate sales and an unclaimed freight store. My wife and I occasionally go to Hobby Lobby for patterns and material when they have a really good sale.

My wife makes a lot of clothes with the patterns and material for the entire family. We have also given some of these things to families in need like fire victims.

Do you sell your quilts?  I just checked a few websites that sell quilts....some were even $850.  At another site, one on sale was around $130.

Here in Los Angeles we have the "fashion district"....it's 50 city blocks (or more) that sells all sorts of things very reasonably.  One area of the fashion district sells just materials.  I once took someone there that sews....she went crazy over the huge selection....block after block of materials.  I don't go there very often but it's a fun place to visit.  Some vendors buy things there and then sell them on the streets here.  (I once bought two umbrellas there for $2 each!  That's really, really cheap for L.A.)

I have never sold any of them. If not as a present to a family member then it has just been to give to someone needy.

It takes me a very long time to get one finished. My handicap does not permit me to spend a lot of time on one to get it finished quickly enough to sell. I used to be able to put one together in about 6 to 8 hours. Now it takes me about a month, sometimes longer.

Well, it's a good hobby....anything that you enjoy like that is good.

Yes, it is. It gives me time to be with the Lord and it is relaxing as I don't have to strain my brain on it.  ;) :D :D

I found this topic quite interesting, as I have been and am in that condition. When I was younger and in better health I used to wash windows. I did not buy anything. I took rags and a bucket and some dish detergent to clean the windows, then a roll of paper towels and Windex to make them shine. I advanced from that point into doing housecleaning for people letting them buy the supplies they needed and wanted used in their homes. I charged by the day instead the hour, which kept people from glancing at their watch everytime I stopped for a drink of water or to rest a moment. Now I am unable to do manual labor, so I earn pocket change by having yard sales in which many times my friends donate things to me to sell to help me out. I also do crafts, such as painting and woodburning and jewelry making and sell these at craft shows. I sell everything for $10.00, or less. People feel they are getting a item at a reasonable price and I make enough to cover my expenses and still make a profit. There are lots of jobs out there if you have the nerve to just ask somebody. Elderly people need help with shopping, shoveling snow of their sidewalks, transportation :) and etc.. The simple things you do for yourself are often the type of things others need help with.

Hello Islandboy,

We've been missing you, and it's nice to see you back on the forum. We have quite a few on the forum who are ill or disabled and limited on what they can do. I'm one of them. I enjoy serving the LORD with most of my time, and we've been fortunate to have our needs provided by GOD. If I really needed to make a few extra dollars, I would probably use my computer. I'll just give thanks to GOD that we don't need or want much.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 3:20-21 NASB  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Thanks Tom.
 I have dropped by a few times but didn't have time to post. I get involved in helping others  doing the Lords work trying to make someone else's day a bit brighter. My craftwork keeps my mind off my health and getting out of the house in among the living at craft shows and keeps depression at bay. I tried using my computer to earn some cash, but didn't have much luck with it. I have a website, but it is just for entertainment. I don't sell anything on it nor do I get commissions. The links just go to interesting sites that either I or friends found on the web and shared with me. Making a living off the web is hard and can be expensive. I think it is easier to deal with people face to face. When talking face to face with someone about a job, I could tell right away if I got the job or not. On the internet it is hard to know who you are talking to and even if the job is real. But everyone has different talents and I applaud those that make a living off or on the internet.

Hello Islandboy,

We are all different, and we all have different abilities. I'll just give thanks that GOD has something for all of us to do, regardless of health or wealth. We have a range of members on both ends of the spectrum and everything in between for health and wealth. Most of us can get out and do many things, but some can't. GOD has plans and a Purpose for all of us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 4:4 NASB  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

I agree totally with what your saying. I wish I knew more about computers and the talents needed to develop websites or create banners, or the countless other ways of earning money with a computer. I didn't have any luck with what I tried, but that doesn't mean what  your doing won't make money. But I do enjoy my simple crafts and like I said it gets me out of house a few times out of the year. I am still waiting on my SSD trial, its going on five years now. If nothing else it has taught me how to live on next to nothing, although, I don't recommend it. So if your looking for work see if your neighbors need help.  Ask around. Be creative. Start a new hobby. Do things that you really enjoy and things sometimes have a way of working out. Best of luck and God Bless You All. :)

I really enjoyed these post.... ;D

Maryjane

Hi,
     Some of these ideas are perfect. My kids are always asking for money, besides the usual lawn mowing, painting the address on the curb is a great idea. I'm going to pass this on to my daughter. We live in such a small town we don't have curbs but maybe she could use smaller stencils and do the mail boxes instead. Wonder what a good price would be for something like that? Any idea how you go about determining what to charge? With 911 in our area now she could also put and address number on the side of the houses where the owners designated of coarse.
    I looked into several gotcha187es and found hidden costs or out right scams. Most would end up costing me more than I made, sold door to door for a minute, but it didn't pay either, even tried sweeper selling....YEK, thankfully I become sick and couldn't get out of bed for a few weeks. My super got all mad at me and fired me...lol. I was honestly sick too.
For years I babysat, cleaned my church and tried to spend wisely. Seems I didn't spend as wisely as I wanted though because we were and still are deeply in debt. But I pray that will come to an end after I begin bringing in a better pay check this fall. But my heart is in the home, what I would give to stay at home and be wife and mother again. I hate working outside the home, especially when my kids were younger. I eventually began doing quillings. I sell one every once in a while, don't confuse it with quilting, it is with out the "t" q- u- i- l- l- ing. It a wonderful old old paper art, each one is unique, never two alike. I can quill on anything, favorite poem, scripture, pictures, my favorite is quilling on wedding invitations, using the brides wedding colors. I've seen many brides totally awed by the gift too.  My husband thinks I should post one on ebay but I haven't taken the time to figure out how to do that.
       
God is good,
musicllover

The Amish are talented in sewing..but I would not wear to a dog fight anything I had sewn...it is absolutely not one of my gifts...I have never worried over money...even when I thought things would get so tight...God would provide...His word says I have never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging for bread..and it is true in my case...
My husband was in a terrible accident...The man who hit him was not only an alcoholic...but had no insurance...With four little children and a husband who had to have extensive rehab...I had to work three jobs...We had every thing before this accident and lost it all due to this accident...I remember how depressed I became and how I wanted to take my life because I felt a failure that I could not do enough to support my family...One night I walked into my bathroom and just as I was about to take my life...I found myself on the floor and I do not know how I got there ....I felt this peace and tears were running down my cheeks and a voice said..Do not be afraid...Not only did God bless me with a job that took care of my family...but my husband who had his face torn off...broken bones everywhere had begun to heal quickly and walked again..and is now working at a wonderful job...It is not the best job...but it is wonderful because there was no hope from doctors he would go back to work...What I thought to be the darkest days of my life..became the times I learned to trust God for everything...he has never failed and will never fail His children...People who know my husband and I see how God has blessed us when they see the outcome of the situation...We do not have all we use to have that is material..but we have so much more than we ever had..life more abundant in trusting the only one who gives life and promises he will never leave or forsake us in all we endure...Thanks for letting me share this testimony...I hope that those who are in any kind of hardship will know God's promises are true...

Lovingly...
Maryjane

Amen! God is indeed wonderful and does keep His promise to care for us.

My wife has been handicapped for some time, unable to work. I was the only bread winner in the family. I came down with a number of health problems all at the same time. A quadruple bypass, Gulf War Illness and severe Osteoporosis. It put me completely out of work. We couldn't qualify for public aid and was without any sort of income for two years. The Lord took care of us and provided. We didn't have much when it was all done but at least we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. More important we all had each other and a closer walk with the Lord.

Pastor...

Your testimony blesses me..We could not get aid either...but God provided...I will be praying for you...as I know how it can be...Yes....there is a roof over our head...and thank God the blood covers the door post...I love that you mentioned your family being close as this is what it is with us...With the family falling apart in these times...what greater testimony that through even the bad times...we find the Lord closer and that he holds our family in His hands...and provides for our needs...if there be any prosperity..it will not be found in money or possession...but in the love of God toward his children..

Amen. Where our treasure is ....