Everyone dreams about what to do with money if they suddenly came into a lot of it, whether by winning the lottery or getting an inheritance or doing well in stocks, etc.  Maybe money is especially tight for you now, as it is for most people, but you want to know how to get the most out of what you have, whether it’s extra money or not.  Before you run out on a shopping spree, here’s a list of ideas that can help you get a positive return on your funds.  (And shopping is definitely a way to go, but if you want more than a quick fix, read below!)

• Take out a home equity line of credit.  In a sense, this will be extra money, and you can use it for just about anything.  Pay down your high debts, start a college fund, or place it in a savings account for emergencies.  Of course, this is a loan you have to pay back, but if you can establish decent terms, you can use it to put yourself in a better financial situation.
• With your own current money, pay down your debt or open a savings account and have a set amount from your paycheck automatically deposited each payday.  Consider an account with a high interest rate, like a money market or CD, to get the most from your money.  Watch your income and expenses, and make sure you’re not spending too frivolously.  If you are, you can cut back and use that money for your debt, savings, or both.
• Start a part-time business.  This will definitely require upfront expenses and a good amount of your time, but they’ll both be different depending on what kind of business you choose.  If you’re able to put forth enough effort, your success can pay you back many times over in the future.
• Invest in the stock market.  If you do have a little money to play with, this can be a good option for you.  Just like gambling, only invest what you can afford to lose.  The stock market is always risky, and you want to be especially careful in current economic times.  But seek the right advice, and you can learn how to take advantage of a downturned market.
• Invest in your health.  Buy a new bike or a new pair of running shoes, or try out a new gym or fitness video.  Keeping yourself healthy now can prevent a host of expensive medical problems in the future.  Plus, you’ll just feel good in general, so get moving!
• Buy used.  There are plenty of items that just don’t make sense to buy new, and that’s everything from videogames to cars.  With some new items, you’re paying for the brand name or fancy packaging, and if you can do without that, wait until you can find it used for a better price.
• Buy generic.  Just like with used items, generic products can be a better buy than brand name.  Whether you’re buying food or medicine, check the labels.  Generic medicines usually contain the exact same active ingredients and can be up to hundreds of dollars cheaper than the brand name.  Most food products also contain the same or similar ingredients and you won’t notice a taste difference.  (You’ll have to experiment because you can run into some generics that just didn’t do a good imitation.  I personally recommend avoiding generic boxed macaroni and cheese.)

Explore your options.  This is only the beginning of how to make your money work for you.  Of course, if you can’t find anything that piques your interest, I’m always accepting donations.

If you’re a writer, you’re probably looking up jobs for writers.  Depending on where you live, the job offerings in that field may appear sparse.  Maybe you’re like me, and you even have a Starving Artist degree in writing, and you’re wondering how you can make that career path pay off.  If you consider job title other than just “writer,” the possibilities will open up.  Below are a few options to investigate:

Editor: You probably have strong proofreading skills and excellent grammar.  If you are also able to manage a team of other writers well and have a good understanding of layout and copy, you could be happy as an editor.  FYI, if you type “proofreader” in your job search, you’ll find this is an actual job title, too!  “Proof” will apply to copy and layout as well as editing grammar and structure; you just may not have the management requirements.

Teacher: If you prefer to share your knowledge with others, teaching might be the way to go.  English would be a good subject to be involved with if reading and analyzing is your forte.  Good writing teachers are valued, as well, and if you have a knack for recognizing strengths and weaknesses in others’ compositions and can provide constructive feedback, check out local schools for openings.  If there are none, suggest it!

Journalist: If your writing skills come alongside great people skills, and you always know the right questions to ask, try writing for your local newspaper.  If hard news isn’t quite your thing, you can always get into sports, features, entertainment, and any smaller sections unique to your newspaper, to name a few options.  It’s also a good excuse to learn more about your community and perhaps become more involved.

Marketing: Maybe you’re the ultimate salesperson and know how to write snappy headlines and persuasive copy.  You also know how to monitor sales patterns, customer needs, and statistics.  In a marketing setting, writing will be only one of your responsibilities, but your work will have a direct impact on the company’s productivity!

Freelance: You can offer your skills full-time or part-time, and here you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in a number of different projects.  You could end up doing anything from sales letters to web content to instruction manuals.  If you look in the right places (such as GoFreelance.com), you can find a number of different projects and essentially choose your own workload.

Creative Writing: If you’re a poet, novelist, storyteller, or playwright and want to focus your creativity only in these areas, you’re probably aware that you need an official day job until readers are knocking down your door for the next installment of your latest chronicles.  If none of the other options appeal to you, consider a job that will allow you some intervals to work on your writing, like receptionist, or one that works with the hours when you feel most inspired (for example, if you write best in the morning, consider waiting tables or some other 2^nd shift job).

There are jobs for writers out there; you just might need to search a little and try different position titles to find what you’re looking for.  Combining writing with other areas that interest you can open up a wider range of possibilities as well.

Despite the grim economy, there are still some high in demand jobs available.  Certain professions are fairly immune to an economic downturn, and even better, they pay well.  Below you’ll see a list of some of these in demand jobs.  They do each require previous education, experience, and possible certifications, but if you’re looking for a good job with good pay, the more of these you have acquired, the higher your pay could be.  The time and effort spent on education and certifications are well worth the advantage of a secure position.

• IT developers: The field of information technology is always advancing. Just like new cars, your personal computer is considered out-of-date the moment you buy it-imagine how quickly the workforce needs to advance to keep up. If you’re skilled in this field, as well as business savvy, you can easily find an open position.
• Web design professionals: Similar to IT in a way, businesses need people to keep their websites current, functional, and attractive. Most will want you to have related marketing knowledge and abilities, as you’ll be responsible for organizing (and potentially writing) their web copy. They’ll rely on you to help drive customers to action.
• Accountants: People will always be asking for help when managing their finances, especially businesses, and they will pay well for good help. Businesses need people that are certified, organized, technologically savvy, and can communicate well.
• Administration: If you have the right experience, you could be entrusted to help with budgeting and managing business projects. Administrators are needed to keep businesses running smoothly, especially when the market is tight.
• Health care: An average job search right now will turn up multiple listings in this field. Nurses, medical assistants, home health aides, and the like are always in demand. Certain positions require only minimal training and the right certification, but if you want the big bucks, invest in a full education and you’re all but guaranteed a secure career.
• Attorneys: They’re always in need, but in a time of foreclosures and busy collection agencies, attorneys are sure to be enlisted for legal help. The advice you can provide is worth a lot, and if you possess the right skills, including database management, internet searching, and exceptional computer abilities, law firms are looking for you.