Creative Ways to Earn Money -Chimney Sweeps

Thanks to www.dreamstime.com for this home chimney free clip art. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America unclean chimneys can be dangerous; they can injure or kill people. Steve Gillman has a very creative book called 101 Weird Ways to Make Money. In the book he talks about becoming a chimney sweep. You have to work inside homes and on the roofs.

Some chimney sweeps inspect wood stoves and attics. Carbon Monoxide testing is often required. There is little competition.

If this is of interest, read the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s website. The Chicago Tribune had an article “Chimney Sweep Keeps Home Fires Burning Safely” December, 2010.

You can google the Chimney Sweep companies in your area and ask whether they need help. You can ask friends, neighbors and acquaintances whether or not they clean their chimneys regularly.

I once knew someone who advised me to constantly “Keep spinning”. If things are not working out, keep your mind active, keep thinking of unusual solutions to problems.

Jewel-Osco Holiday Happenings

I was at Jewel-Osco today. As you walk into the store there is a 19 page coupon book. Offers good Sunday, 12/4 – Saturday, 12/17. Savings are offered on Arctic Shores Extra Large Shrimp, Mller, Budweiser or Coors Beer, fruit baskets, fresh cranberries, L’Oreal Paris Viva Pro or Studio items, Listerine Mouthwash, Gillette Fusion or Pro Glice Refill, CareFree Panty Shields and other products. You must present your Jewel –Osco Preferred Card.

Jewel – Osco also advertises a competition for prizes., “Wish Big Win Big Holiday Giveaway”. The rules to play, the rules to win, land imitations are listed on the brochures. Get the brochure at Customer Service. You must collect Markers from products such as Ritz Crackers, Oreos, Dasani Water, Coca Cola, Powerade, DiGiorno pizza, Hostess Donettes, Nature’s Pride Whole Wheat Bread, Canada Dry, Diet Snapple, 7Up, Swiss Miss, Hormel Pepperoni Mini’s, Quilted Northern Soft & Strong and other products.

Subway

December is Subway's Customer Appreciation Month.

$2 for a 6 " Cold Cut Combo or Marinara Meatball

If you like luncheon meets, Subway is good value.

Bed, Bath & Beyond or Target Dec. '11

I received 2 separate Bed, Bath and Beyond 20% one single item coupons in (street) mail. Expiration 1/2/12.

However, do your comparison shopping because Target has a lot of specials on its website.

Be sure to google the manufacturer's name because sometimes you can use 2 coupons when purchasing the same item. It's called Stacking Coupons.

InsideChicago Coupons Dec. '11 to Jan. '12

The Best of the Northern Suburbs

inside chicago coupon booklet came in the mail in early December, 2011.

Wine Discount Center of Highland Park

$10 off any purchase of 6 bottles of wine

Expires 1.31.12

The Kohler Store Chicago, Glenview and Burr Ridge

enjoy 25% off your full order of all KOHLER products

expires 1.31.12

also

50% off Your In-Home Bathroom Design Service

Fiesta en Zapatista Northbrook

$50 off any party of 10 people of more

$25 off your dining experience of $75 or more

expiration 1.31.12

Asha

An Aveda Lifestyle Salonspa Evanston, Bucktown, Gold Coast, Shops on Butterfield, downtown

AshaSalonSpa.com

50% off Your First Haircut and/or Color

Valid Monday - Thursday only First Time Guests Must provide coupon code

Philly's Cheese Steaks

In my mailbox was a set of coupons from Philly's Best 815 Emerson, Evanston (IL). There are 3 other locations in Chicago.

$5 Off with any purchase of $20 or more Coupon Subject to Change Without Nice (whatever that means)

FREE 10" Cheese Pizza

with any purchase of $15 or more

FREE order bang bang shrimp

with any purchase of $15 or more

FREE Delivery

with any purchase of $15 or more

*** I haven't been to this restaurant.

Coupons, More Coupons

In the November 30th Red Eye there is a Golden Nugget coupon. Golden Nugget if a family restaurant with 7 Chicago locations.

Breakfast Specials are available Monday - Friday at all locations $4.99.

There are also Complete Dinner Specials

and a

10% Off Entire Bill or Free Select Dessert coupon.

Red Eye is a free Chicago Publication. Most of its readers are in their 20's and 30's. There are similar publications all over the country.

Also in Red Eye, Grossinger's at 151 N. Fremont, is advertising

2012 Cadillacs for $31,997, 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS's for $14,495 and Toyota 2011 Corolla's for $14,999. Be sure to comparison shop.

They also have: Build Your Own Coupon

$100 to $199 $15 off service

$200 to $299 $20 off service

etc.

all the way to

$900 or more $100 off

Expires 12/31/11

Black Friday is Pretty Terriffic

My hometown newspaper this week had a large Black Friday supplement. LazZBoy is having a National Thanksgiving Sale 25% off storewide for 4 days Friday, November 25^th to Monday, November 28^th.Carson’s offers a 15% coupon with certain restrictions. There is also a shop online discount code. 50% off all regular price mattresses Sealy Posturpedic, Simmons, Beautyrest and others. Coupon will NOT be in the store. The stores open at 12 am Friday.

Carson’s Door Busters is available until 1 pm Friday. $19.97 reversible down alternative comforter The web item number is listed. Sheets, pillows, towels, luggage, mixers, crock pots, popcorn poppers, slow cookers, toaster ovens, wafflemakers, rechargeable razors, vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, play tents, play houses, Wii and Nintendo games, digital camerascookware, kitchen knives, storage sets, glassware, flatware, holiday ornaments, wrapping paper, pre lighted Christmas trees, photo frames, jewelry, boots, socks, gloves, sleepwear, robes, fleece jackets, handbags, jackets, ladies’ outerwear, collegiate fleece, men’s dress shirts, neckwear. You have to read the newspaper supplement because some items are available until Friday at pm and other items are available until Saturday.

Hhgregg offers 24 month special financing. HOWEVER, often with special financing if you are one day late you pay a fee of 23% or more so it is not necessarily worth the risk. The contract is usually difficult to read. They say to Line up Early! Limited Quantities. Doorbusters Midnight to 11 am Friday or while supplies last. Flat screen TV’s, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, digital cameras, blu ray players, tablets. Inside Hhgegg’s supplement are 2 day offerings including laptops, printers, tablets.

I am watching The Godfather and there is a RadioShack commercial for Shack Friday.

Walgreens offers toys, potted trees, laundry detergent, wine, kitchenware, duffel bags, paper towels, Coca Cola products, beer, grape juice, household cleaners, photo development, socks, holiday cards, Ferrero Rocher, holiday items, digital cameras, computer storage devices, assorted DVD’s, reclining chairs, 3 wheel mobility scooters, fans, makeup, toothbrushes, heating pads, vaporizers, humidifiers, walkers,

Macy’soffers similar items to Carson’s. including bedroom sets, dining sets, recliner chairs, sofas, rugs, and mattresses.

If You Use Peapod You Can Still Save

If you are a first time Peapod user you can receive $15 percent off.

Look for unfamiliar brands for napkins and toilet paper.

When your first order is delivered you will receive a coupon for the next order. For the first 60 days, your delivery charge is free. By then, you have gotten into the habit of using this service. If you order $100 of goods, your delivery charge goes down. Note: you can buy postage stamps if your order hasn’t gone to $100.

You can research the web to look for coupons. Present the coupons to your Peapod delivery person and s/he will deduct the amount from your total fee.

Peapod, I must say, is a luxury. If you are healthy, you may want to go to stores yourself.

Pros and Cons of Renting Your HOme

In response to tough times, you may be thinking about renting out your home. There are plenty of positives.

However, if the renter does something illegal in your home, you are held responsible.

Most people who rent out their homes only think about the payments coming in. Suppose your renter pays $600 per month but causes damage that cost you $2,000 to repair.

Before renting, contact at least 3 real estate agents who find renters for homeowners. Find out what their fees are. How do they look into the renters to determine if they are even responsible enough to consider.