Ways to make money offline
By jazzsue58
@jazzsue58 (2666)
May 10, 2011 10:16am CST
Just had my new contact lenses delivered - by courier. Got me thinking - hey, I just got me a new car. I got a clean driving licence - I could do that job!!!
Another thing - last night on the radio, it mentioned a new community loan site where, basically, members of the public can both borrow and lend money, via a "middleman" who regulates transactions. It seems quite secure - and a cool way to earn a few bucks (I'd guess amounts loaned are low, and interest rates high, for borrowers.)
Anyone here tried couriering or money lending via a professional site? How did you get on????
1 person likes this
2 responses
@petersum (4522)
• United States
10 May 11
I'm not sure that loans are legal, you probably need a license or something. But you are right about delivery service. There must be many products that normally go via courier, and that you could deliver much cheaper and with personalized service. That's a very good idea. I'm sure many members could start such a business in their own countries.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
10 May 11
I've looked into the loan thing, the one I think it might be is Zopa (uk dot zopa dot com) They've been interviewed on R2, BBC1 etc plus a few newspapers like Daily Mail. Their blurb says: "our lenders are people like you who want to lend out their money." So it's a loan company - but a different kind - the funds come from members not them.
Can't find any scam reports on them. The loan amounts are £1000 - £15000 though, so can't see me getting involved - unless I can do a "job share" with a few other members!
For sure, the courier service is the way to go. Though if it involves a "special discounted qualification" of Zopa dimensions (like so-called "security" and "trainee plumber" jobs) I'll just keep on being the family unpaid taxi service!
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
10 May 11
BTW you're right about the licence - but it only applies above £25k apparently. That's the point you have to tell the taxman etc.
@emconnors (9)
• United States
12 May 11
Oh, if you're in the UK it might be different -- I only have experience with US peer-to-peer lending.
Sorry what I said wasn't very helpful! But the courier thing, for sure, sounds like a pretty good idea.
@emconnors (9)
• United States
12 May 11
I was just thinking yesterday that I should be a bike courier -- there aren't any in my city, and I think it'd be a fun way to go outside and ride my bike but still make money for rent and stuff.
As for the lending thing, I know exactly what you're talking about! There are two that I've seen are good, LendingClub and another one...I actually just posted a discussion about LendingClub. I've done a ton of research on it, and even though I haven't been on it very long so I haven't made much money, it seems like a pretty solid investment!
