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Earn extra cash by following these green tips
We often talk about how going green can save you money. While saving as much cash as possible in an economy such as this is beneficial, one thing we can all probably use is a little more income. Happily, there are myriad ways to earn some bucks employing a little ingenuity and your green lifestyle.
1. Sell your old cell phone If you couldn't resist a new iPhone, but still have a functioning talkie gathering dusk in a drawer somewhere, chances are you can sell it to a company that refurbishes and sells aging (but still useful) phones.
2. Turn other gadgets into cash Buyback programs like those found at TechForward, NextWorth, and Gazell all offer money for still-functioning electronics, extending their lives by refurbishing them for further use; as a bonus, if you've loved them just a bit too much, these companies will also recycle them for you.
3. Earn rebates for recycling If laptops, computers, cell phones, PDAs, and flat-panel monitors are piling up on you at home, services like MyBoneYard can help you recycle them, and even put some cash back in your pocket, in some cases. Newer, fully-functional gear nets you the most cash; their site has a handy widget to tell you what you can earn for your old gear. If your stuff doesn't make the cut for cash, they'll recycle all of the electronics listed above, and, in many cases, will pay the postage, as well, with a downloadable and printable label, so at least doing the right thing won't cost you anything.
4. Get a rebate for your old car battery Sometimes, unexpected cash is in the last place you'd think to look (like under the hood of your car). If your car's battery isn't doing the job anymore, check in with recyclers, parts stores and auto repair shops; in many cases, you'll earn rebates—or at least a credit toward your new battery—from wherever you end up taking it. Note that this one is best researched before you're stuck somewhere with a dead battery and places to go.
5. Earn money by selling old scrap metal Another from the "last place you look" file, this one can go for anything from simple scrap you have lying around, to busted old appliances. According to Planet Green's Josh Peterson, iron, steel, and copper are the materials where the money is at, and some municipalities are cool with you picking through the local dump to grab the treasures awaiting a careful scavenger. Still other locales are accepting whole appliances, which can be taken apart and whose individual components can be recycled. Just don't forget to update your tetanus shot.
