I'm not going to give you the false impression that doing one or all of the ways to earn a little money I mention in this blog will cover your rent, much less make you rich. But they may help cover groceries, gas, some bills, and a bit of your pride. If nothing else, doing a few of these will keep you busy and in a working state of mind.

Whether you were laid off, left your dead-end job, or got fired, being unemployed can be a frustrating, desperate experience. Duh. Eventually, you'll be gainfully employed again and counting the minutes until you can go home and start the daily grind all over again the next day. Won't that be nice? In the meantime, use your resourcefulness to find opportunities to earn a few bucks here and there. Better yet, just use mine and save yourself the time.

1. Participate in a research study: Yes, there are legitimate studies that pay you in cash as soon as you complete the study, you just have to find them. Craigslist is your best bet - search "test" or "study" or "research" in the community, gigs, and jobs sections. Usually a study will seek people of a certain age range, sex, and sometimes with specific conditions such as a medical condition or someone who is the sole grocery shopper in their household. I participated in an Asian foods study for Annie Chung's a few days ago. I taste tested noodle dishes, sauces on chicken, and some snacks, rated each item, and left with $100 cash.
   Tip: Do not give out any private information. All a legitimate study needs is your name and basic demographic information.
2. Get crafty: Do you have a hobby that could translate into a money-making venture? If you make any kind of craft you think might sell at a community arts show or similar expo, consider making a bunch and renting a table to sell your work. Jewelry, scarfs, purses, pottery, ornaments, paintings...the list goes on. If your work is unique and well made, you might put a hobby to work for you.
   Tip: Enlist the help of some friends or family and share the expense of a table so you can all sell your work together, or maybe even ask them to help you prepare your work for sale.
3. Use coupons and get freebies: OK, so you're not really making money with this, but you are potentially saving a lot of dough at the store and getting free samples of things you'd spend money on. The Sunday newspaper has a lot of coupons that will give you anywhere from 15 cents to dollars off of products you need to buy anyway. Web sites like Start Sampling, Killer Freebies, Walmart, and Procter and Gamble offer sample sizes of products like hair products, snack foods, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, pantyhose, magazines, and much more - absolutely free, no strings attached. Start Sampling is the best, hands down. You can also complete online surveys at E-Rewards, and in return you accumulate points which you can then redeem for Borders gift certificates (“Borders Bucks”), magazine subscriptions, frequent flyer miles, and more.
   Tips: If a site asks you to complete a "special offer" or sign up for a service before you can get a free sample, it's a scam. Legitimate free samples just require your email and mailing address, and maybe a few demographics such as your gender, age, and job status. You can always make them up if you feel uncomfortable. And about those coupons - don't feel like a pest when you give the cashier a stack of them. Times are tough and most people are very understanding. If you still feel odd about holding up the line a little, try to go shopping at off-peak times (during regular work hours, later at night, during a big game on TV).
4. Get a freelance gig: These may not be available for everyone's professional background, but temporary, part-time, or work-from-home jobs are out there. You just need to be smart and relentless about finding them. Again, craigslist is a great place to find them in its jobs, gigs, and community sections. Would you be a good babysitter, housekeeper, dog walker, tech specialist, or - ahem - blog writer? People will pay if you're a strong candidate for the gig.
   Tip: It might not be a lot, and the money may not come right away, but gambling on a little or even a lot of pay is better than sitting at home in ratty sweats playing Wii, right? The answer is "Yes."