New here: trying to find extra work to repay debt

Seconded. I'm in dire need of some freelancing work, myself, to save up money to move out of my parents' house and get a real job. I'd also be looking for writing/secretarial work.

One idea my mom had, which I don't really want to get into because I hate web-design, -coding, and -management, is contacting all the local real estate offices and offering to put up websites for them. I guess you could contact lawyer's offices and other clerical places and ask if they can give you any remote work.

I tried signing up for Guru (a freelance work hub), but it was such a freaking pain. They claim that you can have a free account and still get work through their site, and then they don't let you view or apply for any jobs "because you're not a paying member". What a joke.

I applied for positions at several online transcription sites. Maybe I'll hear back from them.

Good luck with your search. I hope both of us find a way to make some money, and soon.

Okay I am not alone then, I had that problem with that site too.

Just a thought: in my opinion, software companies are in dire need of tech writers and editors of writing produced by ahem, well-intentioned non-professional writers. This is especially true if there is a non-native english speaking presence in the company. If you have the confidence to approach real estate offices and lawyers, I'd add software companies to the list.

But what software companies? The first that come to mind are Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo! (none of whom would hire a highschool dropout like me for all the contracts in China).

Still no reply from those transcription companies. I'll have to keep doing work for my parents.

Just a thought: in my opinion, software companies are in dire need of tech writers and editors of writing produced by ahem, well-intentioned non-professional writers. This is especially true if there is a non-native english speaking presence in the company. If you have the confidence to approach real estate offices and lawyers, I'd add software companies to the list.

-"swhale"

Good thought, but unfortunately most companies these days won't hire tech writers without a tech writing certificate. The specifications that tech writers work to are somewhat exacting, and they use specialized software (such as RoboHelp), so they prefer to pull in people who are already trained.

I'll second the transcription, although you may not be able to do it at home--some places are on-site transcription firms. I did transcription as a second job for a while until I discovered I was TERRIBLE at it :)

If you have SOME money to spend, I would suggest investing in H&R; Block's tax preparation course (which costs around $300). You won't be able to do it this season, but they generally start around September, and teach you everything you need to know to prepare your own taxes as well as other people's. They offer all graduates with a decent score on the final exam a position at one of their offices. It's a really good opportunity that I think a lot of people don't know about.

I could never work with taxes. I'm hard-wired to be unable to process math and complex abstracts. But for others, that sounds like a very good thing to be certified in.

I could never work with taxes. I'm hard-wired to be unable to process math and complex abstracts. But for others, that sounds like a very good thing to be certified in.

-"FekketCantenel"

I'm dyscalculic, so I have trouble with numbers as well, but there's surprisingly little math in doing taxes anymore - the computer does most of the work for you. It still may not be your thing, but I thought I'd put that out there, anyway.