How to Make Quick Cash (Including Some Ways That Aren’t Embarassing)

So you’ve lost your job — or maybe you’re running out of unemployment. In any case, you need to make some fast cash. The people over at Coupon Sherpa put together a list of resources to do just that–and while some of them we’d do in a second, others would be a real hit to the pride and reputation.

Sure, you’ve got to do what it takes to pay the bills. And yes, there are wonderful people who deliver phone books and clean houses. We know some. But guess what? They’d rather have better jobs, too. Here’s a handy guide to what you can do without feeling embarrassed, and what you’ll want to wear a good disguise for.

Say It Loud and Proud

Monetizing your web site or blog
Selling your unwanted stuff
Flipping web sites

Fine…As Long As Nobody Finds Out

Becoming a human guinea pig
Giving blood…

Downturnaround Deals: Proflowers, Victoria’s Secret, My Wines Direct, FTD, SkinStore

We make it easier to keep your spending in check, with weekly deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. This week we’ve got V-Day appropriate discounts. Spread the love.

Receive an exclusive 15% off and free shipping at My Wines Direct.
(See more My Wines Direct coupons.)…

Downturnaround Deals: Reebok, Petco, Linea Pelle, H&R Block, Ann Taylor, The Knot

Just so you remember the importance of being frugal, each week we post online deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. Pass it on.

Start thinking summer shape-ups and take 20% off footwear at Reebok. (See more Reebok coupons.)

Take 10% off food and litter with no minimum at Petco. (See more Petco coupons.)…

Recession Briefing: Americans Have Money for Gifts, But Not Food

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Nearly one in five Americans said they lacked the money to buy the food they needed at some point in the last year, according to a survey co-sponsored by the Gallup organization and released Tuesday by an anti-hunger group. (New York Times)

Consumers spent an average of $811 on holiday gifts, significantly more than the $699 they initially planned to spend, according to a survey. About 4 in 5 consumers bought gifts, and many shoppers bought for themselves, the poll found. (Los Angeles Times)

“How do I know when the next recession will occur? All I have to do is ask my wife,” writes Gene Marks. “That’s because women know this answer. Not men.” (Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Five Surprising Ways to Stretch Your Beauty Buck

Makeup is about beauty, and that extends to the packaging. We love shiny lipstick cases that snap shut, perfect eye shadow palettes, pretty bottles and boxes.

So you might think there’s nothing beautiful about an eye shadow compact held together with duct tape or a nub of concealer mashed into a jar. But especially if you buy high-end beauty products you can save a pretty penny by squeezing every bit of use out of them.

Here are five ways to save money on your gorg-ifying regimen. And if if makes you feel better, I’ve never seen a professional makeup artist lay out a row of pristine cases to work their magic. They mix, smash, drip and re-package.

Mend your broken makeup

When I was more free-spending, a dropped eye shadow would result in some mild cussing and another $15 charged at the makeup counter. But when I was unemployed and smashed a favorite MAC powder, it seemed crazy to spend so much on a little circle of pigment. Turns out, you can fix a broken shadow with a few drops of alcohol and a few other household items.

Downturnaround Deals: Drugstore.com, Gap, Lush, Nirvana, Chegg, Weight Watchers

Every week, we post online deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. Pass ‘em on for good financial Karma.

Save $10 and receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more at Drugstore.com. (See more Drugstore.com coupons.)

Receive a Savings.com exclusive 12% off Nirvana Chocolates. (See more Nirvana Chocolate coupons.)…

Cashing In on Wedding Gifts

In some circles, it’s considered totally ticky-tack to give cash as a wedding gift. Well, times are tight and with people getting married later and later, couples are likely to already own not one but two sets of salad servers.

We expect cash to become more acceptable–and frankly, think it’s far preferable to some of the junk guests call “gifts.”

Deposit a Gift is a new site that seems right on trend…

How Credit Card Companies Are Making Nice

And you thought credit card companies held all the…well, cards.

Now they’re getting battered by the recession, as some consumers get smart about credit, and others get so broke they can’t pay at all. Then there are the new rules coming down from Washington.

So credit card companies are changing the way they play (a little). Lenders are actually getting friendlier…

Downturnaround Deals: Ski Vacations, Sirius, Shoes.com, Ann Taylor, MacAfee

If you’re going to spend, at least save a little doing it. To help, every week we post some great deals hand-picked by our friends at Savings.com.

Exclusive: $100 off plus one free night and ski day in Breckenridge at Southwest Vacations. (See more Southwest coupons.) Check out more ski bargains here.
Take 20% off sitewide with free shipping on $50 or more at Sirius. (See more Sirius coupons.)…

Five Simple Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2010

There are no excuses left for not getting a good, firm grip on your money.

I’ll just earn more? Last year, even the richie-richest learned that cash doesn’t always keep rolling in.

I don’t know where to start? There are countless resources on the internet.

I don’t have time? There are great tools that will break it all down into steps that can take as little as a few minutes.

Learn your lesson from the recession, already, and get your financial ducks in a row. Start your year with these simple steps:

Get organized

Don’t know where to start? Our friends at LearnVest (one of Recessionwire’s content partners–hey Caroline Waxler!), are running a financial bootcamp this month…