Ok, this is a simple one and if you can’t make side money doing this then you are just either not very smart or lazy. But I am figuring that you are not either one of those things, and in fact are the type of person who can make big bucks raking leaves for folks here in the fall of the year.

That’s right, now is the time to get out and rake leaves for people and earn cash. Here are the steps to earning side money raking leaves:

First off, you need to go toe areas that are more established with larger trees. In fact, the older the area the better. Most larger and older subdivisions are full of old maple trees that have loaded down the yards with leaves by this time of year.

Secondly, decide what the leaf removal laws are for that particular area. In other words, you can earn more cash easier if you go to a town where the village pays to remove the leaves after you rake them to the street! If you have to pack the leaves in bags, that makes your job harder and longer. Find a township where they have a truck that comes around and sucks up the leaves so all you have to do is rake them to the street. That is the smart way to earn fast cash.

Next, you should go to areas that are of a higher income level where older people live. These people are likely not to have the time or energy to rake their own leaves but they do have the money to pay you to do it for them.

If you have the money, a hand-held gas powered blower will be a nice tool for you. They are available for around $125 at your local big box store. If you can’t afford a blower, then you just need a rake and that’s it.

Finally, you should charge by the hour to rake leaves! The reason you don’t give a flat amount up front is that you never can tell how many leaves are piled in the bushes, shrubs and landscape beds and those are the hardest to rake out. Tell the customer you charge $15 per hour and let it be that. Just work hard and don’t play around and they will have no problem paying you that amount.

In addition, you may want to ask to clean their gutters for cash and wash their windows for cash while you are there.