By Nick Laight – Founder of What Really Makes Money

You know I'm sick of most of the copycat rubbish that's doing the rounds. That's why I've decided to dig a lot deeper to bring you money-making ideas that, chances are, you've never come across before.

And whether you are a subscriber or not, I thought I'd share some of them with you today . . .

Now the opportunities I've discovered are all virtually unknown - not because they are poor quality, but frankly the people behind them are not great marketers.

Nick Laight's inverse law of business opportunity hype

I'm convinced there's an inverse law of business opportunities - the more persuasive and slick the marketing copy, the more a particular product is hyped, the lower the quality of the actual product.

Just think of all those online promotions and direct mail pieces that have the pictures of the Ferraris, mansions, palm beaches and the rest. Don't you think they are sometimes just trying a bit too hard?

I mean, if these sales promotions were sales people, you'd cross the road to avoid them!

But flip that idea around and you'll also find that some of the very best opportunities are often fronted by some of the weakest and most uninspiring sales material. And that's a real shame because some of these business and income generating ideas are first class.

But how can you tell? Well, unless you have deep pockets and a lot of patience, you can't. But hey, that's my job and I've made it my mission to study every business opportunity I come across.

So today I'm giving glowing reviews to underexposed opportunities that are perfect for these recessionary times. Here's just a few of them . . .

Recession-buster #1: Holidaying at home

With the rand battered against other major currencies and the economy tanking many people will be looking closer to home for their holidays. So what better way to exploit this than organising coach-based holidays? Ok, it might seem hokey and unglamorous, but I bet there will be a significant spike this year in this more modest holiday option.

Editor’s tip: Take a look at the March issue of What Really Makes Money where Charl covers how to: Profit (part-time) from cash-strapped travellers with niche group coach tours. Log on to www.fsp.co.za to access past issues online. And if you’re not already a subscriber – click here now…

Recession-buster #2: Death, taxes and dirt

Whether in boom time or bust there are certain things that are unavoidable - death, taxes and dirt.

Now I'm not suggesting you switch careers and open a funeral parlour or become an accountant, but when it comes to dirt there are plenty of ways to make money.

It may be 'old school' but there will always be a demand for services and products that ease those jobs none of us really like doing. I've mentioned many times that establishing car valeting, domestic cleaning and ironing services are sure-fire money earners. And with a bit of imagination, these can easily be leveraged so that you get other people to do the dirty work for you!

And there's a lot more . . .

One of my members - Karen McBride - has been running her own successful Wheelie Bin Cleaning Service for many years now. And I bet you'd be surprised to learn that she pulls in a R750 000+ annual income from her service.

She is also now sharing this totally ignored but proven business plan with others. I won't pretend that it is an easy or glamorous job. And Karen is squarely pitching her business plan at the more serious end of the market with a price point to reflect that. However, if you are considering starting a new business and don't mind getting your hands dirty, then this could be the one for you.

Another dirty money-making gem is mattress cleaning. Now, don't laugh, because this is big business. We all know that the bed bugs and dust mites that are in every home can cause all manner of nasty ailments from allergies to asthma.

Recession-buster #3: Why micro auctions will be big in 2009

A little while ago I was thinking: Is there a way you can cash in on the giveaway prices things go for at auction, but with a lot less capital? Say R1,000 or so. Or better still R500, or even less. Pocket money if you like.

And if there was a way you could turn R500 into R1,000, R1,500 or even R2,000 a week wouldn't that be great? It would be perfect for right now. It would be a way you could make a few extra thousand rand a year, with very little outlay or risk.

Well I'm pleased to say there is such a way... and I'm calling them micro auction opportunities.

Let me give you an example. You buy a box of books at auction. Pick out the interesting ones and sell them for three or four times as much. Buy a piece of tatty old furniture for R150, strip it down and polish it and sell it for R400 or R500. Buy a computer printer at auction for R10, clean it up, and sell it to a bargain hunter for R200.

Things that are low capital, low risk - yet in percentage terms highly profitable and are perfect for these tough times. 

That's all for now, I'll continue looking for even more ways to make extra cash in the months ahead!