From new jobs to selling junk around the house, people are trying a variety of ways to make money in this recession.

At Wise Recycling, customers like David Copley are looking for extra cash.

"Ten bucks. And the way things are right now, it's a good deal all the way around," says Copley.

Like many people impacted by the recession, he's bringing by cans. John Figgs, the manager at Wise Recycling, says the business takes in a variety of metals.

"Our other sales have dropped, but I believe the cans have really increased here lately. And, the economy might have something to do with that," says Figgs.

Figgs says customers used to get more for their recycled cans. Last summer, they got about twice as much as they are getting now. He says declining demand from China has pushed the prices down lately.

The summer is usually when business climbs higher and could mean more money in your pocket.

However, Figgs says, "The end of last year and this year has been a lot different. The market just plummeted."

One metal that is netting people more money is gold. For the second time, Vanessa Thompson is taking some of her gold in to sell at Rocky's in Weyers Cave.

In talking about her visit trip, she says, "It was a hundred and ninety-some dollars. It was stuff I would have thrown away."

With that extra money, Thompson says she was able to throw a birthday party for a grandchild without having to pull extra money from her pocket.

This trip, she took home more than $300. Gold is trading high, at above $900 an ounce. That tends to happen when the dollar weakens.

Rocky Simonetti says a lot of customers took advantage of the high value last fall. Now, some are parting with prized possessions for the extra money.

"A lot of people that had the gold, sold the gold already. Now they're selling their diamonds. With the times being hard like they are, I've heard a lot of people, like, 'Oh, I can make my house payment now, or I can make my car payment now,'" says Simonetti.

Internet companies are advertising that they'll buy your gold.

Also online are buyers interested in your hair. At thehairtrader.com, they boast sales in the thousands of dollars.

On another site, Craigslist, people can make sales or find work in a wide variety of areas. One local farmer is trying to sell goats. Another wants to hire you to milk cows.

Janell Driscoll is using the site to make money after she lost her job selling building supplies in January.

By day, she works at trying to clean houses. By night, this wife and mother of three sells products at Passion Parties.

"It's just a great way to spice up your love life, and it's a great way to have a really fun girls' night in," says Driscoll.

Passion Parties are like Tupperware parties but for adult toys and other products for the bedroom. She started doing it for fun.

"Now, I hope to do it a lot more for extra cash because I am actively seeking employment, but haven't found anything yet," says Driscoll.

With her commission, she makes about $200 for the average party. This month, she has four parties scheduled.

"It does pay little bills here and there, or it gets the kids clothes for school," says Driscoll.