Are you thinking of starting a business, but lack the funds to get started? Earning a few extra bucks during your spare time is not as difficult as you may think.
There are opportunities to earn money for nearly every person at various levels of expertise and experience. Here’s a look at 15 ways you can make money in your spare time.
1. Become a freelance blogger .
If you have a flair for writing, you can set up your own blog and with some effort to grow your readership, once it becomes popular you can earn money by placing ads on your website.
2. Utilize your skills .
Write down a list of your skills and talents. Next, consider which ones you can market locally to make extra money. For example, you can teach dance, music or art in your spare time. You can also place local ads to tutor students at home or teach at a community college. Alternately, you could teach a foreign language if you have the expertise.
3. Become a secret shopper.
Market research companies hire mystery shoppers to perform specific shopping tasks and rate their experiences. Mystery shopping programs evaluate on-site location-level experiences, phone ordering processes, contact center experiences, and web site experiences and pay you a set rate for the task.
4. Sell crafts online.
If you have a knack for creating things, consider opening a store to sell your wares online. Use peer-to-peer e-commerce websites like Etsy and Storenvy to sell handmade or vintage items and supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items.
5. Put your car to good use.
Make up to $35 per hour driving your own car by signing up with companies like Lyft and Uber that match drivers with passengers who request rides through their smartphone app, and passengers pay automatically through the app.
6. Perform small tasks.
These days people live smarter by outsourcing household errands and skilled tasks to trusted people in their community. TaskRabbit is a website and mobile app that allows users to outsource small jobs and tasks to people in their neighborhood. You can review which tasks best suit your skills and get paid for helping out locally.
7. Become a dog sitter.
With sites like DogVacay, it’s easier than ever for dog lovers to get paid. The owner’s pet stays in a sitter’s home or theirs, whether they’re traveling or just out for the day.
8. Let your child model.
Is your child really cute or a natural in front of the camera? Due to an increase in demand from babywear, baby food and baby accessories companies pint-sized models are in high demand; often earning $50,000 per year or more. According to the New York Post, “editorial and runway work pay isn’t shabby, either, ranging from $100 to as much as $1,500 per day.
9. Use cashback credit cards.
“With cash back cards, you earn a certain percentage of cash back on all purchases you make with the card. And if you’re able to pay your card off and avoid interest, this is ‘free money’ – and yours for the taking,” according to Simple Dollar. “With that being said, it’s important to figure out which cash back card would work best for your spending habits and cash back goals.”
10. Rent out a room.
Consider renting out a room in your house to bring in monthly income. Sites like Airbnb, Craigslist and Roommates.com make the process simple. Just make sure to perform the necessary background checks for potential renters.
11. Hold a garage sale .
It’s time to purge those unused clothes, household accessories and furniture. “On sunny weekend mornings, slow-moving cars … circle suburban neighborhoods as their occupants hunt baby toys and panini makers, auto parts and cocktail shakers,” says Organized Home writer Cynthia Ewer. “If you’re in active declutter mode, the next stop is your house!”
12. Turn your garden into a micro-farm.
Create a sustainable garden in your backyard or apartment balcony and join the Homegrown Revolution. Start growing fresh, organic food and selling it locally to neighbors and local markets.
13. Rent out your parking spot.
In crowded cities, parking spots are a hot commodity. So, why not put it up for rent on Craigslist? If your landlord offers you parking at a discount rate, get permission and rent it out for a higher price.
14. Sell used items online.
You can sell your unwanted furnishings, clothes and more on websites such as Amazon and eBay. Upload attractive photographs and market your products.
15. Be an extra.
Sign up with a local casting agency to get notified of extra and background acting work. The pay isn’t bad either – you can make $60-80 a day on average. Sites like Backstage.com list nationwide casting calls.
This article has been edited and condensed.
Lisa Smith is a Designer by profession, has love for creativity, and enjoys writing articles for almost all topics. Also, she is a regular contributor at Successstory.com where you can find her favorite topics related to career, web, social media and self improvement. Connect with @lisablueberry on Twitter.
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