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Knowing you need some extra cash in your pocket is pretty easy. All you have to do is look in your wallet. The not-so-easy part? Figuring out how to make extra money.
These days it seems like everyone is working some kind of side gig, renting things out, or selling unwanted stuff to make extra cash – which is awesome. But how did they find out all those ways to make money?
Well, they probably stumbled across this list of 28 ways you can make extra money. Or you know, another list somewhere.
- Tutor online.
If you think being a tutor means you made straight A’s through high school and college, think again. It’s all about what you know and how well you know it. Online tutoring companies like Tutor.com, TutorMe and Studypool hire tutors to share their knowledge with students on a wide group of topics.
2. Become a user experience tester.
Every business hopes their website gives great information, hits their goals, and – oh yeah – makes money. But if something isn’t working, the business needs to know why, and a lot of them call on user experience testers to give feedback.
Are you good at knowing if a website is user-friendly just by spending a few minutes scanning the webpage? Companies like UserTesting or TryMyUI will pay you for your feedback. Most of them boast that you’ll get $10 for each 20-minute test you complete.
3. Take surveys.
Look into survey sites like MyPoints or Survey Junkie where you’ll get paid just for taking surveys and giving your opinion. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? Just remember, these sites are looking for really specific things when they pick people. So you might not qualify for every survey you come across.
Plus, you’ll have to finish a certain number of surveys before you can cash out your points. It’s not a get-rich-quick plan by any means, but that extra cash can still add up over time. If you’re the patient and persistent type, give it a shot!
4. Get cash back from apps.
There are plenty of mobile apps out there that can show you how to make extra money just by doing simple things. We’re talking really, really easy here – like grabbing-your-phone-and-scanning-your-receipt easy. Check out mobile apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, Shopkick, Receipt Hog and Dosh to score some extra cash without too much work on your part.
5. Teach English.
It’s kind of like going the tutoring route, except you’re teaching English with a company like VIPKid (a big favorite of fans in our Ramsey Baby Steps Community on Facebook). Now, if the word teach makes you a little nervous, don’t worry. They’ll handle all the lesson plans and grading for you. But you do need to have a desire to help others learn and be willing to guide a class online. Get paid while helping others.
6. Get paid for your creative skills.
You’ve got the creative skills but just haven’t connected with someone who needs your awesome work. Why not freelance in your spare time with Fiverr? The site connects freelancers specializing in writing, editing, graphic design and voice-over work to clients needing those creative minds in their corner.
You’ll create a profile (almost like a resumé) that potential employers can scan to check out your experience, rates and specialties. Get ready to let your creativity flow!
7. Offer your services as a virtual assistant.
If you’re organized, love a good challenge, and want to work from home, this may be the perfect opportunity for you! Plus, who doesn’t love a little variety in their workday? Chances are, most business owners could use your help as they try to find a better balance between their work and home lives these days. Check out sites like Upwork and Zirtual to find opportunities to start lending a hand.
8. Become an influencer.
Get paid to post on social media! Yup – you heard right, it turns out, social media can make you some good money. If you have a large following on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, or even your blog, you might consider becoming an influencer.
Whether it’s fashion, cookware or home décor, you can become a go-to resource for businesses to get even more exposure on the internet. Just reach out to brands you love and let them know you’d like to work together! And if you’re open to affiliate marketing and sponsored content, check out ShareASale and Amazon Associates too.
9. Become a social media manager.
Most companies have a social media presence. Not only is it free marketing, but it’s also a way to stay connected to their customers (or future customers) and build a following. But it can be a huge task for smaller companies who don’t have many team members. That’s where you come in. If you have a knack for creativity, connecting with others and a knowledge of different social media channels – this might be the right job for you.
10. Get paid for your photos.
Are you a shutterbug? Do you have photos of gorgeous sunsets and perfectly staged lattes cluttering up your camera roll? You can make extra money for your photos without having to be a professional photographer. Foap pays up to $10 for a photo.
11. Drive for Uber or Lyft.
If you’re strapped for cash but want to work on your own schedule, you might want to think about becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft. You can drive as much as you want and set your own schedule. Plus, you get the added bonus of having interesting conversations along the way.
The amount of money you make depends on your location and how often you cart people around. So if you have a free Saturday every now and then, you might want to spend it as a glorified taxi driver exploring your city and getting paid for it.
12. Become a food delivery driver.
Since the ol’ pandemic of 2020, a lot of restaurants have kept their dining rooms closed or stuck with limited seating. So what’s that mean? More takeout! Become a hero by delivering food to front porches in your city. Driving for Uber Eats, Grubhub or Postmates is a great way to make extra money in your free time just by delivering food to hungry clients.
13. Join a focus group.
If you like sharing your opinion, why not get paid for it? Check to see if there’s a local focus group in your area or online. You could earn cash just for doing taste tests or trying out different products. Just make sure you fit the type of things they’re looking for before applying.
14. Deliver groceries.
If you love the thrill of shopping but don’t want to spend your own money, this might interest you. With Shipt, you get paid to shop and deliver groceries to clients through an on-demand service. According to the company, their shoppers make up to $22 an hour.
15. Take up babysitting.
Teenagers usually have the corner on the babysitting market. But there’s no reason you can’t get in on it too.
You can start by letting people in your friend group, church and workplace know you’d be happy to watch their kiddos in your spare time (they need to pay you, of course). And if it’s a little awkward for you to spread the news by word of mouth, you can always sign up for a service like Sittercity or Care.com to help you land some babysitting jobs.
16. Start pet sitting.
Are you an animal lover at heart? How about making some extra money just by taking a dog for a walk or boarding a cat for the weekend? You can advertise your own pet-sitting business on social media, put up signs throughout your neighborhood, or use a website like Rover. They let you set your schedule and set up your own fees for services.
17. Advertise on your car.
File this one under both super weird and the ultimate definition of the phrase passive income. The app Wrapify will pay you to drive with a business advertisement wrapped around your car. Once the car is wrapped, you really don’t have to do anything except drive around town like you normally do.
It sounds strange, but it’s actually pretty rewarding: The more you drive, the more you’ll earn. Wrapify says the average person who does a full wrap on their car makes about $264 – 452 a month.
18. Do tasks for people.
If you’re just trying to figure out how to make money on the side with quick fix-it jobs or running errands, TaskRabbit might be your best bet. You can do all kinds of things from yardwork to putting together furniture. This is the perfect way to make extra money if you like to tinker with things.
19. Deliver for Amazon.
You know who didn’t slow down during the pandemic? Amazon drivers. There’s nothing like getting a package delivered to your front door, especially when it comes from Amazon. Everyone loves getting packages, so why not spend a few nights a week driving around town bringing people joy? Sign up to deliver packages with Amazon Flex and set your schedule for as much or as little as you want to work.
20. Turn your commute into cash.
Between commuting to work and driving the kids to soccer practice, most of us spend plenty of time in our cars. It’s time to make extra money while you’re walking and riding around! With Roadie and Cashwalk, you can get paid just for driving a package (or even a pet!) from point A to point B along your route.