It doesn’t matter how well you plan there will be times when you’re faced with unexpected expenses. The most obvious answer is to have a rainy day fund. However, not everyone is in a position to set aside a sum of money every month. Would like to know how you can get a little more cash in your wallet every now and then? A part-time job may be the answer for many. However, if your schedule is already full or you really don’t fancy waiting tables or walking dogs, here are some ways to earn a little extra cash.
Cash Back Rewards
Do you do a lot of shopping online? If the answer is yes, you can get paid extra for doing just that. All you have to do is sign up for a free account. Capitalize on shops that offer this service. There are more than 1,000 other online stores that offer a cash back scheme, so you should have no problem doing most of your regular shopping at one of the sites.
Rent Out Your Spare Room
Have you got a spare room crying out for attention? Why not list it on Airbnb and make yourself some money? It’s possible to make a few hundred or several thousands, depending on the effort you put into providing the best experience. If you’re a good host and the space is very desirable, you can earn a lot of extra money. There are a few tips to follow if you want to make the most of renting out a spare room. Choose to make the room available during peak times. Check out when there are concerts, conventions, or sporting events taking place. To be considered a good host, you must make sure your space is well equipped with the extras you’d expect at a hotel.
Declutter
Your home could probably benefit from a declutter. As well as freeing up space and simplifying your home, it’s a great way of making a little extra money. Decluttering and making money aren’t easy. It’s not a case of listing items on eBay and waiting for the money to roll in. The key is to be smart on what you sell and how you sell it. Kids clothes, for example, are better being sold on consignment sites, rather than eBay.
Old phones and gadgets are great items to sell, especially if you’ve got all the chargers and wires that go with them. Have you got shelves full of DVDs, games, and CDs you’re no longer interested in? As long as they’re not scratched, you can make money selling your large collections. The price you’ll get per item tends to be small, but if you’ve got a collection, it soon adds up to a sizeable amount.
Larger items, such as baby buggies and furniture are better being sold on sites such as eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist. Just be careful not to sell yourself short.
If you’ve got hoards of Christmas decorations lying around, aim to sell these nearer to the holiday season. People won’t be interested in buying their baubles and artificial Christmas tree when it’s blisteringly hot outside.
One last option when it comes to selling your clutter is to hold your own garage or yard sale. It can be a bit of a headache if you’re not good at organizing. However, if you’ve got loads of items to get rid of it may be the best option.
Freelance Gigs
An increasing number of people are looking to freelancing as a way of making some additional funds. Many business owners are choosing to pay freelancers rather than hiring an employee. Freelance gigs can be anything from data entry to doing research. There are several different sites where you can advertise your services or connect with businesses looking for a specific type of work. The work is often short-term and doesn’t always pay that well. However, there are people that make thousands of dollars on the side.
Do the Lottery
You need to be at least 18 to play the lottery, but wherever you live, there will be one you can buy tickets for. The Michigan Lottery, for example, has been selling tickets since 1972. As well as being in with the chance to win money, you can also take pride in the fact that 95% of the money raised in ticket sales is reinvested in the state. Draws take place every day, and you can read more about it here.
Be a TV Reviewer
Do you stay up until all hours watching TV? How about getting paid for doing something you like? You can get paid for writing reviews and choose the type of shows you watch. There are lots of different forms when it comes to writing TV reviews. Simply find one that suits you. Some review sites want you to write a basic review while others want a recap of the action.
Take and Sell Photos
Have you ever wondered where companies go if they want photos for their website? It’s possible to sell your photos via a stock photo site such as FreeDigitalPhotos.net, and receive a certain percentage when your photo is sold. The good thing is that no expense is required. You don’t need to be an expert photographer either. As long as the photos are good quality you can take them with your smartphone. There are, however, a few tips to help you make a little more money. The subject of your photo should stand out so make sure you remove all the clutter. The photos you take tend to be used in advertising, so you might want to allow some space on the side of your subject for an advertiser to add text. It’s good to take a few shots from different angles. If you’re using a model for the shots, take as many as you can. The wider the variety, the better chance you have of them being sold. It can be easy to get carried away and upload tons of different images. You’re more likely to get noticed if you focus on a particular type of photo. It will also help you gain a loyal following.
Use Your Smartphone
Something else you probably use many times every day, and while you may not get rich doing it, there are some cool phone apps you can use to save and earn money. For example, points that can be redeemed for gift cards, earn cash, discounts, or coupons with the help of a money-making app. There are some that can be accessed using a smartphone app for both iPhone and Android operating systems. Some apps allow you to earn points by watching videos, asking questions, surfing the web, and completing offers. The points can then be traded in for gift cards. Other apps let you make money by scanning barcodes, watching videos, completing offers, and searching the web.
Mystery Shopping
You’re not going to get rich or have a steady income if you decide to become a mystery shopper. However, it can be a fun way of earning a few extra bucks and get some free items as well. Companies who employ mystery shoppers don’t usually require a fee, and signing up is generally free. This role is a little more involved than simply entering a store and buying something. A lot of detailed reporting is often required, and you’ll be asked to visit certain departments, ask questions and then submit a report.
House Sitting
Young people have been offering babysitting services for years. However, if you’re too old or your nerves aren’t up to it, why not try your hand at house-sitting instead? As well as earning some extra money, it can be a great way to see the world. You don’t necessarily get paid for your services, but you will get free room and board. There are several websites that have been created to connect homeowners with people who would be willing to keep an eye on their home and pets for a period of time. If you’re not too worried about traveling, you could advertise your services locally.
As you can see, it’s quite easy to make a little money on the side. The difficulty comes in saving all those extra dollars for when you really need them. Managing your money doesn’t always come easy, but it is an important skill to learn. Keep a close eye on your income and expenditure and save money whenever you can. Take a few minutes to review what you’re spending your money on, and you’re bound to be able to make some savings. What about that gym membership you’ve never used? Do you really need an unlimited amount of calling time credit every month? Make savings in as many ways as possible, and you’ll be able to tuck more money away every month. Before you know it, you’ll have a large rainy day fund you can rely on for those unexpected expenses.
