Finding ways of making extra cash probably sounds good. Every little bit you make is that much more you have available to reach your goals.
But how do you go about making some extra money?
Here are 11 simple ways of making extra cash when you need the occasional boost — without getting a second job.
1. Walk dogs or do doggy daycare
If your friends call you Dr. Doolittle, you may want to look into caring for other people’s pets. Imagine getting paid to watch dogs in your home, take them for walks, or do drop in visits for folks. You can post on your neighborhood group or use sites like Rover to get customers.
2. Re-sell brand name baby clothes & related items
If you’ve got a little more time on your hands and enjoy the hunt, scouting garage sales for baby items that are in good condition can bring decent profits. The idea is simple: buy low, sell higher. You can sell your finds on eBay or drop them off at local resale shops & let them do the work.
3. Turn a hobby or pastime into extra cash
Many hobbies involving making things that could be sold, but with a little creativity you can find a way to earn money even from hobbies that don’t. For example, if you love coffee, you might create a coffee crawl and get paid to sample the best coffees. If you love LEGOs, you might create & sell instructions for your own creations like this awesome dock house MOC. There are lots of possibilities. Brainstorm with whatever your interests are to come up with similar ways to bring in some additional cash.
4. Do yard work
This could include mowing lawns, pulling weeds, trimming shrubs, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and picking up after dogs. Basically, any yard tasks that people aren’t typically thrilled to do can be great ways of making extra cash. As a bonus, they may not require any start up costs, because you can likely use the homeowner’s tools or those you already own. Again, let friends and neighbors know you’re available to get your first customers.
5. Housesit
This is one of the ways of making extra cash that’s especially good if you live in a resort town or an area with winter visitors. They need people to check in on their property during the months when it’s unoccupied. It can require anything from picking up mail & newspapers for vacationers, to watering plants and checking for damage after storms. Most people are happy to pay a few bucks for some peace of mind.
6. Tutor
Have a college degree or are especially good at a particular subject? Chances are there’s someone out there who could use your help. Check with area schools to see if they ever recommend tutors, or post notices online. Large tutoring companies are always looking for new recruits as well.
7. Babysit
Gone are the days of getting paid $1 or $2 an hour for babysitting — according to Sitter City the average rate for a college age sitter is $10-$12 per hour. It’d probably be more in high-cost-of-living areas or if you’re past college age.
8. Clean
As long as there are people that hate cleaning, there will be opportunity here. Clean houses for individuals, or join a service that cleans office buildings at night — they’re almost always hiring, and they usually don’t mind giving just a few hours a week.
9. Sell concessions at events
Live near a stadium or ballpark? Check with them to see if they’re in need of help. As a bonus, if you find yourself selling pop at a football stadium, you’ll soon find yourself in better shape as well. There’s nothing like going up & down stadium steps with an armload of drinks to tone the legs and improve your cardio.
10. Get back to the farm
If you live near anywhere crops are grown, there is almost always seasonal work to be had. This can include detasseling corn, picking berries, and more.
11. Freelance
Writing, editing, web design, graphic design, coding, & more are all things that you can do from home as a freelancer if you know how. For example, many websites are looking for staff writers to produce extra content. Join online and in-person communities in your area of expertise to find folks that might be interested.
Want a WHOLE lot more ideas on ways of making extra cash? Check out my idea book, 101 Ways to Make Extra Money in Your Spare Time, for a much longer list.
