You need extra cash, but you don’t know where to begin. We get it. Making money on the side is a high priority for those struggling to pay off student loans, a mortgage, or credit card debt. Or perhaps you just need some extra cash to afford the extras in life, like a night out, dinner at your favorite restaurant, or a gift for someone special.
The good news is that finding side jobs for extra money is easier than you might think. Our list of the best ways to make extra money from home is filled with brilliant ideas, many of which you can implement right away. So, if you’re ready to fill your piggy bank with some cold, hard cash, read on.
1. Make Money on Fiverr
Fiverr is a cool platform that lets freelancers post all sorts of random gigs, from creating brand logos to writing social media posts. You can sign up and start advertising your services right away. While the platform began several years ago offering gigs for $5 each, most people charge much more than that now.
If you’re not sure what to offer, you can browse the site to come up with any number of ideas. As of this writing, some of the offerings include Fortnite coach, online music lessons, virtual tarot readings, tattoo design, and hundreds more. Everyone has a talent, so why not put yours to good use? Its a fun and easy side job that could even lead to more substantial opportunities down the road.
2. Take Paid Online Surveys at Home
If you want to start earning spare cash right away, making money with online surveys is the way to go. All you need to do is register with the right survey site, start filling out surveys for cash, and you will be on your way.
Legitimate survey sites like Branded Surveys offer users the chance to earn cash or gift card rewards just for answering a few questions online. And because brands are always in need of the vital consumer data provided by surveys, there’s always something new and interesting to participate in.
While getting paid to do surveys will not make you rich, it’s a simple gig that can put some extra cash in your pocket immediately. Plus, you can use your phone to share your opinion for rewards, which means you can be making money while you’re sitting on the couch, waiting in line, or riding the bus.
3. Drive for Lyft or Uber as a Part-Time Moneymaking Gig
While the pandemic slowed things down in the ride-share industry, things are starting to pick up again. If you have an eligible vehicle and can pass a background check, drinking for Uber or Lyft is a great way to make extra money on the side.
You will be most successful if you wear a mask, keep your vehicle clean and sanitized, drive carefully, and are respectful to your passengers. Following these best practices ensures you will amass some good reviews.
4. Sell Your Used Clothing for Extra Money
Almost everyone has a stash of clothes they no longer wear. It could be a shirt hanging up in the back of your closet that wasn’t quite the right color or a pair of jeans that you loved when you first purchased them, but they never seemed to fit right.
Instead of letting them gather dust, consider selling your items on sites like ThredUp or Poshmark. These platforms exist exclusively for this reason. Getting started is easy. You just register and start listing the clothes, shoes, or accessories you want to sell, posting a clear photo of each piece.
If you’d rather go the do-it-yourself route, you can always use eBay to sell your unwanted clothes. Plus, you can sell plenty of other items on eBay, too.
5. Sell Unused Gift Cards for Cash
Sometimes, you get a gift card you know you’re never going to use. There’s no point in letting it sit in your wallet for years when you could sell it and earn cash instead.
Sites like Raise will purchase your unused gift cards for up to 92 percent of the total value. Since you won’t use the card anywhere, its like getting free cash. Payments are made through Paypal, direct deposit, or check.
Similar sites that buy gift cards include Gift Card Granny, Gift Card Spread, and CardCash. Be sure to check the terms of service for each site to determine if you’re getting the best deal. You can also take earn gift cards from surveys to all your favorite stores.
6. Earn Extra Money by Delivering Meals and Groceries
More people than ever are ordering food online during the pandemic, and that means demand for people to deliver groceries and meals has never been higher. Use your free time to make money on the side by signing up for a delivery service.
Doordash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats are always looking for delivery drivers. In many cases, drivers sign up for more than one service to maximize their earnings. If you don’t have a car but live in a larger city or metro area, you may even be able to use your bike or scooter for deliveries.
7. Make Money with Tutoring
If you’re the one that friends always approach challenging academic problems or exam help, get paid for your know-how and become a tutor. While some tutoring jobs may be face-to-face, there are also many online positions available for tutors.
What you charge will depend upon your experience, of course. To get started, check on sites like Craigslist to see what is available in your area. You can also call your local school to get the word out. Websites like Care.com and Tutor.com are also great platforms for aspiring tutors, and they can give you a good idea of what you can expect to earn in your area.
8. Sell Your Artwork and Handmade Items on Etsy
Do you make beautiful jewelry, knit the most adorable mittens, or have a knack for woodworking? Etsy is the perfect place to start selling some of your homemade goods.
The platform has been in place for years, and it has become more popular as time goes by. It never hurts to take some decent photos of your arts and crafts, list them for sale, and see what happens. Buyers return to Etsy again and again to find unique handmade items. You might be surprised at how easy it is to make some spare cash on this site.
9. Rent Out Your Parking Space and Earn a Passive Income
City dwellers may be sitting on valuable real estate without even realizing it. Renting out parking spaces in areas where such spots are at a premium is a great way to make some extra money, all while doing nothing at all.
Keep in mind that some cities, and some landlords, take a dim view of the parking space rental model, so you will need to check the regulations where you live. But if it is legal to do so, renting out your parking spot when you are at work could be easy money for you and your family.
10. Get Paid to Serve as an Online Juror
Have you ever wondered how budding lawyers hone their skills, and how law schools teach their students the ins and outs of legal proceedings? In many cases, they work their magic through mock trials, complete with jurors who hear the evidence and render a decision.
If you have some extra time, you could lend your ear, and your voice, to these online trials. Serving on an online jury can be a fascinating and well-paid experience, and there are plenty of places to sign up, including Online Verdict, ejury, and others.
Final Thoughts On Making Spare Cash
This is just a short list of the many ways you can make additional cash. The truth is, you are only limited by your imagination. The best side jobs for extra money are those you enjoy, which will fit into your current schedule.
You can try one or more of the suggestions we have listed, or modify them to meet your needs. You might even try pairing up with your partner or a friend in similar circumstances. Set a goal of making a specific amount with your side gig and see where it takes you.
