85+ Ways to Make Extra Money in Your Spare Time

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Around 9 years ago, I just finished college and had student loans that were stressing me out because I hated being in debt. So, I took a part-time job while interning at a successful internet company with hopes of scoring a full-time gig that would help launch my career. I also started my blog around this time as a creative outlet. Within the first 5 months, I grew a strong readership and started getting sponsorship opportunities from big and small ad networks. Six months later, I started treating it as a side business and found it as a great way to make extra money from home legitimately. Today my blog is now my full-time business and all my student loans are paid off!

With technology, the internet, improved transportation, and a growing ‘sharing’ economy, we now have a greater number of opportunities to make extra money.

Making extra money can make life much easier for you in ways such as:

• Paying off your debt
• Reaching retirement sooner
• Stop living paycheck to paycheck
• Save for things such as a vacation
• No longer feeling stuck at your job
• Profit from your skills

If you are looking for a way to increase your income, pay your bills, save up enough for a vacation or just profit from your skills, here are 85+ ways you can earn more:

Start a Side Hustle

Starting a side hustle or a business on the side is how I started making extra cash which eventually lead to becoming my full-time career.

1. Start a Blog.

Blogs are popular because they are informal and more personal. You can earn from your blog, particularly if you have gained a good following. It will take a while to get your blog to make money but if you truly enjoy what you are doing, it will be worth the effort. I make thousands each month from blogging but it didn’t happen overnight. Luckily, starting a blog is relatively easy thanks to blogging platforms such as WordPress that come with tons of plugins and features as well as support diverse programming languages. You can create your own blog here with my easy-to-use tutorial. You can start your blog for as low as $2.95 a month and you’ll get a free domain if you sign up through my tutorial. I have a free blogging course you can join too that will help you start and launch a successful blog!

2. Start a House Sitting Service.

House sitters make temporary arrangements with homeowners to watch and care for their homes when they are away. It’s a simple enough job that does not require a lot of skills or a license, and you can get paid nicely for a few days’ work.

3. Be a Lyft/Uber Driver.

You can spend your spare time as a Lyft or Uber driver and help people get to their destination in comfort. Generally, the more passengers you book, the more you get paid. Click here to join Uber and start making money right away!

4. Teach A Language.

If you speak more than one language, you could offer classes from home or online. You could also teach English to non-English speaking individuals. FluentU offers great tips on how to teach a language.

5. Teach a Skill.

If you are a gifted carpenter, plumber, mechanic or just all-around life hacker, why not share your knowledge to other people who are willing to pay to learn what you know?

6. Teach Art.

Art teachers remain in demand because there are people who want to learn how to draw, sculpt or paint. You could showcase your artwork, then offer a few lessons for free to give your potential students an idea about what they can learn.

7. Teach How to Survive.

If you know exactly what to do during an emergency situation, people will pay to learn what you know. Survivalists, preppers, people who like to go out to camp and hike, travelers and adventurers can learn how to survive safely and efficiently with your help.

8. Work as a Graphic Artist.

Put your graphics skills to work and offer to create logos, headers and other designs for your clients. Most of your clients will consist of entrepreneurs, corporate entities and hobbyists who need help with their designs. Check out this thorough guide from Creative Market.

9. Become a Game Tester.

This is the dream job of many video game fans. Basically, you play the game according to its rules and check it for glitches, inconsistencies in the storyline, problems in navigating, etc. Find game tester jobs here.

10. Start a Web Comic.

Your love for drawing and telling great stories can be handy if you want to become a comic book artist. If you want a more convenient and relatively cheaper route, publish your comics online, or advertise your hard copies on your website.

11. Offer Your Experience as a Lesson Plan Creator.

If you worked as a teacher, then you know how important a good lesson plan is. You could help out fellow teachers or students learning to become teachers by offering them a readymade lesson plan for different subjects. See all kinds of readymade lesson planners for teachers being sold on Etsy all the time.

12. Work as a Dance Teacher.

If dancing is your passion, help other people learn a few steps and get paid along the way. You could teach lessons in your own home as long as you have enough space.

13. Work as an Interior Designer.

You can work on small projects in your spare time, and help out a homeowner or a new apartment dweller on how to create a great living space.

14. Get Paid to Be a Closet Organizer.

Some people do need serious help with organizing their closets. If you have excellent organizing skills and can throw in a few hacks here and there, many people will gladly pay you to help them tidy up. This guide I read on Brit.co can help you get started.

15. Cater Events.

You need experience, capability and budget to provide food for events. Some of the occasions you can cater include private parties, school events and corporate functions. Large events require a lot of effort and manpower but they typically pay more, and may be a good target market for you.

16. Be a Stylist.

Someone who can’t put together a coherent outfit needs your skills as a stylist and will be willing to pay for it. You will enjoy this part-time job if you like fashion and have a good style sense. Read The Rachel Zoe Guide to Becoming a Stylist.

17. Be a Landscape Artist.

If you are a gardener with a skilled eye for landscape design, this is a great job to do in your spare time. Basically, you get to design other people’s lawns and gardens, and help create a masterpiece.

18. Be a Portrait Artist.

Whether you can paint life-like or stylized portraits, someone is willing to pay you to create their likeness. You could finish a piece in a few hours or a few days depending on your style, speed and skill, and you get good word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied clients.

19. Be a Party Planner.

If you have always been great at planning parties, why not offer to help other people with their special occasions? Party planners arrange everything from distributing invitations to choosing a caterer to overseeing the party itself, and it can be fun job for you.

20. Become a Personal Trainer.

As a personal trainer, you work one-on-one with a client to help him achieve a better and healthier physique. Some trainers go beyond just teaching their clients how to exercise; they also teach their clients what to eat and how to improve their diet.

21. Get Paid as a Travel Photographer.

If your spare time consists of plenty of travel and you have a way with a camera, consider selling your pictures as a travel photographer. Magazines, websites and some companies are eager for fresh photographs of other places, and will gladly pay you for your pictures. Read Brendan van Son’s story on how he gets paid as a travel photographer.

22. Offer to Clean Houses.

If you have a few hours to spare, offer to clean someone’s house for pay. A few rags, some cleaning solutions, gloves, a mop and maybe a vacuum cleaner are all that you’ll need.

23. Shovel Snow.

Offer to keep people’s driveways and front yards clear of snow for pay. It requires physical labor but can be a good income-earning job in your spare time.

24. Earn Money as an Events or Portrait Photographer.

Here is another great way to make extra money in your spare time with your camera. You can offer your services to individuals, groups, clubs and companies, then charge a flat fee for your work.

25. Offer Your Services as a Handyman.

Put your skills to work as a handyman and offer to fix stuff for other people in your spare time. Your fee can vary depending on the type, difficulty and location of the job.

26. Be a Wedding Coordinator.

You can offer to become a “Day Of” coordinator, the kind who people hire to oversee the event on the day of the wedding. People who like to plan their own weddings often hire “day of” coordinators to save money but still have an organized event.

 

Find a part-time job to earn extra money

Finding side jobs that works around your full-time work schedule is just one of the ways to earn extra money.

27. Get Hired as TV or Movie Extra.

Movie extras typically act as the background crowd in TV and film sets. You get paid by the hour depending on the part you play. Learn how here.

28. Be a Bartender.

If you have good drink mixing skills, can manage multiple orders and handle a room full of people, try bartending for an event. You usually get paid in tips but could arrange for a minimum pay if your client agrees.

29. Look for holiday work.

Companies like Target, Amazon, Macy’s, FedEx, UPS and etc. are always hiring hundreds and even thousands of temporary workers during the Christmas season. Start looking and applying in late September and early October.

30. Be a Dog Walker.

If you love the company of dogs, get paid to be a dog walker. You only work a few hours a day and can take in several clients at a time to maximize your income.

31. Be a Dog Groomer.

You likely will need experience, some equipment and a certification to become a dog groomer but if you have the skills, you can make some good money doing this in your spare time.

32. Be an Event Host/Hostess.

If you like to entertain, are witty and can build a good rapport with your audience, try a gig as an event host or hostess. Events can range from weddings and private parties to corporate events, for which you could get paid more depending on your client.

33. Distribute Flyers and Pamphlets.

Many companies put out flyers and pamphlets to attract customers, introduce a new product or promote a sale. If you don’t mind standing for a few hours offering flyers to passersby, this is a decent money-earning step for you.

34. Be a Henna Artist.

Henna artists do not have to go through certain restrictions that are required of tattoo artists but you do have to ensure that the materials you use are safe and hygienic.

35. Work as a Mascot.

This is for you if you like entertaining people, are physically healthy and do not mind donning a heavy (and frequently silly) costume.

36. Be a Beauty Consultant.

If make-up and skin care are your specialty, a spare time job as a beauty consultant can earn you good money. On the plus side, you help your clients look good and learn how to take care of themselves.

37. Sing or Perform at Events.

You can sing at weddings, private parties and other social functions to entertain the crowd. You not only get to practice your pipes, you get paid for your talent as well.

38. Teach a Health Class.

Health classes can include physical exercises and proper diet. You can sell your knowledge and expertise to people who want to switch to a healthy lifestyle.

39. Become a Tutor.

Math, science and language tutors are in high demand, particularly among school-aged kids who are struggling to learn or just want help with schoolwork. You can charge by the hour, or choose to charge a higher fee for more difficult subjects.

40. Work as a Local Tour Guide.

Your town may have a number of interesting sites and landmarks that tourists may want to see. If you love company and have great communication and entertaining skills, try doing this in your spare time.

Here is some of words of wisdom to help you stay on track of your financial goal.

How to Make Extra Money Fast: Sell Your Stuff

41. Sell Memorabilia.

There is an active market for memorabilia, particularly for hard-to-find items like toys, posters, cards, clothing, sports equipment and uniforms, musical instruments, costumes, even lunch boxes. These can go from a few dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the type, quality, rarity and value of the item.

42. Sell Vintage Stuff.

Everything from coins and handbags to clothing and accessories can be sold. Items often get sold at higher prices if they are genuine (as in the case of jewelry and designer items) and if they are in good to pristine condition. Note that sentimental value hardly influences the price of a vintage item but historical or cultural value will. Sites like Bag, Borrow or Steal and Fashionphile will buy your new or vintage designer bags for resell as long as they are still in good condition.

43. Sell Old Books.

If you have books you have already read and no longer want to keep, consider selling them. There are still people who prefer the look, feel and romance of a paper book and are willing to pay you for good titles, particularly if these are hard to find or no longer printed. If you think you have a rare book, have it appraised professionally to get a fair price. You can sell books on sites like Amazon, Half Price Books, and BookScouter.com.

44. Sell Jewelry.

If you are a craftsman and have great skill and a good eye for design, you could sell jewelry (fine or costume) under your own brand. Sell online, from your own home, at parties or craft fairs to gain exposure and meet clients.

45. Sell Meals.

If you can cook a mean pasta or pork roast, consider sharing your kitchen skills by offering meals to busy people like moms and office workers. You do not need to be a trained chef but you do have to meet certain health and sanitary requirements to ensure that your food is safe for consumption.

46. Sell Candies.

Candies and sweets are staples at parties, festivals and events, and you can sell from home, online, make deliveries or join bazaars. Use old family recipes or old candy recipes with high nostalgia factor such as salted caramels and old-fashioned bon-bons, or use specialty ingredients.

47. Sell Desserts.

Desserts are in-demand for weddings, birthdays, parties and get-togethers. You can earn more if you make specialty desserts, the kind that are creative, fun and of course, delicious.

48. Sell Blood Plasma.

Although you typically do not get paid for donating blood, you can make money with your blood plasma, a component of the blood from which a number of health-saving products are made. You could get paid a little extra if you donate more often (but only as often as your health dictates), and if your blood contains certain antibodies that are considered rare or important. DonatingPlasma.org lets you search its database for any company looking for donors.

49. Sell Your Hair.

Healthy, good quality hair sells well, with natural brunettes and blondes in constant demand. However, it is the natural redheads whose tresses come with a higher price tag. “Virgin hair”, the kind that has never undergone chemical or artificial treatments are also preferred. Write up your listing on sites like BuyandSellHair.com and Online Hair Affair.

50. Sell Organic Scents.

Demand for safer, natural personal care products have opened opportunities for organic scent makers. If you have a good nose and can create memorable scents that clients will want to wear, try this route.

51. Sell Handmade Soaps.

There is a fair demand for handmade soaps because they are made largely from glycerin, a natural emollient that softens skin. Many handmade soap makers also avoid using synthetic chemicals such as fragrances, colorants and other potential irritants with their products.

52. Sell Your Designs.

From cartoons to logos to prints, your original art can be a good source of extra cash. You could sell your artwork as hard copies or limited prints. You could also sell your designs on mugs and t-shirts, as what many designers at websites such as Cafepress and Zazzle are doing.

How to Make Extra Money On The Side: Rent items

Renting items are just one of the easy ways to make extra cash and earn extra income.

53. Lend Your Art.

If you have paintings, prints or sculptures from famous, infamous and not-so famous artists, consider renting them out. Many homes require good pieces of art to show on their walls and corner tables for parties, events and other occasions such as open houses. You could rent out the piece by the day or by the hour depending on your preferred terms.

54. Rent Out Parking Space.

If you have unused or extra parking space, rent it out to someone who needs a place for his car. You can charge by the hour or more if the car stays overnight. List your space for free on sites like JustPark, Spot, and Monkey Parking.

55. Rent Out Your Vehicle.

You could rent out your car if you’d rather not drive. You could charge more for newer and premium car models. You could also ask for more pay for destinations outside your city limit. Rent out your car to travellers on sites like Turo and HyreCar and make hundreds each month.

56. Rent Textbooks to High School and College Students.

Most textbooks remain relevant for several years until a new edition is printed. Students who want to save money on textbooks will be more than happy to pay to borrow your stash.

57. Rent Out Furniture.

People who are starting out, renting an apartment or staying in town temporarily may consider renting furniture instead of buying it. If you have high-end pieces of furniture, you could charge more for these.

58. Rent Out Gowns, Dresses and Formal Wear.

Gently-used, unused and old but still-wearable formal wear can be rented out to people who want to save money on clothes for special occasions. You could charge more for designer clothes and unused items, particularly if they come from the latest collection.

59. Rent Out Rooms in Your House.

For temporary room (and board, if you like), you can earn good seasonal income, especially if your house is in a good location. Airbnb is a good place to list your space. If you’re new to Airbnb, you can get a $40 in travel credit through my link.

60. Rent Out Your Garage.

Unused garage space can earn you money from people who need a garage for their car, and those who want extra storage or office space. Check out Spacer to see how it works!

Make Extra Money Online

Need to earn extra income? Below are some of the best ways to make extra money online legitimately!

61. Become a Forum Moderator.

Websites that run forums often hire moderators to help them with visitor comments and inquiries, and greatly appreciate a moderator who can enforce rules and encourage proper decorum. Sites that seem to hire moderator or chat reps frequently include: ModSquad and The Social Element.

62. Manage Other People’s Social Media Accounts.

Some people prefer to let other people handle their social accounts when they are too busy with other things. As a Social Media Manager, you handle their social media platforms (i.e posting, liking and replying to comments, etc) on their behalf but with their permission.

63. Answer Surveys.

Survey sites are free to join and free to use. The way it works is you get paid to answer surveys and test products. I suggest signing up to as many as possible to make the most money. Here are some survey companies I recommend: Swagbucks, Pinecone Research, Harris Poll Online, Pro Opinion, Survey Junkie, Opinion Outpost, and Vindale Research.

64. Rewrite Resumes.

People need help with their resumes to showcase their abilities and they often hire other people to make their qualifications shine. If you have the skills to do this, then you should get paid for it. Sell your services on Fiverr.

65. Rewrite and Edit Web Content.

Some websites need serious help with the subject, tone and quality of their content. Use your writing and research skills and help them create more engaging content. List your services on Fiverr or Upwork.

66. Search Online Using Swagbucks.

Swagbucks is a great destination for online rewards. You can earn a variety of rewards for your online shopping, searching, watching videos and more. For each task you do, you get rewarded points called SB and when you rack up enough SBs, you can redeem them for gift cards, cash, and more. If you sign up through this link, you’ll even get a $5 bonus when you earn 2,500 SBs within your first 60 days!

67. Advertise on Your Social Media Account.

If you have a strong following on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, some companies are willing to pay you to advertise their products on your page. You could post a product image, write a short review and provide a link to the advertiser’s site to encourage people to buy. Check out TRIBE!

68. Become a Virtual Assistant.

Virtual assistants are paid to provide administrative and secretarial duties for their clients. As a VA, you typically manage a client’s schedule, communication and appointments, and may be required to make calls on their behalf.

69. Write for a Website.

If you already have a blog or have good writing skills, why not write for a website? People need fresh content to keep their visitors interested and if you can provide that, they will gladly pay you. Here’s a great list to help you get started.

70. Sell Ads on Your Website.

Certain spaces on your web page are considered prime real estate when it comes to advertisements. Sell ad space on your site, charging more for ads that appear on the best locations.

71. Write Reviews.

Sign up for websites that pay you to review products and services. Pay varies but the more specialized the product and the more you build a reputation as a reviewer, the higher pay you will receive. Check out these sites and sign up: E-Pinions, User Testing, and Sponsored Reviews.

72. Write to Review Websites.

There are companies that will pay you to review and test websites. When you sign up, you will be required to use a Web-based online recorder that will capture your activities and comments while on the site. Your review will consist of the comments you make as you navigate the site.

73. Sell E-Books.

E-book sales have exploded in the last few years because they are convenient and relatively cheaper than hard copies. You can write your own fiction or non-fiction books, or outsource them to ghostwriters.

74. Design Websites.

Good design is critical to the success of a website. If you have the skills, you can help someone build their website so it is easy to navigate, functional and easy on the eyes.

Other Creative Ways to Make Money (Miscellaneous)

75. Place Ads on Your Car.

Your car can earn you money while taking you places. Many companies are willing to pay you a few hundred dollars a week just to carry their ads on your car. Check out Wrapify and Carvertise.

76. Ads on Your House.

If you don’t mind the drastic change in the exterior of your home, consider offering ad space for companies. This works particularly well if your house is located in a high-traffic area.

77. Use Ebates to Shop Online.

Ebates allows you to earn cash back on your online purchases without having to sign up for another credit card. It doesn’t cost anything to use Ebates. When you’re ready to make an online purchase, you just visit Ebates and click through their link to your favorite retailer. Right away you’ll know how much cash back you will receive. It’s typically around 3% to 6% and sometimes offers up to 25% off or more. You can still use coupons and discounts to make more money back on your purchases. You can sign up for Ebates here.

78. Help People Conceive.

Donating your eggs or sperm may seem drastic but it is, in fact, an important service you can do for couples or individuals who have trouble conceiving. There are age, health and lifestyle requirements you need to meet to be considered as a donor and you may be required to undergo regular medical checkups. 

79. Participate in Medical Research.

Companies that perform medical studies frequently need willing test subjects to help them determine the safety and efficacy of a new drug or treatment. Non-invasive studies usually do not demand a lot from you as a participant but invasive ones, the kind that require consumption or injections of substances, may carry certain risks.

80. Make Someone Happy as a Customized Car Painter.

People love to spruce up their cars and if you have mean airbrushing skills, you can make a car owner more proud of his car with your talent.

81. Join Contests.

Entering giveaways and contests are a great way to win amazing prizes if you follow the rule of entry. You can win cash, electronics, gift cards, vacation, and more. To increase your chances of winning, enter in as many as you can.

82. Bake Sweet Goodies.

Do people love your cookies or cupcakes? If you’re good in the kitchen, then try baking goods for others. You can sell them at fairs, farmers markets, and more. Just make sure it’s legal in your state to sell home-baked goods.

83. Recycle.

Recycle for cash. If you look around, almost everything we use can be recycled. Aside from collecting cans and plastic, you can recycle wine corks, tennis balls, human hair, gift cards and even cooking oil (yes, there are biodiesel firms that will pay you for used cooking oil).

84. Invest.

When it comes to investing, you should always start sooner rather than later. There are plenty of places where you can invest affordably. A good online investing platform I recommend is Motif Investing. When you invest through this platform, you can trade a whole motif of stocks for $9.95.

85. Mystery Shop.

Getting paid to shop at stores and eat at restaurants sounds like a dream right? Well, not only is a reality and can be very profitable. I’ve mystery shopped at restaurants and I’ve made some nice change doing so. I usually earned anywhere between $8-$20 per mystery shop including reimbursement for my purchases. I recommend these mystery shopping companies which are all free to join: Market Force, Best Mark, and Intelli-Shop.

86. Receive Bonuses & Rewards for using Credit Cards.

If you have credit cards with cashback offers or rewards, take advantage of them. Just use your credit cards strategically (and wisely of course) so you can generate some extra funds to pay for a new flat screen TV or that Hawaii trip you’ve been planning for ages.

Pin for Later!

I hope you enjoyed this read on how to make extra cash in your spare time! Found other ways to make extra money? Share your thoughts by commenting below!