52 Ways to Make Extra Money

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52 Ways to Make Extra MoneyI’ve written a lot lately about getting rid of debts and reducing expenses.

I thought it was time I address the flip side of your finances: Ways to make extra money.

Thanks to suggestions by my Twitter followers, readers, and other bloggers I’ve been able to put together a solid list of 52 ways to make extra money.

Most, if not all of these ways to make money, can be done even with a full-time job.

I obviously haven’t tried all of these methods, but when possible I’ve tried to (link) to an example of the opportunity actually making money. You should be able to find something here that fits you and your skills.

1. CashCrate – There’s some money to be made with CashCrate.com completing the free offers, but the real cash comes from the referral program. Earn extra money at CashCrate.com by taking part in daily research surveys, doing your shopping online, and referring other members to their program.

2. Waiting Tables – This is the perfect job for nights and weekends. That’s when all the big tips are made anyway. Pick the nicest place in town.

3. Bar Tending – Even better, I think, than waiting tables is tending the bar at nights in a busy bar. Typically at least $1 for every drink you serve.

4. Teaching Swimming Lessons - If you’re a good swimmer you might be able to pick up a weekend swim teacher gig at your local recreation center. Keep in mind that some places may require a special certification or that you be a lifeguard.

5. Car Valet – If you hook up with a for-hire car parking service (the type hired out for fancy neighborhood parties) you can make some nice cash tips in just a few hours at night and on the weekend, when parties are held.

6. Check Your Credit Score – One of the quickest ways to save yourself thousands of dollars is by checking your credit score and fixing errors on your credit report.  The three major credit bureaus have big influence on your current interest rates (mortgage, auto, etc.) and improving your credit score could save you thousands a year in interest payments.  Right now, Credit Sesame and Credit Karma provide you your credit score 100% FREE of charge (no credit card, no free-trials, no tricks, free for life).

7. Blogging – This isn’t quick money, but you can make decent money with a little luck and a few months of solid, consistent effort. Believe me, it can be tough and a bit time consuming, but it can be done. Get started with a nice domain and cheap hosting plan from the provider I use BlueHost.com. Or consider the services of a more notable provider like GoDaddy.com.

8. Write an eBook - I hesitate to put this one in here because an eBook by itself usually doesn’t make money unless you’re an excellent marketer. What a great eBook can do though is act as a sales lead to one of your other online businesses.

9. Design Web Logos – If you’re good with Photoshop and can work quick, you might could make some decent cash with this online business.

10. Re-write Poorly Written Ads - Search the ad listings at eBay.com and Craigslist.org for big items like cars. Email the seller and offer to re-write their ad for a 1% commission.

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Last Edited: April 16, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
About Philip Taylor

Philip Taylor, aka "PT", is a husband and father of two. He created PT Money back in 2007 to share his thoughts on money and to meet others passionate about managing their finances. All the content on this blog is original, and created or edited by PT. Read more about Philip Taylor, and be sure to connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, or view the Philip Taylor+ Google profile.

170 comments
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Liz
Liz

Hello Philip--good list but  most of the activities are so cliche and yet more creativity could be better employed here...this would make me work more hours for a little more pay and still keep me in the debt circle for so long. it would require me to worker harder so that i can make more money and yet am at the point where i want my money make more money with me getting less actively/ physically involved. Some call it 'Working Smart' unlike traditional options that have often helped many to stay afloat without helping them soar to financial growth and prosperity. Thanks though

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

Most of these ideas can be scaled up to meet the needs of more customers and can have a huge impact on your financial prosperity. People who land on this page are looking for ways to make money right now. Some of these may be cliche, but that's because they are proven. You can start making money tomorrow with most of these ideas. You can then, overtime, scale/pivot these active jobs into more passive entrepreneurial efforts. For example, you could start bar tending tomorrow and then one day become a bar owner or beer/wine producer or event planner or whatever you dream up. The point is to get going with something and look for ways to add more value to more people.

Nathan Conner
Nathan Conner

Great article! I have found that blogging has been a great way to make an income. The key is to create content that people are looking for, and to learn the traffic generation methods that make it accessible to people who are looking for it.

jonty123
jonty123

i have been looking for this list… thanks so much for sharing it. i myself plan to start guest blogging to increase my network. again, thanks!

This comment has been deleted

moxie1956
moxie1956

 @Curtman40

 Of course, I appreciate your response to my grousing and since I'm in my 2nd half of life, I know fully well that any new endeavor requires patience.  It is not being excited about the prospect of making money; it is the frustration of being led down numerous rabitt holes.  Instead of a straight forward survey, one just seems to spawn countless other questionaires. 

 

I understand the need to build a profile, but again, after several minutes of answering repetitive questions, I am either told I don't qualify, or I'm sent an email which contains a broken link, or...you get the idea.  I would gladly spend 30 - 45 minutes answering a survey, submit, and earn the amount of $ it said it would pay.  But, these last four days have been a royal waste of time. 

 

Do you know when I registered with cashcrate.com, it netted 16 different survey websites, and yet, several used the exact same format as others, with the exact same questions, etc., etc., etc.?  If they are related, they need to streamline, and not have the consumer answering repetitively and sitting at their laptops for needless amount of time. 

 

I have come to the conclusion it is a racket.  I don't expect you to have any kind advice to this ongoing diatribe; I'm just so darn frustrated that I fell for it all.  I had the modest hope of maybe $75 - $100 monthly; I'll take peace of mind instead.

 

moxie1956
moxie1956

I have tried to sign up & complete cash for surveys in the past and then felt like I was being led down a rabitt's hole, going from one "skip" and/or "submit" to another without ever, seemingly, actually completing the entire process.  So, when I saw CashCrate recommended in ptmoney.com, I thought it was going to be more straight forward, but, alas, no, I entered the rabitt's hole once again, coming up for air only after an entire hour spent hopping, skipping, and jumpring all over the place, netting 25 cents in earnings!  Has this been anyone else's experience and what has been done to remedy the situation?  It seems like there must exist an insider's trick or, at least, know-how that I am missing. 

Thanks to those who will share their advice.

 

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

 @moxie1956 Thanks for sharing your experience with CashCrate.com. That's certainly disappointing to hear that you weren't able to make the $50-$75 a month that I expect. Maybe they are just going through a seasonal downturn or something. Like I mention above though, the real money with Cash Crate comes in the referrals. Find a way to consistently refer a large amount of people to the site.

Latest blog post: A Simple Strategy to Get Out of Debt for Good

Jason
Jason

I would agree with most points for sure, but some are silly and not worth the time. Thanks for the post! #8 is hardly a PT way though.

Rob Fore
Rob Fore like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Wonderful. Love it. A proven way to make money is to GIVE AWAY free, valuable information. Not only does it brand you as an authority, it triggers the need to reciprocate some how. Like commenting!

Taran
Taran like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Thanks for sharing great ways to make money.Its post is so helpful for me.I am really excited to try out these ways.

wyatt
wyatt

I got a good idea... find a little-known artists music online and burn duplicate copies of their cd, then go stand on the road where homeless people usually bed for money and just sell the cd's for $5 each

isoman2kx
isoman2kx

that's a terrible idea. lol.

professionaldythir
professionaldythir

The hardest part in making extra money is always the FIRST STEP in how you can earn extra cash. These tips will serve as a spark for those who are really confused where and when they should start with this financial journey. Making money is not all about intelligence, it is all about making your intellect work for you to have money. It is the wit-the "street-smart" style of approaching things.

THEJONDOG
THEJONDOG

Hey Dasjung . . . The Nike logo was bought for (I beleive) close to 35.00 from a college student.  THAT is what is being talked about.  The Nike logo is BY FAR on of the most recognized logos in the world, so maybe you should take a second look at the world.  Just because someone isn't trained doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to make money with their talents.  The hard truth is training is not necessary to practice graphic design, just preffered, where as being a doctor REQUIRES the training.  For EXAMPLE, I can go out into the world and become a manager of a business if I have the knowledge WITHOUT any training in the Business Management profession.  Deal with it, Just because you have training in Graphic Design doesn't mean that you and your peers are the only ones who can create a logo.  Logos are one of those things that can either be elaborate (in which someone might come to you), or simple (in which someone might come to anyone who has shown the ability to do so).  

RachelHa1
RachelHa1

You are absolutely right! The owner of Nike went into a art college and paid a girl 35 to design a logo... she later fought him in a lawsuit, but all she ended up with was a lifetime supply of nikes

Sara
Sara

I found this very helpful. My mom is struggling with the bills and I needed some new ideas on what I could do to help. Thanks so much!

johnroberts
johnroberts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

I recently hosted a basketball tournament through www.kourtkingz.com. i made $285 dollars in essentially about 3 hours worth of work. I'm not rich or anything over it but it was a really easy and really fun way to make some money and they don't charge anything for their services.

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Strongman
Strongman like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hi Phillip,

These are great ideas.  I'm wondering if you might have more info on how to do #10 Re-write Poorly Written Ads - and how to work out the logistics of collecting the 1% commission.  As a bit of a grammar purist, I have wondered about doing this kind of thing before.

 

Thanks!!!

dasjung
dasjung

Don't degrade the jobs of graphic designers just because you might know a little Photoshop. There's a lot more that goes into designing a logo than just know the basics of a program.

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

 @dasjung Not really. I designed mine on MS Paint using a free font. Ha! Cost me exactly $0.

Latest blog post: Taking Time Off Work When Your Company Culture Doesn't Support It

dasjung
dasjung

 @Philip Taylor The point is that this is design is specialized job and is not just a side job. Just because an individual may know a thing or two about the technical aspect of a program does not warrant them to fill that role as a designer. There's more than just drawing a mark in a program. There's strategy in brand development, marketing, etc... This is insulting to the creative industry to label logo and branding as a scheme to make extra money.

Sarah Mae
Sarah Mae

 @dasjung  @Philip Taylor

 It's not really insulting I picked up a Photoshop Element 8 and Cs5 Extended while deployed to Afghanistan and before hand I had used a friend trial version with plenty of free time and nothing else to do you can become very talented in these aspects, I myself designed numerous things for my company and batallian won many awards (including a deployment coin I designed) if you have the talent you do not paticularly need to attend a $63,000 university to prove it, most of these schools (I've read many reviews) don't fully go through many of the aspects required for the degrees they issue and many find they are out of school with no work and a mountain of bills, NO THANKS market yourself well enough and your personal talent can get you anywhere without a degree and four wasted years of your life.

LauraGesicki
LauraGesicki

 @dasjung No doubt! I know this and you know this, and any other highly skilled and educated designer will also know this. But what about the customers? The people who are looking for a logo design with much consideration of price in this economy.  Knowledge and talent expect the monetary reimbursement it deserves, but unless everybody has a trained eye to recognize it, they just aren't going to dish out the money for it. That is the point I am trying to make. It is like calling the neighborhood handyman instead of  a high cost plumber to fix a small leak.

dasjung
dasjung

 @LauraGesicki I disagree Laura. Technology can only let an individual go so far with design. It all starts with the thought process and possessing the "designer eye." This "eye" cannot be taught, but is rather a natural talent and ability to recognize good design from bad. Technology is merely a tool to display our ideas. Nothing beats natural talent and creativity.

LauraGesicki
LauraGesicki

 @dasjung It sounds like you paid a lot for your education, as did I. But you got to face it, today's technology allows the average Joe to accomplish a comparable logo with much less effort than you or I could put into it, and the savings outweighs the extra benefit of our knowledge. We, as designers, have been out done. It is time to go back to school, unfortunately... 

Strongman
Strongman

 @Philip Taylor

 Thanks for your response Phil.  I see where you're coming from with regards to sensitivity.  It DOES seem, however, that truth and clarity can be expressed with so much more civility in this world of ours where so little of that seems to exist these days.  Truth and clarity expressed elegantly and with civility will always be better received and, hence, achieve better and longer lasting results, than when expressed brashly or without regard for the experience and perspective of those who may see things a little differently.      

Strongman
Strongman

 @dasjung

While I think that your initial response to Phillip's suggestion about design was a little too strong, Dasjung, I've got to chime in here and observe that Phil, ThunderCock and Dumbass, by resorting to name calling and simplistic reasoning, come across as very lacking in both decorum and sensitivity.  If a guy wants to expect, even demand, high quality in his field of choice, I beleive he has a right, if not a responsibility, to do so!  Also, Dumbass, be careful who you call Dumbass. You just show YOUR true colors by doing so. 

dasjung
dasjung

It shows your true ignorance by calling someone an idiot. In no way was this thread used to alienate anyone, but merely having a heated discussion of professions and their importance. If you didn't read my comment correctly, I said..."for example." I know the difference between graphic design and being a surgeon. Those of you who are obviously majorly left-brained will never understand the creative industry. You're right, anyone can be a bad designer, or a bad surgeon, or a bad accountant coordinator...etc. That's why there exists terrible brand identities, malpractice suits, etc as well. All I was saying that the creative industry shouldn't be held below the threshold of what is real and what is a fake profession. All professions should be respected in their own right. Period.

 

And ThunderCock... design isn't just logo design. It's brand development. Without it, there wouldn't be major companies being recognized in their commercial standing in the world. IE. Nike, Microsoft, Apple, American Express, etc. Without brand identity, they would just be another company in the field with nothing noteworthy except the fine-print that the consumer will not read out-right . Brand identity combined with strategic marketing methods make for strong company understanding to the consumers. Without consumers, thees companies would be nothing.

ThunderCockForHire
ThunderCockForHire

Absolutely perfect response, and I must say, I completely agree. It isn't an example of two different professions so much as it is a mediocre analogy for the purpose of exaggerating how important a profession is.

 

The truth is, Logo Design isn't really necessary, all it is to most people is a catchy little graphic for some company that probably won't cross their minds twice. In other words, Graphic Design, in comparison to medical science, is at the pinnacle of insignificant.

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

 @dasjung If your takeaway is that I don't have courtesy or that I'm down playing graphic design then you are completely mistaken. Not once did I downplay a profession! It seems you may just be looking for a fight for some reason. Borderline trolling.

 

I completely disagree that America is missing the value of craft. The beauty of America is that someone can make whatever they want and find a buyer for it. Free markets are wonderful. It creates almost unlimited choice.

 

Your attempt at controlling your profession is a joke. Just go be the best designer you know how to be and charge whatever you want. Just because I suggest it is a way to make extra money doesn't mean you need to lower your standards.

Latest blog post: Quick Money Tips: Living Below Your Means

dasjung
dasjung

 @Philip Taylor I was merely using medical science as an example profession. It's quite obvious that you don't have any professional courtesy and downplay professions in which you don't understand. Logo design isn't just logo design. I don't know what the profession of a public accountant entails, or a lawyer perhaps, so I'm not going to give advice on matters that I don't especially have knowledge in.

 

Yes, it's America and we have the right to trade goods and services, but is it really correct to continually job out special services to those who aren't qualified or knowledgeable and degrade the values and craft of those who are truly passionate about what they do? America is missing the value of craft in business and industry these days.

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

 @dasjung No. That's a foolish comparison and you know it. Would I use a surgeon for a small cut on my arm? No, I'd just drive to Target and buy some over the counter ointment and a bandaid.

 

Get some perspective. Logo design isn't brain surgery.

 

If someone wants to pay for high end services from a professional, accredited logo designer they can.

 

But not everyone needs that level of service. Some people choose to do it themselves or pay a beginning freelancer to do it.

 

This post is not an affront to getting certified, accredited, degreed, or what ever else. I like those things.

 

But the post is aimed at people who are struggling to find ways to bring in some extra cash to pay their bills. They need to do something NOW.

 

I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings somehow, but anyone can design something and charge whatever the hell they want to do it. And I applaud them for it.

My latest conversation: Taking Time Off Work When Your Company Culture Doesn't Support It

dasjung
dasjung

 @Philip Taylor So by what you're saying, I can be an unaccredited doctor or surgeon for someone (for example) but do it at a much lower rate than the accredited doctors and surgeons. Since I know what a scalpel is and I wear rubber gloves, I'm a doctor. So, I don't have to have to respect the profession of medical science at all since I think I know what I'm doing and just go for it.

Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor moderator

 @dasjung Well the creative industry needs to get over it then. Makes them sound like a bunch of cry babies trying to make the world stop revolving. Everything is a scheme to make extra money. Including the work by the most serious, professional web designer.  Every type of work has different levels of professionalism, and thank goodness we live in the U.S. where people are free to trade goods and services at the levels they deem appropriate. Free enterprise and liberty are beautiful words. I'm all for standards. I'm a CPA. But I'd never tell someone not to help people with taxes as a little side business. And that's federal taxes! This is logo design. Logo design!

My latest conversation: Taking Time Off Work When Your Company Culture Doesn't Support It

Connected Isolation
Connected Isolation like.author.displayName 1 Like

Good idea!  I especially like the one with the water.  Thanks for sharing. 

Stiles132005
Stiles132005

Also you can recycle can, plastic and glass. Having a garage & yard sales is good extra money too.

Entrepreneurone
Entrepreneurone

I just started a personal blog! It focuses on personal development; it's sort of my journey to mastering myself and people can follow along if they want. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to monetize it much, but maybe with Google adsense I could make a little income.

NabiN
NabiN like.author.displayName 1 Like

I think one of the best websites on class action settlements is mysettlementclaims website. So easy to find claims you are eligible for! 

 

NabiN
NabiN

Another way to make extra money is by applying for class actions lawsuit settlements. You can make easy couple hundred dollars on products or services we use every day. Check www.mysettlementclaims.com  for list of available claims.