52 Ways to Make Extra Money

by · 106 comments

I’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.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

Related Posts:

If you enjoyed this article, join 5,346 others and get free email updates!

Post comment as twitter logo facebook logo
Sort: Newest | Oldest
nhoudek 5 pts

I have been doing pretty well with zip nada zilch. It is another free trial site but you can make $60-$80 per referral with the Big Cash option, or $20 per referral with the One option. Check it out. Easily making an extra $5,000 per year.

I use surveys to make extra money here and there. I found one that actually pays me to refer them business too. The one I use is surveysavvy.com. I use others as well but this is my favorite

Mprymas 5 pts

People keep asking below, but never get an answer. How do you get into Affiliate Marketing??

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Mprymas Sign up with one of the affiliate networks like cj.com. Check out all of the merchants and see if there are any that interest you and you could promote somehow. Do you have a site or other online presence where you are creating content?

My latest conversation: Day 17: Shop Smart with Lists and Coupons

DavidaYA 7 pts

Mprymas

Decide on a Niche you want to market to, then look for a good affiliate product to market to that niche. Affiliate marketing works a lot better if you have a niche website or blog, once you've created one then you can look for 4-5 affiliate products within that niche to promote.

Not all products have the same income generation potential, with some products you earn a commission when you make the sale, for other products, for instance Web Hosting, you can continue to earn a commision month after month after the sale, when your customer pays their montly subscription.

shirleybrown 13 pts

Oh, my! That is quite a comprehensive list of ways to make extra money. I think many folks are looking to make an extra buck - especially online. And somehow just because it is online, they think it should be easy as well. My experience is that most of the money making ideas are good but need persistence and follow up before they start generating serious coin.

My latest conversation: Carpet Steam Cleaner

HiddenTactics 5 pts

I personally make money with blogging.And that is the best way for me.I just post articles every day and bookmark them in 100 bookmarking sites.I do that every day and I make 30 40$ day.Not so bad;)

About 6) Haha ... I like this.Actually you won't make money, but you will save money on many things that require credit check.

HiddenTactics Now how do you do this again? Tell me step by step. cutiep1111@yahoo.com. send it to me please.. Thanks.. How do you bookmark articles and post them on a blog? I just need to find something making extra money..

Irina 5 pts

Pleace can you help me how do you bookmark tell me step by step too at inelus5u@yahoo.com thank you
HiddenTactics

Mykiidsmom 5 pts

HiddenTactics

I would love more information on how to do this. Please email me how to find these bookmarking sites. I would be so appreciative. Struggling and really need to make some extra money. Whats your blog? sleon05@yahoo.com

Turn your hobby, skills or expertise into a part-time business. Sites like Jobvana can help you do so by providing you with free tools to market your services and offer specialized skills to those looking for help.

Holllllygallly 5 pts

This was good but I was wondering if you had an idea for me to start my own online business. I'm only 13 and a lot of these are for adults . I don't live in a "neighborhood" so I can't deliver paper or walk dogs. I like babysitting and I'm good at it but I dont get many requests because I'm only 13 . Any advice / ideas would be appreciated. Thx

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Holllllygallly Online businesses are great. You could try blogging or create an online store: http://ptmoney.com/make-money-with-an-online-store...

If you like to write maybe you could do some freelance writing?

My latest conversation: The Citi Diamond Preferred is Now the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

Holllllygallly If you have a computer at home you could participate in online surveys, some of them are open to kids your age.

Awesome 52 ideas to make extra money. How about becoming an affiliate marketer? There's also money in affiliate marketing :-)

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

There's definitely money in that. I can attest. Maybe that's what you're smile is about? ;)

My latest conversation: Who's Coming?

Philip Taylor - it's your not you're.

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Philip Oh, thanks. And to think I've been doing it wrong all these years. :p

My latest conversation: Day 13: Trim Your Expenses

I've been doing affiliate marketing for the past 6 months and it pays pretty good money. In addition to that I receive training on how to do well. The best thing about it besides getting a side income, I didn't have to pay anything to get started. So many scams out here asking for money. If you want to make money and not spend it I have a few suggestions.

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Good point, Kay. With very few exceptions NEVER pay to start making money online. You don't have to do it. You can find several free resources to help you get started. The only thing you'll have to invest is your time, and a LOT of it.

My latest conversation: UFC: Pay Per View vs. Hooters!

fireman 5 pts

how do i find one that isnt a scam

Mprymas 5 pts

How do I get into affiliate marketing? How do I start??

Cashcrate.com is an excellent way to make money. You complete offers and take surveys and get payed for it. I read an article on it from a guy that has doing it for sometime now and he explained it as voluntarily signing up for spam and gave a whole layout of the best way to do it. and you can actually make decent money. Pretty much make a separate email for spam.

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Yep, it's a nice way to make quick money. Albeit, not a huge sum. It could help you earn a few extra dollars each month. The referrals, if you can start getting them, are where the bigger money comes into play. Try it out here: http://cashcrate.com/1044446

My latest conversation: UFC: Pay Per View vs. Hooters!

I am doing affiliate marketing to get side income. it's a good source of money by at home work.

Annabel 5 pts

how do you get started doing affliate marketing? I want to do this.

This was SO helpfull. Thanks!

Re: Become A Ticket Broker. You can only sell tickets for face value on Craigslist. You can sell them for any price on Ebay.

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

Good to know, Jo. Thanks for pointing that out. I like Stubhub these days.

My latest conversation: UFC: Pay Per View vs. Hooters!

Cashcrate seems nice especially if the member is US resident. But the opportunity for international member is scarce and limited. I have tried blogging, which I agree is not an easy money but the payment is good. I also tried freelancing, which definitely worked for me.

/kristen

I personally have enjoyed working a direct sales/home based business on the side. I found a good, legitimate company with very low upfront costs/overhead. It has been a great experience. Just be sure that the company offers training and some sort of simple, step-by-step system and it helps if they are in the DSA Top 100-- instantly proves their legitimacy!

I really like the idea of writing poorly written ads. It seem like it can be easy and you can make a small profit. I know that use to work at a school and we got our extra money from writing grants. People can write grants to start a business so I am in the process of trying to write my own grant to start a community program for teens. its a litte extra money and I still get to do what I love. If you have any kind of hobby you can prob. turn that into some income if you can get creative. Good luck

Thanks, a well compiled list Phillip, and good to do as well as using some ideas from your 104 Ways to Save Extra Money article.

I'm always after a way to make some extra money. ;-)

I think affiliate marketing is also a good source of money by at home work.

Another one is eJury.com

Although it requires attorneys in your county to post their cases on the website, otherwise you really cant particpate.

If you are creative and don't have an outlet for your creations to sell, ETSY is a great place online to sell your stuff. It's like ebay for handmade items only. I'm just sayin'.

Yeah But I'm going homeless..... my ex-husbands stopped paying childsupport for my three kids I'm single, just got laid off because my boss decided to sell the office to someone who had just gotten out of jail for fraud in the medical system and I'm thirty four.
I have tried child support enforcement and the people are waiting for my ex-husband to return the crumpled of form in the trash to them.
WHAT DO I REALLY DO IN THIS ECONOMY?? I HAVE NEVER BEEN FIRED BEFOREE

Great ideas, I'm going to try to collect cans for some extra money.

I've done things like mystery shopping, freelance writing and article writing sites.

I'll give some ofthe other opotions you've suggested a try.

not very helpful where i live nobody can do all that stuff and actually make money but thanks for trying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another good way to make money AND get free stuff is to become a party consultant for companies like Partylite, pampered chef, ect.

The CashCrate idea is a great one. I highly recommend it as I too am a CashCrate user!

Some great ideas here. I have a friend who makes a couple hundred a month donating Plasma. If you don't mind getting pricked, it's not a bad gig.

Finding out ways to earn money are a good way to invest in yourself. If you are serious about making money online there is an awesome website that offers a link it works. Copy and paste the url in your browser healthstore-howtobehealthy.blogspot.com and look under financial health. I was surprised when I found it but it really made sense.
I know this will help.
Tabetha

I see a comment made by Stella including some freelance sites. This does work. I use oDesk and it's been a big help in bringing in a little extra money. I also agree with some of the other comments that mention people should think of or view more ideas of making extra money, because it really is possible to make extra money instead of just sitting around moping about not having money to pay the bills or buy something special.

This could be helpful for an unemployed person.

Philip Taylor 8 pts moderator

And there are plenty of those these days, sadly. :(

My latest conversation: UFC: Pay Per View vs. Hooters!

This list is simply fantastic. People often say that they have no way to make extra money. In very many cases, they are just short of ideas and motivation - and you have provided plenty of both. Great stuff.

Helpful post, Thanks for sharing! :) Great stuffs here.

Previous post:

Next post:

.