52 Ways to Make Extra Money

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.

Top Reader Recommendation: One idea that I left off my list is to use Ebates.com when you shop online. Ebates is a free service that gives you cash back just for shopping like you normally would. Join free now and receive $5 cash.

1. Delivering Pizzas – If you have a car and a decent driving record then you qualify for this easy extra money maker. You’re likely to get some free pizzas too.
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. Create Websites – Businesses will pay you to take them online.
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. Resources: 7 Day Bootcamp (step by step video training), how I make extra money blogging (my quick guide).
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.
11. Write Reviews - There are many websites that will pay you a little cash to write product reviews. If you’re knowledgeable and can write fast, this may work for you.
12. CashCrate – There’s some money to be made with CashCrate.com completing the free offers, but the real cash comes from the referral program.
13. Freebie Trading – Freebie trading is a real money maker. But it takes a special person to master the techniques and be consistent with the process. See how The Freebie Guy made over $28K in his First Year
14. Freelance Writer – Right now on Elance.com they are looking for more writers. Set up an ad and start offering up your fast writing skills.
15. Sell Digital Photos – (Digital Photography School) – Take nice pictures. Get them up on the web at a broker, or microstock site. Make some money. It’s not as easy as that, but those are the basics. If you need a better guide, check out Photo Nuts and Bolts: Know Your Camera and Take Better Photos
16. Sell Yourself Online – Get creative and sell you and your time online in a fresh, new way.
17. Sell Micro Ad Space Online – Start a website and sell tiny ads. Can this be duplicated? Or can you take the concept and make it fresh?
18. Start an Online Store – Setting up an online store is extremely easy with sites like Amazon, Ebay, and CafePress. Once you learn how to market that site you can begin making some cash.
19. Focus Group Participant – Researchers need people to help them develop their results. Become a member of a focus group in your area and get your share of their research funding. Call your local university, museum, or look in your local paper for opportunities.
20. Sell Bottled Water – Buy bottled water in bulk and sell it for a dollar where there are a ton of people: parks, festivals, concerts, etc.
21. Sell Your Body – Not talking about the oldest profession here. I’m talking about your plasma, hair, eggs, and sperm.
22. Have a Car Wash – Find a business that’s willing to loan you their parking lot and gather up a few friends to wash some cars. Take donations or ask for very little. People usually do this to raise fund for an organization, but there’s no reason you couldn’t do it for the You Foundation.
23. Cleaning Houses – This is a job with flexible hours, but requires a bit of elbow grease. Some homes would provide their own cleaning supplies and tools.
24. Get a 2010 Census Job - Work opportunities begin in the Spring.
25. Sell Your Baked Goods – Are you skilled at a few special recipes? Contract your items out for parties, meetings, etc.
26. Rent Out Your Truck or Van – If I had a truck and needed extra money this is one of the ways I would do it. Nothing seems much easier to me.
27. Drive People to the Airport - Another good gig for someone with a reliable car and the ability to be on-time all the time. Once you have a few happy clients and word gets out, you’ll find you have to turn business away.
28. Lawn Care – I grew up doing this job on the side and loved it. But it’s not just a teenager gig. Obviously better for warmer climates.
29. Be a Mystery Shopper – Get paid to shop and share your experience.
30. Become a Ticket Broker – No special permit required. If you know sports or entertainment enough to pick the right events, and have access to purchase the tickets at face or below, then you can use a service like Stubhub.com or Craigslist.org to re-sell the tickets for a profit. I’ve done this both out of necessity and just to make some extra money.
31. Paper Route - This job will likely take up only your early morning hours. You can also search for a paper that only comes out once a week.
32. Walk Dogs – If you love animals and live in an urban area then consider this job.
33. Pet Sitting – Take dog walking a step further and actually be paid to watch someone’s pet for a few hours or days. This may just entail checking in on the pet a few times a day.
34. Baby Sitting – If you enjoy kids and are good with them, this can be a fun and easy way to make a little cash. Advertise your baby sitting services for free online with Sittercity.com. In need of a baby sitter, browse their website for free.
35. Tutor – Have a knack for a certain subject and live near a college? Consider offering up your brain power and teaching skills for some quick cash. Grade school kids need help too, and parents pay better than college students.
36. Play Music in Church or at Weddings - Some churches don’t have volunteers for their music. A talented pianist can make pretty good money doing this on the weekends.
37. Teach English to Adults - Go through your local schools and colleges to find classes where teachers of English are needed.
38. Collect Aluminum Cans – I collected cans in my teens and made a few extra bills for spending money. Some woman saved up $73,000 collecting cans.
39. Sign in the Yard – In our local neighborhood we’ve seen this service hired out to place signs in people’s yards for announcements or funny pranks. Ha!
40. Stage Homes – People are having trouble selling their homes these days and could use a second pair of eyes to stage their home for the quick sale. If you’ve got the designing skills, offer up your services.
41. Sell Stuff on Craigslist.org - Craigslist.org is the first place I go to sell something. It’s best for items you think will appeal to everyone (therefore justifying the smaller audience) and large items that can’t be shipped.
42. Sell Your Stuff on Ebay - eBay should be used for those items that are unique (you need a larger audience) and that are easily shipped.
43. Sign Up with Upromise – Upromise puts money in your kids college funds while you do your normal spending.
44. Ebay Arbitrage – Find items that you know are selling below their full value (either online or through a deal website like Slickdeals.net) buy them and sell them on eBay for more. Once you find your product niche you can set up a system.
45. Re-sell Computers – This is slightly different than Ebay Arbitrage. Find a distributor that will sell to you at their discounted prices. List these items online. Buy and ship to your hearts content. Basically, you become a reseller.
46. Look for Odd Jobs on Craigslist.org - People in your town need your help and they will pay you for it. Seriously. The jobs are there on Craigslist.org.
47. Have a Garage Sale – The stuff you can’t sell online, you could sell from your garage on the weekends.
48. Put Stuff on Consignment - This is great for clothes and other items that aren’t easily sold online.
49. Bank Account Opening Bonuses – Many bank accounts will give you a cash bonus to open an account with them. I’d start with an online savings account that will pay you higher interest.
50. Credit Card Bonuses – Like the bank accounts, there are many credit card bonuses available just for opening an account.
51. Rent Out A Room – If you have an extra room in your house, consider renting it out to a friend, relative, or random person you find using what else, Craigslist.org.
52. Paint Street Numbers – With just a few paint and stencil supplies you could walk the neighborhoods with curbs and solicit your curb number painting services.

Top Reader Recommendation: One idea that I left off my list is to use Ebates.com when you shop online. Ebates is a free service that gives you cash back just for shopping like you normally would. Join free now and receive $5 cash.

Finished making all the money you can make? Visit my 104 ways to save extra money.