8 Easy Ways to Make Extra Cash
Is your financial situation not what you want? Unfortunately, living paycheck to paycheck is a reality for 63% of people, and only 41% of Americans are financially prepared to handle a $1,000 emergency without using a credit card.
Whether you fall into those statistics or have serious financial goals, you want to crush in 2021, finding ways to make extra cash can help you get there.
Keep reading for ideas on earning money outside your regular job in 2021.
1. Get Paid for Skills or Services
Take a quick inventory of your skills. For example, are you an exceptional writer, a pro at graphic design, or know how to teach chemistry, so it’s easy to understand? Whatever your skills, you can likely find someone willing to pay you for them.
Even if you don’t have a specific technical skillset, you likely have other skills or talents that can translate into a side gig. For example, maybe you’re good with kids or love to mow lawns.
Here are some ideas for side gigs involving skills and talents:
- Freelance writing, graphic design, web design, etc.
- Consulting in a specialty field
- Babysitting
- Lawn care
- Running errands
- Photography
- Dog walking or pet sitting
- Virtual Assistant
- Resume writing
- Tutoring
If you have a specific skill set, you already have your idea. If not, brainstorm the things you could do for extra money, and start advertising your services.
2. Drive or Deliver
Turn your vehicle into cash by driving for ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. You can also deliver items through services such as DoorDash or Postmates. With these companies, you can work as much or as little as you want when work is available, deciding whether or not to choose specific jobs.
If you’re considering using your vehicle for business, check with your auto insurance company. You might need additional coverage for the business use activity.
3. Get Paid for Your Opinion
Earn cash for your strong opinions by completing online surveys. Many online survey companies pay cash or let you earn points that you can trade in for gift cards. Of course, you won’t make much money, but it’s easy to earn money with little work in your free time.
Another option is joining paid focus groups. Companies that do market research pay focus group participants to share their opinions or information about their habits. A similar option is mystery shopping, where you do a specific shop and share your opinion about the experience.
4. Do Small Tasks
Every little bit helps, and many apps and sites let you make extra money here and there just for simple tasks. User experience testing is one example. You review websites or apps and give your feedback for cash.
Many mobile apps, such as Ibotta and Rakuten, give you cashback on the everyday items you purchase. So if you’re buying the items anywhere, you might get some of your money back. Shopkick also lets you earn points you can exchange for gift cards just for going to stores, scanning items, or doing other activities without purchases.
5. Rent Out Space and Items
If you have extra space that you don’t use all the time, renting it out is an easy way to make cash. Many people rent out rooms or entire homes to vacationers. You might consider a longer-term roommate for consistent cash if you have a permanent spare room.
The same idea works for other things too. For example, various platforms allow you to rent your vehicle, driveway space, baby gear, or equipment, such as cameras or tools.
6. Sell Items
From old items you no longer need to new products you make yourself, selling is an option to earn extra money in 2021.
Selling things you already own is fast and profitable. You already have the items and don’t have to spend money on supplies. You also don’t have to spend your time creating the products.
No matter what you sell, finding the best platform for selling can maximize your profits. For example, selling on Etsy is ideal if you make handmade items. Facebook Marketplace is a good option for local sales, while eBay is still a strong choice for a broader reach.
High-value or specialty items benefit from specific selling options. For example, if you have fine jewelry, coins, or other gold and silver items, a specialty source such as American Gold and Diamond Buyers will likely get you more cash for your items. For name-brand clothing, try a platform known for selling fashion, such as Poshmark.
7. Monetize Online Content
Blogs, YouTube videos, business social media platforms, and podcasts are a few ways to monetize your content online. In addition, you can often sign up for ad networks with these platforms that allow you to earn a small amount of money to display the ads on your content.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products, either physical products or digital products like online courses. Then, when someone buys one of those items using your unique link, you get a percentage of the sale.
You can also create your products to sell. For example, you can do physical effects, such as T-shirts and mugs, or digital products, such as printables and online courses. Many people also use online content to promote services, such as coaching or mastermind groups.
One drawback to monetizing online content is that growing a steady income takes time. It would help if you had a large, engaged audience to do well, which takes time to build.
8. Take on a Seasonal Gig
You might not want to take on another regular job, but a seasonal part-time gig could be a temporary solution. It’s a quick way to earn money fast. Also, since it’s a seasonal job, it only lasts a set amount of time, so you’re not stuck working two jobs forever.
In summer, you can find jobs such as lifeguarding or lawn care. During the holidays, most retailers hire extra temporary help to handle the surge of shoppers. You might also do winter jobs such as shoveling snow or working as a ski instructor if you live near the slopes.
Try Different Ways to Make Extra Cash
Exploring various ways to make extra cash can improve your financial situation. Whether you’re trying to catch up, get ahead, or reach financial goals, earning side cash helps you get there faster.
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Carla is a high performing marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving growth of in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Strong command of digital operations with exposure to influencer marketing strategy, branding, analytics, SEO/SEM, customer success, content development, and social media Core expertise lies in managing end-to-end campaigns, creating memorable content, and facilitating improved conversion rates to enhance e-commerce operations. Adept in ensuring alignment with organizational goals, facilitating streamlined operations, and leveraging a data driven strategy used to make insightful marketing decisions.
