Whether you’re saving for something special, trying to pay down debt or just need some extra cash to hold you over until payday, everyone could use some extra money coming in. But if you’re already working full-time or spending your day looking after kids, it probably feels like there’s precious little extra time to earn extra money. Fortunately, there are several ways you can earn extra cash that you can fit in to your busy schedule. Take a look at these easy ways to earn extra money:
Surveys and Focus Groups
Everyone has an opinion, so why not get paid for yours? Companies large and small are constantly conducting market research to improve their products and services. You can either sign up to take surveys online, attend in-person focus groups, or both. Generally speaking, the live focus groups offer higher pay, but consistently taking surveys online can really add up over time. Whichever one you choose, it’s definitely worth your while to make your opinions known.
Sell Your Unwanted Stuff
You’re probably thinking the last thing you want to do in the middle of the summer is have a garage sale, and we agree! There are far easier, more lucrative ways to get rid of your unwanted items. There’s a whole new crop of online retailers who want to buy your used clothing, shoes, handbags and more. All you have to do is request a seller’s pack, fill up a bag or box and send it back. They take care of the rest and deposit funds into a PayPal account when your items sell. Take a look Thred Up to get a feel for how these sites work.
Flip Flea Market Finds
This one takes a little more time, but can definitely pull in some cash. If you’re crafty and have a good eye, you can transform flea market and garage sale goods into eclectic showpieces. All you’ll need is some sandpaper, spray paint and a good grasp of current home decorating trends.
Test Websites
You’re going to be online anyway, so you might as well get paid for it. There are a number of companies with which you can register, receive testing assignments and get paid to complete them. Pay ranges from less than a dollar for simple tasks up to $10 or more for more in-depth assignments. Most will deposit funds into your PayPal account once a month. Competition for these opportunities can be stiff, however, so it may be a slow start, but reliable, thorough testers can build up a good clientele over time.
Return Past Purchases
You know that stack of things with the tags still on you’ve been meaning to return? Go do it and get your money back! You’ll get the most money back if you have original receipts and the item still has all original tags and packaging. But don’t let not having a receipt stop you. Many retailers will do a receipt look-up if you can provide the debit or credit card you used to make the purchase. Even if you only end up with store credit, it’s still better than having the unwanted items collecting dust at home.
By the way, if your reason for needing extra cash is trying to squeak by until your next payday, our Credit Counseling can help you better manage your money by giving you a personalized budget and action plan. You can get started now!
