You know how exciting it is to find extra cash in your jean pocket. Or when a long-forgotten debtor calls to refund your loan. Yep. That feeling that says money is cool. Extra money is cool. Money not budgeted for is even cooler. And regardless of where your finances are, or how great or not your job is, we can all do with a little extra cash.
Here are five ideas to help you make extra money on the side.
Sell used stuff
One of the greatest additions to Facebook is the Marketplace. On it, you can exchange used goods/services for money. I bought a mahogany wood bookshelf for $40 on it. It has been 4 years now and it is still one of the sturdiest pieces of furniture I own. The previous owner was moving out of town-instead of trashing it, he was able to get some value from it.
Are there pieces of furniture gathering dust in your home? Baby clothes and gear your children have outgrown? Books you no longer read? Hold a yard sale or sell it through online marketplaces like Facebook, Kijiji, Craigslist etc.
Rent out your space/stuff
Is there a spare bedroom in your house/apartment? Depending on where you live you can make some cash by utilizing the spare space in your house/apartment and even office. You can go the full route and get a roommate or part-time by renting out your space out on Airbnb. In addition, I have heard of folks renting out gadgets like cameras, speakers and even laptops. When renting out stuff though, make sure you are covered by insurance and get a substantial deposit that can cover costs of repairs etc.
Make Things to Sell
From clothes to baked goods to freshly made food, you can charge a premium on your handiwork. You can advertise through word of mouth and social media. If you put out excellent stuff, soon enough, your work will speak for itself and earn you more patrons of your goods.
Sell yourself
Similar to the previous point, there are some skills and experiences you have that can help you make cash. Can you speak French or Spanish? Someone might need an interpreter for the weekend. Can you write? There are blogs willing to pay cash for your work (hint…). You could even start your own blog. Can you cook? Caterers are always looking for help, especially over the weekends. Are you a nerd who loves teaching? Offer extra lessons to parents of school-age kids in your area. The list is endless.
Ask for a raise
This is probably the scariest way to make some extra cash. My key advice to asking for a raise at your current job is to make sure your performance at work is top-notch and you can justify your reasons for earning more than you currently do.
What ways of making extra cash has worked for you? Tell us in the comments.