1. Drive for Uber or Lyft
Companies like Uber and Lyft offer a great opportunity to make some extra cash. You’ll need a clean driving record, a fairly new car, and the authorization to work wherever it is that you live. If you have all of those things, you can work when it’s feasible for you, whether that’s in the middle of the day during rush hour or the wee hours of the night on a weekend. The choice is yours.
2. Become a market research participant
One way you can earn real money without the hassle is by participating in market research. It’s fairly easy money for not a lot of work, like completing an online survey with your thoughts on a company’s products. Or companies may ask you to join a focus group to simply share your opinion and will compensate you with cash or a gift card.
This often involves writing or stating your opinion in polls or paid surveys. Since participating in the research isn’t too time-consuming, it’s a great way to earn extra income. Focusgroup.com is just one company that is looking for participants, and Survey Junkie as well.
3. Sell old books and games on Amazon
Amazon makes it fairly easy to list and sell old books, games, and devices on its marketplace. You can make more than just a few bucks If you have pricey textbooks from college. Be sure the books are in good condition. You’ll get negative reviews if you attempt to sell books that are falling apart or games that are scratched up. Remember, be upfront about any defects, no matter how small they might be and no matter how few people might readily notice them.
It’s also important to note, that in addition to selling on Amazon, you can earn passive income through Amazon’s affiliate marketing network as an Amazon Associate.
For those who may be unfamiliar, affiliate marketing is an advertising model which allows a company to sell their products through a third party or affiliate, who markets the product for a commission.
So for example, if you own an online business blog, you could earn a commission for including an Amazon affiliate link in one of your posts. Other companies that offer an affiliate program include eBay Partner Network and CJ Affiliate .
4. Sell, or resell, used tech on Craigslist
The market for used electronics is vast, and there’s a simple way to make some extra money online. You can use Craigslist to part ways with your old iPhone or your MacBook. You can grab a premium for these types of electronics. Some people even flip items by buying them and reselling them.
You could also use a website like Gazelle to sell your used phones, no matter what kind you have. Companies like that have made an entire business model out of buying used phones and refurbishing them. Either way, you can expect to earn money relatively quickly if you have these items lying around your house.
5. Do tasks with TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit lets you tap into an existing marketplace of people looking for help locally with chores. The tasks aren’t always small and this wouldn’t fall under the category of passive income per se. This platform (along with others) offers bigger tasks, such as home renovations, as well.
Amazon is getting into the task business with Amazon Home Services . The services listed range from very small repairs to larger and more involved tasks that would take considerably more effort.
6. Deliver for PostMates
You can earn some cash when you’re in dire straits by using PostMates , and you don’t even need a car, just a bike for deliveries in busier cities and downtown centers. I’ve used it often to get food from specialty places that don’t deliver themselves, but it can be used for many things.
PostMates states on their website that you could earn up to $25/hour doing deliveries. You could also earn some tips in the process so it’s a great option for people that are looking to do something in their spare time, similar to the big ride-sharing apps that are hogging up mobile app stores everywhere.
7. Flip real estate contracts
If you’re thinking this side hustle is cost-prohibitive, it’s not. You can flip real estate contracts on your spare time without ever taking possession of the property. This isn’t a fixer-upper endeavor, just securing a contract and selling it to any interested party. That’s it.
You can do this with just a few hundred dollars in most cases to open up escrow. There are companies dedicated to teaching how to do this like REWW . It’s good for making a little bit of extra money but is also potentially something more long-term as well.
8. Sell on CafePress or Etsy
If you can design digital items, you can sell them for a share of the profits on a site like CafePress . You can do this with nothing more than some design software. They can include custom logos, inspirational sayings, and other topical or trending designs appealing to the masses.
You could hire a designer to assist you with this online business, but you still need to come up with the ideas. This works best if you understand design yourself but requires no overhead. Items are printed and delivered on-demand. You simply receive a share of the proceeds. Similarly, if you’re a business owner, you could sell items on Etsy as well and utilize the platform as an online store.
9. Answer questions on JustAnswer
Be a resource for people looking for expertise online. JustAnswer (and several sites like it) allow doctors, lawyers, engineers, and others with enhanced knowledge to earn money merely by answering questions from people who would otherwise have to pay a hefty sum for those answers in a different way.
All you need to get started is an internet connection and expertise in a specialized field, but it’s also a lucrative (for the time spent) and easy way to earn a bit of cash in a hurry. Don’t expect to get rich answering questions, but you can generate a few bucks here or there if you’re in a bind.
10. Money-making strategy: Grab gigs on Fivver
No matter what type of service you offer, you can likely offer it Fivver . Fivver connects freelancers in the digital space with people looking for their services for a price.
Whether you need help with your graphic design , are looking for a freelance writer, or are in the market for a virtual assistant, Fivver can connect you to the right people.
Starting at as little as $5, you can find talent to help you with specific projects, like setting up Google Analytics or help with Google Play. Or you can offer your expertise as a seller, and through marketing yourself as a digital product, you can earn upwards of $10,000.