Sometimes saving money isn’t enough, you have to find ways to make extra money to make ends meet or to be able to pull together an emergency fund. Here are a few ways that everyday people make extra money.
- Babysit. You don’t have to be a teenager to babysit. In fact, most parents will pay more for sitters that can provide their own transportation and have many years of experience. To find clients, put an ad on Craiglist or look for a site like Sittercity.com that allows sitters to register, post a profile and be alerted of new jobs.
- Petsitter/dog walker. If you’ve more of a pet person than a kid person, pet sitting and dog walking can be a good way to make some extra money and have fun with a furry friend. Again, you can post ads on Craiglist and your local paper. You can also ask veterinarian’s offices if you can leave a stack of flyers or put one up on their bulletin board.
- If you have a green thumb, you can offer your services to help businesses and private individuals care for their houseplants and flower beds. You can help them decide which plants will do with their light and soil, plant or pot them, and return regularly for maintenance.
- Help seniors or others who are unable to drive run their errands and get to their appointments. This could be a great option for those who don’t work their regular jobs during normal business hours. If you are uncomfortable transporting people or your insurance won’t allow it, you can always stick with running errands on your own.
- Minor computer repair and other related tasks. Many people would love to hire somebody who can help them upgrade their operating systems, do a backup and restore or help them archive their photos/music/documents. You can also offer classes on basic computer use for individuals or small groups.
- Housecleaning/organizing. You can either offer a weekly housecleaning service or offer to help people withe one-time big jobs such as spring cleaning or organizing a garage or attic or getting a house ready to sell.
- Tutor. Depending on your skills and knowledge base, you can do anything from helping kindergartner’s practice their handwriting to helping college students with calculus. In general you can charge more for more advanced subjects.
- Personal chef. It’s not just the wealthy who need a personal chef! Depending on your area’s health department regulations, you can either prepare food at home to deliver to your clients home’s or cook a week worth’s of dinners in their own kitchens. If you have experience cooking for special diets like The Zone or to accommodate diabetics or other health needs, be sure to advertise that.
- Sewing, embroidery and other skills. People are looking for help with everything from making dresses to curtains to taking in pants to embroidering initials on cloth items. You can also sell your handmade creations on a site like Etsy or local crafts fairs and farmers markets.
- Detail cars at people’s homes or workplaces. People will love being able to get their car looking like brand new without having to take time out of their day. Be sure to get business cards printed so that you can hand them out to curious coworkers and neighbors who are interested in your services.
Don’t be limited by this list, think about your unique skills and talents and how they could help other people while giving you a source of income. For more ideas, you can read 15 Ways to Earn Extra Money on MoneyNing.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Jo,
I thought this may interest you.. What if you started elderly concierge services? You run errands for them or specifically keep them organized. Call it something fun and post it around and put it on your car? Join the chamber of commerce in your town.. xxoo M
Having entered my grumpy old coot era I have amassed considerable wealth by renting myself out as……..
a Grumpy Old Coot.
I sit on a chair on the customer’s front porch and bark/growl/etc at the heathenish neighbor kids who trespass upon the customer’s lawn, yard, garden, bushes, etc.
If the invading vile spawn of trashy parentage were to harm themselves upon my customer’s property the potential for economic harm is immense since the trash scum vile parents will assuredly sue for the largest sum possible and if that sum exceeds my customer’s insurance level… economic destitution is a possibility.
My presence, my voice demanding immediate departure, assists in those disgusting vile spawn’s departure and negates almost in entirety the spawn’s filth parents from successfully suing.
I admit it was difficult to omit the shotgun and performing a societal good deed but the bleeding-heart wimps of the world would whine endlessly if that course was followed.
What a shame.
Wow Obbop!!! You are grumpy!! Most people these days are sue happy but you can’t speak for all the kiddos. They aren’t all evil! There are many kids that need a job and money and you can always say “no”. You aren’t obligated but you can’t hold them back from trying to make some money when our economy is such a piece of crap that they are having trouble finding jobs as the rest of the people in the world that are unemployed. We are not joining your pity party when many of us have it way worse than “oh yes having to sit on your porch” . I really feel sorry for you that you have to sit on your ass all day
Obbop … I applaud you ! Most kids are allowed to run wild disturbing everyone but their own parent’s or care takers. What ever happened to paper boys … You know the ones that rode their bikes or walked a certain area delivering the newspaper or the caddies at the local golf courses? … or the “gas station attendants … the ones that not only put gas in your car, washed your windows … all of them … checked all your fluids etc. ? All for a small wage but tips for the good ones I knew back in the day they made a nice wage. All this taken away so they are left to roam the streets & find ways to get into trouble … what else do they have to do? I am sure if their parents would help & direct their kids in the proper directions they could do more… just sad that parents have so much on their plates & little to no time to do what they should .. guide & direct with love & a firm hand. My parents told me when I hit 16 it was that summer that I best find a job. That they had paid my way thru school , clothing, food etc. but from that point they would still be responsible for all my own necessities ie: shampoo, perfume, deodorant, & anything else I personally waned. It was just my luck a fish & chip place had just opened within walking distance & I applied & worked the entire summer. One back in school I started working at a Country Club less time due to school but more money! I learned quickly the meaning of money! So wake up parents and quit this cycle of entitlement. We all have to work to have the nice things we want & need & would give them less time to get into trouble. Shrugs .. All up to you the parent!
Hi my name is Traci and I am currently trying to come up with some ideas on how to start a new business caring for the sick and elderly while doing some freelance typing for cash. I enjoyed these revelations in my life so well I can’t wait to get started and move on. Sincerely, Traci Brucell.