We could all use a little extra money, and believe it or not, there are dozens of ways to make money in your spare time. Some are more lucrative than others, some are less time consuming than others, but all of them offer a unique opportunity to generate extra income. Here you’ll find five ways to make extra money in your spare time.
1. Try Cashback Apps
Are you good at task work or enjoy being on your phone? There are actually apps that will pay you to do simple tasks like identifying keywords or taking surveys. There’s an even an app that lets you scan receipts and earn coins which you can turn into money.
Cashback apps have been around for a while, but they’ve gotten more streamlined and lucrative over the last decade or so. If you’ve never thought about using apps for making money, there’s certainly been no better time to look into it.
Apps like Swagbucks offer a few different options, like watching videos and answering short survey questions on various brands and products. If you’ve got free time, nothing could be easier than watching a simple video and earning money to do it.
Receipt Hog takes money making in a completely different direction. There are no surveys or videos to watch, but instead, you scan receipts from items you’ve purchased at restaurants or retailers, and for every receipt you scan, you earn coins.
Once you’ve earned enough coins, you can cash them in for money or gift cards. That’s it! You’re essentially getting paid to shop. Offsetting the costs of those expensive shopping trips has never been easier.
2. Teach A Course On Udemy
The world of teaching has branched out to online resources such as Udemy, which allows you to teach a course in your spare time and get paid to do so. You can teach anything from economics to writing to music theory.
If you’re really great at something or even have a degree in a particular field, this could be a great opportunity to generate some extra income. You’ll pre-record the course and organize it into a specific format, upload it to Udemy, and start collecting.
Each time someone purchases your course, you’ll get a percentage of the earnings. Udemy charges a small fee for operating on their platform, of course, but courses can be priced in upwards of the hundreds of dollars.
In addition to generating income, you’ll get the sense of fulfillment that comes from teaching a new skill to other people. You’ll be giving back to the community with your talents, which is priceless in itself.
3. Start A Blog Or Podcast
If you have something to say that you think is impactful or that people would like to hear, starting a blog or podcast can be a great way to channel that information into a money making platform quickly.
A blog is easy enough; you simply buy a domain name and either have a designer create a custom site for you, or use Wix or WordPress to customize a template. Then, all you need to do is write consistently and grow your fanbase.
A podcast requires a bit more setup. You’ll need microphones and audio recording software, as but if you can pull it off, you can start monetizing ads on both platforms and generating income. As more users subscribe and visit monthly, your income from paid ads goes up. Here’s a great post on starting a podcast.
There are thousands of blogs and podcasts on a variety of topics. Truthfully, you can talk about pretty much anything on your platform, just be sure it’s something that an audience would enjoy reading or listening to. Make your blog or podcast stand out by offering a unique voice or subject matter, and you’ll generate many new listeners and readers.
4. Freelancing
Maybe you’re great at writing or photography and looking to make some extra cash in your spare time by utilizing your talent. Whatever your skill is, there’s likely a market for freelance work. If you’re handy with a camera, you can try freelance photography shooting weddings and other public events.
There also exist opportunities for writers in the online world. Freelance writing can be a lucrative profession. The website Fiverr is a great platform to advertise your skills and generate work. You offer a base “gig” that users pay for, and from there you can offer premium options with extras that cost more money.
Freelancing can offer you a flexible way to generate more income. You’re not technically employed by anyone but instead, act as a sort self-employed contractor. If you’re looking to supplement your income, freelancing is a great place to start.
5. Drive For Uber or Lyft
Companies like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized transportation by making the average person essentially a taxi driver in their own car. All you need is a smartphone to download the app and a car in good shape (each company has specific guidelines on this).
You can drive at night, on weekends, or whenever, and in addition to making extra money, you’ll get to meet some new people every day. Both services charge by the mile and boast up to 80% earnings retention for their drivers.
If you’re looking for something to do on the weekends, this is it! The best times to drive are usually during the weekends in the evening and late at night when people are either going out or returning home. Give it a shot and see why being a driver is such a rewarding experience.
The Take-Away
Extra money is not hard to come by. There are apps, services, and freelance opportunities all around if you look for them. Whether you’re looking for basic task work or something with a little more social interaction, these five money making tips will help you generate extra cash and supplement your household income in your spare time.
