Do you have arealjob that pays you prettywell? Awesome! However, we’re willing to bet that just because you’re getting a steady paycheck doesn’t mean you wouldn’t wantsome extra cash in your bank account. You’re definitely not alone there, considering today’spretty staggering costs of living, communicating, downloading, socializing, dressing, and pretty much everything else we do. While it’s not alwaysrealistic for folkswith full-time jobs to seek out second and third jobs, there are plenty of ways to learn how to make more money that require doing so on your own terms.
Related Stories
These Motivational Skincare Gift Sets Will Make the Most Thoughtful Presents
Everything You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask About Hair Removal
MORE: 101 Painless Ways To Save Money Right Now
Read on for 10 tips on how to make more money—and not one of them involves babysitting!
1. Make more money by selling your clothes
It might sound obvious, but if you’relooking to make room in your closet and pick up some extra bucks, your best bet is to go the resale route and sell your unwanted clothing online. And while sites likeeBay and Etsy are wonderful, there are loads of newer, more streamlined online consignment orresale sites and apps that optimize your chances of raking in the cash, such as Poshmark, Threadflip, and Tradesy. (Here’s a good guideto get you started.)
If you’d rather not take the online route, look into local consignment shops in your city, that’ll pay you a percentage foryour goods oncethey sell. While most only accept fairly high-end items, there are some quckie resale stores like Buffalo Exchange and Beacon’s Closet that pay you on the spot for in-season stuff you bring in from all types of retailers, even those like Zara and J. Crew.
MORE:How Much Money Should I Save Every Year?
2. Profit from your teachable skills.
If you’re lucky enough to have a teachableskill, it’s a safe betthat—with a little planning—you can profit from it.If you’re an academic—a math whiz, a history buff, or a writer by trade—think about setting up a small tutoring business. Putting up flyers in your neighborhood’s supermarkets, community bulletin boards, and local schools is a great place to start, as is asking neighbors with kids if they know anyone looking for some extra help. Same goes for teaching things like an instrument or voice lessons, if you’re skilled and think you can teach a beginner.
Of course, you can always try your hand at offering somewhat offbeatservices for things you know you’re good at but never thought could make you more money, like professional organizing, personal shopping, or pet-sitting.
3.Round up loose change.
Perhaps the most painlessand the most effective way to make more money:Drop your loose change into the same jar at the end of every single day. Once a month, take it to the bank and get cold, hard cash. Don’t forget to look for coins under cushions, in drawers, in bags, and in coat pockets, too.
4. Rent out your pad.
A quick way to make more money? Offer up your apartment or house using a reputable service like AirBNB if you know you’re going out of town for a night or a month. And if you really need the extracash, rent it our and crash with a friend for a few days.
MORE:10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Anything Expensive
4. Scour your closet forthings with tags.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve got morethan a few items sitting in your closet with tags still on ’em. Return the ones you still have receipts for if it’s not too late. (Otherwise, take the store credit—it’s still better than keeping clothes you’ll never wear.) Some stores, like Sephora, will let you return anything no matter how long it’s been.
5. Offer to work weekends at a family member’s business
If you have a family thatowns a business that’s opened on weekends (a store, a salon, a garage, a restaurant, even a doctor’s office), offer your services. Working the reception deskat your uncle’s dental office on Saturdays, waitressingat your parent’s restaurant, or helping work the register at your cousin’s shoe storecan be an excellent way tomakesome extra money, if you’re willing to put in the hours. Extra points for offering to work tips-based jobs like bartending.
6. Get certifiedin something.
This doesn’t mean giving up your day job, but rather taking courses to get certified in something you love, so you can teach it to others part-time. Live for exercise or health? Think about becoming a certified personal trainer thatmakes house calls, or a freelance nutritionist.
MORE:7 Reasons Why Money Can’t Buy You Style
7. List things on Craigslist
There’s a reason why over 40 million people rely on Craigslist to sell everything from bikes and fitness equipment, to furniture and knick-knacks. Start listing everything you don’t need—even large lots of books, DVDs, records, and other collections—odds are someone in your area wants it. Plus, all transactions are in person, so there’s no shipping costs.
8. Make stuff, and sell it
If you’re a talented artist, seamstress, or jewelry maker, think about making cool prints, greeting cards, clothing, or accessories to sell on sites like Etsy.
9. Look intofocus groups.
These moderated roundtables that solicit people like you to offeryour opinions on products have gotten a bad reputation over time, but the fact remains that good ones pay between$50 and $300 an hour. Sites like FocusGroup.com can serve a jumping-off point to landing focus group opportunities in your city, as can Craigslist for less formal groups.
10. Freelance.
Even if you have a 9 to 5, looking into freelance gigs—writing, copywriting, graphic design, interpreting, illustrating, web design, the list goes on—can be an amazing way to hone your skills and make more money while you’re at it. Check out Freelance.com for a hefty list of freelance-able skills, or check Craigslist and other job boards for frequent postings.
