10 Profitable Ideas to Make Extra Money on the Side

10 Profitable Ideas to Make Extra Money on the Side 

Working from home has created the perfect environment for anyone to earn a few extra bucks with a side hustle. Depending on your unique needs and your skills, there are thousands of ways to earn a respectable amount of cash during your downtime.

 

Below are proven ways that people have generated significant revenue for themselves, from short-term gigs that deliver a quick cash infusion to longer-term ventures that have to possibility to grow into a full-fledged business. Whatever you are looking for, check the list below and select a method that fits within your skillset and time availability. Why sit around scrolling through social when you could be earning much-needed cash?

 

1. Sell items on eBay or Craigslist.

One of the surest ways you can make cash if you're in a bind is to sell items on eBay or Craigslist. Any used items like furniture, household appliances, collectibles, or anything else that you're just not using or is collecting dust, can be sold online to make some money. If you're serious about this, you can even do it professionally for others and collect a small commission for each sale. Take quality photos and write a good description and you'll be in great shape. 

 

2. Recycle used smartphones on Gazelle.

I've sold a few used smartphones on Gazelle and it's a no-hassle way of making some cash if you have an old iPhone or Samsung smartphone or another device sitting around. While you won't get top-dollar for it, you will be able to get a little bit of cash that might just help you out depending on your financial situation.

 

3. Drive for Uber or Lyft.

One of the most widely available ways for making money is to drive for Uber or Lyft. The sharing economy has quite literally exploded, and both Uber and Lyft are at the forefront. The best part? You can turn on and off your availability through these networks with the simple click of a button, effectively allowing you to make money no matter what time of day or night it is.

 

4. Deliver for PostMates.

Another option for earning a side income is to deliver for PostMates. Similar to working for Uber and Lyft, you can work whenever you want. While the pay might not be enormous, you do have the ability to earn tips. If you're in a highly-trafficked area such as Los Angeles or New York City, this is a great way to earn some cash and you don't even need a car.

 

5. Rent your spare room on Airbnb.

Airbnb offers a great resource for people that are willing to rent out a spare room or even their entire home. If you're in a bind for some fast cash, AirBnB offers you an avenue for creating an income. You'll get paid 24 hours after a guest checks in, which is to avoid any problems or potential scams that might arrive. Some people earn their primary income just by renting out rooms or homes on Airbnb.

 

6. Manage social media for small businesses. 

Many small businesses need a social media manager and simply don't have the time nor the expertise to be constantly posting on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter. Take it upon yourself to contact local businesses and offer up your services for a contracted monthly fee. This is an easy way to make money no matter where you live.

 

7. Sell services on Fiverr.

Fiverr helped give birth to the Gig Economy. Although services start out at $5, some Fiverr sellers are earning six-figure-plus revenues annually. You can sell just about anything on this platform, but to succeed and become a Super Seller, you need to deliver massive amounts of value, even at those lower price points.

 

8. Tutor over Skype.

You can tutor people over Skype, no matter where you might live. This is great, especially if you're a digital nomad and you're looking to earn more money than the local job market can potentially provide. Tutor people from the U.S. or U.K. if you're traveling through Asia or another low-cost-of-living country around the world.

 

                                                                    9. Start a blog.

Okay, so you won't make money that fasts with a blog. But, if you start a blog and deliver enormous amounts of value, you could set yourself up with a platform for ending a tremendous amount of passive income. This is something you can easily build on the side with just a few hours of work per week, but you need to stay consistent and post great content regularly.

 

10. Create an online course. 

Create an online course with a platform like Udemy or Teachable and leverage some of your skills to create a healthy income. Depending upon how much time you invest in your course, you could make a substantial side revenue stream by creating courses that deliver tremendous amounts of value.