Making Money Online Fast: How to Earn Extra Money

Need extra money?

User-Submitted Article

Whether you have to save up for an upcoming expense, need more spending money or want cash to pay off credit card debt, knowing how to earn extra money is important. Your paycheck or regular income only goes so far, and sometimes a little extra money is needed to make up for a shortfall. Luckily, the options are plentiful, and with motivation and a good plan of action, you can succeed. Start here ... and learn how to earn extra money today:

Difficulty: Moderate

1

Work overtime

Find out if your company has overtime or extra part-time positions within the company that you can pick up after hours, or work you can do from home to earn extra income. If you work shifts, as a nurse, waiter or other profession, let your coworkers know you're interested in picking up extra shifts. Sometimes, your current job is the best source of additional income.
2

Consider talents

Evaluate your skills and interests to find a niche for a small part-time business or job you would enjoy doing. Write down a list of all the jobs you've held or applied for and see if that generates any ideas. Have you worked as an educator? Consider tutoring students, either through a tutoring center or individually.

Are you talented at doing hair or training horses? Advertise your services locally and you may be surprised by the demand -- and how much extra money you can make in the evenings and weekends.
3

Offer services

Approach local businesses for a potential match. For example, if you enjoy sewing and quilting, call the local fabric, craft and quilt stores to see if there is a need for a quilter to do work from home or on the premises.

Are you an accountant? Maybe you can earn extra money during tax season moonlighting at tax service companies.
4

Sell bread

Mass produce (or add additional quantities) of something you already do, and sell the extras. For example, if you make homemade bread for your family, make double batches and sell the extra loaves at the farmer's market or through your church or other community organization.

If you make jewelry as gifts for friends, create more pieces and sell them online and at local craft fairs.
5

Make crafts

Convert your hobby into a source of extra income. Many scrap-bookers and greeting card makers sell their creations or services to pay for their hobby or as a way to make extra money. Are you an artist? Make some extra money by selling reproductions -- or originals -- of your work. Try local art shows, CraigsList, Etsy.com and eBay as a start.
6

Grow food

Plant seeds in the winter and transplant the seedlings into individual peat pots when they are several inches tall. Sell these at your local farmer's market or flea market in the spring. This is a simple way to make extra money as many people prefer to buy quality seedlings rather than seed their own plants. Tip: go for variety, especially heirloom breeds, that can't be found at the national-chain nurseries.
7

Sell things

Gather up the belongings you no longer need or use and sell them at a flea market or community yard sale where there is plenty of foot traffic. If you need to make extra money fast, this is one of the best ways to do it. Price your items to move but also to give you the cash you need. If you have some big-ticket items, list them on CriagsList before your yard sale.
8

Try childcare

Consider adding childcare to your list of expertise to earn extra money throughout the month. Options include home daycare, babysitting services and special events childcare services. If you know someone who is a wedding or special events coordinator, this contact will be invaluable for offering child care at special events, which can be more lucrative.
9

Track earnings

Keep track of your earnings and write down how much extra money you need to make each month. Expand what you're doing if it's successful, or look for more ways to earn that cash if your first attempts don't bring in the amount you need.
10

Write online

Develop freelance writing skills to write articles and documents for hire, or for your own websites and blogs. Substantial residual income streams may be built from writing online content, which pays you through on-page ads and affiliate commissions (see resources, below, for more info on writing and marketing online for extra money).