Blogging for Change

Five simple ways to generate income in your spare time

by Jesse Campbell on
10/10/2013
in Personal Finance

Brian Russ is a writer who frequently delves into ways to save and make more money.

In order to balance your budget, you might think that all you can do is trim spending. And while it's certainly a good idea, there's another strategy to consider - income generation. There are plenty of ways you can pad your income without too much extra effort, and many can be done from the comfort of your own home.

1. Sell Your No Longer Needed Stuff

If you have digital cameras, cell phones, camcorders, or iPods you no longer use, sell them on Amazon or eBay. When you list items, include pictures and a description of all blemishes and defects, and ship them promptly and securely to reduce returns. If you get questions about your listings, respond quickly to ensure faster sales. Use Craigslist for larger items, such as furniture and large appliances.

2. Join a Paid Market Research Website

Check out market websites, such as Delve and FG Global. In most cases, you need to travel to a physical location, but some research groups allow you to participate exclusively online. If you qualify, you may get compensated considerably for your opinions, sometimes as much as several hundred dollars for a few hours of your time.

3. Put Your Smartphone to Work

Smartphones are convenient for doing a wide range of things. Fortunately, they're also a great way to make a little extra cash. With the explosion of available apps, companies have found opportunities to market and collect data and will pay you for getting involved. Two apps that offer money-making opportunities are Field Agent and Locket.

4. Complete Surveys on the Internet

Completing online surveys will only net you a few dollars per hour, but can make sense if time is something you have in abundance. Look for websites that do not guarantee an exorbitant amount of compensation and avoid any that charge a fee or ask for your credit card or social security number. Two worth considering are Pinecone Research and Lightspeed Research.

5.Sign Up For a New Checking Account

Banks want your business and some are willing to pay as much as $200 with checking account promotions for opening an account. You'll likely have to set up direct deposit and may need a minimum balance, but for that kind of money it's worth it. Just understand that opening a new account involves a credit check, which could ding your score, especially if you have too many in a short period of time.

Before you start generating extra income, decide what you intend to do with it. If you intend it for a specific purpose, such as retirement, to buy a home, or for an emergency fund, open an account in which to save the money separate from your other funds. If you intend to pay off debt with your earnings, keep track of exactly how much you make and send that in as an extra payment every month. If you don’t have a goal, start thinking now about where some extra money will do you the most good.

What other ways can you make money in your spare time?

Jesse Campbell photo.

Jesse Campbell is the Content Manager at MMI, with over ten years of experience creating valuable educational materials that help families through everyday and extraordinary financial challenges.

Recommended Articles

Man sitting in front of pile of bills, trying to understand his options.
Professional Budget Advice
Make the most of every dollar and start building toward your dreams! Budget counseling is FREE and available 24/7.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.