EARN EXTRA POCKET CASH (IN WAYS YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED)

By Louise Whiteside

Many of us can use a little extra cash. At times we encounter unexpected life emergencies; at other times we’d just enjoy a few days at the beach. Whatever the circumstances, a few extra bucks can’t hurt. Following are suggestions for bringing in a small extra monthly income in creative ways.

1. File papers.   A company may need help filing, making photocopies, or handling other office duties on a part-time basis.   A temporary clerical service, such as Kelly or Manpower, can provide employment opportunities. Learn more at https://www.kellyservices.com/find-a-job/ and https://www.manpowergroup.com/en/careers.

2. Sell on eBay. Turn your surplus stuff into extra cash.

3. Provide editing services for college students’ term papers. Call local colleges or universities in your area and ask to have your advertisement placed on their students’ bulletin board.

4. Be a handyman/woman. Do you have the tools and skills to fix things?

5. If you are an early riser, deliver newspapers for an early-morning paper route.

6. Shop professionally for people who are too busy to do their own shopping at the holidays or other times. See https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-personal-shopper and https://elle.education/en/business/5-duties-of-a-professional-personal-shopper/.    

7. Tutor. Help local students with their studies. Check with local high schools for opportunities.

8. Host a party. Home selling parties (like Tupperware, jewelry, makeup, etc.) can be fun for your friends and bring in extra income.

9. Walk dogs.   Earn money as a dog walker or pet sitter. For pet sitting information and opportunities, visit https://thebrokegeneration.com/blog/2020/01/04/how-i-make-money-pet-sitting-and-how-you-can-too/ and https://www.sittercity.com/pet-sitting-jobs/md/baltimore

10. Clean houses for neighbors or in office buildings after hours.

11. Direct traffic. Work part-time as a school crossing guard.

12. “Sew for dough.” If you have seamstress or tailoring skills, make alterations to other people’s clothing. Learn more at https://nancysnotions.com/make-money-sewing-for-others-how-to-get-started/

13. Drive. Use your car as a vehicle for profit, by running a carpool or driving service.

14. Bake cookies or make homemade jam. Advertise your products on the internet or in local newspapers.

15. Do house-sitting for people who are out of town. (Duties include bringing in mail or newspapers, watering plants, feeding pets, turning lights on and off in various rooms, etc.

These, and other creative activities, limited only by your imagination, can earn you extra income and provide enjoyable life experiences in your spare time.

Louise Whiteside, a longtime resident of Washington, D.C. and Maryland, now resides in the Colorado Rockies, where she loves memoir writing, bargain hunting, cooking, country music, theater and travel.