8 Easy Ways To Make Extra Money

Whether you’re someone who is retired and looking to make extra cash, or you’re still working full time but want to boost your income and retirement savings, these flexible jobs might be for you.

by Ashley Neglia

Who doesn’t want to make money?

“Surveys are very clear that the majority of boomers would like to work when they leave their big job, but would like to do so in a more flexible way,” says Nancy Collamer, founder of MyLifestyleCareer.com. “I call it semi-retired because it’s a bridge between working a full-time job and full-out retirement.” These jobs won’t necessarily earn you enough to make a living, but they will put extra money in your pocket. “I’m a fan of things that are scalable,” says Collamer. “You can build them up in terms of your needs. Work a lot or a little, it’s up to you.”

So whether you’re someone who is retired and looking to make extra cash, or you’re still working full time but want to boost your income, these flexible jobs might be for you.

1. Specialty Tour Guide

Do you know your city like the back of your hand? Are you able to point to all the best bakeries or brew pubs? Being a tour guide for small groups might be for you. Customized tours of cities and towns are on the rise with people looking for meaningful experiences, and you could be the person to provide that experience.

Check out online sites like ToursByLocals.com, where you can list your specialty. Perhaps it’s a walking tour of city landmarks or a tour of the best ice cream your city has to offer.

How much can you make: $50-$300+ per tour. If you go through a website like the one listed, they’ll take a percentage of your fee so find out how much when determining rates.

2. Babysitter/Petsitter

If you’re retired and have time during the day, just take a look around. Your neighborhood may be the perfect place to earn some extra cash. Depending upon your community demographics, offering babysitting, dog walking, pet sitting or even errand-running services could not only bring in some extra income but also help you get to know your neighbors.

If you need a little help getting started, companies like Care.com, an online caregiving destination with more than 29 million members, can help you find part-time gigs for all of the above and more. To learn more about pet sitting, also check out Pet Sitters International, and if you’re looking for babysitting work, visit SitterCity.

With sites like these, all you need to do is fill out a profile online, and you’ll be able to send and receive messages to families who are looking for help.

How much can you make: $15-$25 an hour. If you go through a company, they may charge a sign up fee or commission.

Related Articles

You deserve a comfortable retirement.

3. Host a Houseguest

Sites like AirBnB where you rent out your home or a room in your home, have become a part of the traveling zeitgeist and one-stop shopping for vacationers.

“The sharing economy, where individuals provide services that were traditionally provided by companies, is coming up big time and will continue to boom,” says Marc Miller, career coach and founder of Career Pivot. So if you have an extra bedroom or area in or outside your home (think room over the garage or carriage house), renting it out or renting out your whole home may be a way to make extra money, particularly if you live in a travel destination.

To get started with a site like AirBnB, all you have to do is set up an account and post photos as well as descriptions about the space and your area. You manage the price you want to charge and the bookings from start to finish. You can also determine the lengths of stay and even decide not to rent to someone if you don’t want to.

How much can you make: $100+ per day, but substantially more if you live in a popular travel location. If you use a company for bookings, they will generally take a percentage of the fee.

4. Driver

It used to be that if someone wanted to get somewhere without driving, they would hire a taxi. Now, there are many other options like Uber and Lyft., which means those companies need drivers.

As a driver, you use your own car, and once you pass the background check and meet the requirements, you can hit the road and pick up passengers. Drivers are notified of fares via the company’s cell phone app, and you can decide your hours.

How much can you make: Drivers typically earn $15-$20 an hour after the company takes its cut.

5. Chore Helper

Your favorite hobbies like gardening, woodworking, or even giving furniture a fresh coat of paint can lead to extra income. People don’t always have time to pull weeds or plant flowers, so if you’re someone who enjoys putting his or her hands in the dirt, simple gardening may be a valuable service for you and your neighbors.

Painting is another one of those seemingly mundane tasks that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. On sites like Taskrabbit, you can get paid for helping people with chores like painting, yard work, cleaning, and lots of other household tasks.

How much can you make: $15-$150+ per hour depending on the chore and skill level involved.

6. Mock Juror

Are you immediately glued to the television as soon as you hear the Law & Order theme song? You may want to consider signing up to be an online mock juror.

Sites like eJury and OnlineVerdict give prosecutors the opportunity to “pre-try” cases before they take them to court for an actual jury to hear. Payment, qualifications, and time spent on each case vary per site, so it’s worth reading the fine print before you sign up.

How much can you make: $20-$60 per trial.

7. Celebrant/Officiant

If you’re someone who is interested in rituals and spirituality, being a celebrant/officiant is a job to consider. Life officiants are typically not religiously affiliated, and they help mark important moments such as weddings, divorce ceremonies, pet funerals, and other meaningful moments.

To be a celebrant, you generally need to go through a certificate program and a good place to start is the Celebrant Foundation & Institute.

How much can you make: $100+ per ceremony

8. Sell Your Stuff

Do you dread cleaning your closet or hold on to things you never wear? Well, you may think twice once those forgotten frocks turn into dollar signs. Selling gently-used clothes and accessories through online resale shops, like Poshmark, is an easy way to make some extra money.

If it’s more than just clothes you’re willing to part with, there are plenty of online marketplaces for making sales. Sellers beware, though. Depending what you’re selling, the competition can be fierce. The keys to successfully selling your wares are often specific to what you’re selling. However, there are a few general pointers you should keep in mind:

Post pictures of the item
Write a detailed description of what you’re selling
Set a fair, competitive price
Be courteous and respond to potential buyers quickly and kindly

How much can you make: A few dollars to several hundred dollars. It all depends on how much stuff you sell and the condition it’s in.

See Also

Reviewed August 2024

Sign me up for a comfortable retirement!