Extra Income

6 Ways Instagram Stars Make Money and Travel the World

Nick Wharton — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:00:10 +0000

See the world, share photos of the amazing places you visit, and get paid for the pleasure. Though to many this sounds like an improbable career path, there's a growing number of people out there doing just that and making it work. Instagram has become a veritable gold mine for thousands of enterprising travelers looking to cash in on their daily adventures. But how exactly do the people behind these successful pages manage to do what they do? Here's how.

1. They have to grow an engaged following

To make money from Instagram, it's essential for Instagrammers to have a large, engaged group of fans who like and comment on their content, and keep coming back for more. While some accounts explode overnight, the vast majority of successful Instagrammers have spent years cultivating this following through hard work and dedication.

The first step is to settle on a niche that you love, and while travel is a niche, it's still too broad. You could use a gimmick like @muradosmann, whose hand-holding pictures created an entire genre, or @agirlandhervan, who shares all of her travel adventures in her van.

The next step is to post regularly, which means once a day or more and at similar intervals. This is so followers get accustomed to seeing your content and look out for it at times when they know it will appear. Many Instagrammers also create Instagram Stories, which are quick videos (similar to the Snapchat format) that allow them to reveal much more personality than the photos allow.

Since it's a social media platform, it's also essential to be social. Particularly when building their following, Instagrammers reply to comments, like and comment on other people's stuff, and generally make themselves a visible presence on the platform.

Last but not least, the top Instagrammers place a huge focus on producing high quality images. Though this doesn't necessarily mean using a fancy camera, as smartphone cameras are now high quality, it does mean posting well-composed photographs that tell a story, that represents their chosen niche, and are consistent in their look and feel.

Instagrammers with a large, interactive following are referred to as "influencers" and have become a key part of many marketers' strategies. It's at this stage that it becomes possible for Instagrammers to start leveraging their audience to make money. (See also: Earn Extra Income With Your Smartphone Camera)

2. They undertake sponsored campaigns

Creating sponsored campaigns with companies in the travel industry is a lucrative way for Instagrammers to monetize their accounts. Tourism boards, travel insurance providers, rental car companies, airlines, and more companies regularly organize marketing campaigns that rely on Instagram influencers.

Ordinarily the two parties will work out an agreed number of posts that relate to the company's aims and services, and a theme or overall message they want to promote. The amount the Instagrammer is paid depends on the length of the campaign and the amount of work that goes into it, but can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Alternatively, some companies offer all-expenses-paid trips in exchange for this work. (See also: How to Turn Your Instagram Account Into a Paying Gig)

3. They create sponsored posts

These are far easier to set up than full campaigns and tend to require a single Instagram post. Often they can be a simple review with an accompanying photo featuring the product or service. When it's a product, like a watch, or travel gear, the Instagrammer will typically keep the product in question and receive a fee on top of this for the review.

4. They become brand ambassadors

Brand ambassadorships are long-term partnerships between an influencer and a brand that fits well with their niche and that naturally lends itself to their audience. They're more akin to the sponsorships that, for example, sports stars have with sporting goods manufacturers. In exchange, the influencer is bound to promote the brand regularly during that agreed upon time frame.

If it's a clothing brand, for example, they will send the influencer their new collection or key pieces from it each season. The Instagrammer will then promote the new line by modeling the clothes and tagging the brand a certain number of times. Because brand ambassadorships are longer term, they're a great way for Instagrammers to build a regular income.

5. They implement affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing can be done as part of a brand ambassadorship deal, or independently by the influencer through their own affiliate partnerships. Affiliate marketing programs allow them to receive a percentage of every item or service sold on their recommendation or referral. This works best with an extremely engaged and loyal following, as it depends entirely on followers immediately acting on the recommendations of the people they follow.

It also helps when the influencers are able to offer discounts to their followers to encourage them to purchase, like $20 off a weekly meal subscription box, for example. Referrals are calculated by using an individual tracking code that needs to be input at the point of purchase, or via a tracking link that does this automatically when someone clicks on it. (See also: 3 Online Affiliate Programs That Can Make You Extra Cash)

6. They teach others how to do the same

Many successful travel Instagrammers have turned their individual model of success into its own side business. By selling their knowledge of how to make money traveling the world, other people can follow in their footsteps and use those secrets to do the same thing. This can be in the form of workshops, online courses, or speaking at seminars and conferences.

They can also use their knowledge of the platform to help businesses grow their following and use Instagram to its full potential to maximize their reach, and ultimately sales through consulting. The profiles of Instagram stars act as their resumes and demonstrate their experience and expertise on the platform. (See also: 13 Ways to Make Money Teaching Your Skills to Others)

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Ways Gamers Can Make Extra Cash

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 08:00:11 +0000

If your parents ever told you that playing video games is a waste of time, the joke might be on them. Many video game lovers have turned their passion into profits and anyone can follow suit. While making extra cash on video games is a lot more work than you might initially imagine, here are the top ways to do so.

1. Livestream your game play

You can invite fellow video game fans to watch you play during livestreaming with Twitch. While you can upload prerecorded videos of yourself playing, most of Twitch's viewers are there for the livestreaming.

How do you make money on Twitch? There are a few different ways. You can make money through ad views, similar to how individuals make money on YouTube. You can also include Amazon affiliate links for the game you are playing. Twitch streamers with large followings also get paid to do sponsorships, sell their own merchandise, and collect donations from fans.

2. Post YouTube videos

YouTube is notorious for making expert gamers into millionaires. Popular gamers Daniel Middleton, age 26, earned $16.5 million in 2017, and Evan Fong, age 25, earned $15.5 million — all through posting videos of themselves gaming. What earns the top gaming channels big money is expert game-playing skills paired with a winning personality and great video editing.

YouTube is overflowing with gamers, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for new content. Find your "in" by finding a unique slant for your channel. Even though 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, 5 billion videos are being watched every day. Therefore, individuals wanting to start a new YouTube career will have to work hard to build up their views and subscribers, but ultimately, more and more people are looking to YouTube as their source of entertainment and consuming more video content daily. (See also: How to Make Money by Creating YouTube Videos)

3. Beta test games

Game testers play new games and give their honest feedback. While game testing sounds like a fun experience, keep in mind you won't be playing your top choice games — and instead of enjoying the gaming experience, you are essentially hired to hunt down glitches. Apply for game beta testing positions at PlaytestCloud and VMC Global Beta Test Network.

4. Sell in-game items

Popular games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and World of Warcraft have allowed players to profit on collected in-game items, such as weapons and skins. Marketplaces like Steam and Gameflip make it easy to list popular game items. Recently, a scorching talon from Dota 2 sold for just over $53 on Gameflip, and certain Counter-Strike weapons sell for over $1,500 on Steam.

5. Write walk-throughs and guides

With so many free game walk-throughs available, it can be hard to stand out. However, creating guides on games that are not as mainstream can help you make a name for yourself. Look at Twitch's directory to get ideas on what content to create. For example, Fortnite has almost 20 million followers and guides are easy to find online. But games lower on the list have much fewer followers, and guides may be harder to come across. Creating one and selling it on Amazon could prove profitable.

6. Compete in tournaments

The best gamers eventually find themselves playing in tournaments. There are tournaments for several popular games and the prize money is substantial. For example, prize pools for the Call of Duty World League have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to competitors.

7. Apply to be gaming support

What's a gamer to do when they run into a problem during game play? Contact customer support. Companies like Sutherland Global and VMC hire gaming support agents. Some of these positions are fully remote.

8. Become a gaming coach

Gamer Sensei connects pro-gamers with players who need one-on-one coaching. Individuals sign up for coaching to improve their game-play strategy, usually in the hopes of performing better in a tournament. Some coaches charge as much as $187.50 per hour.

9. Create gamer crafts

Being a gamer gives you the inside information of what other video game fans want and love. Pair that with crafting skills, and you can create profitable video game paraphernalia. Etsy seller ForeignRealms has created a map of Zelda's Hyrule burned on leather, while seller PropsCom offers Fallout-inspired objects, like a mini nuke bomb storage box. (See also: The 5 Best Sites to Sell Your Arts and Crafts)

While making money off video games sounds like the easy life, it can be quite the opposite. To build up a fan base, create content, or make products that gamers love, it takes time and effort. Gaming won't make you a success overnight, but if you have a strong passion for video games, there are creative ways for you to turn your controller skills into a nice side gig. (See also: How to Make Money as a Superfan)

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways You Can Get Paid to Watch TV

Paul Michael — Thu, 31 May 2018 08:00:17 +0000

Full disclosure: I work in TV. I am a creative director at a premium cable channel, and I can tell you right now that I get paid to watch TV. I don't watch it all day, every day. But I do spend some portions of my week watching series from my own network, and occasionally, competitor networks and stations.

I love my job. I love being able to read scripts and watch series, in many cases a year before they hit the airwaves. And I can assure you, there are many opportunities for you to earn money doing something you love — watching TV. Here are just a few.

1. Work for a company that airs TV series and movies

Let's start with my own personal area of expertise. From HBO, Showtime, and STARZ, to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, there are thousands of jobs available in the TV and movie industry. You may think that the only people getting paid to watch TV at these companies are high-end executives and producers, but that's not the case. In my own company, everyone from IT and legal, to HR and creative services, has access to a wide variety of movies and series.

We are often required to watch our own series to be educated on what our own company does, much like employees at a brewery get free ale and hotel employees get free rooms. The more you know about what your company does, the better you are at your job. We also have companywide screenings of series and movies, and similar companies do the same for their employees, too.

If this sounds like the field for you, take some time to search the career web pages of any company offering TV and movie services. You may be surprised at the opportunities available.

2. Start your own YouTube channel

It's a slow burn, but if you're willing to invest the time and a little money, it can really pay off. As you probably know, there are a lot of wealthy YouTubers out there. Some of them create original content, some are comedians, some play video games. And, some watch TV and movies and record their reactions, or provide reviews of the latest movies and series. In fact, there are even YouTubers who review YouTube review channels! That's some Inception-level stuff right there.

The best way to start on this path is to review the movies you either really love … or really hate. Audiences love both kinds of reviews, with the latter usually being more funny and satirical. All you need to start is a computer or smartphone with a decent camera (if you use a phone, get a tripod).

Record your review, upload it, and share over social media. As you get more comfortable, start adding graphics and some simple cutaways using basic editing software. As your views and subscribers grow, you can monetize your YouTube page, and eventually, if you're big enough, see some major dollars roll in. (See also: How to Make Money by Creating YouTube Videos)

3. Download apps and visit sites that reward you for watching

There really is an app for that. Well, multiple apps, actually. One of the most popular is Viggle, which rewards you for logging in and watching TV shows from providers like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. It's done on a points-per-minute basis, although sometimes you can double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of points you earn. You can also get bonuses for engaging with your friends on social media, and you can redeem your rewards for gift cards, cash, and even debit cards.

You can also check out Perk, their sister company, which offers cash rewards for watching TV, playing games, and shopping, and Inbox Dollars, which also offers surveys. Will it make you rich? Doubtful. Will you get cash for watching TV and movies? Yes. What's not to love about that? (See also: Effortless Ways to Make Money Online That Don't Require Skills)

4. Become a Netflix "tagger"

Fair warning: There are only about 30 of these positions in existence, and they are in extremely high demand … for good reason. Taggers are a team of 30 media-savvy reviewers who get paid to watch Netflix day in, day out. The job of a tagger is to watch the content and tag it as it's being viewed with relevant metadata. In layman's terms, that includes factual information about the content, like year of release, language, cast, and so on, but also the tone, style, and how to categorize it for a search.

As FastCompany reported this past March, it's a dream job for Sherrie Gulmahamad, who watches over 20 hours of TV and movies per week in her role as "originals creative analyst." But, as she pointed out, it's not always an easy ride. Much like a food critic, you don't always have an appetite for what is put in front of you.

"I've also been assigned a 60-hour Colombian crime drama about Pablo Escobar's hit man," she told FastCompany. "No, I did not have to watch all of it — but I tried!" If you want to try and get into Netflix tagging, Gulmahamad recommends first getting into an archival or library studies program, and going from there.

5. Become a Nielsen family

Neilsen is a household name in America, and is the driving force behind all those ratings figures you see for TV series and movies. You can become a part of this process.

There are a couple of ways to go about it; one is by choice, the other by chance. First, you can go to Nielsen Digital Voice and join the panel. Thousands of people in the U.S. do this, and it's a way to provide information on what you're watching via the internet. The rewards aren't going to let you quit your day job, but you'll get the chance to win up to $1,000 every month, with 400 members getting a chunk of the monthly $10,000 sweepstakes.

The other way is the traditional Nielsen route, and that is purely in the hands of fate. Nielsen families are randomly selected from a section of different communities across the nation, and although you have just as much chance as anyone else, there are only 40,000 homes being monitored. With over 126 million households in the U.S., that's a slim chance.

6. Take up mystery shopping

These days there are all kinds of mystery shopping gigs available, and they are not just limited to retail stores and restaurants. You can actually get paid to go to the movie theater and check out the latest movies, and who wouldn't want to be paid for an activity you usually have to pay for?

One of the biggest names in theater mystery shopping is VeriTes, and they are looking for independent contractors in all 50 states. You can also check out CFA or Imyst.

Now, while you will obviously have fun watching the movie, you do have to pay attention to the entire experience and report back on it. Everything from the purchase of the tickets, the customer service, the quality of the snacks, and the resolution of the movie will come into play. Make sure to bring something you can take notes on (not your phone — that's a bad move in a movie theater) and file your report to receive your reward. (See also: Check Out These 5 Legit Mystery Shopping Gigs)

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Profit From China's Growing Upper Class — Even If You Don't Speak Chinese

Carrie Kirby — Mon, 14 May 2018 08:31:13 +0000

When I lived in Beijing in the late 1990s, most Chinese people were poor compared to their American counterparts. I remember visiting bars that catered to foreigners with local friends in tow, and having them marvel that the price of one drink could feed them for a week. People were considered well off if they owned a car or had an apartment with hot water on demand.

Things have changed. While poverty is still common in China, the wealthy class has ballooned. China is now in second place, after the U.S., for the most ultra high net worth individuals. And the wealthy class there is expected to keep on growing, with the number of Chinese millionaires expected to surge 41 percent to 2.7 million by 2022, according to Credit Suisse.

This means that there are lots of Chinese people in the market for goods and services their parents couldn't afford. Here are some ways you could cash in.

Teach English online

Teaching English for a low salary or as a volunteer has long been a way for new college grads to see the world. But the combination of global broadband and growing Chinese wealth has created an opportunity for Americans to make decent money teaching English from the comfort of their homes. VIPKID connects English-speaking teachers with children in China for one-on-one video lessons that pay $14 to $22 per hour. (See also: How to Earn $1,000 a Month or More as an Online Tutor)

Be a butler

In 2016, the Netherlands-based International Butler Academy opened a training program in Shanghai to serve the growing demand for butlers among high net worth households in China. English or English-appearing butlers who are willing to travel to China can start at $60,000 — nearly 50 percent more than beginner butlers earn in the West. Staffing agencies report that the premium is driven by the status boost that comes with employing a bona fide Downton Abbey-style butler. (See also: 14 Jobs that Capitalize on the Growth in Rich Households)

Rent your vacation property to Chinese tourists

Airbnb has been pushing hard into the Chinese market, adding 24/7 Chinese-language customer support and locally used payment options. At the same time, the number of Chinese visitors to the United States has been exploding, with more Chinese visitors than any other country except Mexico.

If you own a vacation property in a popular Chinese destination, such as Los Angeles, or near a national park, you can make your listing more attractive to Chinese travelers by providing a high level of service, since Chinese travelers are more used to hotels than home sharing. Discounts for longer stays help, too. If you have Chinese visitors coming in, thoughtful touches such as having a hot water kettle and house slippers available can help them feel more at home. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

Teach skiing

Skiing didn't really take off in China until the recent wealth boom, with the number of domestic ski areas rocketing to 568 from just six between 1996 and 2016. The run up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is further ratcheting up interest.

The combination of booming popularity and a limited history means that ski instructors are in short supply in China. A Club Med recruiting page promises ski instructors who travel to China perks such as accommodations, meals, and free flights in addition to an "attractive wage." How attractive? While ski instructors in the United States earn $15 to $20 an hour, in China you can make $20 to $30. Although speaking Chinese would increase your chances of getting hired, resorts are increasingly accepting that most available ski instructors don't.

Host a high school student

The number of international students earning high school diplomas in the United States has skyrocketed over the past decade, and the trend is led by China, whose students make up 46 percent of all international high school students here. Some of these kids are in U.S. boarding schools, but others are in private day schools and even public schools. These students need host families, who can earn $500 to $600 monthly per student for providing room and board.

Sell your property to a Chinese investor

To the chagrin of many would-be homeowners in certain markets, U.S. real estate has become attractive to Chinese investors making all-cash purchases. In fact, Chinese are now the top foreign buyers of U.S. real estate.

If you are looking to get top dollar, cash, for a property, it may be worthwhile to enlist an agent who knows the Chinese investor market well. Just don't expect this tactic to win you any friends among neighbors who might not like to see neighborhood properties turn into investor-owned ones.

Be a private schoolteacher or administrator

As I mentioned in the first item on this list, teaching in China used to be a low-earning opportunity for young people who wanted an adventure. With the growth of wealth in China, however, comes many domestic private schools who want English-speaking teachers and administrators, and are willing to pay for them.

Experienced teachers can earn $3,000 or more per month, and while that might not sound like big bucks, if it comes with a furnished apartment, airfare, and halftime pay over holiday breaks, some estimate you could sock away at least half your salary.

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Ways to Make Money Over Memorial Day Weekend

Rachel Slifka — Fri, 11 May 2018 09:00:10 +0000

With Memorial Day right around the corner, people are getting ready for a weekend of travel, hosting visitors, shopping, and parties. But for many side hustlers, Memorial Day is the perfect weekend to make some money.

Whether you're just looking to make a few extra bucks, or you're hoping to give yourself a serious financial boost, here are a few easy ways to make money this Memorial Day weekend.

1. Host a garage sale

With an extra day tacked on to the weekend, it's a perfect opportunity to hold a garage sale. Spring clean your home and take stock of all the items you no longer want or need. Once you have an inventory, start advertising on Facebook or Craigslist to drum up your sale.

If a garage sale isn't your thing, you can always sell used items on Craigslist, Facebook, or eBay, or use apps like LetGo and OfferUp. These apps allow you to easily post for-sale items and provide a safe way to collect payment. (See also: 12 Garage Sale Items That Sell Like Hotcakes)

2. Rent out your home

Since Memorial Day is a travel-heavy holiday, many people will be looking for affordable accommodations in their planned destination. If you're planning on leaving your home empty to do some travel of your own, you may as well have it earn money while you're away.

Even if you have an extra bedroom or couch to spare, you can rent out your space on Airbnb to earn some quick cash. Just be sure you can provide a clean, safe environment and be available to answer any questions your guests may have. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

3. Do yard work

As the unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day weekend is the time when many people take a look around their yard and realize it's in need of quite a bit of TLC. Offer your assistance to folks who don't want to — or are unable to — do all that work themselves. You could mow lawns, weed-whack, prune hedges, rake leaves, and power wash decks and siding.

Yard work gigs aren't hard to find, as you can likely spot a few neighbors whose lawn could use a refresh. Ask around your neighborhood and you will be sure to find business.

4. Pet sit

Do you have any friends who might be out of town for the long weekend? Do those friends have dogs or cats at home? Offer to pet sit for them and earn a few extra dollars.

You can also use a site like Rover.com to sign up as a pet sitter. You can choose to watch the pet in your own home or in the owner's house. Many pet sitters earn $20 to $40 per night, per pet, making it a pretty well-paying side hustle. Plus, if you enjoy animals, you get the added benefit of spending time with some furry friends. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

5. Work in retail

Memorial Day brings the masses to the stores to shop sales and stock up on summer necessities. As such, some retailers are in need of additional part-time or seasonal help. If you have the time and can provide exceptional customer service, there is likely a seasonal job for you. Ask around your local area to see who is hiring.

6. House sit

Since many people are traveling for Memorial Day weekend, you can take advantage and offer to house sit for your friends or family. Most of the time, all you have to do as a housesitter is check the mail, water the plants, and make sure everything is secure and in order. What could be easier than getting paid to hang out in someone else's home?

7. Event staff

Your town may be hosting public celebrations over Memorial Day weekend, such as block parties, bonfires, or concerts. These events need staff. Check out event venues as well as your local Chamber of Commerce to see if any jobs are available.

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This article is from Rachel Slifka of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Ways to Make Money While at the Beach This Summer

Mikey Rox — Mon, 07 May 2018 09:01:12 +0000

Whether you live near the beach, or just plan on spending the summer at one, you'll need steady income to make the most of your sunny days. From dog-watching, to baby-sitting, to selling sunscreen by the seashore, here are some clever ways to make a few bucks while having fun in the sun.

1. Pet-sitting

I started watching dogs through Rover.com to supplement my income a few years ago — and my "business" has steadily grown ever since. My bookings dramatically increase in the summer as a result of all the vacationers coming to town with their fur babies. They get to relax and enjoy the beach and boardwalk without their animal for a few hours (or even overnight), while the pup gets to play at a local "yappy hour" (basically a dog run with a bar) where I take all my clients' dogs to make new friends and expend their energy.

I charge a reasonable $39 per night, per dog fee ($25 for anything less than 24 hours of sitting during the day), which is honestly the easiest money I've ever made. There's not a whole lot of actual "work" involved and it brings me joy just to be around the dogs. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

2. Teaching fitness classes

I have a couple friends who have taken to the beach to build their personal fitness programs, and they've got a full schedule of clients during peak season. If you have the skills, certifications, and insurance to offer this type of service, pursue it. Hunter Healy, a beach-based group fitness instructor in Garden City, South Carolina, has found this type of business quite rewarding.

"The beachside facet has been the 'It' factor when finding and securing clients," he says. "Rain? No problem! We move to under the pier. I partner with several local tourist attractions as well as hotels to market my individual and group sessions to weekly travelers. This business has given me the ability to be active and do what I love in the best office I could ask for — the beach!"

3. Local event staff

There's always something happening in beach communities during the summer months — concerts, bonfires, surf competitions, volleyball tournaments, 5Ks, and more. These activities and events need staffers to ensure they go off without a hitch, and you could be the perfect candidate. Visit specific entertainment venues to inquire about available jobs. You also might want to pop into the local Chamber of Commerce to find out who the producers of events are if you can't readily pinpoint or get a hold of them.

4. Micro-subletting your home

Vacationers need a clean, convenient place to stay at the beach, and many families can't afford the local hotels in the high season. This is precisely how vacation rental services Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO became household names, and I've been taking advantage of this rental market since the very beginning.

If you live in a beach town, you can rent your extra room or space to tourists who need a place to crash. Based on my own success, this revenue source can really bring in big bucks if you do it well. Local laws are starting to prohibit homeowners from making money in their homes by being hosts, so check up on the regulations in your area before diving into micro-subletting. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

5. Driving for Lyft or Uber

Besides sunbathing on the beach, one of vacationers' favorite pastimes is drinking — and once they get good and sloshed, they're gonna need rides home. Depending on how active your beach area is, you can make serious money during the summer driving for ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber, especially between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on weekends.

I've made upward of $130 on single-fare, 20-mile trips when the bars close. I actually think of this side gig as a twofold benefit — not only am I making money, but I'm preventing myself from spending money on Friday and Saturday nights by not going out partying myself, which is often a significant cost when I'm ready to do it to it. (See also: 7 Ways to Earn Extra Money With Your Car)

6. Monetizing your driveway or yard

My beach town has very limited parking, which is a major annoyance for residents on summer weekends. But you can work this in your favor if you have yard or driveway space close enough to attractions.

People will absolutely pay a reasonable fee to park in your monitored space instead of driving in circles for 20 minutes waiting for someone to leave another spot for which they'll also have to pay. I think a sweet spot to charge is between $15 to $20 per four-hour period, then $5 per every additional hour after that up to $40 for a 24-hour period. (See also: How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Moneymaker)

7. Selling sunscreen, water, and snacks on the beach

Beachgoers forget and/or run out of sunscreen while on the beach, at which point they have to visit a store that sells it at "vacation cost" or live without it for the day, which is quite dangerous. Take advantage of this market and walk the beach offering bottles of sunscreen plus bottles of water and snacks. You'll make a killing. A word of warning: You may need a license in certain areas.

8. Provide a metal detecting service

A good metal detector will only cost you around $100 or so, but you can recoup that cost almost immediately by renting out the device or your searching services to vacationers who have lost valuable items on the beach, like wallets, rings, and keys. I would start with Craigslist, posting daily about your service (that's the first place out-of-towners will look), but also just walk the beach with your detector in hand. You'll probably drum up business right then and there by just being visible. Ten dollars an hour to rent or $30 per find sounds like a reasonable place to start pricing. (See also: 9 Ways to Make an Extra $1,000 This Summer)

9. Cleaning houses

I have houseguests a lot during the summer, and I don't always have time to clean my home. I sometimes hire a housekeeper to do the heavy lifting. Offering your own house cleaning services in a beach community during the summer should be a boon, as I'm sure there are plenty of homeowners in a similar situation as mine.

The key to building this business with repeat customers and referrals is to come prepared, clean like you mean it, pay attention to detail, and price your service reasonably. My suggestion is $20 to $25 an hour. Most people are willing to pay for the convenience if the price is in this ballpark.

10. Baby-sitting

Moms and dads want to have fun on vacation, too, so they may be looking for a baby-sitter during their stay. They probably won't know anyone in the area, so you might find it beneficial to list your services with some of the popular websites and apps that parents prefer, like Care.com and Sitter. (See also: 9 Summer Side Gigs for Grown-Ups)

11. Rent portable chargers

Invest in five to 10 portable chargers from various electronics and mobile phone makers, set up a little stand on the boardwalk, and watch the cash flow in. No brainer.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Make Money From Mother's Day

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:17 +0000

The average American spends around $172 to make Mom feel special every Mother's Day. If you have ever purchased a bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates, you've seen firsthand how costly it can be to shower Mom with gifts.

Turn the tables this year by earning money rather than spending it. Here are some unique ways you can cash in on Mother's Day. (See also: 14 Best Side Jobs For Fast Cash)

1. Host photo sessions

One year, a photographer friend of mine announced she was throwing mini Mother's Day photo sessions for $65. The session included 30 minutes of shooting with cute props in her backyard and a disc of five to seven edited shots on a CD a week later. She allowed families to sign up for one of 10 slots the weekend before Mother's Day.

As a customer, I was thrilled to get some affordable, wonderful shots without the hassle of planning a Pinterest-worthy photo shoot. As the photographer, she was able to generate $650 for about 10–15 hours of work. If you are a talented photographer, have great editing skills, and have a nice camera and editing software already on hand, try offering this service.

As a word of warning, if you are not experienced photographing families, especially ones with unpredictable kids and babies, you might not want to jump into this business until you are more practiced.

2. Sell crafted gifts

If you love to make crafts, think of the many ways you can offer your skills for sale for Mother's Day. You can sell general crafts, like scarves, potted succulents in unique designs, or jewelry. You can also offer customized creations that will help individuals give their mothers something extra special for the day. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

If you sew or quilt, offer to turn baby clothes or special family clothes into a beautiful blanket.
If you create jewelry, offer customized jewels to represent birthstones or personalities.
If you paint or draw, do personalized silhouettes or drawings of the family from photographs.
If you enjoy woodwork or painting, create customized signs or wood scroll art.

3. Deliver flower arrangements

Even having a small bouquet of flowers delivered will cost you around $35–$50. If you live near a flower market or have a flourishing garden to choose from, you can make your own floral arrangements and sell them locally.

Try creating one or two arrangements several weeks before Mother's Day to showcase your skills and what you will be selling. This will allow you to take orders and know exactly how much to buy when you purchase florals and containers. Offer handwritten notes to make the arrangement even more special. Add on a small fee for local delivery to cover your time and gas expenses. (See also: 7 Ways to Earn Extra Money With Your Car)

4. Put your baking skills to use

Nothing says love like a plate of homemade cookies or a tasty cake. However, not everyone has the time or desire to be in the kitchen whipping up something for their mama. If you know how to make beautiful cookies or cake pops, or have a secret cake recipe everyone raves over, why not try finding customers for the holiday weekend?

You could also sell your goods at local farmers markets or craft shows. Be sure to brush up on the laws in your state to ensure it is legal to sell food goods from your home.

5. Host a Mother's Day boutique

If you can't think of anything to create or sell, sell other people's goods. Host a Mother's Day boutique or craft show that allows other local vendors to set up tables and sell their goods. You can host the event in your home, backyard, or a low-cost venue such as a church. Vendors should pay a small fee to set up their booths and donate one item to your show's raffle. Next, advertise the boutique through friends, acquaintances, local businesses, and social media. Create an event on Facebook and spread the word.

The goal is to help connect your community to great local vendors and to give vendors the opportunity to sell their goods. Be sure to sell raffle tickets to help cover the costs of running the boutique, as well.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Ways to Find Income While Waiting for Full Retirement Age

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:30:16 +0000

Every single retirement expert seems to agree on one thing: You should wait until at least your full retirement age (FRA) before taking your Social Security retirement benefits. The reason for this consensus is the fact that taking retirement benefits before reaching that all-important FRA will result in permanently reduced benefits — which could be a serious problem as you get older.

But what do you do if you can't afford to wait until your FRA? Those same retirement experts may wag their fingers at you for taking early benefits, but are they offering solutions for how to bridge the financial gap until you have reached your FRA?

Thankfully, there are legitimate ways to bring in income while waiting to reach your full retirement age — and none of them require you to pull a Walter White. Here are four options for bringing in money while waiting for that magical moment known as FRA.

Tap your equity with a reverse mortgage

With a reverse mortgage, any homeowner over the age of 62 who owns their home free and clear (or has significant equity in the home) may access the equity in their home, either in a lump sum or in monthly installments, while still living on the property.

If all you know about reverse mortgages comes from the attractive seniors on daytime commercials, you might assume that this is a great option with no downsides. However, reverse mortgages do come at a cost, and it's important for homeowners to understand what they are agreeing to before they sign on the dotted line.

To start, reverse mortgages, just like their traditional counterparts, come with closing costs. In particular, you can expect to pay an origination fee of approximately 2 percent of the home's value, an upfront mortgage insurance premium, and traditional closing costs. In addition, during the life of the loan, you can expect to pay an annual mortgage insurance premium and a monthly servicing charge.

You should also remember that your reverse mortgage loan can come due for any of the following reasons:

If you sell the house.
If you pass away.
If you can no longer consider the home a primary residence. In particular, if you have to spend more than 12 months in a nursing home, your house will no longer be considered your primary residence.
If you don't pay your property taxes, don't have adequate homeowners' insurance, or if you don't maintain your home properly.

Reverse mortgages can be a good option for seniors who need to bridge the gap until reaching full retirement age, but they are certainly not a cure-all solution. If there's any possibility that you can't keep up with maintenance (including paying your taxes and insurance bill), that you might need some sort of long-term, off-site care, or that your kids are counting on inheriting the house from you when you pass away, this is not a good option for you. (See also: 5 Downsides of a Reverse Mortgage)

Rent out your property

You probably don't have a spare house available, but that doesn't mean you can't make some money by renting out your space or even the things you own. To start, if you live in an area that draws tourists, renting out a spare room (or even the entire house) on Airbnb can be an excellent way to bring in extra cash. If you rent out your entire home, you could house or pet sit while your guests are in your home — and potentially make money on both ends. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

Of course, not all rentals are about a place to hang your hat. Don't use your car every day? Rent it out with a service like Getaround or Turo. Have a two-car garage and only one vehicle? Rent out that extra parking space with a service like Parking Panda or Spot. Have power tools or sporting equipment gathering dust? Rent it all out with a service like Loanables or RentNotBuy.

Embrace the side hustle

No one wants to hear that they have to work longer in retirement, but side jobs ain't what they used to be. These days, you can find any number of rewarding gigs that can help make ends meet — and fit in with the lifestyle you want in retirement.

For instance, finding a way to make money off a hobby you're already doing can be a good way to bring in extra income without feeling like you're still stuck in the daily grind. Avid gardeners could become garden consultants for neighbors with black thumbs. Animal lovers could offer daily dog-walking services. Crafters could make their wares for sale, or offer classes on how to create their beautiful designs.

If you're not interested in monetizing a hobby, think about what sorts of things people turn to you for. If you have an impeccable eye for fashion, offer to help people look their best. If you know how to get the best deal on a used car, create a consulting service for buying cars. The sky is the limit in terms of creating a side hustle that will fit with your preferences, abilities, and schedule. (See also: 9 Easy Ways Retirees Can Earn Extra Income)

Sell your stuff

If you have the time to post your items on Craigslist or eBay, this can be a great way to both downsize your stuff to a more manageable (and retirement-ready) amount while making some money at the same time. As a bonus, a lot of the stuff that was new when you were in college is considered vintage these days — which means you might get some good money for the stuff you'd otherwise just give away. (See also: 5 Things You Can Resell on eBay That Make the Most Money)

Making it until FRA

Though it can seem like the wait to reach full retirement age is interminable when you could use the Social Security retirement benefits each month, you will be glad you waited. Finding a way to bring in other income while you wait for your FRA may not be the retirement you dreamed of, but you'll feel good that you ensured higher monthly benefits for life.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Creative Ways to Boost Your Retirement Savings

Kat Tretina — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:00:09 +0000

Everyone knows how important it is to save for retirement. However, actually setting aside money for your future can be challenging. When you're short on cash and have other demands on your budget, there might be little to nothing left to put toward your nest egg. How are you supposed to save for your future when you're completely strapped in the present?

If you don't make enough money right now to set aside, there are still ways to grow your retirement savings. You just have to think outside the box.

1. Use your tax refund

Many people daydream about how they want to spend their tax refund, which is often the biggest windfall they'll see all year. In fact, last year the average tax refund was $2,763, according to the IRS.

If you're getting a tax refund this year, put it to work. Rather than spending your refund on electronics or a vacation, consider depositing that money straight into your retirement fund. With the power of compound interest, that refund could grow by the thousands by the time you retire.

2. Deposit your credit card rewards

If you have a credit card that offers cash back, that cash can be a regular source of extra money for your retirement fund. If you already use your credit card for routine purchases like utilities, gas, and groceries, this is easy money. Just make sure you are paying off your credit card balance in full every month.

3. Use cash back apps

If you don't have a cash back credit card, you can still earn money for doing the shopping you were going to do anyway. Apps like Ibotta or SavingStar let you earn cash back on grocery purchases, while sites like eBates offer a percentage back on many online purchases. You'll earn a percentage of your purchase as cash, and a check will be mailed to you — which you can toss straight into your retirement account. It's a low-effort way to earn extra money going about your normal routine. (See also: 7 Apps That Actually Pay You to Shop)

4. Launch a side hustle

If you have some extra time, you can earn money in the evenings or on weekends by launching a side hustle for fast cash. From walking dogs to making deliveries, there are hundreds of side gigs you can do in just a few hours a week. That extra income can go a long way to funding your retirement.

5. Sell your clutter

Take a look around at all of the electronics, textbooks, toys, and more that you never use. You may have as much as a few thousand dollars' worth of items collecting dust in your home. That clutter can be eliminated while netting you some money for your retirement. Sell items on sites like eBay, LetGo, and Bookscouter to get cash for your stuff. (See also: 5 Things in Your Garage That Have Serious Re-Sale Value)

6. Rent out extra space

If you have an extra bedroom, you can rent it out on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. Depending on your location and the size of your space, you could charge hundreds per night. However, you don't even need an extra room to make money. You can rent out a spare closet or storage space in the garage on Spacer, or rent out your parking spot on SpotHero. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

7. Sell photos online

If you like photography, you can earn passive income to put toward your retirement savings by selling your photos. You can try your hand at selling stock photography on sites like iStock or Shutterstock, or you could sell your artwork in an online portfolio or on arts and craft sites like Etsy. You could also try selling smartphone photos on Foap, which is an app that connects brands with photographers looking to sell their images. (See also: Earn Extra Income With Your Smartphone Camera)

8. Let strangers drive your car

If you don't drive your car every day, your vehicle can become a lucrative source of income. You can rent it out to tourists or business travelers on Turo and set your own daily rate. According to the company, you can make nearly $5,800 a year if your car's market value is $20,000 and you rent it out for 12 days per month. That alone could get you to the contribution limit on an IRA.

9. Trade in clothes for cash

If you have clothes, handbags, or shoes that you don't wear anymore, stop letting them take up precious closet space. You can sell those items on sites like Poshmark, Tradesy, and even in-person at consignment stores like Plato's Closet or Clothes Mentor. A single bag of clothes could net you enough to send a couple hundred dollars toward your retirement account.

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Smart Ways to Use a Pay Raise

Amy Lu — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 08:00:09 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on smart ways to use a pay raise, frugal date ideas for any season, and tips for cleaning patio furniture efficiently.

How to Make Money as a Superfan

Dr Penny Pincher — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 09:00:06 +0000

Being a devoted fan of something usually takes up a lot of time and money. But what if you could actually make money from being a superfan? Here are some ways you can turn your obsession with your favorite sports team, musician, celebrity, book, movie, TV show, or even video game into cold, hard cash.

Trade collectibles

Leverage your knowledge as a fan to spot collectibles and memorabilia that other fans would appreciate. With some study, you'll learn which items you can buy cheap at auctions, estate sales, and garage sales and sell at a profit. A perk of trading collectibles is that you will get to enjoy having the items around until they sell. Advertise your collectibles for sale on eBay or Craigslist. (See also: 10 Collectibles That Almost Always Become More Valuable)

Make YouTube videos

You can earn ad revenue from posting videos on YouTube and getting a lot of views. In addition to ad revenue, you could also promote your own website or blog where viewers can go to purchase items or collectibles from you.

You could make videos of yourself discussing concerts, new albums, and happenings with your favorite musicians, or even film yourself reacting to a new music video or song. You could upload videos of your commentary about sports news or events, or if you're a gamer, you could highlight game play video complete with tips and tricks. The options are endless. (See also: How to Make Money by Creating YouTube Videos)

Peddle merchandise near events

Set up a display of fan merchandise for sale near a concert or sporting event where there will be lots of pedestrian traffic from fans. You may need to get a permit to set up a vendor stand along the sidewalk, or you could strike a deal to sell your wares inside a coffee shop or restaurant near the event venue. A potential downside of this plan is that you could get stuck with unsold merchandise, but as a fan, you might not mind ending up with it. You can turn to eBay or Craigslist to try and unload more merch.

Sell handmade items on Etsy

If you are crafty, you can make fan items to sell on Etsy. For example, Star Wars fans are selling a wide range of items such as custom party invitations, costumes, necklaces, handmade T-shirts, and even light switches. You can also sell vintage items on Etsy that are not handmade, which is useful if you are fan of something that has been around long enough to become vintage.

Run a fan website, blog, podcast, or Facebook page

Offering free content for fans on a website, blog, podcast, or Facebook page allows you grow an audience and make money by selling advertising or promoting your own website where you can sell merchandise. Your content could include reviews or updates for concerts, albums, books, video games, movies, TV shows, or sports events.

Publish ebooks

You can take your interest as a fan to the next level by writing a nonfiction book on your favorite celebrity, musician, or team. Many successful ebooks are short reads, so an avid fan may be able to produce an ebook with a few weeks of effort.

Another approach to writing as a fan is to produce a work of fan fiction based on your favorite book or movie universe. Kindle Words has a publishing program for fan fiction that has over 90 licensed fandoms, so they have permission to publish fan fiction from these universes. (See also: Can You Really Make a Living as an Ebook Writer?)

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: Do You Have a Side Hustle?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 09:30:16 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Anissa, Kim, and Kelli for winning this week's contest!

Who doesn't want to earn more money? If getting a pay raise at your job is not an option, it makes a lot of sense to look into building a side hustle that can supplement your primary income.

Do you have a side hustle? What factors made you decide to look for work on the side? Do you have plans to turn your side hustle into a full-time job or business?

Tell us about your side hustle and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Follow our Executive Editor Janet Alvarez on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, April 2nd at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after April 2nd on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us about your side hustle and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Best Skills for Making More Money

Amy Lu — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 09:30:24 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on the best skills for making more money, how to quit bad money habits that rob you blind, tips for preparing the soil for your vegetable garden.

4 Ways to Make Money From St. Patrick's Day

Aja McClanahan — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:00:06 +0000

With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, you're probably anticipating things like parades, pub crawls, and all the green-themed festivities to come. You might even be looking forward to some of your favorite foods that show up around this time of year: McDonald's famous Shamrock Shake, Irish soda bread, and, of course, corned beef and cabbage.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans planned to spend a whopping $5.3 billion for St. Patrick's Day 2017. Presumably, that number could rise for 2018 if past spending trends continue. Either way, St. Patrick's Day means big businesses for cities, venues and, if you play your cards right, people like you.

If you want to capitalize on all the ways people will be spending money for St. Patrick's Day, here are some ideas to get you started.

Create and sell St. Patrick's Day crafts

You can search for popular St. Patty's Day crafts that people are looking to buy on sites like Pinterest or Etsy. You'll find tons of ideas that will inspire you to get creative. People are often looking to buy party favors, home decor, clothing, knickknacks, and other accessories to make their favorite Irish holiday complete. If you can make some of these yourself, you could see the profits roll in.

If you're more of a designer than a crafter, you can start a tee shirt campaign with no money at all. Places like Bonfire, TeeSpring, and SunFrog let you design a custom shirt and presell it so the printing is fully funded. Once your shirt ships to your customers, the production platform takes a cut and sends the leftover profits to you.

Advertise your creations on social media or on marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Mercari, or Offer Up. It's best to get started early so you have enough time to research your idea, create it, advertise, and make sales. (See also: The 5 Best Sites to Sell Your Arts and Crafts)

Ride sharing

With all the parties, parades, pub crawls, and related celebrations that usually take place around St. Patricks Day, there will be a lot of drinking. People who spend the day (and night) drinking will need safe, responsible ways to get to and from various locations. Plus, those who need to get around the crowds in major cities will need help with the hassles of parking or transporting small kids in the massive crowds. That's where ride sharing comes in.

As a driver for Uber or Lyft, you stand to make a decent profit in such a peak time. If you time your availability right, you could find yourself pretty busy on the weekend and weekdays leading up to St. Patrick's Day, when many celebrations take place. Make sure you are close to the action and get approved as a driver beforehand to make the most of this opportunity. (See also: How to Earn Extra Money Driving for Uber or Lyft)

Baby-sit

Again, from the party perspective, this gig could be the "gold at the end of the rainbow." Think about it. There's bound to be parents who'll use this opportunity to party hard without the kiddies in tow. Baby sitters can be pretty hard to come by in some places, so it's likely there will be a premium for baby-sitting around "hot" times like St. Patrick's Day.

Use online sitter marketplaces like Chime, Sittercity, or Care.com. It doesn't hurt to check pet care apps like Rover or Wag, either — pet parents will need care for their fur babies, too.

Start building your profile as early as you can. Go through the proper vetting and maybe even get a few jobs under your belt for reviews. This way, you will be a desirable candidate when parents (or pet parents) start their search for a sitter for St. Patrick's Day.

Be a hired hand

Many government and private citizens host St. Patrick's Day celebrations, which means there will be lots of extra work to go around. You can call down to your local city or village hall to find out what additional services might be needed during city-sponsored celebrations.

You can also put a listing in the "gigs" section of Craigslist or your local Facebook marketplace advertising any services you can offer. There are even Facebook groups where people sell recipes and crafts for holidays like St. Patrick's Day.

Whatever you're offering, there's bound to be plenty to do as many gear up to make the most of the fun times to be had on St. Patrick's Day.

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This article is from Aja McClanahan of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Ways Anyone Can Make Money Online

Nick Wharton — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 09:30:05 +0000

The internet has opened up a million and one possibilities for earning money online. But not everyone knows exactly where to look, or how to get started. The good news is, many moneymaking opportunities don't require years of training or experience. Having those doesn't hurt, but even novices to the job market can earn money online. Whether you're strapped for cash and looking for a quick way to earn a few bucks, or you're interested in making some serious long-term income, here are 11 ideas to get you started.

1. Start a blog

You may have heard that the top blogs on the internet bring in millions of dollars per year from advertising or other sources of income such as affiliate marketing. But blogs with much smaller readerships can make great incomes, too. It takes hard work and dedication to build an audience, but it doesn't take long to set up a blog. Pick a subject you're knowledgeable and passionate about and start writing.

When my wife and I started our travel blog, we didn't know the first thing about WordPress, CSS, HTML, or any other blogging tools. We were complete newbies, but we have since built our site up to be one of the 50 most popular travel blogs on the web.

You don't need previous experience to become a blogger. You can research and learn everything you need to know about starting a blog on other blogs and in YouTube tutorials. My favorite places to learn about blogging are Neil Patel's blog, w3schools, WP Beginner, and the Yoast SEO blog.

2. Sell your stuff

Those boxes of junk stashed under the bed, the clothes you no longer wear taking up space in your closet, and even your old electronics and appliances can all be converted into hard cash. Simply sign up to an online marketplace site and get listing. It's surprising how much you can make from things you no longer want or need. (See also: How I Make $800 a Month Selling Used Clothes on eBay)

3. Take surveys

Large companies pay good money to get an understanding of how consumers think, and these days they often use online surveys to do that. There are lots of sites that allow you to complete surveys for various clients, so sign up for a few. You probably won't get rich taking surveys, but avid survey takers can earn up to $500 per month. (See also: How to Make Money Taking Surveys Online)

4. Create a YouTube channel

YouTube enables people to earn money through advertising when their videos get a high number of views. To make good money on YouTube, you'll need to create engaging videos that attract a large audience. But even small monetized channels can bring in a few dollars per month, so if you've got something to say, get started and see what you can build from there.

You don't necessarily need a background in filmmaking. In fact, many of the most popular creators have built an audience using very basic filming equipment. What the top talent does have in common, though, is a sense of humor. Laughter sells, so if you're a closet comedian, this may be your medium.

Even if you're not a natural-born clown, if you've got a unique personality or something that's visually interesting to show, you may be able to grow a following that can eventually lead to an income.

5. Sell stock photos

If you've got an eye for a great photo, now it's easier than ever to sell your images online through stock sites like Shutterstock. Companies pay to use these images for various purposes and you get a percentage of each sale when a company buys your image. The photos need to be of excellent quality, but that doesn't mean you have to be a pro photographer to sell images. Even a single photo that's frequently purchased can make a lot of cash.

I've sold photos this way and I'm by no means a professional photographer. Like many people, I take thousands of photos and every once in awhile, I take one that's worth purchasing. I use my blog as an online portfolio, but I've also sold photos directly to brands and through online marketplaces. (See also: Earn Extra Income With Your Smartphone Camera)

6. Become a virtual assistant

If you have experience as an assistant, or simply love organizing and planning, this could be the perfect virtual business for you. Get paid by companies or even individuals for completing administrative tasks from the comfort of your home. Sites like Upwork are a good starting place to find clients, but there are also a lot of niche agencies that are constantly on the lookout for reliable assistants.

A lot of virtual assistant work will require previous experience, but not all of it. I've personally hired VAs to do very simple tasks that can be done by anybody, like going through my email list and finding emails with first names in them, or copying and pasting code to multiple parts of my website. Many people who hire VAs will expect to have to train them, so you can often find work as a VA with no previous experience.

7. Rent out your parking space

If you have a driveway or a parking space in a location where parking is sought after or expensive, then you can earn money by renting it out. Whether it's a short-term rental or a yearlong agreement, sites like Parqex allow you to list your space for free and rent it out when it's convenient for you. Manage it all online and get paid directly into your bank account with no hassle.

8. Teach online

If you have teaching experience, there are plenty of opportunities out there to tutor people in real time online. But even if you're not a qualified teacher, you can still sign up as a native English speaker to help people with their conversational English skills. Sites like italki allow you to create a profile, set your rates, and gather clients through the site. (See also: How I Created and Sold My Online Course)

9. Social media management

If you adore Insta, are fabulous on Facebook, or are a pro at Pinterest, then you could be putting your skills to use as a social media manager. Companies pay good money for people to create and curate engaged audiences on their social media platforms. If you can put together a growth strategy that works and create shareable content that appeals to a large audience, you'll be in high demand.

Similar to VA work, it helps to have some previous experience in social media to get hired, but not all social tasks require an expert. Many of the tasks that people are looking for are mundane and repetitive, but can be done by anyone.

Start out working for smaller blogs for less money and completing the simplest tasks. As you learn, you can work yourself up to higher paying jobs. Request to join different Facebook groups that have a lot of bloggers and online entrepreneurs. Post in the group that you're looking for work and you may be surprised at how many people are looking to hire others to help with social media.

10. Rent your possessions

Did you know that there are peer-to-peer rental websites that allow you to make money simply by renting out belongings that you don't use? That bike that's gathering dust in your garage, the digital camera that only comes out at Thanksgiving, or even the barbecue that only gets fired up once a year — all could be earning you a passive income. Sites like Zilok allow you to list your items easily and you can quickly begin earning an income from them. (See also: 13 Surprising Things You Can Rent for Extra Cash)

11. Rent out your home

If you have a spare room in your house or apartment, or spend long periods of time away from home, you could be making money from Airbnb or other short-term rental sites. You don't even have to be a host yourself. You can pay to have a local co-host who looks after all of the time consuming bits while you sit back and watch your bank balance grow.

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: