View Full Version : Making Money When You Don't Have a Regular Job
try2bfrugal
8-23-13, 11:38pm
This topic came up in another thread, so I thought it was best to make a separate thread on its own. What are your ways of making money without a job? What kinds of things make more than $10 - 20 a month?
These are things either I or my family members have done:
Buy existing web sites and put ads on them
Paid for focus groups
Cash back credit cards
Credit card checking account sign up bonuses
Sell things you don't need for Amazon gift cards, on eBay or Craigslist
Create hobby web sites from scratch and put Adsense and affiliate links on them
Hold a garage sale
Driving errands for the elderly
Collect frequent flyer miles for free trips
Contract photo shoots for a local paper
Learn web skills online and at community college then do contract work
Some related links:
Million Mile Madness (http://boardingarea.com/frequentmiler/2013/03/18/million-mile-madness-pending-success/) - collecting frequent flyer miles
Abestweb (http://www.abestweb.com/) - affiliate marketing
IBankBonuses (http://www.ibankbonus.com/bank/nationwide/index.php) - sign up bonuses for opening checking accounts
Fatwallet (http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/) - lots of little money making ideas pop up in the finance forum
Some folks at work today were discussing babysitters-in the area, $15-20/hr! Kind of makes me wish I liked little kids. I recall paying our petsitter on the order of $15-25 per day for 1-2 hrs of walking/petting/etc and this was in Phx. Day cares and pet kennels are different but on a casual basis, another "old fashioned" thing to consider esp for a very part-time worker.
try2bfrugal
8-24-13, 12:05am
There is a woman at our local dog park who does pet sitting and take clients dogs to the dog park. It would be nice to get paid to sit and chat with people at the dog park. The dog I usually see her with is a sweet little dog who has an owner that has to travel for work.
There is also someone at the dog park who gets paid to bring disabled and elderly people to the park so they get out and about. I think she said something about being registered with the county to be on some provider list for those types of services.
A clerk at the local thrift shop said people come in with scanners looking for valuable books. I have also noticed people scanning the vinyl records at thrift stores.
This topic came up in another thread, so I thought it was best to make a separate thread on its own. What are your ways of making money without a job? What kinds of things make more than $10 - 20 a month?
These are things either I or my family members have done:
Buy existing web sites and put ads on them
Paid for focus groups
Cash back credit cards
Credit card checking account sign up bonuses
Sell things you don't need for Amazon gift cards, on eBay or Craigslist
Create hobby web sites from scratch and put Adsense and affiliate links on them
Hold a garage sale
Driving errands for the elderly
Collect frequent flyer miles for free trips
Contract photo shoots for a local paper
Learn web skills online and at community college then do contract work
Some related links:
Million Mile Madness (http://boardingarea.com/frequentmiler/2013/03/18/million-mile-madness-pending-success/) - collecting frequent flyer miles
Abestweb (http://www.abestweb.com/) - affiliate marketing
IBankBonuses (http://www.ibankbonus.com/bank/nationwide/index.php) - sign up bonuses for opening checking accounts
Fatwallet (http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/) - lots of little money making ideas pop up in the finance forum
I've been in two focus groups and enjoyed it immensely. Judging by the focus websites I'd make a lot more if I lived in a major metro area. In my ordinary small city the rate so far has been less than one per year available to me.
What's contract photo shoots for local paper? Taking pictures? Setting up appointments?
My late husband had a pickup truck and a high tolerance for ickyness. He picked up aluminum to sell. Just picking up cans that are lying around won't get you much, but he also collected aluminum chair frames, air conditioners, and would climb right into a dumpster behind a bar and come out with big bags of cans. I think the most he made was about $30 in a week and his truck became disgusting, but it is money.
Oh, and last summer I sold my long hair for $125 on buyandsellhair.com.
try2bfrugal
8-24-13, 10:53am
What's contract photo shoots for local paper? Taking pictures? Setting up appointments?
Taking pictures of events for the paper.
I was excited about ibankbonuses until I saw how many of them required direct deposit of a payroll or govt check, or minimum deposits over time that I just don't have. I remember when internet banking was fairly new. I made a good bit of money opening small accounts for short time periods. Back then they just wanted to be able to say that their depositor base had grown by X in a short time so they didn't require direct deposits or tying up money for long periods. I cleaned up when online drugstores were new too. Tons of bandaids etc at $20 off a $20 purchase. Those were the days....
I was going to assert dog walking, but here are some others that friends of mine have made into side businesses:
* baking for parties (cakes, cookies, cupcakes) or baking regularly (a friend of mine bakes bread on Mondays. Each person ordered 1-3 fresh loaves of bread from her. She earns about $70 for a day's work -- that's 14 loaves of bread).
* cooking or prepping meals -- particularly good for families, a friend of mine did this. She would deliver dinner to a person's door (in a chilly bin) between 4:30 and 5:30, and they would just have to reheat and serve. She's a good cook, and her meals were simple. She made about $300/wk doing this. She liked to cook -- she just cooked in bulk over the afternoon while her kids ere in school, then picked them up and they helped with delivery.
* house cleaning -- it's amazing how much people like low-cost housekeeping. $50/1.5 hr is the going rate here.
* laundry -- picking up, washing, drying, and folding people's laundry -- my grandmother did this. She also did ironing for people.
* gardening and handyman stuff
* tech "handyman" stuff -- fixing and/or setting up computers, etc.
SteveinMN
8-24-13, 12:18pm
There is also someone at the dog park who gets paid to bring disabled and elderly people to the park so they get out and about. I think she said something about being registered with the county to be on some provider list for those types of services.
Anyone thinking of doing this should know that counties/states are starting to make these kinds of jobs somewhat more formal. The county at which DW works is requiring licensing of every provider they pay, at least for the developmentally-disabled (maybe for every provider, but she's not here ATM to verify). The licensing is intended to maintain minimal standards (e.g., the dog-park driver/attendant would have to have a basic knowledge of first aid and a first-aid kit in the vehicle; [s]he is responsible for moving elderly people around) and to make sure whoever is offering the service is qualified to do so (e.g., this person has no police record of preying on seniors, fraud, etc.).
A clerk at the local thrift shop said people come in with scanners looking for valuable books. I have also noticed people scanning the vinyl records at thrift stores.
Based on the slim pickings I see in most local thrift stores, I'm guessing people are looking for anything they think they can flip on craigslist or ebay for more money -- TVs, furniture, potholders made with textiles bought at the buy-by-the-pound warehouse, etc.
tech "handyman" stuff -- fixing and/or setting up computers, etc.
Definitely. In fact, someone with the aptitude and a few basic tools could set themselves up fixing broken screens on mobile phones, replacing CD/DVD drives, etc. Especially with all those touch-screen smartphones out there, it's not cheap to buy another phone because you're just a few months into contract but the screen is broken enough to be unusable. Do it inexpensively enough and people won't care that you're not offering a storefront or a warranty.
try2bfrugal
8-24-13, 12:55pm
I was excited about ibankbonuses until I saw how many of them required direct deposit of a payroll or govt check, or minimum deposits over time that I just don't have. I remember when internet banking was fairly new. I made a good bit of money opening small accounts for short time periods. Back then they just wanted to be able to say that their depositor base had grown by X in a short time so they didn't require direct deposits or tying up money for long periods. I cleaned up when online drugstores were new too. Tons of bandaids etc at $20 off a $20 purchase. Those were the days....
Some people have posted on other forums that they have the ability to split deposits, so if they have one payroll check they have the ability to have the total amount split up and deposited to multiple accounts, all with bonuses.
This past year every person in our household opened a $50 bonus, free account at a local credit union. It could all be done online so it was easy money. I made another $175 for opening an online account at Sharebuilder.
Someone with an extra bedroom could benefit from www.airbnb.com. Or just a couch, if you live in a place people very badly want to go to. I rent out both bedrooms of my condo on airbnb. So far all but one of my guests have been from other countries. It's very interesting. It was because of having both rooms rented that I felt able to buy my little 49cc scooter.
Some people have posted on other forums that they have the ability to split deposits, so if they have one payroll check they have the ability to have the total amount split up and deposited to multiple accounts, all with bonuses.
This past year every person in our household opened a $50 bonus, free account at a local credit union. It could all be done online so it was easy money. I made another $175 for opening an online account at Sharebuilder.
That's interesting about splitting deposits. Not for me, as I have no payroll check. I looked at the Sharebuilder thing, it's a good deal except I don't have a non-IRA brokerage account. As with so many things, sometimes it takes money to make money. Luckily not always. Anymore it does seem to take internet connection at least.
My late husband used to get money for donating plasma. Technically they don't pay you for the plasma, they pay for your time. I think he got $30-40 a time and it took about an hour and a half. I no longer live anywhere near a plasma center. I do give blood, and often they give a $10 gift card, variously for a grocery store, restaurant or gasoline.
try2bfrugal
8-24-13, 1:07pm
Based on the slim pickings I see in most local thrift stores, I'm guessing people are looking for anything they think they can flip on craigslist or ebay for more money -- TVs, furniture, potholders made with textiles bought at the buy-by-the-pound warehouse, etc.
The thing with books is the ability to buy a scanner that checks the ISBN number against prices online automatically. Some of the library book sales have signs posted for no scanners, so then I have noticed people with headsets reading off ISBN numbers to someone at home with a scanner.
The book dealers are all over the library book sales. At the last sale I couldn't find a single sci fi book for one of my kids, so I am guessing a book dealer got there first and cleared them all out.
I found an old, pre-ISBN numbered used book at a library sale marked 50 cents and selling online for $40, that I suspect the scanner people missed because of the lack of the ISBN number.
A couple of times older friends have paid me a little to walk them through troubles with their internet access, or understanding how to find things online. Once I made $10 sewing up a damaged comforter for a neighbor.
The thing with books is the ability to buy a scanner that checks the ISBN number against prices online automatically. Some of the library book sales have signs posted for no scanners, so then I have noticed people with headsets reading off ISBN numbers to someone at home with a scanner.
The book dealers are all over the library book sales. At the last sale I couldn't find a single sci fi book for one of my kids, so I am guessing a book dealer got there first and cleared them all out.
I found an old, pre-ISBN numbered used book at a library sale marked 50 cents and selling online for $40, that I suspect the scanner people missed because of the lack of the ISBN number.
Ooo, that's a really useful bit of technology. Not that long ago you had to actually know the market and be able to assess the worth of a book from your knowledge. What exactly are the scanners called and what do they cost, roughly?
Edited to add, I've Googled it some. I can't picture how it would work exactly. I'm standing at the library sale, I scan - where does the data go and how does it get there?
Edited again to add, it looks like the easiest way is a smart phone, which I don't have. www.cash4books.com offers a free smartphone app to give you instant values. Having a dumb phone I'd have to call a friend who was at an internet accessing computer and have them input the isbn.
I've made money doing online surveys and doing mystery shops. Would you like to know all there is to know about doing quality inspections for a major chain of gas stations, including cleanliness checks of their toilets? I can tell you! Gee, with the chance to learn that kind of fascinating stuff, the money was just the cherry on the top! :)
I also do voiceover work online, and pet sitting, house-sitting, and private language lessons for people locally and make a great side income doing all those things. I also sing at old folks' homes for their evening entertainment shows and make decent money at that. I'm looking to get hooked up with other musicians so we can form an act and get better money for playing at clubs.
I just wanted to ask people about this. Are you in a high-income area? Lots of people have dogs here but we don't even have a dog park. Also, I can't imagine anyone would pay someone else to walk their dog. Folks around here just don't have the $$. We have the highest unemployment rate in the state. :(
There is a woman at our local dog park who does pet sitting and take clients dogs to the dog park. It would be nice to get paid to sit and chat with people at the dog park. The dog I usually see her with is a sweet little dog who has an owner that has to travel for work.
There is also someone at the dog park who gets paid to bring disabled and elderly people to the park so they get out and about. I think she said something about being registered with the county to be on some provider list for those types of services.
A clerk at the local thrift shop said people come in with scanners looking for valuable books. I have also noticed people scanning the vinyl records at thrift stores.
I hear you frugalone. Where I live people care for their own animals and clean their own houses.
I don't know what geographical area it covers, but www.wyzant.com connects tutors with people needing tutoring. In over 2 years time I've had one student, for two hours.
Mt Money Mustache site had some recent postings on how to earn $50000K without a degree. Some of the comments had very good ideas and food for thought about the topic. There is a woman in our hood who makes a very good living as the area child, pet and house sitter. Everyone knows her so they trust her. We see her almost every day walking or running around the block with different dogs. As a bonus, she is very fit.
gimmethesimplelife
8-24-13, 6:39pm
I love focus groups! I have started a savings account at my credit union in which I put all my money coming in from Marketing Research - it's up to just under $1,500 now.....though I have had some real luck. One study paid $400 for an online market research project, and two others paid $250 each, and then I have had lesser paying ones come along. One website I can recommend for finding focus groups is - www.findingfocusgroups.com.
Other than that - there are some apps if you have an I Phone that pay you for simple tasks - two that come to mind are Gigwalk - which is only available in eight markets at the moment and Field Agent. I'd love to be able to do this to pull in some extra cash but I have an android phone and therefore can't do this. Two apps however I am using to pull in some freebies - that work on Android, are - Checkpoints and Shopkick. I also do Receipt Hog, where you get points for photographing and submitting your grocery receipts. Points here can be used for a cash cashout. Rob
I just wanted to ask people about this. Are you in a high-income area? Lots of people have dogs here but we don't even have a dog park. Also, I can't imagine anyone would pay someone else to walk their dog. Folks around here just don't have the $$. We have the highest unemployment rate in the state. :(
Dog walking and housecleaning would likely be more successful in areas where there are a lot of professional types who work long hours at high enough pay to justify it in their budgets. We don't have a dog precisely because I don't want that ongoing expense. We do have a housekeeper that comes every other week, though. He's wonderful. We do the occasional stuff (like cleaning out and scrubbing down the fridge) but he takes care of the basics like cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming/sweeping/mopping, etc. He costs $75 for about 3 hours work, but it's worth it for SO and I to not have to do it ourselves. If we wanted to spend more money he'd take care of the occasional stuff too. Obviously if one of us got laid off that'd be the first luxury to be cancelled.
THinking about focus groups. A friend of mine in high school used to go hang out at the mall near the focus group place. (It was in a back office at the mall) Almost everytime she went they'd be out walking around the mall looking for people to spend an hour or whatever in a focus group and she happily 'volunteered'. She didn't get rich, but she always had pocket money since they'd usually give her $40 or $50 for her time. I was making $3.50/hour at a fast food place at the time. In hindsight she probably made as much cash for a lot less effort and time.
You can sell stuff on Amazon for cash. Books, music, movies are the easiest.
If you have a smartphone and know how to work both Android and iPhone models, you can show people how to run their phones. I know a bunch of "older" (than me!) folks (55-60+) who want a smartphone, but aren't by nature "adventurous" with exploring new gadgets. I've actually sat down at coffee hour at church and shown folks how to use both their Android phones and iPhones. I've often thought how that would be a way to make some money...
try2bfrugal
8-29-13, 12:02am
I just wanted to ask people about this. Are you in a high-income area? Lots of people have dogs here but we don't even have a dog park. Also, I can't imagine anyone would pay someone else to walk their dog. Folks around here just don't have the $$. We have the highest unemployment rate in the state. :(
We live in a big metro area so there are households at every income level, including dog walkers and pet sitters and the two income households with no kids who hire the walkers and sitters or put their dogs in doggie day care during the day.
It is an hour commute each way into the city by light rail, so many people don't get home from work until after dark. The before / after school program put limits on how many hours the kids could be left there, because some kids were there from when the center opened, then went to school, and then back back to the center until closing time.
I used to drive the car pools for free for some of the working parents, but actually that is another way one of our kids and some of the neighborhood kids made money. Parents would pay them to do the car pool driving once they got older and had their driver's licenses.
focus groups
If you live near a university, various departments are always looking for research participants. They almost always have a benefit - either money, gift cards or some service at no cost, ie medical tests that would cost a lot normally. I did one that paid $200 and all I had to do was keep a food log for two weeks and then get my blood tested.
I hear you frugalone. Where I live people care for their own animals and clean their own houses.
I think most people hire pet walkers or sitters because they travel or work long hours or have long commutes. Same with house cleaners. I would, and have, used both at times in my life. Doing all the house and pet chores yourself when you're working 10 or more hours a day with a ling commute may save money, but it "costs" time - which may be a much more valuable asset for someone. Eespecially the full time worker who has to make a choice between cleaning the house, walking the dog or spending time playing with the kids.
Especially the full time worker who has to make a choice between cleaning the house, walking the dog or spending time playing with the kids.
... and sleeping. ;)
... and sleeping. ;)
Haha - I'm not sure they have time to do that :-). Lots of people like my sister would love to have a dog of her own but she often works 13 hour days plus a half hour for lunch and a 2.5 hour r/t commute (gone 16 hours a day or more) so she'd have to hire a dog walker as well as a house cleaner in order to have time to have a life. She just moved close to her work so ended that commute - but still a long day especially if she had kids or a spouse to care for too.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.