easy ways to make extra money each month

35 easy ways to make extra money each month

Whether you’re trying to pay off debt, save more toward retirement or just boost your monthly income, there are a lot of ways to make more money.
Depending on your situation, schedule and skills, there are a few different routes you can take — including opportunities at your current workplace, considering a new job or simply taking on various gigs on the side.
There are tons of ways to make extra cash from your smartphone, your laptop at home or even just by running some errands for people in your area. Check out this list of ways to make more money, ranging from a few extra bucks to thousands of dollars!

35 ways to make more money!

Things that require more effort — but pay off over time

1. Ask for a raise

A lot of people are afraid of asking for a raise at work, but when you think about it — worst case your boss says no, best case your boss says yes!
However, you need to have a strong argument when you decide to make your move. Do some prep work and have your talking points ready to go. Know the salary range for your position, the value you add to the company and specific examples of your accomplishments at work. Consider timing too — when you’ve been performing at the highest level is a good time to ask.
Here are a couple of resources that can help:

• This tool will show you if you’re getting paid enough at work.
• Here’s a guide with more tips on how to get paid what you’re worth.

2. Get a new job

If you’re stuck in a rut, start looking for a new job that you will enjoy and make you more money! Use this tool to find out what you should be getting paid and here are some resources for finding the right job for you:

• 11 steps to creating a successful resume
• 5 mistakes to avoid when job searching
• Tips for finding a job

Ideas for quick and easy cash!

3. Run errands or do odd jobs for people

• TaskRabbit is a website where people pay other people to do small tasks for them. For example, someone in your local area may be looking to hire someone to run errands for them — like pick up their dry cleaning or help them move. 
• RedBeacon.com: Get price quotes and book appointments for local services, such as those provided by a plumber or electrician. 

4. Make extra money on the go

• CheckPoints.com: CheckPoints is an app that offers manufacturer deals while you’re in the store. You earn points for simply scanning the barcode on an item in a store. No purchase of the product is necessary. You can redeem the points you collect for free gift cards, airline miles and other perks.
• EasyShiftApp.com: This app essentially turns you into an on-demand secret shopper. You’re assigned “shifts” by product manufacturers who want people on the ground to go into stores and confirm that their merchandise is being displayed properly. The pay rate for a shift is between $3 and $8 and the money is remitted to you via PayPal.
• FieldAgent: Find local jobs in your area and complete them within two hours for cash.

See more smartphone apps that offer ways for you to make extra money.

5. Use your skills to make $5 at a time

• Fiverr.com is a virtual marketplace where people can offer their services for $5 to $10, or request services they want done. While $5 isn’t much money, if you can complete a few jobs quickly using the skills you already have, the money can add up to some decent extra cash. Fiverr also makes payments easy through PayPal.

6. Customer service

If you’re a people person or a problem-solver, taking on a customer service job on the side may be just the thing for you. According to Bankrate, customer service jobs typically pay higher than $15 per hour, and the number of jobs available in the industry is expected to jump by 18% by 2018. Also, customer service jobs can be good side jobs, because the peak times tend to be early morning, evenings and weekends.

Flexjobs.com is a great resource for finding a part-time position that fits your needs and skills. While the site charges a minimum fee of $15 per month, FlexJobs does a good job of vetting the legitimacy of postings before publishing them on the site — so you know you’re signing up for a legit job that will earn you extra income.

If you don’t want to pay the monthly fee, the site’s blog is still a good resource for finding legit flexible jobs.

Read more: 15 apps that can make you extra money

7. Virtual assistant

If you are organized and have strong computer and communication skills, you can make some pretty good money as a virtual assistant.

Virtual assistants perform a variety of tasks ranging from setting up appointments to typing out emails and buying supplies — and it’s all done from the comfort of your own home! Another perk is that the tasks can typically be done outside of normal business hours — making it an ideal side job for someone looking to make extra cash.

Sites like Zirtual and VirtualAssistants.com make the process of finding an executive in need of some flexible assistance pretty easy — but may require a fee.

Another way to find virtual assistant jobs is through Craigslist — but first make sure you do your research on how to stay safe when using Craigslist.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, virtual assistants can make up to $100 per hour, although $25 per hour is a more typical starting point.

RELATED: How to handle unexpected extra cash

8. Sell random stuff on eBay or Craigslist

How much money you make selling things online depends on how much effort you put into it. By getting into selling things you know and understand, you can make a few thousand dollars in extra cash.
If you’re just looking for a few extra bucks here and there, it’s easy to sell unwanted items from around your house. If you’re looking for more money, it pays off to get into selling bigger ticket items — especially since you have to cover the costs of shipping.

If this is something you’re interested in doing, here’s the secret to making big money on eBay.

9. Sell your old clothes

Do you have a bunch of old clothes piled up in your closet, under your bed or in a dresser somewhere? If you haven’t worn it in two years, chances are you won’t wear it again. So start pulling it out and turn it into extra cash.
Depending on what you sell and the site you use, you can make some pretty good chunks of cash by getting rid of your old clothes. Even small amounts can start to add up quickly — giving you an extra payment toward your debt or some spending money on your next vacation. And a lot of sites include a free shipping label, which makes the process pretty easy.