Top 5 hustles to bring in extra money

Updated
Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash in Retirement
Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash in Retirement



Sometimes you can use every frugal trick in the book and still come up a little short at the end of the month. The only answer left is to bring in more money.

You might not think you have any skills at all, but here are some options that could make you some extra dough, if you can just find a little time to devote to them.

Are You Crafty?

Think outside the box a little – are you an excellent sewer or knitter? So good you can even make your own patterns? You could advertise your skills as a seamstress on Craigslist and pick up some money hemming and repairing items when you get home from your day job at night. If you're really good at it and can undercut the larger companies a little, taking on jobs like hemming wedding dresses can be really lucrative.

Maybe photography is more your thing? If you take decent photos there are lots of things you can try to do with them – sell them as stock photos, sell the prints through Etsy or even join up with a group like mom365 where you can freelance as a photographer in hospitals taking pictures of newborns.

Are You Really Organized?

If you get a rush from seeing receipts organized, know you are in the minority. Lots of people don't like to deal with the little details of life and are willing to pay others to do it for them.

Think of something else you like to do and see if you can pair it with the skills required to organize it. Do you love traveling? You can start a little side company that organizes other people's trips – from European sojourns to day trips white water rafting. Just make sure all the details are set and tack an "agent fee" for your time.

For stay-at-home moms and anyone else looking for something remote, being a virtual assistant could help you make ends meet. You organize someone's schedule and take care of all the little tasks any assistant does, but you can do it remotely.

Are You Willing to Be More Hands On?

If you work a typical 9-to-5 job and don't mind channeling your inner teenager, you can still pick up some extra cash by taking on a few waitressing shifts, babysitting or doing yardwork for others.

If you like animals, you could offer your services as a pet sitter, either stopping by other folks' homes to feed their cats or letting a dog or two live with you when they go on vacation. Even if you don't want pets invading your home, you can start a dog walking service.

Are You Good With Technology?

If you know how to code and build websites, there is a gigantic market for that. Blogging is exploding and while everyone has plenty to say, very few people know how the blogging platforms actually work. Start building a resume among them and before you know it, you can also approach bigger companies for freelance work too. Everyone's got a website these days.

Another high demand computer skill is graphic design. You can set up shop with easily customizable logos on Fiverr or go completely unique and specialized somewhere like Etsy.

Do You Have a Lot of Stuff?

Listing anything you haven't used in a year on eBay is a good way to declutter and bring in some extra cash, but you probably haven't thought of renting your car out to other people, which is a real thing!

If you have a home with an extra room, you can turn it into an Airbnb rental or take in an exchange student for a year.

Are You Willing to Get Some Training?

If you can manage to set aside $50 to $300 for a training program, then taking courses can provide you with skills to make enough hustling money that you soon make back your investment. Possibilities include training to be a masseuse, lifeguard, notary, bar tender, transcriptionist or personal trainer.

Where there's a will, there's a way. If you don't want to or can't curb your spending habits, the answer is to bring in more money!

Copyright 2015 U.S. News & World Report

Click through the slideshow below for some great ways to save that extra cash:


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