How to earn easy extra cash

Everybody wants a little extra cash in their pockets. And while money doesn’t always buy us happiness, it does help us get the things we want. Follow these tips on how you can make easy cash fast in just a matter of weeks.

Contents

  1. Getting cash on the spot
  2. Side hustles: How to earn extra cash online
  3. Side gigs to make cash that aren’t online

Where to start?

First, think about how fast you need the extra cash and the amount of time you can dedicate to it.

Getting cash on the spot

Even though most of us know when our payday is, sometimes money is tight before payday hits our account. So, what can you do when you can’t wait and need cash instantly? 

1.   Sell your unused items

You most likely have a few items around the house that could be put to better use by someone else. Do a sweep and see if there’s anything worth selling for extra cash and try to make a habit of decluttering every once in a while.

If you’re selling through a reputable second-hand dealer, they will look at the age, condition, and appeal of the item to determine how much cash they will offer you for it. So, if any of the things you bring in meet the dealer’s standards, you’re more likely to get more cash for your items. 

2.   Pawnbroking 

Instead of selling items that are important to you, they can be pawned until you find your feet again. Pawning an item means you get cash in hand in exchange for it. The pawnbroker will keep your item safe until you can pay off the money you borrowed, plus interest, within the agreed timeframe.

Plus, it won’t affect your credit rating if you can’t pay back your loan or decide not to pick up your item.

Think of it as a type of secured loan where you can make cash in hand fast by letting a pawnbroker hold your item of value. Always find a professional pawnbroker that you can trust to handle this for you and read the terms and conditions.

3.   Cash advance

If there’s nothing you want to sell or pawn, there’s always the option to ask for a cash advance loan.

Simply fill out an application form and let someone look over it in person to see how much cash you can get. Just make sure you can afford and keep track of repaying the money you borrow.

Side hustles: How to earn extra cash online

1. Start an online shop

Websites like Etsy or fashion boutiques are a main hub for those who are big on DIY or vintage – you just have to search for quality second-hand goods to start an online shop.

2. Good at cooking and baking? Offer a catering service

Food deliveries are already on the rise so if you’re out there creating something special, someone’s going to want your business.

Start an Instagram or Facebook page and post pictures of your homemade baked goods. Reach out to friends and family who have upcoming special events and rack up good reviews to get the word out!

3. Sell your photography

Budding photographers have to start somewhere and the best place to do it is online. We know what you’re thinking. You can’t just go out and buy a brand-new camera – you want to make fast cash online for free, not spend cash.

Ever heard of the term, you have to give a little to get a little? In this case, you can get a lot more in return by buying a second-hand camera instead.

There are plenty of businesses that stock used camera equipment in great condition, you just need to know where to look. Visit some stock image hosting websites such as Shutterstock or Getty Images and start uploading your photos on there. People or businesses can buy your images if they like what they see and they can be sold any number of times as you wish, making it a great way to earn a passive income.

4. Take up freelance proofreading

If your photography skills aren’t up to scratch, proofreading documents online can be a great side hustle and an easy way to make fast cash. Time to whip out your laptop and get reading.

Here are some online hubs that offer part-time or full-time proofreading jobs for beginner proofreaders to get the ball rolling:

  • Fiverr
  • Proofreading Services
  • Upwork

Keep in mind that you might need to sit an English test to prove you can proofread other people’s work.

5. Take online surveys 

This one’s fun because you’re getting paid to be honest. 

With so many brands out there, your opinion matters – and you can get paid to give up a minute of your time to fill in surveys. Survey sites like Octopus Group, Survey Junkie, and Swagbucks are great for kicking off that survey side hustle. All you have to do is follow the steps and register to start answering some questions in exchange for money.

The best part? You don’t need any qualifications. Provided you fit the category of people the company wants to hear from, all you need to do is provide an opinion.

6. Transcribing

You can earn a little extra cash if you’re a fast typer. There are many audio files waiting to be transcribed in exchange for a small amount of money. Some people would rather not type for hours on end – you, on the other hand, might enjoy running your fingers along the keyboard.

TranscribeMe offers transcribing jobs to beginners who are ready to get into the typing business. Places like Rev and Casting Words are also a good start for first-timers.

Side gigs to make cash that aren’t online

1. Tutoring

Love to teach? Put your mentoring skills to good use by offering up a few days of the week after-hours to help someone else learn. If you’ve got the knack for it, becoming a tutor is a great way to earn some bucks on the side.

Make sure you’ve got a ‘Working with Children Check’ (WWC) and then go down the list of everything you’ll need before you become a private tutor. Once you’ve got it all, find places in your area that are ready to take you on.

2. Become a delivery driver or a rider

Get paid to deliver something or someone from point A to B. Whether that be food or a person looking to get into the city, you can sign up to be the one who gets them there.

Rideshare your way to extra money with businesses like Uber, Ola, and DiDi or deliver food as a courier with MenuLog or DoorDash. 

3. Be on the ready and join Airtasker

Joining Airtasker means you can pick up different daily tasks that people need done, ranging from cleaning and cooking to online web design. Airtasker makes it easier for you to outsource the skills you know you have and can put to good use. Just spruce up your profile and make sure the price you’re asking for is fair.

4. Rent out a room that’s not in use

This is one of the sure-fire ways of getting some extra cash in your pocket. Instead of using the spare room for a home office or for storage, maybe it’s time to open up your doors. There are many websites that can help with searching for that right person to fill up your space. OzFlatmates and Flatmates.com.au are a good place to start.

5. House sitting or pet sitting

This is a perfect after-hours job. Life can get in the way and some people need their pet or house looked after when they need time off.

If this is something up your alley, check out a few of these sites that can help set you up with a gig:

  • Aussie House Sitters
  • Mind A Home
  • Happy House Sitters
  • Mad Paws 

6.    Baby sitting

Similar to house or pet sitting, parents need time off too. There aren’t any special qualifications needed to look after someone’s child besides the basics like first aid knowledge and the Working With Children check.

The most important part is that you pass with flying colours when it comes to the character check. When you register on Find a Babysitter, a parent can get in contact with you if they like the look of your profile. Once you pass that stage, a face-to-face meet will help the parents decide whether you can take on the task or not.

Whether you want to make cash instantly or test your skills with a side hustle, it’s easy to make cash fast if you know where to look.

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