There are plenty of fun things to do in the summer, some of which require money. The frugal experts on this blog will keep the money-saving tips coming all summer long, but you might be looking to pad your wallet with cash from an extra income, as well. Whether you’re hoping to fund vacations, day trips or a new warm weather wardrobe, there are a few things you can do to earn money this summer.
Take advantage of travel season:
When your neighbors and friends pack up the kids and head out of town this summer, they might need a house sitter or a pet sitter. Taking care of someone’s home when they are out of town can vary in involvement, from dropping in once a day to water the plants and turn on the lights to staying overnight with pets. Depending on your availability and how much time you are willing to spend, you could rake in a good amount of money. If you have some experience with pet sitting, sign up with an online service like Care.com and let your local community know you’re available this summer. Dog walking is a great way to get outside in the nice weather and stay active.
If you live in a desirable area and have some extra space, you could also rent out a room to vacationers at your own home. Airbnb and HomeAway are two trusted rental websites to consider. The layout of your home is just one factor that will determine how involved you could be with your house guests. Renting out a guest room would mean sharing space with your visitors, but if you have an in-law apartment, carriage house or remodeled garage, you can advertise a “hands-off” stay to potential travelers. It’s also worth considering how guests would affect your street parking and neighbors.
Get outside:
If you’re looking to mix up your fitness routine, step out of the gym for a while and get outside by offering up yardwork services to neighbors and the community. Chances are there are plenty of people who aren’t able to take care of weeding, watering or raking and would be willing to pay you to clean things up once or twice a week. Print off a few flyers and post them around town at grocery stores and coffee shops or put an offer up on Craigslist.
Clean out the closet:
On the U.S. News Frugal Shopper blog, we talk pretty frequently about cleaning out your closet and selling your stuff as an easy way to streamline and pocket some extra cash. There’s even a trending movement called the “Konmari Method” that shows you how to tidy up your home and clean out your closet for more peace of mind. It’s worth a try, and once you’re done you can bring your gently worn clothes to a consignment shop or sell them on eBay!
For a rainy day:
During the summer, the last thing you might want to do is sit inside on your computer. But for those rainy — or just too hot — days, there are plenty of easy ways to make money online. Participating in online surveys can bring in small increments of cash, and you have total control over how much time you dedicate to it. Over time, you might be surprised by how much you earn.
Drive around:
If you have a reliable vehicle, you might consider signing up to drive for a ridesharing service. Companies like Uber and Lyft have arrived in cities all over the world and offer an alternative to other public transportation. As a driver for one of these services, you have complete control over how often you want to provide rides in your vehicle, which must meet certain standards.
Sell your snaps:
Due to a surge of online content and social media, there is a huge need for great images online. If you have a love for taking photos and a good collection to your name, you can sell them to microstock agencies and collect a commission when they are purchased.
I hope one or two of these suggestions fit your lifestyle and you can start earning an extra income in no time!
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How to Earn Extra Money in the Summer originally appeared on usnews.com
