If you’re like most people, you probably want to earn more money. From endless financial freedom courses to decades of New Year’s resolutions, increasing income is a near-universal desire among the masses. And when we think of these, we tend to picture taking on even more grueling work alongside our 9-to-5s.
But this does not have to be so. There are many ways to create a side income that is not only reliable but fun as well. Here are a few ways to make money that will fill your soul as well as your wallet.
Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk on Unsplash
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Online Gaming
For most of us, gaming represents an escape from the world and not necessarily work. But what if there was a way to make money while enjoying your favorite game? Believe it or not, there is a way to do this, no matter your tastes. There are tons of online pokies for real money you can sign up with and play everything from slots to poker. And if you’re lucky and skilled, you can walk away with more than you wager. Of course, you should also be cautious about how much you wager to avoid unnecessary risks.
Another option would be play-to-earn games, which give digital assets to players in exchange for their efforts and which have become much more popular. Some games give you the chance to claim valuable gems, skins, and much more, which can then be traded to other players for money.
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Create Content
This might not be for everyone, but if you are passionate about creating content, you can turn this into a source of passive income. The rise of social media means that there is no content niche or format that cannot find an audience. Some people like making day-in-the-life videos, some like giving commentary, some write tutorials, and so on. If this is up your alley, consider joining a suitable social media platform and consistently putting out whatever content you like.
Through creator funds, paid sponsorships, AdSense, affiliate marketing, and other means, you can begin to generate an income. Make sure, of course, that this content format is one that you enjoy creating and can do consistently, as it might take some time to turn a profit. If it is, you’ll enjoy yourself even if the money isn’t rolling in yet.
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Take Surveys or Complete User Tests
At any given time, tons of businesses are looking for consumers to give feedback about products, services, ads, websites, etc. And they are willing to pay a pretty penny for your opinion. If you’re someone who enjoys discussing products and services, you can make a side income from taking surveys or completing user tests. By using sites like UserTesting and UserBrain, you can review the websites, ads, and test apps of all sorts of businesses, walking them through what you like and don’t like.
If you go a step further, you can receive products to give feedback and even show up in person for focus groups. Some of the higher-paying ones can offer hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so be sure to look into these. And because all you do is talk about your opinion, you get to have fun and try new things.
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Secret Shopper
In the same vein as the user tests, you can get paid for being a secret shopper for brands, supermarkets, and the like. The idea is simple; you are contacted to go into a specific store and buy some products/book services. You then report to the owner what the experience was like.
This is a win-win as the businesses get an unbiased report of how staff behaved, how the product/service was delivered, and how customers visiting them might feel. You get money and other perks for simply shopping and having a good time. It might sound too good to be true, but it is actually not.
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Pet, House or Babysitting
Passionate about pets or children? Why not make some extra income from taking care of either? There are always people in your local area who will need help looking after their children, pets, or even their whole house. And it is rarely a deeply strenuous position. Many sitters report that they only need to water plants, collect mail, change litterboxes, feed the pets, and perform other small acts of maintenance.
If you do this well enough, you could have a long-running relationship with customers that can lead to consistent side income. So, feel free to sign up for various apps for this purpose and get started.
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Sell Old Items
Besides improving our finances, another goal for many of us is to declutter our homes. Luckily, doing this can lead to yet another source of income. From eBay to Vinted, there is no shortage of platforms for pre-owned items to be listed for cash.
All you have to do is take a picture and upload a description of the item(s) in question. Once there is interest, you package and ship it to the buyer. Not only do you earn an income with minimal effort, but you can also reduce clutter within your home as you do so. Take a look around, decide what items need to go, and reap the benefits.
Conclusion
Creating a side income doesn’t have to mean getting a whole new time-consuming job. The options we’ve listed in this article will help you increase your wallet while also having fun. Whether you’re taking care of dogs, creating content that you love, or selling old items, you can enjoy yourself and explore your various talents.
