What kinds of things do you do for extra money (excluding online)?
@LovingLife139 (1504)
United States
January 18, 2012 11:53pm CST
I'm curious as to what everyone on myLot does for money on the side or an occasional check, excluding online work and careers. Do you have a hobby that just happens to make you money? A skill that you offer to others? Something else entirely?
I have personally been making money since I was ten years old, four years before I could work for an employer. Once I did work for other people, I learned I hated it and wanted to utilize what skills I had to create a secure financial future for myself. I am currently self-employed with two careers, and I still have time to work with after that. I have a whole list of websites and such I belong to for money-making purposes, but that's not the subject here, so I'll list what other things I do below. Hopefully we can give each other ideas! 
First of all, I've been writing most my life and have also created business documents (particularly relating to real estate and some light legal issues) since I started my real estate business back in early high school. Ever since I had to learn document formats, correct "language" for different situations, etc., I've also been creating documents for other people. I've written business letters for pay, created lease agreements for other landlords using a list of what they want included, etc.
Also because of my real estate involvement, I'm a pretty handy gal. I do handywork for other people for pay at times. Painting, taking care of woodwork, installing fixtures, building furniture for those who don't want to, and if someone is a landlord and does not have the time to show their property, I also do that for pay.
Lastly, I do taxes for some of my friends and family members for pay. I also am an artist and have sketched by request before, both wall art and tattoo art. I post ads online for people who either don't have the time or computer access.
Phew! That was a long list. So, how about you? What kinds of things do you do to make a little extra money? If you haven't yet, do you have any ideas?
First of all, I've been writing most my life and have also created business documents (particularly relating to real estate and some light legal issues) since I started my real estate business back in early high school. Ever since I had to learn document formats, correct "language" for different situations, etc., I've also been creating documents for other people. I've written business letters for pay, created lease agreements for other landlords using a list of what they want included, etc.
Also because of my real estate involvement, I'm a pretty handy gal. I do handywork for other people for pay at times. Painting, taking care of woodwork, installing fixtures, building furniture for those who don't want to, and if someone is a landlord and does not have the time to show their property, I also do that for pay.
Lastly, I do taxes for some of my friends and family members for pay. I also am an artist and have sketched by request before, both wall art and tattoo art. I post ads online for people who either don't have the time or computer access.
Phew! That was a long list. So, how about you? What kinds of things do you do to make a little extra money? If you haven't yet, do you have any ideas?3 people like this
18 responses
@francismalz (520)
• Philippines
19 Jan 12
Sell other people's stuff
Promote other people's business
and get commissions.
such as Real Estate, Condominum etc...
Help sell a car by referring clients
such as Real Estate, Condominum etc...
Help sell a car by referring clients
2 people like this
@vt689586 (584)
• India
19 Jan 12
well till now i do not work full time for any one but just do works as part timer.i am studying engineering in computer science. so to earn extra money i works as ethical hacker for the state government some times.also doing very easy works like preparing power point presentation for other persons.solving problem related to computer software or hardware.
writing blogs on computer security ,and working for academia-research.com .
and also playing guitar some times for extra money. that all works gives small amount but at union it is good for me
2 people like this
@vt689586 (584)
• India
19 Jan 12
to be honest i wanted to tell you that security is just fake feeling this time.if you wanted to be safe then don't use internet any way(ha ha ha). either you could in danger. and there is no anti-virus programmer who saves you from hacker.if so then why companies like Kaspersky ,Norton etc get hacked. if they can not save themselves then how will they provide you security.
this is a fact. believe or not.it depends on you.if you want be secure then just be aware of downloading free contents.
1 person likes this
@theonlooker (84)
• Singapore
19 Jan 12
I took up short term teaching stints or office jobs during my university vaccations, even when I was job-hunting. I've taught both in schools and as a private tutor, I find the ESL market is good for short jobs as some students just want a quick revision class for their upcoming exam and I prefer to teach teens/adults than kids. I've also done some ghost writing of articles and volunteered to read raw manuscripts. I don't really turn to online money making ways much as I usually can't spare so much time to be infront of the computer.
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
19 Jan 12
Very interesting response, thank you! 
I found it particularly interesting that you mentioned reading raw manuscripts. I've done that for friends and family members, but is there an actual market for it? You say you volunteered, so you weren't paid? That's actually a very good idea in terms of something you will do as a service. It could be either a good job or a bad job, though. If the person writes very well, it could be good. If they don't, it might be tedious. 
As for the ESL market, do you have to have a certificate of some sort to teach, or just experience? How does that work?
Thanks again for your contributions to our odd little growing list here.
I found it particularly interesting that you mentioned reading raw manuscripts. I've done that for friends and family members, but is there an actual market for it? You say you volunteered, so you weren't paid? That's actually a very good idea in terms of something you will do as a service. It could be either a good job or a bad job, though. If the person writes very well, it could be good. If they don't, it might be tedious.
As for the ESL market, do you have to have a certificate of some sort to teach, or just experience? How does that work?
Thanks again for your contributions to our odd little growing list here. 1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
19 Jan 12
Wow! Well I was going to say I just work extra hours at my job but you said EXCLUDING careers. I don't have anything I can do like that but I sure wish I did. I've thought about making scrapbooks for people and selling them as a side job / hobby, I've also thought of taking spanish interpreter classes and offering my services on that. Maybe doing some private tutoring etc for peopel who want to learn a little Spanish. I know some, but would have to take classes.
There are so many things I want to do. I want to keep my job but have things on the side I can do to save money for my future and potentially have a early retirement so to speak, atleast from working at a regular job.
2 people like this
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
19 Jan 12
That's a good idea! Interpreting is something that is always needed...and, if you didn't want to do that full-time, I'm sure there are scenarios where people want to hire you for an occasion, an event, etc. without having a full-time position. Tutoring is also a good idea. I've often thought about offering math tutoring lessons, or even just volunteering at a school, etc. I love doing math so much that I think it would be fun, not to mention helping someone in need! 
Do you do a lot of crafts? I wonder if scrapbooking would be a good opportunity. I scrapbook as well, and I've also done cross-stitching and bead-working in the past. The only problem I see with crafts is that SO many people do it and try to sell their things, so the supply is saturated and the demand is low. Have you ever heard of the brand of bookmarks called Book Thongs? They are made of coarse black string with a small string of beads on both ends, and you mark your place in a book by putting the string between the pages while the beads hang out of both ends. Years ago I saw those being sold in bookstores, for $6.00 each, and I thought they were crazy. I went to work making them, and I can do them well. I've thought recently about selling them, but that would be about all that I would be selling. 
**Sigh.** Oh well. Thanks for your response and examples, and I wish you luck with the interpreting classes. I admire you for remembering the Spanish you know. I took three years of Spanish and can only put together sentences that have become more of an inside joke between friends and family because I now know so little. My favorite is randomly shouting, "Donde estas mis pantelones?!"
Do you do a lot of crafts? I wonder if scrapbooking would be a good opportunity. I scrapbook as well, and I've also done cross-stitching and bead-working in the past. The only problem I see with crafts is that SO many people do it and try to sell their things, so the supply is saturated and the demand is low. Have you ever heard of the brand of bookmarks called Book Thongs? They are made of coarse black string with a small string of beads on both ends, and you mark your place in a book by putting the string between the pages while the beads hang out of both ends. Years ago I saw those being sold in bookstores, for $6.00 each, and I thought they were crazy. I went to work making them, and I can do them well. I've thought recently about selling them, but that would be about all that I would be selling.
**Sigh.** Oh well. Thanks for your response and examples, and I wish you luck with the interpreting classes. I admire you for remembering the Spanish you know. I took three years of Spanish and can only put together sentences that have become more of an inside joke between friends and family because I now know so little. My favorite is randomly shouting, "Donde estas mis pantelones?!"1 person likes this
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
19 Jan 12
i am looking at a sure millionaire in the very near future!
As for me, i do sidelines as a choirsinger whenever we get gigs for weddings. I also do buy and sell.
2 people like this
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
19 Jan 12
A choir singer is one I haven't heard yet! Thank you for that. I wouldn't do so well in that area. What kinds of things do you buy and sell? Products, cars, houses?
As for a millionaire...that's actually something I don't want to be! More money=more stress and less awareness for the important, simple things in life...and I never want to lose that knowledge! I'd rather be poor and happy than rich and miserable.
Thanks again for your response and your addition of singing for a choir--singers, take note!
What kinds of things do you buy and sell? Products, cars, houses?
As for a millionaire...that's actually something I don't want to be! More money=more stress and less awareness for the important, simple things in life...and I never want to lose that knowledge! I'd rather be poor and happy than rich and miserable.
Thanks again for your response and your addition of singing for a choir--singers, take note! 1 person likes this
@lekhya (819)
• India
19 Jan 12
Gal you are multifaceted!smart!talented!good planner
You have many inbuilt talents,which ur smartly using to make money.Great going..
After reading that list of urs...i have nothing to say.I have become dumb.I do nothing...U are really extraordinary.Keep doing more things if u have time left.
Continue being smart...
2 people like this
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
19 Jan 12
Oh goodness...thank you. I don't know you but I'm pretty certain you aren't dumb. Each person has individual talents that are different than others, so I'm sure you have a skill or hobby that has money-making abilities that others don't have--including me.
Thank you for the compliments. That's what happens to a person who decides very young they're going their own way.
Thank you for the compliments. That's what happens to a person who decides very young they're going their own way. 1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
20 Jan 12
I do some crocheting and knitting on the side, but I don't do a lot of sidework anymore - between my regular job and my family commitments, I don't have much time.
I've done other things in the past, too, but I can't really think of any of them as being interesting.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
26 Jan 12
Mostly, I do what I like, sometimes it makes money, sometimes it does not, sometimes I loose money. All my bills are paid and I don't have to worry
Such things, include,
Buying and selling laptops and other computer tat
Fixing Computer
Renovating property
Caring for someone that cannot care for themselves
Tree-work
Gardening
Making peculiar things
Towing people out of mud
Buy and sell cars
and many other things
all the best urban
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
20 Jan 12
There are some very interesting replies to your discussion. I love photography and being creative, I have, and still do, make scrapbooks for people that either don't have the time or the creativity to do so. I did small scrapbooks for a girl's softball team, so I was at every game taking photos, and then did individual scrapbooks for each girl. I am currently working on a large scrapbook for a senior, that played football and wants to give it to his mom as a gift. I also started a business selling scrapbooking supplies, however, shortly after I started it,the wildfires in Texas broke out and we were so busy fighting fires, I didn't have any time to work at my business. I am hoping to work on it and really get it off the ground this year. And I would love to do more scrapbooks for people.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Aug 12
I am artist and I sell my paintings and my photomanipulations. That is my favourite way to earn extra money. I also make other things that I sell like greeting cards, decorated boxes and papercuts. I love to spend time on my art, but the money that I earn is limited, so I like to combine it with other activities. When I go for a walk in town I collect the empty bottles and cans that people have thrown in the streets and when I return them to the shops I get money. During the summer months when there are many empty cans or bottles I am sometimes able to earn between $10 and $20 per day. I also return the shopping carts to the shops. When you want to use a shopping cart you have to insert a coin (10 kr or 20 kr which is about 2 or 4 dollars) and when you return the shopping cart you get the money back. Sometimes people leave the shopping carts in the streets, when I see them I return them and pick up the money.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
4 Mar 12
I really don't have time to do as much as I would like to be doing on the side. Between my job, school, and kids, I am pretty busy.
During the slow season at work which is 5 days a week, I do housecleaning on the side. I have a few people that I do on a regular basis and some that just call every now and again. I have oil painted some customs based on request too for people. I haven't really tried to sell the ones I do on my own inspiration.
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
19 Jan 12
hi:)
wow you're a multi-tasker... nice!
well me mylot is the only paying website that I join in,as much as I want to work more I can't right now because I'm in college, so my time is on studying and doing things about school. but after I graduate I will also work for sure. until then I'm stock in studying.
1 person likes this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
19 Jan 12
I have been distributing, through Multi-Level Marketing, some products that actually save water. I also use those products to clean, shine, polish and protect cars as a detailer. I also use these products to do the same thing with our own cars.
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
20 Jan 12
I am retired so I try t make extra money bu putting together Native American crafts , selling them at pow wows (I am a "carded Native American Cheyenne). I also raise tropical fish. Not really making money by hoping to save money, I will be putting in an organic garden in the house that I am buying. There will be other things that i wil think of to either make money or save money in my new house.
@LLWolf (119)
• United States
19 Jan 12
Well, I help hubby with his business but I guess that would be a career so excluding that...My hobby is making hand tooled leather items, wallets, purses, etc. I sell the items once in awhile to family and friends. I like it because I get to be creative, it's kind of therapeutic and relaxing for me.
