Houston Bookkeeping Services Guide to Making Extra Money

We at B&J Houston Bookkeeping Services recently shared tips on how to spend money. But we thought a guide on how to make money would be just as useful. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics repots that about 20 million people in the country are working on a part time basis for “non-economic reasons.” This means that circumstances such as lack of childcare or tax restrictions on income are preventing them from working full-time. If you fall into this category or would like to earn some extra green, read our tips for how.

1. Sell Your Stuff

We all have a closet, drawer, and/or garage full of stuff we say we’re going to use. But let’s face it, we never are. Which means it’s basically just unused money that’s taking up space while possibly depreciating in value. Use the web to sell away. A few of the best bets for selling online include:

Next Door – This site and app are for literally every neighborhood in the country. Chances are yours is already on there. Simply join for free and post the stuff you would like to sale. You can do so by the app for Android or iPhone or on the site itself. It’s also a great place to buy, put out a call for services, and get news on anything else going on in your neighborhood. Best of all, there are no fees to sell.
Seller Central at Amazon – Does your item for sale have a bar code? Do you have more than a few things to sell? Then set up an account here to sell just about everything on this global giant. With a bar code, ISBN, UPC, or similar, the site will look up the item. It will then allow you to sell at your price and in various conditions. Restrictions are placed on some items. Amazon does take a cut, but you can see what it is before you sell.
Ebay – If your product is not available for sale on Amazon, chances are you will be able to sell it here. Ebay allows you to sell in an auction or “buy it now” setting. Fees also apply when selling here and they are bit more than the above choice. But if you only have a few items for sale that can easily be mailed, this is the choice for you.
Craigslist – Similar to Next Door, this site works for your whole city. But of course, who knows who is looking up your item for sale. A benefit of Craigslist is you can sell more obscure items your neighbors may not want. No fees apply either. But we recommend trying Next Door first.

2. Drive

Do you have a:
1. Car
2. Driver’s License
3. Insurance
4. Can fill out an application
5. A smart phone

Then you can be a driver for hire on a service like Uber or Lyft. Benefits include setting your own hours and clocking in and out whenever you feel like it. Of course, you and your car must be in the best of conditions.

3. Daycare

If child care is the main reason you can’t work full time, why not make child care your work? There are many opportunities to be found with your family and friends. If these connections are not fruitful, you can join a site like Care.com. It allows you to apply to be a babysitter, nanny, or even care for a senior.

4. Participate in Research

Did you know there are many companies just dying to pay for your opinion? If you’re the type who has one on everything (or even if you’re not), find a research company in your area and sign up. A good Houston bookkeeping services tip is to try Plaza Research. They can pay anywhere from $100 to $200 per study.

5. Coach

Do you have a special skill in sports, the arts, music, or similar talent? Why not give hourly lessons on your specialty to kids in your area? A decent coach can make $50 per hour, depending on their experience and talent. Try the aforementioned Next Door to get started.