Finding Ways To Make Extra Cash - How Far Will You Go?

Nowadays, who isn’t looking for ways to earn some extra cash?  Whether you need some to pay off some debts, pay the bills, need gas money, or want that extra spending money…one way or another there is always a reason you need money and are looking for a way to make a quick buck.

As a stay-at-home mom, I am always looking for ways in which I can help support my family.  While checking out some ideas, I came across this article last night that caught my attention on Yahoo! Finance called “American Hustlers: Finding Ways to Make Extra Cash”.  As I read through some of the ways these people earned their cash, I wondered several things.

Really, how does one become a Mystery Shopper?  Sounds like a lot of fun and simple thing to do.  According to the article, “It's the easiest $20 to $30 you can make.” 

All one woman did was show up at a store, observe and note the condition of the store, and go about once a week.  She also goes to another place, Dairy Queen, where she gets to eat and get paid.  I’m thinking that this is something that is worthwhile looking into.   The only problem is watching out for the scams that are out there, I understand.  So how do you tell the difference between what is a true company and what is a scam with all the darn scams going on nowadays?

How accurate is the money that is really quoted in these articles?  It really does sound like some pretty decent money and not too bad for what you are doing in most cases....right?

Of course, I’m sure many of you know you can sell stuff on Ebay or Craigslist.  I know people that have done it, although I never have.  I guess I should’ve taken the stuff I got rid of out of my basement and tried sell it on Ebay or at a clothing exchange place.  Instead, I choose to doate all of my no longer needed things when I cleaned out the basement.  Maybe after my next cleaning spree, I can make some money on my unused items.  But hey, you never know what you will come across so when cleaning around the house so keep those Web sites in mind as a great option to make a quick buck. 

I have to say the next thing that caught my attention on Yahoo! Finance in the article “American Hustlers: Finding Ways to Make Extra Cash” is a woman named Monique Harps who donates plasma - I was in awe!  She does it twice a week and gets paid $55 each time (and it is going up to $60 in September, according to the article.)  Ms. Harps said in the article “For me, it's just for the money.  I've been trying to pay down my debt. I had $105,000 in student loans, but now I'm down to $36,000. I'll stop donating once all the debts are paid.”  Wow is all I can say!  That’s a lot of donating.  With my luck, I would donate then a family member would need it. I don’t know if I would be willing to do that.

How about you?  At what point would you be willing or not willing to do something to make some extra cash.

Additional Ways to Earn Money

• Babysitting – Many parents today, even stay-at-home moms need a break every once in awhile and are looking for babysitters.
• Yard Sale - Yard sales are a great way to turn your clutter into cash. If you don’t have a lot of stuff to sell, round up your neighbors and see if you can round up enough stuff for a community yard sale.  The advertisement will help to bring in more people too.
• Participate in focus groups - Do a search for local focus groups and you might be able to score some easy cash if you qualify.  It just requires you doing the leg work but the end result might be worth it.  I haven’t been called in to do focus groups yet but my sister has participated in them.
• Participate in paid online surveys – Be careful when it comes to online surveys.  I understand that there are lots of surveys that are not worth the time.  Others are more difficult to get into and are not always accepting people.  I have been able to do participate in surveys from Toluna and  Pinecone Research had a positive experience with them.  They have tons of surveys for you to take part in.
• Put advertising on your car - If you do a lot of driving, especially on highways and in very crowded areas, you could consider getting your car wrapped.  Advertisers will pay a few hundred bucks a month to get your car draped in their logo, colors, everything.  I have gotten the advertisements in the mail at my house and my husband has said something to me before about it and I thought about it for a couple seconds then said, “This is crazy.”  But I see it all the time on the road.  Easy, yes, but too crazy for me.  I guess I’m not desperate enough for this one yet.  Again, goes back to how far are you willing to go to earn money.  I guess it depends on how much do you need the cash.