5 Clever Ways to Make Money Online in Your Spare Time

We all have our own past times. Some people prefer to spend time outdoors while others prefer to nap and rejuvenate after a long day. Most of us spend our spare time online browsing social media, catching up on the news, and watching videos. What if it was possible for you to cash in on your spare time?

While you may think the only way to make money is to pick up a second job, this couldn’t be any further from the truth! There are all sorts of ways to make money online in your spare time. This means you don’t have to dedicate any extra time or effort, especially since you likely already spend hours a day online.

Keep reading to learn about 5 clever ways to make money online.

  1. Become a Freelancer

Ever wanted to be your own boss, even if for just a few hours a week? With more and more people turning to remote and at-home work, working for yourself can be your new reality. A growing number of companies are outsourcing work, which opens all sorts of opportunities for remote positions.

Freelancing is a wide open field, and chances are that you have a skill that’s in demand. Companies are always looking for freelance writers, authors, editors, photographers, and transcribers. There are also remote positions for customer service representatives and even virtual assistants.

As a freelancer, you have control over the hours you work, how often, and how long you work. What’s even nicer about freelance gigs is that they can easily turn from a part-time into a full-time gig.

  1. Sell Things

Spring and summer may be the time for yard sales and spring cleaning, but the internet makes it so that you can sell items all year round. If you’re tired of boxes of old stuff cluttering your home, now is a good time to sell! Websites like eBay and Craigslist along with apps like OfferUp make selling your unused items a breeze.

Online you can sell all sorts of items including clothes, shoes, baby items, household items, collectibles, and even cars. The options are truly endless, and in turn, you can declutter your home while making money. A true win/win!

  1. Take Paid Surveys

Thanks to the internet and consumer research, sharing your opinion can earn you some cold hard cash! Taking online paid surveys is a quick way to earn some extra cash during the time you spend online. While you won’t make a lot of money, you can easily make an extra $50 a month, which can be used towards paying off a bill, groceries, or to buy a new pair of shoes that you’ve been eyeing.

Getting started is easy. All you have to do is sign up and become a member of a few paid survey sites. Some of the best survey sites for money include:

  • Swagbucks
  • Survey Junkie
  • Inbox Dollars
  • MyPoints

Once you’ve joined, you’ll fill out a quick profile about yourself and you’ll be matched with surveys that you qualify for. Most surveys take less than 5 minutes to complete, and once submitted, you’ll be on your way to earning!

On average surveys pay $0.25 to $5.00, though longer surveys on certain paid survey sites can pay up to $50. If you dedicate enough time to taking surveys, you can cash in on your daily internet time.

  1. Become a Tutor

Gone are the days of in class and after school tutoring. With the internet students all over the globe have access to thousands of tutors. If you’ve got spare time and have a teaching degree or certification, consider becoming a tutor. No matter if you excel in math, science, or English, surely there’s a student out there looking to improve their grades and ace upcoming tests.

As an online tutor, you’ll typically need to dedicate at least 5 hours a week. The benefit is that you’re in complete control over how many students you have. You can also pick which days and hours that you work. Online tutors typically make at least $10/hour; not a bad salary for a part-time and highly flexible gig!

  1. Start a Blog

Chances are that you have a few blogs that you check out on a routine basis. Wouldn’t it be cool if you had your own blog with your own fan base? No matter if you’re a makeup guru or want to share your travel and outdoor adventures, starting a blog can be a fun and effective way to make money.

The key to running a successful blog is to be unique and to engage with your readers. Unless your blog falls into a super special niche, you’ll need to create content that stands out. It’s also just as important to engage with those who visit your blog by responding to comments and asking for input.

To monetize your blog you can use money-making options such as ads and affiliate links. You could also consider guest posting on other blogs to increase your visibility, which increases your income.

These days cashing in on your spare time is even easier than ever. From paid online surveys to freelancing, there are all sorts of opportunities for people to make money. If you already spend hours online each day, you’re in the right position to start turning your downtime into cold hard cash.