The secret to making money is not to work for a high fixed salary, but to find creative solutions to people's problems, and you don't need prestigious degrees to do that. To start working your brains, check out these common and uncommon methods of lining your pockets. Below this first section of ideas for earning, you will find more tips on how to manage your revenues and some ideas dedicated to younger readers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Money Making Ideas
Recycle a Product
Step 1. Buy used books at discounted prices
Install a scanner on your phone or PDA, scan the ISBN of books you find in thrift or book stores, then compare the store's book selling price to sites like Amazon or eBay. Whenever you find a good deal (which won't happen very often, but, as the process is pretty quick, it won't take too long either), buy the book from the store and resell it on the Internet. Try to be discreet, as the shop owners probably won't like what you're doing very much.
Step 2. Participate in auctions and local markets, negotiating on the price of items
If you have some knowledge in some particular fields (eg numismatics, collectibles, old famous magazines) or you simply have a good eye for things of value, often go to private auctions to find unexpected deals.
Step 3. Take part in police auctions
Unbelievable bargains can be found at these auctions, and while it may be difficult for you to resell a car involved in a serious crime, you may find extraordinarily cheap jewelry or items that someone else might be happy to buy.
Step 4. Restore ramshackle items and furniture to their former glory
If you have paint removers, sandpaper, stain removers, and a little familiarity with DIY and woodworking, you can buy worn furniture and rearrange it, then sell it at a much higher price.
Step 5. Collect unused lumber
Used pallets (also called pallets, i.e. wooden platforms used in warehouses and industries) and, in general, discarded pieces of wood can be found cheaply (if not free) and are easy to find. You can go in search of unused lumber to buy on construction sites, both construction and renovation, in boarding schools, college colleges or warehouses and then sand and / or heat it in a home-made dryer to make it look good as new. At this point, you can resell the lumber or even turn it into magnificent furniture. (make sure it is clear that the timber has been recycled and remediated, as people are often willing to pay a lot more for such products).
Step 6. Rearrange houses or apartments
If you are a (a) handyman with a good taste in design and some knowledge of what is important in building a house and have some resources that you are willing to put into play, consider buying, fixing and resell real estate. This, however, requires a considerable initial investment and, above all, elbow grease, but the profit can be very substantial.
Participate in Research
Step 1. Join discussion groups (or focus groups) in your area
The research you can participate in will be sporadic, but usually well paid - often even more than € 35 for an hour of your time. You can also look for focus groups online, but you will have to juggle self-styled "unique opportunities" and sites that require you to pay in advance to get the privilege of participating, before finding something legitimate and, above all, profitable enough.
Step 2. Participate in medical research
If you tremble at the very thought, know that the intensity of the effort required by these researches can vary greatly. Some studies require participants (especially those with particular medical conditions) to try medications or therapies that can have side effects, but others may ask participants to perform simple physical activities with no lasting effects. If you are in good health and sturdy build and you are close to paranoia to stay that way, you can also participate as a control "champion" in a study or research at a local research center.
Finding a Professional Outlet in the Art
Step 1. Sell photos.
If you have an acceptable quality camera and a good sense of light, color and composition, you can shoot and resell stock images with minimal effort - general images that lend themselves to many different uses and are commonly used as illustrations in products and articles found online. Stock photos of places and objects (a fire hydrant, a tree casting its shadow on a wall, or pretty much anything you think could make up your computer's background) are easier to do, however stock photos that portray people (for example a man and a woman who are arguing, or kissing, or perhaps a group of friends laughing) are sold at higher prices, since they have a wider range of uses and require consent to the written use of the subjects portraits. Do your research and contact a reputable stock photo dealer or known archive (including online) before making a commitment to someone.
Step 2. Be an image designer on the web
By combining good aesthetic taste with the ability to design or use an image editing program, you can create and sell background graphics for commercial or social media sites, logos for websites, or icon packs for software and data. If you have knowledge of, or are willing to learn, computer programming, seriously consider building pages and websites. Programmers can be found easily, but programmers who also have an eye for beauty and style are another story altogether.
Step 3. Create and sell handicrafts
If you're also good enough with your hands, consider selling your work on sites like Etsy. While more money can be made with more elaborate designs (e.g. a fine wood carving), even less demanding jobs from a practical point of view can earn you well, if you are willing to produce them in relatively large quantities. Who knows, maybe, if it goes well, you might even be inspired to the point of opening a real shop or starting a company !.
Participate in Market Research
Step 1. Become a mystery shopper
A mystery shopper (in practice, an undercover customer) buys products or interacts with various commercial activities, evaluating the goods or services without their knowledge. It sounds easy, but remember that you need some discretion, a good memory for details (for example, remembering the name of every salesperson who has served or helped you), and enough money to allow you to prepay for products or services. services to evaluate and then wait to be refunded until your review has been approved.
Step 2. Write reviews of commercial products
You know when you say "This is my opinion, for what it's worth"? Well, for some traders your opinion is worth gold! Writing product reviews is a great way to get paid for your reviews, and it also doesn't require the advanced skills that are needed in many other writing jobs.
Step 3. Take part in online surveys
Although tedious, online surveys and questionnaires are often quick and painless, and the gains, small when taken individually, add up quickly.
Follow your Passion
Step 1. Open a website or blog
True, the competition in the world of the Internet is fierce, but one thing that can make a good site or blog soar in the sea of the global network is the dedication and enthusiasm of its author. There are a lot of sites that focus too much on search engine optimization and keyword optimization, and although SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is definitely needed to help you get your material to produce a profit, immersing yourself in a field that truly fascinates you will allow you to differentiate yourself from those competitors who stuff their material with superfluous things.
Step 2. Open a small business
Having a passion for what you do usually translates into a higher quality of products and services, particularly sought after in modern times of anonymous and one-minute reviews. Do you think there is no market for the things that interest you? You have to consider that, regardless of the fact that you may not know many people interested in what you would have to offer, thanks to the Internet, today there is a huge market for niche products (pigeon nappies, wedding chain mails and much more …) and you could blow up a new fashion. To create an online store, you can build your own site or, if you don't want to host it yourself, you can rely on eBay or another similar site.
Do chores
Step 1. Dog-sit
Bringing a few dogs to the park every week is a good way to have fun, get some exercise and even new acquaintances, all while earning some money.
Step 2. Be a gardener
Look for chores where you are asked to weed, mow the lawn, or chop wood, some may even get you regular customers. This can also save you money: if you are tasked with collecting pine needles, for example, you can use them to mulch your roses, which will appreciate their acidity and their weed-killing effect on unwanted plants; if you are commissioned to cut and remove a fallen tree, use the wood to warm yourself in the following winter.
Step 3. Run errands on behalf of the elders
Contact a local church or service center to get in touch with people who need help getting groceries home, cleaning gutters, or going to the post office. At the same time, you could make some sincere friends!
Step 4. Look for jobs on the Internet
Check Craigslist, Fiverr, or Zaarly for interesting or unusual jobs.
Use Money Making Apps
Step 1. GigWalk:
this iPhone app allows you to collaborate with companies and businesses that offer opportunities to do small jobs for money. Jobs can consist of anything from being a mystery shopper, or making small deliveries, to testing other apps or taking photos. To use it, simply install the app, create a profile and start looking for opportunities in your area.
Step 2. WeReward:
this app for iPhone and Android allows you to complete small tasks (eg take a picture of yourself with your favorite drink, or with what you ordered in a new place) in exchange for points that can be converted into cash. While the payout (per assignment) is low, there are millions of participating businesses around the world and points can accumulate quickly. Location-based assignments will work best for you if you already have a fairly active lifestyle and therefore don't need to strain to go out drinking / eating out every day.
Step 3. CheckPoints:
this app for iPhone and Android allows you to go to the shops and scan products for points, which can then be used for rewards. This is a convenient way to make some money while shopping, but it should be noted that the rewards are themselves products or coupons / gift certificates, so not cash.
Selling the things you find in the environment
Step 1. If you have a manzanita plant (quite rare in Europe), you can prune it, dry the twigs and sell them online
In some countries, they are widely used in home-made decorations and crafts. In fact, many items that you may not notice are ordered by mail or over the Internet by people who live in places where they do not have access to certain goods.
Step 2. If you have a willow tree with winding branches, you can prune it, dry the branches and sell them online to artisans or at a local florist, in fact they are commonly used as decorations in bouquets
Step 3. If you have a pine, you can sell the pine cones that invade your garden every fall
Those that are particularly large or long can become beautiful Christmas decorations, especially with the simple and fun addition of a bow.
Step 4. If you live near the sea, you can sell the wood brought ashore by the waves, which can be used for its common uses, or as decoration in saltwater aquariums, if the pieces are large and dense enough
Step 5. If you have a pond, you can collect the cattails (also called stiance or mazzasorde in some Italian regions) and dry them before the lint begins to peel off, and then sell them as bouquet decorations (or even, if collected together, as bouquet themselves)
You can also differentiate yourself and sell small quantities of water lilies, water hyacinths, azoles, or any other plants that are working hard to take over your pond and should still be eliminated.
Step 6. If you have a mistletoe covered plant, you can cut the sprigs of the mistletoe, tie them with a ribbon and turn them into lively decorations to sell during the holiday season
Step 7. If you are selling something you know, or can certify, that has not been chemically treated, you can also advertise it as an organic product, which may spark more interest, allowing you to increase the price
Step 8. If you don't have any of these resources available, you can get paid to collect them from other people
There are many people who would gladly hire someone to clear the lawn of pine cones or dive into the pond and clear the forest of water lilies that has grown in it, which means you can make money by both harvesting and selling your produce.
Passive Money Making
Step 1. Become a walking advertisement
"Pack" your car in an advertisement, take your usual drive and get paid a certain amount a month to do it (some people, who use this method in San Francisco, even make $ 400 a month, but of course this figure varies depending on how big the city you live or work in and the time or time you make your commute). You can also get paid to wear a t-shirt with a brand or business logo on the go (particularly if you wear it in a place where it can stand out, such as at school, an example can be found on ShirtsInSchools. com).
Step 2. Rent a space
If you have a free room, an unused parking place, a private driveway in an area of the city where many cars stop, or maybe an empty space that you wouldn't mind seeing transformed into a garden or an urban vegetable garden, rent your space and enjoy an extra monthly paycheck.
Step 3. Try affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is about promoting someone else's products or services for money, but without actually owning the merchandise. There are many ways of putting affiliate marketing into your website / blog / page, including banner ads (which are generally ineffective, as people find them annoying and tend to block them at source with programs, plugins or add-ons like AdBlock), related articles (which are quite effective, if the link is well positioned and the content of the article is interesting and not received as spam) and product placement videos (which can be particularly effective when done by someone with a certain charisma or a good sense of humor). You can become an affiliate marketer even if you don't own a site. Among the basic methods of making money with affiliate marketing, there are:
- Cost-per-click: You are credited with a small amount of money every time someone, clicking on a link in your material, arrives at your affiliate's commercial site. Great for material and sites that generate a high volume of traffic.
- Cost-per-lead: You are credited with a slightly higher sum each time someone signs up or completes a form on the affiliate's site thanks to your material.
- Cost-per-acquisition: you are credited with a commission (fixed or percentage) every time someone buys from the affiliate thanks to your material. Great for specialized, high-quality content.
Make Money Fast
Step 1. Sell CDs and / or DVDs
Save your movie and music collection to a computer or external hard drive, then sell the original discs. You will be able to make money quickly and, at the same time, free up space in the house. If you have collections of a certain value (caskets / box sets, limited editions, etc.), sell them individually according to their value; as for the rest, it is a good idea to sell your records at a very fair price (remember that your potential customers can also buy the individual songs they want instantly, downloading them for € 1 or less each). Even at a price of € 3 per disc, with a sizable collection of CDs you can rake in a certain amount.
Step 2. Sell your hair, plasma or other fluids or body parts
Long, healthy and natural hair (i.e., undyed) can be used for a wide variety of functions (e.g. in wigs and extensions) and can be sold for hundreds to thousands of dollars. euro, depending on the color, health of the hair and its length. In some countries (not in Italy), it is possible to "donate" plasma in exchange for cash, provided you meet the necessary age, health and weight requirements. Sperm donation is possible, but it is usually necessary to communicate (and certify) a certain amount of information about your parents, as well as your medical history, in order to be eligible. In any case, be cautious; for example, female egg donation is often presented as a quick and high-profit medical procedure, but in reality the process requires the donor to undergo specific medical and hormonal treatments, have regular checkups and ultrasound examinations, and refrain from sexual intercourse and alcohol, and all this for several weeks or even months, before the eggs are even considered suitable for extraction. The extraction process is invasive and takes approximately 30 minutes. Ponder and weigh your alternatives very carefully before making such a commitment.
Step 3. Read the article How to Make Money Quickly for some more ideas
Method 2 of 3: Common Economic Sense Rules To Be Faithful To
Step 1. Use the law of supply and demand to your advantage
Most of us know what is meant by the "law of supply and demand": the greater the availability of a good, the lower the price of it; conversely, the less accessible the product or service is, the higher its price will be. However, except for the rising at dawn aimed at grabbing a good seat in line for the assault on the toy or electronics store on the occasion of the release of a new coveted new generation product (which will often stop being such in the a few days), we generally don't apply the law of supply and demand very well to our lives - specifically, to our careers. For example, if you aspire to do a job that many, many other people want to do (so many that some even do it for free, as a hobby), then it will be much more difficult for you to make money doing it. On the other hand, if instead you do something that most people don't want to do, or if you become very good at doing something that others don't do so well, then you can make a lot more money. In other words, choose a career in pharmacy or chemistry, rather than photography.
Step 2. If your career choice is getting you nowhere, elegantly resign and change professions
Research possible positions to find out how much they allow you to earn and what career prospects they have. Find a well-paying job and invest in the education and / or training needed to get that job. Look for employers who offer competitive wages and ample opportunities for advancement.
Step 3. If your goal is to accumulate enough money to retire early, prioritize jobs with the highest earning potential, rather than the funniest and most rewarding ones, as you plan to retire from work anyway. relatively quickly
Consider the types of jobs that have very high payouts in exchange for high commitment, little stimulation and psychological fulfillment, and a very heavy lifestyle, such as an investment bank, sales or engineering job. If you manage to keep your expenses down and go on like this for about 10 years, you can set aside a nest egg to support yourself with a modest but very early retirement, or to support your income while doing something you really like but don't do. much. Remember, however, that deferred gratification only works well if accompanied by great willpower and a good ability to set clear goals.
Step 4. Understand that time is money
This fundamental maxim is attributed to Bejamin Franklin, who was a successful inventor, journalist, publisher, diplomat and statesman - the ultimate multitasker. Your ability to manage your time and stop procrastinating plays an essential role in your ability to make money. Whether you are an employee or a freelancer, keep track of how you use your time. Always ask yourself, "Which of these activities bring the most profit, and which ones are a waste of time?". Focus on the former and forget the latter, it's very simple. When you need to focus on high-priority tasks, get the job done right and get it done quickly. By working efficiently, you will give your superiors or clients more time to manage their schedules, and they will appreciate you for it. Remember that time is a limited resource that you have to invest continuously. Will your investments pay off?
Step 5. Raise your rates
If you are providing services, products or skills that have high demand but low supply, and you are doing it for most of your working time, you should have more than good returns. Unfortunately, there are many people who are too humble or too little courageous to expect to be paid according to the level of their work. It is the good-natured poor who are exploited in life and people take advantage of, so if you think you fall into this category, learn to stop being the one who wants to please everyone. If you work for someone else and find your skills really useful and uncommon, ask for a raise or promotion, and if neither request goes through, reconsider your career options as described earlier in this article. If you are self-employed, the first thing to do is make sure your customers' payments are on time - that alone can increase your income considerably. Compare your prices and rates with those of the competition - are you beating them down? And why? If you are providing a superior service or product, you should ask for the average price at a minimum, unless your income is from mass production, in which case you would probably already be making a lot of money and would not need to read this. item!
Step 6. Be proactive
Remember Murphy's Law: "If something can go wrong, it will." Plan and create strategies, complete with all possible calculations, then try to anticipate any negative events that might happen. At this point, create contingency or backup plans for each possible scenario. Not leaving anything to chance. If you are drafting a business plan, for example, try to predict as accurately as possible at what point you will break even, then multiply that time by a factor of 3 to get a more realistic date; finally, after you have identified all the expenses of the project, add 20% to that figure for unexpected expenses or those that you had not taken into account. Your best defense against Murphy's Law is to always assume the worst and prepare for his arrival. Protecting yourself adequately with insurance might be an idea worth considering. Do not forget the advice of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist who made many important discoveries in the field of biology and disease prevention: "Fortune favors the prepared mind".
Step 7. Redefine the concept of wealth
If you study the lives of millionaires, people are surprised that most millionaires are not doctors, lawyers and presidents or owners of large corporations with luxurious homes and sports cars: they are people who live strictly below their own. economic possibilities and invest the surplus in availability, rather than in liabilities. As you multiply your earnings by applying the advice given above in the article, keep in mind that higher income doesn't necessarily mean greater wealth. Most people who flaunt their wealth actually have low net worth, as they have a high debt-to-income ratio - in other words, they owe others a lot more money than they actually have. All the previous tips have described aggressive money making strategies, but you won't go anywhere if you have a hole in your wallet.
Step 8. A penny saved is said to be a penny earned
In reality, when you consider that you have to pay taxes on every penny you make, you actually make more money by saving than by increasing your income, especially if that extra income results in a significant increase in the rate. For example, let's say you can choose between saving $ 100 and earning an extra $ 100. If you pay 15% tax, then when you make € 100, you only put € 85 in your pocket. However, if you save € 100 from your existing income or budget, you can keep it all. If this wasn't interesting enough, consider that if you take advantage of the compound interest, used in most deposit accounts, over time you can start making money with the interest on the deposit, plus the previous interest received on the saved portion. At first it will be small change, but over time the interest value will increase exponentially.
Step 9. Use tax law to your advantage if you are self-employed
The money saved from taxes is still money saved. You may be entitled to deduct many of your business expenses from taxes (car use, home use, stationery, etc.) if you keep your books in order. It is also possible that you are entitled to a tax break, such as the deduction of a percentage of your health insurance premium from your tax return. Tax breaks exist for new businesses to stimulate trade and business growth, so take advantage of their benefits, especially if you want to make money.
Step 10. If you are not self-employed and are employed by a company, find out if there is a company pension fund
In Italy they are not very common, but, if you are lucky, in some cases the employer will pay supplementary contributions, proportional to yours, into the pension fund. Furthermore, pension funds often have the advantage of being subject to deferred taxes. The longer you can keep your money on deposit (and earn interest), the better. It is never too early to start making plans for your retirement.
Step 11. Learn the difference between assets (availability) and liabilities (liabilities)
The distinction is that the former puts money in your wallet, the latter takes it out. As much as you may love your home, for example, it is more of a liability than an availability, as you spend more money on it than you generally take out (unless you are arranging it to resell it for a higher price or is renting it to someone). Whatever you put aside, invest it in assets such as stocks, stocks, mutual funds, patents, copyrighted material - anything that generates interest or royalties. Over time, you may get to a point where all of your assets generate enough income without you lifting a finger and all you have to do is sit back and count the bills!
Step 12. Watch out for inflation
Inflation can slowly destroy the value of your assets. Who hasn't heard an elder describe the purchasing power of a dime in his day? Inflation continues to decrease the purchasing power of money, so its value drops over time. To win the race against inflation and against time, learn to invest your money in the right things. A deposit account can help you fight inflation; however, to beat it, you need to invest in bonds, equities or some other fund or asset that offers a return above the average inflation rate (around 3% in 2012).
Method 3 of 3: Make Money Like Kids
Step 1. Ask your parents if they would be willing to pay you to do more chores around the house
You probably already have some small tasks at home to tidy up and help your family (for free). But if you need some extra bucks, you can ask your parents if there is anything else you can do for a small fee. For example, maybe your mom really doesn't like folding laundry and might be willing to give you $ 5 a week to do it for her. Whatever you want to do, let your parents know that you are willing to take on a few more tasks in exchange for a small pocket money.
Step 2. Make sure you are able to do the job you agreed to take on well
If you know your parents prefer a job to be done a certain way, don't do the bare minimum - do it right, they may be so happy that they decide to pay you more in the future!
Step 3. Ask your parents to open a small stall to sell old toys, books, comics, candy, or something else
Here are some tips to get you started:
Step 4. Offer something that is appropriate for the climate
Cold drinks or popsicles are better on a hot day than when it's raining. If it's too cold or not a happy day to conduct business on the street, wait until the weather is better.
Step 5. Keep expenses low
A great way to keep spending low is to spend nothing and sell things you have but no longer use, such as old books and toys that you don't care about. You can also buy candy from a store and resell it for a slightly higher price. Another alternative is to sell sodas, popsicles or ice cream, but you have to remember to keep them cool!
Step 6. Open your stall in a public space
You can position yourself on a sidewalk, in a public park, or another area that is not private property. This way you will avoid problems of possible property violations, but remember that in some places, especially in the city, you may still need to apply for a permit to sell things.
Step 7. Advertise your prices
Take a large sheet of paper or a piece of cardboard and write down what you are selling and how much each item costs. For example, you could write "COMICS, 0, 50 €". Sell your things at an honest price, choosing an amount that you would be willing to pay yourself in exchange for what you sell; if unsure, ask your parents or another trustworthy adult.
Step 8. Choose a safe place to put your money
Look for a safe, purse, wallet, or envelope in which to collect your earnings and keep them safe.
Step 9. Do some chores for the neighbors
Mowing the lawn, babysitting, raking leaves, shoveling snow, washing the car and bathing pets are all examples of tasks that many people would gladly let someone else do for a reasonable fee. If you know how to do some of these things and have some free time, knock on the doors of the neighbors you know best, or your relatives, and offer them your services.
Step 10. Work only for people you or your parents know well; never work for strangers
Step 11. Be reliable and trustworthy
People like to know that they can trust anyone who is with their child or who is working in their home, and they may even be willing to pay a little extra for this peace of mind. Be good and honest at all times, and don't steal or cause trouble; these qualities will earn you adult trust and pay off in the future.
Step 12. Be willing to negotiate
There may be two neighbors who need help raking leaves, but one is willing to pay you € 5 a week, while the other would only pay you € 3. If the neighbor who is willing to pay you the least is elderly, has a modest pension or salary, is disabled or in financial difficulty, consider accepting the lowest pay in order to build a clientele. Remember, that person who pays you less may be recommending your services to someone else who is willing to pay you more.
Advice
- Save your money. All those extra earnings won't do you any good if you squander them in a few days.
- Prioritize paying off any debt you have incurred. When you have a big debt on your shoulders, you are making someone else's fortune; what you pay in interest ends up in its income. The sooner you pay back your loans and debts, the sooner you stop giving away your money around.
- Start analyzing your decisions from a business perspective. In economics, a company's goal is simply to maximize profits. Well-managed companies only spend money if they can expect a greater return from their investment, and allocate resources where they can be most useful and fruitful. Obviously you are not a large company and you have other considerations and factors to take into account, but if you make most of your choices regarding the use of time and money, weighing the right alternatives based on the prospect of maximum return on investment, you will likely be able to make more money, and this would be great news for all the shareholders in your business (i.e. you and your family)!
Warnings
- Don't trust the many self-styled methods that promise to get you rich fast! There are still millions of people falling for it. If it's too good to be true, then it must be false. People who really know how to get rich are too busy getting rich. They don't go around advertising ways to get rich.
- Don't lose sight of what's really important as you pursue your dreams of wealth. Sure, you could make more money if you worked harder, but then, would you and your family have time to enjoy them? There are many things you can do with money, but it is useless to wear yourself out if you are too close to the pit to use it - are you hoping to take it underground?
