Got big plans for the upcoming year that are just barely outside the reach of your budget? Looking for some extra spending money to fuel your vices? Don’t quit your day job. These seven companies help you work around your current schedule to make some extra money on the side.
Pick up a shift on
If you were a server or a bartender in college and you’re looking to get back out there to make some money and meet new people, Shiftgig might be just the thing you’ve been looking for. Through this Chicago-based company’s online platform, you can pick up one-off shifts at a range of restaurants, bars, and event venues whenever your schedule permits. If messing with food and drinks isn’t your thing, there are also lots of shifts for delivery drivers, security personnel and brand representatives.
Have access to a truck, van, SUV, or hatchback? Not afraid of getting your sweat on every once in a while? Consider schlepping big and awkwardly shaped items around for your neighbors in need. Schlep’s pricing is based on what kind of item needs moving, with couches going for around $60 apiece and larger items like air hockey tables going for $120. Schleppers get 80 percent of the moving fee, plus the entirety of whatever tip the customer chooses to give. So be nice.
Offer at-home beauty services with
Are you a licensed barber, massage therapist, cosmetologist, or some other kind of beauty professional? Pick up some extra business in your spare time without giving half of your proceeds to a salon. Launched just earlier this week, LISA connects beauty professionals with customers based on geolocation, so all you have to do is make yourself available and wait for customer requests to tick in. If you prefer planning your day out a little more in advance, there are options to take pre-scheduled appointments as well.
Rent out your car with
If you’ve got a car you don’t use every day, Getaround lets you rent it out for some extra cash to spend on whatever it is that you do when you aren’t driving. Drivers are pre-screened to ensure that their driving records are clean, and Getaround covers roadside assistance and insurance for up to $1 million. (If that won’t cut it to cover damage to your car, you probably don’t need the money anyway.)
Get cash for selfies with
Pay Your Selfie lets you capitalize on your selfie habit, paying you between 20 cents and $1 for pictures of yourself. The money comes from partner companies that assign achievements users can unlock with their selfies. For instance, PetCo might pay you a dollar for a picture with your pet, while Coca Cola could pay you for a picture of you enjoying a Coke. Some assignments are purely whimsical (“I woke up like this”). With payouts of only $20 at a time, Pay Your Selfie won’t exactly pay your rent, but then again — it’s not like you weren’t going to take those selfies anyway.
Rent out your crib with Airbnb
Many of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods are sorely lacking in hotel capacity. That’s bad news for people visiting Chicago, but good news for your wallet. To take Wicker Park as an example, rooms on Airbnb go for $50 to $90 a night, with some whole apartments going for as much as $200. So if you’ve got somewhere else to stay for a couple of nights, you could easily order takeout for your friends in return for their hospitality and still pocket a tidy sum toward next month’s rent.
Capitalize on your Instagram influence with
Got lots of Instagram followers? Popular Pays will put you in touch with brands willing to pay you to become an Instagram ambassador. In addition to making some cash on the side, many brands let you keep the products they send you free of charge — and who doesn’t like free stuff?
Images via Shutterstock, Shiftgig, Schlep, LISA, Getaround, Pay Your Selfie, Airbnb.
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