10 Fun Ways to Make Extra Cash this Summer
I love the summertime – especially in the Southeast. The sun is out, flowers are blooming, and the temperature is perfect for outdoor activities. On top of that, the days are longer, meaning there are easy ways to make some extra cash. If you are looking for ways to boost your cash flow this season, you’re in the right place. The summer months are some of the best for earning extra income to tackle your financial goals, whether to pay down debt, invest in the future, or simply have some extra cash on hand for any impromptu adventures you want to take later in the year.
What type of work are you looking for?
One of the first jobs that comes to mind when thinking about summer work is being a lifeguard, which don’t get me wrong, is a pretty sweet gig if you can handle it. And according to the Wall Street Journal, it’s much easier this summer to find a gig as a lifeguard or an ice cream scooper than it is as an office intern. But it’s just a temp job – after the summer ends your income goes with it. When looking to make extra cash this summer, there are a few categories to consider.
Your main hustle:
A.k.a. your career. Pursue the next step in your career to boost your salary. Take on extra responsibilities, learn something new, or both. Think of it as planting a fruit tree. Most trees don’t bear fruit in their first season, but after laying down roots, they can produce fruit year after year. The same applies to your careers, there’s no guarantee that you’ll immediately reap the rewards, but if you put in the effort now, your future self will thank you.
Your side hustle:
From starting a business to driving for Uber to teaching a class at your local college, there are endless side hustles to consider. Use the extra daytime to start something new or improve on something you’re working on. For me, it’s all about helping other parents and parents-to-be in their financial situations. Whether it’s through helping them with their budgets, creating financial tools, or helping teach a class, it’s how I plan to use my time this summer. You could also check out greenbettingsites.ie.
Temporary and/or seasonal work:
This technically could fall under side hustles as well, but to me, a true side hustle is something that is built to last. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in pursuing temporary or seasonal work – it’s great for a quick influx of cash.
There’s no right or wrong answer at this stage. Take some time to reflect on what you want to pursue.
10 Fun Ways To Make Extra Cash This Summer:
Regardless of what you choose to do this summer to earn some extra money, make sure to have fun! We don’t have unlimited summers in our lives so make sure to take some time to enjoy them. Here are 10 fun ways to earn some extra cash this summer:
1. Drive for a rideshare company
Especially if you live in a city, driving for Uber and Lyft are still great ways to make some extra cash. The best part is that you make your own hours! The more you drive, the more that you can make.
2. Pet sitting and dog walking
Do you love spending time with animals? If so, you can get paid by watching other people’s animals while they are on vacation or at work. Companies such as Rover.com are connecting people daily with these services.
3. Lawn care and gardening
If you have a green thumb, consider sharing your talent with those in your community by helping them maintain their lawns and gardens. All for a fee of course. Consider working for a landscaping company or considering starting your own.
4. Event photography
The longer days and warm weather usually mean more events – think weddings, parties, and corporate events. All of which need photographers to capture the memories for their attendees.
5. Vacation rental host
Summertime equals vacation time! If you live in an area that attracts tourists, I’d highly recommend renting out a room or a property to earn some extra income. While Airbnb is the dominant player in the short-term rental industry, there are others to consider as well, including VRBO and Vacasa.
6. Fitness Instructor
If you’re in great shape and have the patience to help others improve themselves, consider working as a fitness instructor, either for a gym or on your own. Take your classes outdoors to take the experience to the next level. Choose whatever you have available locally, whether it’s a park, mountain, river, or beach (if you live by the coast).
7. Freelance
From writing to graphic design to tutoring, everyone has a skill that they can earn money freelancing with. Companies are looking for contract talent to outsource their problems to, if you can provide the solution, you can earn some serious cash. Additional popular freelance gigs include proofreading, virtual assistant, data entry, bookkeeping, and software development. My favorite obscure freelancing gig is a voiceover artist, which you can do for podcasts, video games, and even commercials.
8. Take surveys
If you only have a few minutes per day to earn some extra cash, consider taking surveys. While you won’t necessarily get rich from it, they are super easy to sign up and complete. UserTesting is a popular platform to consider. The average payout is roughly $10 per 20-minute video, meaning $30 per hour if you can stack a few together. Not a bad rate for giving your opinion.
9. Farm work or harvesting
This is one of my favorite and more obscure ways to make money in the summer. As with most industries, farming is also dealing with a labor shortage. This is especially true during the summer season when many farms are busy with planting and harvesting crops. If you want to get outdoors and learn some life skills along the way, call around to local farms to see if they’re looking for an extra set of hands.
10. Start a business
If you’ve always wanted to be your own boss, now’s the time to start a business! You’ll have control of your hours and will have the opportunity to build something of your own. Depending on what product or service you will offer will depend on how quickly you will generate revenue. A great summer business to make extra cash right away is to sell ice cream, especially if you live close to the coast. Make it yourself or purchase it wholesale and quickly turn a profit with this seasonal business. While there are many pros to starting a business, the laws can vary by state. Consult a tax and/or legal professional to learn more and determine what works best for you.
A final thought
Focus on what works best for you and your personal situation. Choose something and start today! If you don’t like it after a few months you can try something else, no pressure. For any extra cash you do make this summer, I’d encourage you to use a portion to invest in the future. Whether it’s for your future, or if you’re a parent, your children’s.
About The Author:
Today’s post was written by Jeremy, from Knocked-up Money. Jeremy is a FinTech marketer by day and a blogger by night. His blog focuses on helping parents and parents-to-be get a handle on their finances to pursue financial freedom and create generational wealth. As a parent with limited income, he’s always looking for ways to make extra money to invest in the future.
