Strapped for Cash? 7 Surprising Ways You Can Earn Money Around the Home

If you're looking for ways to earn some extra cash, you might think that a part-time job or freelance gig is the only way. However, you'd be surprised at the number of things you have lying around your home that could potentially make you money.

Whether it's old clothes, electronics, or even plants, there are plenty of ways you can earn money without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. 

In this post, we'll explore some of the most surprising ways you can make money around your home.

Rent Out Your Parking Space

If you live in a busy area with limited parking space, you could earn some extra cash by renting out your driveway or parking spot. Some websites allow homeowners to list their parking spaces for rent, which drivers can then search and book online. 

Depending on the location, you could earn anywhere from a few extra dollars a week to hundreds of dollars a month.

In addition to renting out your parking space, it's important to keep it well-maintained. Make sure the area is always free of debris and that you have clear signage indicating that the space is available for rent. This will help you attract customers and ensure a smooth rental experience. 

Additionally, providing renters with easy access to the space (such as a keyless entry system) can greatly increase customer satisfaction.

Finally, be sure to check with local authorities to ensure you are compliant with any applicable regulations. These simple steps will help ensure your parking space rental is as successful and profitable as possible!

Sell Your Old Clothes

If you're looking to declutter your closet, consider selling your unwanted clothes online. Many websites allow you to sell your clothes to others, either for a fixed price or through an auction-style bidding process. 

You can make a surprising amount of money selling clothes, especially if you have designer items or pieces that are still in good condition.

Rent Out Your Outdoor Space for Events

If you have a large backyard or outdoor space, you could earn money by renting it out for events like weddings, birthday parties, or even fitness classes. 

There are websites that allow homeowners to list their spaces for rent, and you can set your own prices and availability. Depending on the size and location of your outdoor space, you could earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per event.

To maximize the potential of your outdoor event space, you may want to consider investing in a few amenities. For example, portable furniture like chairs and tables can be helpful for hosting parties or dinners. 

If your space is large enough, you may also want to invest in lighting fixtures such as string lights or a stage. These things will help make your space more inviting and appealing to potential renters. 

You can take your outdoor event space from ordinary to extraordinary with just a few simple upgrades!

Sell That Old Scrap Car

If you have an old car that's been sitting around gathering dust, it may be time to sell it. Many scrap yards, such as Texas Junk Car Buyer, will pay good money for cars that are no longer running, as the parts can be reused or recycled. 

Scrap yards usually pay by weight, so the amount you get will depend on the size and type of car. It's also a great way to get rid of a car without having to pay for expensive repairs.

Sell Your Unwanted Electronics

If you have old electronics lying around your home, like laptops, smartphones, or gaming consoles, consider selling them for cash. 

Many websites will buy your old electronics from you and pay you in cash or gift cards. You could earn a surprising amount of money by selling your old devices, especially if they're still in good working condition.

Once electronic devices have been used for a few years, they can start to wear down and become unreliable. If you're considering selling an older model of a device, it may be wise to do some research first. 

Generally speaking, anything over five years old is likely too outdated to be resold in today's market.

It's important to check the specs before attempting to sell your device, as this will help you determine the true value of it. 

Additionally, it may be beneficial to look up similar devices online and compare prices before making a decision. This way, you can ensure that you get the best price for your unwanted electronics.

Grow and Sell Plants

If you have a green thumb, consider growing and selling plants from your home. You can sell plants online or even set up a roadside stand to sell them locally. 

Depending on the type of plants you're growing and the demand in your area, you could earn a decent amount of money from this side hustle.

Host a Garage Sale

This is a classic way to declutter your home and make some extra money. Go through your closets, garage, or basement and gather all unnecessary items that you no longer use. 

On a Saturday morning, post signs in your neighborhood advertising that you're hosting a garage sale. It's an excellent way to get rid of excess clutter and still make money.

There are plenty of surprising ways you can earn money around your home, from renting out parking spaces to selling your unwanted clothes and electronics. 

By taking a closer look at the things you have lying around your home, you could potentially earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars without ever leaving your house. 

So if you're looking to earn some extra cash, consider giving these home-based money-making ideas a try!

Got a Raise? What Should You Do With Your New Base Pay?

If you’ve gotten a raise recently, you’re probably wondering about how you should spend your newfound cash. You want to be responsible with your money.

At the same time, you likely feel like splurging a bit. The key to navigating your new income lies in knowing when to spend your money and when to save it and why. 

Here are some tips.

Savings

Your savings account acts as a buffer between you and life’s vagaries. You never know when you might lose your job or experience a serious illness. Having money in savings allows you to better weather these situations. Up to 20% of your paycheck should go towards savings.

Pay Down or Pay Off Your Debt

The more money you have to pay out in debt every month, the less you have to put toward your savings, retirement, and even an occasional night out. When you get a raise, you have an opportunity to put more money into your debt.

While this may be a drag in the short run, it’ll be your ultimate freedom in the long run. Debt ties up your money and offers you no return in the process. In fact, it usually costs you in interest. Your raise allows you to put more toward your debt, freeing you from its trap a lot sooner.

Level Up Your Living Arrangements

Having more money gives you more options when it comes to living arrangements, including leveling up. However, it’s important to level up consciously, so that you’re also living strategically.

For example, take luxury apartments. If you’re a designer or an architect who designs high-end homes and apartments, where you live could have big career implications. You need to demonstrate your talents in this field. 

Your living space is one way to do it. If your higher income allows you to spend in a way that actually makes you more money in the end, then it’s worth spending a bit of money to make a little (or a lot) extra in the long run.

Get Out of Town

If you’ve gotten a raise, then it’s likely that you’ve worked very hard to get to where you are. Getting out of town for a few days or even a week or two offers you a practical and relaxing way to enjoy some of your newfound wealth. 

Some time away allows you to recharge your batteries and gives you a fresh perspective, which will ultimately help you in your work life once you return home from your vacation.

Getting a raise represents only half your monetary equation. You must also know what to do with your new influx of money. The key to being responsible for your newly acquired cash is to spend it in a balanced way.

Want to Rent Your Home for Extra Cash? 4 Ways to Let Your Property Run Itself

Renting out your home can be an excellent way to make some extra money, but that type of project could become quite stressful if you aren’t careful. Luckily, with a few basic upgrades and some professional help, your property could practically run itself.

Hire a Property Manager

There are quite a few reasons why many landlords decide to hire property managers. In addition to limiting their risk of high tenant turnover, an experienced property manager can also minimize the amount of time that they need to spend on each piece of property. 

Those professionals can be hired to carry out a wide variety of important tasks, including finding and vetting tenants, collecting rent, and taking care of repairs.

Put Tenants in Charge of All Utilities

Covering a few expenses on your own could attract high-quality applicants, but all of the primary utilities should be signed over to your tenant. Once the utilities are in their name, you won’t have to worry about figuring out additional bills or collecting extra money each month. 

As an added bonus, switching the utilities over to a tenant will also limit your risk of a major blow to your credit if the bills aren’t paid on time.

Use Landlord Software

One of the best ways to simplify this process is to use high-quality landlord software. That type of software will allow you to save and track vital information, such as when rent is being paid and how much you are making on your property. 



Some landlord programs also make the process of finding a tenant much easier by allowing you to create eye-catching listings, organize incoming applications, and screen those who have applied.

Invest in Maintenance Contracts

It might be tempting to save some money by carrying out maintenance on your own, but that is only going to eat into your time. Even seemingly simple maintenance could take up hours every month, and that is why some landlords invest in maintenance contracts with local companies. 

Local contractors can help you take care of many different tasks that are going to keep your rental property running smoothly. That includes regular pest control, HVAC maintenance, electrical work, and minor plumbing repairs.

Before you rent out any type of property, you should always speak with some type of financial adviser or tax specialist. Becoming a landlord is going to have a huge impact on your finances, and you want to be absolutely sure that you don’t make any mistakes that could eat into your profits.