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Living on a minimum wage is almost impossible in the current state of the world. Even if you work 40 hours a week, if you rely solely on your minimum wage job, you may fall below the poverty line. As frustrating as it may be, there are many ways to supplement your income and maintain extra cash flow each month, giving you more financial stability while working a minimum wage. Here are 17 ways to earn extra income while working minimum wage.
Index:
1. Monetize your social media content
If you enjoy posting regularly on your social media profiles and are interested in expanding your following, you should consider whether you can benefit from your social media presence.
While the top earners of Tik Tok and Instagram can earn millions, even low-level influencers can earn a nice extra income. According to CNBC, to earn $100,000, you need at least 5,000 Instagram followers and 308 sponsored posts per year. There is money to be made in becoming a social media influencer, and if you are spending time managing your social media accounts, consider whether you can benefit from these efforts.
2. Start a YouTube channel
You might be surprised how much you can earn by creating a successful YouTube channel. Makeup, DIY, cooking and gaming are some of the channel's ideas. If you have a talent or special interest, take it to Youtube and see if you can grow your following and make money doing what you love. Who knows, maybe you'll quit your low-wage job and devote yourself full-time to creating YouTube content.
3. Walking pets or dogs
Are you a dog person? Pet sitting and/or dog walking can be a fun way to earn extra income. If you work nights, walking your neighbors' dogs during the workday can be a great way to earn extra money while doing a low-wage job. If you need information to get started, programs like Wag and Rover. They connect dog sitters with pet owners who need help for their dogs.
4. Accommodation at home
A great and mostly passive way to earn extra income from home. All you have to do is check on your neighbor's plants or maybe their cats a few times a week and earn some extra cash while you're at it. Posting on Nextdoor is a great way to get the word out that you are looking for a housekeeper and once you build up some regular clients, you can easily bring in extra income every month.
5. Child care in your community
Babysitting is a more practical but lucrative side hustle that can make extra money. Try posting on the next door or make flyers and hand them out to your neighbors to get customers. If you're with kids, this can be a great way to bring in some extra cash. According to a recent online survey, the national hourly wage for a babysitter is $20.57 for one child and $23.25 for two children. Maybe you'll find a nanny who pays above minimum wage and find a way to significantly increase your annual income.
6. Do odd jobs for neighbors
Other jobs like running errands, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or taking out the trash can be other ways to help your neighbors and earn extra income throughout the year. Most of these jobs are seasonal, but by spending a few weekends raking leaves in the fall, you can easily earn several hundred dollars a season.
Alternatively, programs like TaskRabbit connect you with people who are willing to pay you to help. Furniture moving, delivery, and handyman jobs are some common bunny jobs that can help you bring in some extra cash each month. Workers choose their own hours and typically earn between $22 and $62 per project delivered.
7. Work with gigs
Entering the gig economy can be a flexible and profitable way to add to your income stream. For example, if you drive for Lyft or Uber, you can create your own schedule and work as little or as much as you want. You must have a valid driver's license, have your own vehicle and pass a basic background check. Each application has different requirements, but after a short initial application period, you'll be ready to work on your plan.
You can also consider delivery for apps like Instacart or Doordash. While dinnertime delivery programs are more profitable, Instacart has more opportunities to earn throughout the day.
8. Rent your car or motorcycle
If you have a car, another way to make extra money is to rent out your car or motorcycle. According to the car-sharing app Touro, the average annual income for renting a car is $10,516. If you have the flexibility to go car-free for a week or two each month, this may be a good option for you. .
9. More places for rent
Similarly, if you have extra space, even if it's just a garage, you can rent it out for cash and make a great income. For example, programs like Stache and Neighbor allow you to rent out your garage, driveway or storage unit to a neighbor for extra space. According to Stache's website, a two-car garage averages $4,000 a year. An abandoned basement can make you a lot more money, so don't let your storage space go to waste.
10. Teach students in your area
If you've always been good at math, know a second language, or play the guitar well, parents may be willing to pay you to tutor their child. It can be an effective way to transfer your knowledge and do what you love while earning extra income. Posting on NextDoor, community bulletin boards, or handing out flyers at a nearby school are just a few ways to get your name out there and get your new teaching job off the ground.
11. Donate plasma
Not only can you save lives, but you can earn a lot of money every month by donating plasma. The amount you can make varies by location, but in general you can expect to earn between $50 and $75 per donation match. You can earn up to $400 a month by regularly donating plasma. Donating plasma is different from donating blood because the remaining red blood cells are separated from the plasma and returned to your body so that at the end of the appointment you are ready to relax and unwind throughout the day.
12. Become a research participant
There are many ways to earn money as a research participant. You can sign up for a clinical trial, volunteer for a psychological study, or participate in a focus group. Each individual study varies in salary, but in general you can expect to earn between $50-$300 per day. See if a college near you is looking for volunteers, or sign up online to connect with researchers looking for research participants.
13. Sell crafts or handmade items online
Selling your crafts online is another way to earn extra income doing something you love. If you can knit or sew, open an Etsy shop and start selling your products on Instagram to see the results of your work. You can also sell your artwork, paintings, wood carvings, jewelry, or other crafts that you've made special. If you're not yet an expert in crafting, it's not too late to let your creative side shine and earn money doing it.
14. Start installation
If performance art is more your style and you don't want to go there, go outside, set up a donation box, and do what you have. Sing your favorite song, show your dancing skills or recite a poem. Although it's all donation-based, the bus, also known as a street fair, gives you a chance to practice your art, have fun, and earn extra cash.
15. Take paid surveys online
To earn money from online surveys, all you have to do is register, fill some basic information and wait for surveys that match your profile. You can book your weekend at home so you can stay on the couch and earn money. Some survey companies have mobile apps, so you can take surveys and earn money wherever you are, even on a slow day at work.
16. Watch viral videos
that's right. You can get paid to watch viral videos or play video games through a company called Inbox Dollars. At the end of the video or game, you will be rewarded with a small amount of money for answering the survey. If you spend your free time on your phone anyway, it's worth trying to use as much screen time as possible.
17. Selling unused goods
The resale market is hot, and you can make a profit on gently worn, unused furniture, clothing, or other items. There are both online and in-person options for selling your items. Although it's more convenient, you'll usually get less if you bring your clothes to a thrift store than to sell them online at Poshmark or Mercury.
Similarly, if you're selling your furniture on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you'll spend more time negotiating with buyers, but you'll make more money if you bring your items to a retail store. Whichever way you choose, it's probably worth going through your stuff and getting rid of things you don't need or use.
At one time, even minimum wages were a means of subsistence. Unfortunately, for thousands of workers across the country, this is no longer the case and it is impossible to survive on minimum wage work alone. Relying on a low-wage job can be especially difficult for those raising a family, going to school, or investing in a home. Fortunately, there are many ways to earn extra income while working minimum wage that can help you be more comfortable and more financially secure.
Originally published in the Quarterly. Read here.
Photo: Anna Shavets; pixels; thank you!
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