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The post How to Make Money with Google appeared first on Millennial Money.
If you’re like most people, you use Google’s search platform for just about everything — like finding local food, checking the weather, keeping up on the news, and checking on the stock market.
As it turns out, Google can also make you a lot of money. Let’s take a closer look at why you should use Google to produce income and how it can be done.
So, how do you start making money with Google? Let’s take a look.
Google offers advertising services with Google Ads (formerly AdWords) and AdSense, which are powerful ad networks that use algorithms to match advertisers with consumers interested in their products.
Google Ads enables businesses to bid for advertising space on Google search properties. For example, an insurance business may use Google Ads to get in front of people that are searching for “best car insurance.” To do that, the insurance business “bids” a certain amount per click on the search term(s) of their choice.
So, if you already have a side gig, you can use Google Ads to launch a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign to promote your business and generate more traffic and page views — and hopefully more revenue.
AdSense, on the other hand, enables publishers to sell advertising space. If you have a website or blog, you can become an AdSense publisher and promote other organizations on your page without having to handle any of the design work. AdSense gives you a cut of the ad revenue when users click on an ad in your search results. And, best of all, it’s free to open a Google AdSense account.
Google is the world’s top search engine, commanding a market share of almost 90%. As a result, ranking on Google remains one of the top marketing initiatives for companies across all verticals.
Opportunities abound for marketing specialists who can help companies improve their Google search engine optimization (SEO) using Google Analytics to continuously optimize their efforts. Digital marketing is one of the best ways to make money online.
One option is to learn the ins and outs of search engine optimization and use this skill to provide marketing consultancy services for other companies. For example, this may involve helping businesses understand emerging trends like user and search intent, generating ROI from SEO, and improving page experience optimization, to name just a few services you can provide.
Learn More:
Another approach is to work as a blogger or content specialist, helping brands by creating content that is valuable and aligned with what users are searching for.
Blogs play a major part in helping businesses improve their web page rankings on Google. You can make money on Google by blogging if you can produce high-quality content at an efficient pace.
As a tip, look beyond SEO when producing content for businesses. In addition to ranking on Google, companies also want to create content that is enjoyable, and highly sharable on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
If you’re good on camera and have a niche area of expertise — like producing tech reviews or offering home improvement tips — consider starting a YouTube channel. (Google owns YouTube, too, in case you weren’t aware!)
The great part about YouTube is you don’t need millions of subscribers for monetization. Your earning potential is determined partly by the level of engagement you produce and your niche offering.
Focus on creating engaging content at a consistent level and you can naturally build a large audience of subscribers. You can also earn passive income as long as your previous videos keep getting watched.
Learn More:
If you can make an Android app and bring it to market, you can use Google Play to host the app and monetize it.
The process is relatively straightforward. You simply upload your app to Google, set the price and region where you want to offer it, and publish the app. Or, you can offer the app for free to encourage more downloads and offer in-app purchases and in-app ads to earn money based on clickthroughs.
Another way to make money on Google Play is to write and self-publish books using the Books Partner Center. This is a similar service to the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing service that allows users to publish their own works.
This option is an excellent way for both new and experienced authors to reach new readers and avoid the hassle of dealing with publishing houses. It’s a revolutionary approach that all writers should consider using.
Google offers a range of world-class services to the public for free. All you have to do is sign up for a Google account and you can utilize business-grade cloud services without having to pay for them.
What’s more, since these services are available in the cloud, you don’t have to maintain any infrastructure or worry about updating software. Google handles all of that for you.
You can use Google to start a side hustle. Then, use the money you earn to pay down debt, invest in the stock market, start your own business, or build your emergency fund.
Starting a side hustle with Google is also a great way to learn new skills and grow your career. In fact, you may find that your side hustle takes you on a different career path altogether.
Take it from me. By learning Google SEO, I was able to bring in a ton of extra cash on the side, which I then invested into the market and other businesses.
Being able to make money from anywhere is one of the keys to financial freedom.
Since Google services can be accessed just about anywhere using a basic internet connection, you can take your business with you wherever you travel.
Here’s the catch to making money on Google: There’s competition — and lots of it. Whether you’re blogging or helping companies rank better on searches, there’s always someone out there who can do it faster and more effectively. So, if you slack, you’ll get displaced by a competitor very quickly.
That being the case, it is critical that you stay up to speed with the latest developments in the Google ecosystem. New tools, technologies, and strategies are constantly emerging. If you want to stay competitive, you need to keep pace. It’s that simple.
One of the best parts about using Google to make money is the company offers a full suite of free, business-class apps that you can use to make your job easier. For example, Google’s easy-to-use Gmail service can power your work emails, free of charge. You can also use Google Docs to write blogs, and Google Sheets to manage your finances as you bring in cash.
Simply put, Google makes it very easy to run your own personal online business.
As you start to bring in money on Google, the revenue is going to start piling up — especially if you run a lucrative blogging or advertising operation.
Making money is a great thing, but make sure to set aside enough money to pay taxes. Pro Tip: Work with a tax advisor to determine what you should be paying and when. Each state in the U.S. has unique laws regarding how much taxes online businesses should pay. When in doubt, don’t guess. Ask an expert.
Making money online as a side hustle can be life-changing. If you get good at it, you could double or triple your salary in just a few years. However, there’s a difference between running a lucrative side hustle and conducting a full-time operation.
If you’re considering leaving your full-time job to grow your side hustle, make sure you’re in a secure position. Don’t quit your job until your Google income shows consistent signs of surpassing your day job wages. Also, make sure you have an emergency fund available in case the revenue doesn’t pile up as fast as you had hoped.
The Google Opinion Rewards program is a service that sends participants surveys about their experiences with partnering companies. For example, Google may ask whether you visited a certain store recently and how your experience went.
Unfortunately, Google does not pay you directly for participating. Rather, you can receive credits that you can use in the Play Store for items like games and movies. You can earn around $0.25 per each survey and some are unpaid.
If you’re looking for a way to make money with surveys online, consider a survey website like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie. The payouts aren’t great either. But they’re better.
Google is a great way to launch a lucrative side hustle. Whether you’re blogging, doing technical work, or advising companies about SEO, Google offers a variety of services that you can use to bring in extra income.
Just be careful before launching a side hustle if you are working full-time. Take a close look at your contract to make sure you aren’t bound by a non-compete clause that restricts what you are allowed to do on your own. The last thing you want is to end up in legal jeopardy due to a contract violation.
Amazon is another company that offers a variety of ways to make money online. For example, Amazon offers Amazon Web Services (AWS) for developers, a competitive affiliate marketing service, and Amazon Handmade for people who are crafty, among many other services.
You don’t have to be exclusive about using one company or the other. Most people who make money online use Google and Amazon together, picking and choosing the services that meet their individual needs. For example, you may use AWS to build a cloud service and Google AdSense to make money promoting it.
There are plenty of different ways to make money with Amazon.
Passive income is money that you generate by doing little to no ongoing work. First, you create something like a book, app, or blog. Then, when done successfully, you receive ongoing payments every time consumers engage with your material. You can also earn passive income from your investments.
Passive income is an excellent way to build long-term wealth, and it’s a key to financial independence. Over time, you might be surprised by how much money you can make on the side — just by making smart investments.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to make money online with Google. Not all of them are easy, but if you’re willing to put in the work you can potentially generate a lot of money.
Consider this: Google has laid the foundation for just about anyone to make money using their free and powerful services. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, you already have a major leg up. You can build a business without having to invest in any underlying infrastructure.
A little patience and determination can go a long way toward helping you build a business to be proud of. Good luck!
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The post How to Make Money on the Side appeared first on Millennial Money.
Ever look at your bank account and wonder, can I do better?
Regardless of your situation — whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or if even if you’re unemployed — the answer is a resounding yes. You absolutely can start earning money on the side and bring in extra capital to further your financial goals.
For some people, that may include stashing more money away for retirement. For others, it may involve paying down credit card debt or saving for a house.
Whatever your goals might be — thanks to the internet — an unlimited amount of side-hustle opportunities exist. It’s just a matter of discovering the right one for you and making it happen.
In this post, you’re going to learn about the top 31 ways to make money on the side.
Let’s go!
A great way to make money behind the wheel is to deliver food (or stuff) to customers. One nice aspect of being a delivery driver is that you don’t have to deal with people getting into your car, which is a big plus in the era of social distancing.
Most delivery gigs pay an hourly wage plus tips. If you work for a nice restaurant, they may even hook you up with free food. If you don’t want to work for a single restaurant, then you can work for one or several of the below delivery services:
Postmates is a service that delivers a much wider selection of items including groceries, office supplies, and even alcohol. It’s easy to sign up and you an start completing deliveries immediatley after your application has been accepted.
DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats are delivery services that enable customers to order food from a secure and convenient online platform. Drivers can make themselves active for deliveries whenever they want, similar to how standard ride-share apps work.
Instacart is the leading online grocery delivery service. You can sign up to be an in-store shopper, a delivery driver, or both. As for compensation, you can earn both hourly wages and extra cash from customer tips.
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Driving for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is another way to generate income on your own schedule. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen.
Millions of people have made extra money working part-time for Uber and Lyft, so clearly, it’s a proven way to earn cash. The only downside is that you have to sacrifice your time, and if you really want the savings to add up, you most likely have to drive long hours.
Being a personal driver is another way to make money by driving people around. However, unlike working for Uber or Lyft, you often have more control over who your customers are (since you aren’t dealing with the general public).
Suppose you know a few friends or acquaintances who need regular rides to the airport. There’s a good chance that some of them prefer not to use rideshare services or taxis and would prefer to pay you for the trip. Once you build up a few clients, you can easily earn a few hundred per month on airport rides alone.
About 73% of small businesses use social media, yet many are struggling to produce and maintain campaigns that generate a strong return on investment.
If you’re savvy with social, consider starting a side gig offering social media support for local businesses in your area. Focus on helping them create compelling content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. If you create campaigns that resonate with customers, this can drive sales, which makes your services an invaluable asset to the business.
Social media assistance is also a service that you can provide from the comfort and safety of your own home, and you can often find flexible positions that let you pick your own hours.
One of the most popular platforms for businesses to promote is Facebook, due to its expansive reach and detailed audience targeting.
Social media influencers get paid to promote products and services on their personal social media pages. (Most often on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.)
If you already have a solid social media following, there’s no reason why you can’t get paid to be an influencer, too.
Unbox Social, Heepsy, Upfluence Tapinfluence are some of the top influencer platforms to look into.
Believe it or not, people who are looking to shed a few pounds can get paid to lose weight.
HealthyWage is a company that lets you set a target weight loss goal, and then make a bet against yourself. For example, you can bet $500 that you are going to lose 18 pounds over the next year. If you lose your targeted weight amount you can collect your winnings when the year is up.
The challenge is that you don’t get your money back if you lose — making it all the more motivating.
You can use HealthyWage by yourself, with a group of friends, or with colleagues.
Being a caregiver is one of the oldest ways to earn extra money. Not only can you make a decent hourly wage, but you are also forming personal bonds and truly helping others.
There are many opportunities to work as a caregiver. Babysitting children, working with the elderly, and helping people with special needs are just a few of the options.
Sitters can easily earn $20 per hour, which adds up quickly. Check out Care.com to find people who are looking for assistance in your area. Millions of babysitters got their first gigs through this site.
Take a look around your place. Notice all of the old stuff collecting dust — like your childhood toys in the basement, your DVD collection that you never watch anymore, or your old laptop that you haven’t touched in years?
You can probably earn money for many of these items using a site like Decluttr.
Decluttr pays customers for unwanted phones, computers, tablets, video games, and more. The company even sends you boxes and covers shipping costs. Some electronic items are recycled, while others are resold online.
In case you are really interested in this route, some popular alternatives to Decluttr include Gazelle, Swappa, and OfferUp. There’s also eBay — the original online re-selling marketplace.
Next Steps:
Many pets are social creatures and need people around to keep them company and walk them. As a dog owner, for example, there’s nothing worse than leaving your furry companion at home while you’re at work, or at a kennel when you’re on vacation.
It takes some flexibility and a true love of animals to excel at pet sitting and dog walking. If this describes you, consider signing up for Rover to connect with people in your area who are looking for help with their pets.
In most cases, you’ll have some leeway in terms of when you stop by to take a dog out on a walk or for some fresh air. Seasoned dog walkers typically take out several dogs at a time, which multiplies their earning potential.
Another way to earn cash serving pet owners is to work as a groomer. This may involve trimming or washing a dog, or taking care of its nails or teeth.
If you decide to be a dog groomer, it helps have plenty of outdoor space. You may even want to consider building an outdoor kennel in case your business takes off and people need to leave their pets for an extended period of time before picking them up.
You shouldn’t have to jump through many legal hoops to be a dog groomer, but be sure to double-check with your state or town to make sure there are no licensing requirements.
Busy professionals often lack the time or desire to manage their own schedules, manage data entry, or handle administrative work. As a result, these tasks are outsourced to virtual assistants.
Working as a virtual assistant can bring in extra money on the side, while potentially expanding your network and opening doors for yourself. It’s not always the most glamorous job. But, you can potentially meet successful business owners, making the role a stepping stone to a higher-paying opportunity.
Fancy Hands, Magic, Upwork, Fiverr, and WoodBows are some of the most popular platforms to offer virtual assistant services. It’s also entirely possible, and more profitable, to start a virtual assistant business of your own.
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As more businesses transition online, there’s an abundance of demand for graphic design work.
The most common graphic design gigs include creating logos, flyers, banner ads, websites, posters, and more. Some of the most popular places to find graphic design work are Fiverr, Upwork, GoLance, and Freelancer.com.
Another cool way to make money from graphic design is with Merch by Amazon, which lets you upload your designs as Amazon products (e.g., teeshirts, coffee mugs, and hats). The best part is that Amazon pays for the actual products and shipping. All you have to do is create the design, sit back, and collect royalties on the sales.
There has never been a better time to be a freelance writer or video editor because just about every company needs content to rank on Google and reach customers.
Talented content producers can bring in extra cash freelancing for other businesses. You can find new freelance gigs by contacting companies directly, through LinkedIn, or by showcasing your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
There is a downside to working with Fiverr and Upwork is that many people on those platforms are looking to pay bottom dollar. Fiverr and Upwork also take a commission on your earnings.
That said, you have to start somewhere, and those platforms can be a great place to build up your skills and form lasting client relationships.
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Big brands and retailers often look for consumer opinions when bringing products to market so they can better connect with their target audiences.
This means companies are willing to pay money to hear your thoughts. For example, a company that wants to launch a streaming video service in your area might offer to pay you to learn what types of content you like and when you like to watch TV.
Focus groups can sometimes pay hundreds of dollars, and all you have to do is spend a few hours talking to a group of researchers or filling out surveys.
The rule of thumb when doing this type of work is to make sure the pay is commensurate with how much time you have to spend. For example, if a survey takes an hour and pays you less than $10, it’s probably not worth your time. However, if the survey takes one hour and pays $100, then you might want to consider it.
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Homes are becoming increasingly connected to the internet, yet many people struggle to manage their own networks and devices — presenting an opportunity for tech-savvy individuals.
By offering technical phone support or on-site visits, you can help people in your community access the internet, combat cybercrime, and more. Many elderly people, for example, struggle with basic IT issues like updating their smartphones and transferring photos from a camera to a computer.
But, before you offer IT support, make sure that you are extremely patient. If you have ever attempted to help your parents or grandparents with IT issues, you know what I mean! But you also know that there’s a huge demand for these services.
Some people have a knack for doing laundry and scrubbing the floors. Being a house cleaner for private homes or businesses can be a great way to bring in extra income on the side.
Much like being a driver, if you are trustworthy and do a good job, you can build a steady base of cleaning customers that require your services every week.
When I started Millennial Money, podcasts were a key element to my growth. There’s no reason why they can’t be for you, too.
These days, there are podcasts for just about every topic and you don’t have to be licensed in any way to start one. All you need is a good idea or working knowledge about an interesting topic and some basic audio equipment.
The trick with podcasts is to focus on a niche topic that sets you apart and attracts attention. Add your own creative spin, and make it different from what other people are offering.
There are three crucial steps to making money with podcasts:
So, what’s your podcast going to be about?
If you’re better at writing than speaking into a microphone, look into launching a blog, or buying a struggling website with a dedicated reader base and turning it around.
Blogging gives you the ability to write about what you want when you want. It’s similar to launching a podcast in terms of the creative process and advertising opportunity.
One way to profit from blogging is to use Google AdSense, which embeds relevant advertisements in your content. You then get paid for the clicks or impressions on those ads.
Blogging is harder than working as a freelancer because it takes more backend effort. However, you can make great income blogging if you build up your site and produce engaging content.
Another way that bloggers make money (myself included) is through affiliate marketing. This involves embedding affiliate links within blogs to relevant products or services. When a visitor clicks a link or makes a purchase, the blogger gets a share of the profits.
Next Steps:
Companies across all market verticals are shelling out money for people who know search engine optimization (SEO). This comes from first-hand experience because SEO-consulting was one of my first lucrative side-hustles.
Remember that you don’t need to be an expert from day one. All you need to do is brush up on the history of SEO and learn the latest trends.
I’ve written a pretty extensive guide on SEO tips for bloggers. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll be more knowledgeable about SEO than the vast majority of people.
As for current trends, user experience (UX), semantic search, and search intent are up there (to name just a few).
If you’re analytical and also enjoy writing, consider combining SEO services with high-quality content creation to maximize your earning potential.
We’ve all been there: You arrive at a destination and don’t know the area, but you want to gain a local’s perspective.
People who live in an area with interesting surroundings can make money creating custom guided tours for travelers who are passing through. This may include nature walks, bar crawls, museum or park tours, or even just walking tours.
Being a tour guide is a fun way to get outside and meet new people while showcasing your home turf in the process. And if you’re savvy, you can make extra money by partnering with local establishments. Think restaurants for nourishment and spas for helping your customers unwind after a long day of walking.
To get started, reflect on your favorite local attractions in your area and put together a tour. Then, sign up to offer excursions on TripAdvisor or Airbnb. You can also look at bringing in clients the old-fashioned way by putting up flyers or posting ads online.
Here’s something you may not expect about working in sales: It can be a lot of fun, especially if you do it on a freelance basis for commission only.
Part of why sales jobs have a reputation for being stressful is the fact that most full-time salespeople are required to meet quotas. Think about selling cars, for example. Not hitting your quota could lead to getting fired.
However, working as a freelance sales rep gives you the opportunity to earn income according to your schedule. The key is to find companies with high growth potential that you’re already passionate about.
For example, if you are tech-savvy, consider working with a software startup whose services you might already be using (or could use) in your day-to-day job. If you find just one or two clients for this software company, you could earn a few hundred bucks each month in commissions, depending on the deal you sign.
Being handy around the house is a great skill to have, especially when those skills can generate cash. By using one of the below online marketplaces, you can find all sorts of random paying jobs, from basic handiwork to yard work and everything in between.
TaskRabbit is a same-day service platform that connects local workers with people looking for a variety of services. As a Tasker, you can earn from $15 to $60 an hour doing jobs like moving furniture, waiting in line, measuring apartment spaces, packing, and more. The best part is that you get to keep 100% of your earnings plus tips.
Craigslist is the original online classifieds website where anyone can post ads for random jobs. It’s a great way to connect with people directly, but keep in mind there are a lot of scams, so always use caution.
If you do a solid job from a gig you find on Craigslist it could very likely lead to future work and referrals. A leading benefit to Craigslist is that it’s completely free to use for both workers and job posters.
Teaching English online is one of the most flexible ways to bring in extra money from home.
Sites like VIPKid, Qkids, and DadaABC connect you with students who are eager to learn English. Just keep in mind that sites can vary in terms of their requirements.
For example, VIPKid recommends you have at least two years of teaching experience, a Bachelor’s degree, a computer, and work authorization in the United States or Canada.
There are many people out there who want to improve their drawing skills for either personal or professional reasons. So, if you know how to put pencil to paper and make amazing artwork, why not earn side money by giving online drawing lessons?
There are no formal requirements for doing this. All you have to do is film yourself drawing, create some polished instructional videos, and create a YouTube channel that you can monetize. Or, you can create a website with gated content and lessons for paid users.
You could also offer paid courses on the Teachable platform and live lessons over Zoom.
Do people rave about your chicken soup or dumplings? Can you flambé Bananas Foster like a television chef? Then it’s time to put your talents to work.
You likely know a handful of people in your network who hate making food, are tired of ordering out all the time, and are willing to pay you to entertain and cook for them.
Consider that the post-pandemic world is likely to be full of people who want more human interaction. And remember that the most successful chefs are just as good at communicating with people as they are at cooking.
With the right approach to stock market investing it’s possible to earn passive income without lifting a finger. Long-time readers of my blog know that this is one of the best ways to truly increase your net worth over time.
To get started, sign up for a brokerage platform like Robinhood, Vanguard, Schwab, where you can then purchase a wide range of income-generating financial products like stocks, index funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
To be clear, stock market investing is not the type of side gig that pays cash every day. However, by investing your money now, it has the chance to multiply many times over by the time you retire, thanks to the magic of compounding returns.
Think of it as the ultimate side hustle that you’re doing behind the scenes, on top of your other cash-generating gigs.
Put your home, apartment, condo, or spare bedroom to work by renting it out on Airbnb. You can even rent out your R.V. or boat if it has suitable sleeping quarters.
Airbnb is the leading dwelling-rental platform where you can offer your space to short-term renters. You can set your own rates and establish your own ground rules.
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Turo is like Airbnb for cars.
Using Turo, you can rent out your ride for a few hours or days at a time when you’re not using it. And let’s be honest — how often does your car just sit there?
Turo is an excellent choice for people who don’t need access to their vehicles for specific periods of time (e.g., when you are at work, or on vacation).
Turo’s platform includes a peer-driven review process to ensure safety for both hosts and guests. In addition, Turo offers a protection plan for drivers and third-party liability insurance for hosts.
Yet another way to make money with your car is to put an advertisement on the side of it. Companies like Carvertise pay car owners to turn their vehicles into moving billboards.
Your friends may chide you for advertising your car, but who cares? You’ll be laughing all the way to the bank as you bring in extra income.
The pandemic produced a major surge in creativity, as people were stuck home with a lot of extra time on their hands. Many people want to take up creative pursuits like music, but they need help getting started.
If you are a musician, you can make money on the side doing what you love — playing and teaching music. Whether you play the bass guitar, violin, saxophone, or any other type of instrument, there are students of all ages who will be eager to have you teach them.
Search for message boards in your community, or go into music stores and post advertisements on bulletin boards.
If you’re an artist, consider making extra cash producing the items you already like producing such as drawings, paintings, ceramics, or clothing. Right now there is a massive demand for unique, handmade items.
You can sell your items online using sites like eBay, Amazon Handmade, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace. Better yet, buy a domain name and start your own online e-commerce store using a low-cost, easy-to-use website platform like GoDaddy, Squarespace, or Wix. Keep at it, and people will eventually find you online and buy your stuff.
You could also consider reserving a table at a local market or fair. This is a great way to connect with new customers. If these customers are thrilled with your products, they’re sure to tell their friends about your works, which drives future sales.
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It all depends on your personal situation. Some people choose to pay down debt, while others choose to plan for a house or retirement. Only you can determine where to put your money.
One thing to consider is that when you work a side job, you’re sacrificing your valuable time. Be sure you respect your own time by allocating your money to the right places so it can grow. Avoid spending your side hustle money on material things and focus on investments that appreciate in value over time. You’ll thank me later!
Unfortunately, one of the challenges with making money online is that it’s not always possible to tell who you’re dealing with. There are a lot of scams and sketchy people to watch out for.
Trust your gut and never put yourself in a risky situation. For example, if you’re selling stuff via a Craigslist ad, make sure you’re transacting in a public place with other people around. You should also thoroughly research any business opportunities or people that are offering you deals before you take them.
Passive income is money that you generate without actively putting in your time.
For example, suppose you sell a picture to a stock photo service. You can receive passive income in the form of royalties every time someone downloads the file. Profitable stock market investing is also passive income, and so is running a blog that earns ad revenue while you sleep.
Manual labor jobs are not passive income. However, if employees are doing the jobs for you, then that’s a different story.
Yes. Side hustles are completely legal, assuming you’re paying taxes on your income and not breaking the law in any way.
To be safe, make sure that your side hustle does not interfere with your main job’s operations. Otherwise, you could get into legal trouble if you previously signed a non-compete.
If you’re worried about that, don’t hesitate to hire an attorney who can advise you about your specific situation. It will likely only cost a few hundred bucks and can save you many hours of worry and hassles down the line.
The bottom line is there are countless ways to earn money on the side, whether you’re a young millennial or part of any other age group.
By making money in your free time, you can diversify your income beyond your full-time job’s earnings. You can also achieve greater financial security, pay off student loans, and make smart investments that only grow your wealth even further.
The examples provided here are just a few side business ideas that can pad your bank account. Spend some time finding a gig that matches your unique personality and skill set. Once you do, you might be surprised at how many doors open up.
The post How to Make Money on the Side appeared first on Millennial Money.
Want to head straight to my top picks? The best knowledge base software is Freshdesk and HubSpot Knowledge Base. Do you need to figure out...Read More
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If you’re looking for ways to make extra money on the side, delivering food is not only in demand, but easier than ever before. Actually, it’s becoming so popular some folks are making more money doing food delivery than at their regular day jobs!
Thanks to easy to use delivery service apps, you can work how you want, where you want, while earning some decent cash.
People are constantly looking for someone to deliver food from their favorite local restaurant and opting for grocery delivery, especially right now because of the coronavirus, so there’s no better time to become a delivery driver than now.
In this article, we will be looking at the 11 best delivery app jobs available today. With all the requirements and features in a single list, you can easily decide what is the best food delivery service to work for that suits your personal situation.
Let’s get to it!
Postmates is a general delivery app where you get to deliver anything from takeouts and alcohol to office supplies, dry cleaning, and anything in between. It is available in all 50 states, with more than 400 cities listed. It’s really easy to get started, just download the Postmates app (called Postmates – Fleet) and you can manage everything through the mobile app.
If you don’t have a car, you can also deliver on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot. But, Postmates promises delivery in one hour, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet if you would like to keep this particular gig going! If you’re late with a number of deliveries, you may not be offered new jobs for a while, so be careful.
As a Postmates delivery driver, you get paid weekly for your efforts via a direct deposit straight to your bank account.
Working as a Postmates driver back in 2017, I experienced a small drop in income, which even if it wasn’t a big dent, it could make a difference over time. You also will not get advance notice of the order drop-off point, making it hard to decide which jobs to accept and which ones to turn down.
On a good note, Postmates chips in a few bucks to cover your fee when a delivery job gets canceled unexpectedly.
A quick tip for new delivery drivers: most delivery apps offer very low pay for wait times. So it’s better to work jobs for restaurants and businesses with fast ordering processes. A food delivery job is sometimes faster than other types of general deliveries because restaurants want to get food out and churn orders as fast as possible and there’s less wait time. Something to keep in mind when deciding the best delivery service to work for.
Another cool thing about Postmates compared to other delivery service apps is that it doesn’t use a ‘star rating’ system to rate a delivery order. This is great because if an order is wrong or the restaurant screws up, the Postmates delivery driver doesn’t get blamed for mistakes outside of their control.
DoorDash is a food delivery service that is popular with both drivers (known as Dashers) as well as customers. It is available in most cities across the US.
DoorDash will also run background and DMV checks. Major violations, including assault and DUI, may disqualify you from working as a DoorDash driver. You also cannot have more than three violations over the past three years.
Depending on the regulations of your home city, you may even be able to deliver food on foot or bicycle. You can expect to make anything between $10 to $25 an hour, which includes a delivery fee and 100% of the tips. Not bad at all!
Pro tips for Doordash: The mobile app shows “hotspots” where you’re more likely to get better and faster delivery jobs. Also, there’s a “promos” section that shows when Peak Pay time slots are available. These tools allow you to be more strategic about how and when you work.
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With Instacart you can choose between working as a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. There are a few differences between the two roles making Instacart a somewhat more flexible delivery option.
As an in-store shopper, you don’t need to have a vehicle, and you’ll work as a part-time employee. You still get to set your own hours, and it’s nice that you’re also guaranteed a minimum wage.
As a full-service shopper, you will work as an independent contractor – which is great if you want more control of your delivery business.
You’ll be responsible for shopping inside the grocery store and delivering orders, which you accept through the mobile app.
The company also runs background checks in accordance with the laws of the state in which you’re applying.
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Grubhub has been a real pioneer for the gig economy as one of the first food delivery service apps. Since starting, they have amassed a hefty list of different restaurants and tend to enjoy a healthy customer base in the locations they operate in. You can expect an average pay of $12 per hour. This is based on mileage and time.
You can set your own hours in which you’re available for work, but one downside is you’ll be restricted to your specific delivery zone. This is configured during the setup process in the mobile app. You can also cash out at any time with Instant Cash Out, so you can decide your own payday.
Back in July of 2019, Grub Hub introduced some changes to its payment structure that make some delivery areas not very profitable. On the bright side, you get to see the total payout amount as well as the destination before accepting an order. This can help you manage deliveries better, which can be a big plus.
Quick tip: You’ve probably already figured this out by now, but most delivery drivers work for multiple delivery apps. So even though Grubhub limits your delivery zone, you can still work other apps and accept jobs outside of that zone if and when it suits you. Remember, you are in control of your delivery business, so don’t feel bad using the apps that give you a better advantage.
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Based in San Francisco, California, UberEats is one of the best paying delivery driver jobs and maybe even the fastest-growing delivery company due to Uber’s mammoth customer base. They also offer new customers a nice gift card for their first order in most areas!
Uber Eats operates in over 500 cities across the US. You can earn between $8 to $15 per hour delivering for Uber Eats with a flat amount per pick-up and drop-off. Depending on the city in which you’re driving, you may also get a per-mile / minute rate, and you also get to keep 100% of the tips.
Background checks are mandatory when you sign up as an Uber Eats driver. If you’re delivering by car, you will need to have a minimum of two doors, and the car needs to be a 1999 model or newer. Scooters must have an engine of 50cc’s or more, and enough room to carry your delivery bag without messing up the orders inside!
Though having delivered for UberEats a few years ago, I did experience a few drawbacks that include blind pickups, low pay (unless there’s an ongoing promotion), and tips are something of a rare occurrence. The good news is that customers meet you at the curb for a completely contactless delivery.
Everything is handled via the Uber Eats app, a very similar experience for current Uber drivers. Also, you do not have to carry an Uber Eats credit card with all payments handled online.
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With Shipt Shopper, you get to shop for and deliver groceries where you can make as much as $22 per hour. The hourly rate will largely depend on the city (It’s available in pretty much the entire US except for West Virginia and Alaska). One thing I love about this type of delivery service is that you can get faster and faster as you get more familiar with where items are located inside the grocery store.
To make things easier for you, the app will also recommend which store you should shop from according to the location of the customer. Each order will typically take around one hour to complete. You can also choose the area you want to operate in.
Remember – driving is the biggest sunken cost for a delivery person, in both time and money. Keep this in mind when choosing your delivery area.
You will get paid every week on a Friday and get a free membership to sweeten the deal.
Favor Delivery is a food and essentials delivery app. It is available in a number of cities across the US, but it is not as widespread as some of the other delivery service apps discussed here. Most runners earn between $10 to $18 per hour, and you can choose whether you want to work on a full time or part-time basis.
Scheduled hours have a guaranteed minimum pay rate, which can make it easier for you to plan ahead. You also get to keep all of the tips, which can give your income through this app a bit of a boost. But, keep in mind that tips heavily depend on the area and type of customer base you deliver to.
Caviar is a food delivery app offering couriers as much as $25 per hour. You get to keep 100% of the tips that you receive, and you can even choose to get paid instantly after a delivery is completed. Earnings are managed through the Cash App that comes with a Cash debit card. You can use the card for free ATM withdrawals and cashback offers.
You will also need to pass a background check before being able to start doing food delivery for Caviar. All order delivery information, including earnings, pick up point, and destination, is made available on the mobile app before accepting the order. This is a HUGE benefit because you can decide which orders best suit your criteria for the best value pay.
They also have a courier support team ready to help you out should you need assistance.
Caviar announced a few years back that it was being bought out by DoorDash for $410 million! So although this delivery service app sounds more boutique, it’s got backing now by one of the largest companies in the industry.
Saucey is an alcoholic beverage delivery app operating in a few major cities. They promise deliveries within 30 mins with delivery service available between 8 am and 2 am. This is awesome for people that prefer doing deliveries in the late night window!
You can expect to make over $10 per hour delivering for Saucey. There’s also a payment per item delivered. As you’ll be delivering alcohol, you will need to check the customer’s IDs before handing everything over.
Eaze offers cannabis delivery in California. As a delivery specialist, you’ll be helping licensed retailers deliver cannabis products to customers. Driving with this delivery app, you can expect a guaranteed hourly wage anywhere between $18 and $26 per hour. This includes any applicable mileage reimbursements.
Eaze will also run a criminal background check on you, which you’ll need to consent to. With the industry experiencing growth, this could be a good opportunity for those looking to make some money on delivering products.
With many US states legalizing recreational cannabis, I’m guessing hundreds of new delivery service apps will hit the market soon in this space.
Deliv offers three products – Business and Individuals, Enterprise, and Fresh. They do not do takeout deliveries but deliver pretty much anything else. You can earn as much as $22 per hour as a Deliv driver, and you can even book your availability in advance.
You will also need to pass a background check, and customer service skills are a must. They are currently still expanding, so check if they are available in your local area first.
The company promises same-day delivery, so this should be less stressful than what some other delivery app jobs require. The company also promises excellent customer support to help you out should you need this, which is always nice to have.
Generally speaking, there are no hard skills required for delivery driver jobs. Customer service skills can help you get better tips, better ratings, and of course, driving skills are desirable.
Although these skills aren’t necessary, here are a couple of things that will help you out as a delivery person:
Delivery app jobs that have specific skills requirements will list them during the application process, but most people should easily be able to fulfill these.
When it comes to choosing a delivery app job, you’re spoilt for choice. The best one is going to be the one that best meets your requirements, which can be anything from flexibility to the potential to make more money. Having said that, here are a few things to consider before choosing the best delivery app job for you.
Is it available in my city? Not all delivery service apps are available in all U.S. cities. Make sure the services of the delivery app are offered in your region.
Do I meet the minimum requirements? Not all apps have the same requirements. For some, you need to be 18 years old. Others bump up the minimum age to 21. Check the requirements and make sure you qualify.
Does it fit my lifestyle? Most apps offer total flexibility when it comes to working hours, but this might not always be the case. For example, restaurant delivery is mostly in demand during lunch and dinner hours. Alcohol and cannabis delivery services cater to late-night hours.
Am I familiar with the area? Being able to deliver quickly means better income potential. Some apps also promise deliveries in 30 mins or in one hour. This means you need to be familiar with the area to be successful.
Also, keep in mind you can work for 2-3 companies at the same time. So if you are tossing up between a few delivery service apps that look good to you, why not try them all?
With so many different delivery app jobs available, finding one that suits your schedule and expectations shouldn’t be too hard. There is nothing stopping you from signing up for multiple apps either, but make sure you can fulfill any commitments you sign up for. If you fail to do so, it can backfire and see you getting less and less work, so ultimately, it isn’t worth it.
Becoming a delivery driver right now is such a great idea, with so many people depending on meal delivery service because of the coronavirus. Also, many small businesses are looking for third party delivery due to closing or downsizing their in-person shopping or eating locations. It’s cost-prohibitive for small independent restaurants to hire their own delivery personnel, so a third party delivery service is a cheap way for them to expand their customer base.
Fast food is so popular in the United States, and delivery apps are definitely here to stay as they provide a hassle-free way of getting the food from the restaurants you love delivered to your door. It’s all about convenience for people, whether they’re in New York or San Francisco – which is good news for anyone considering a delivery app job.
There are many side hustles to consider if you’re looking to make some extra cash on the side. Delivery app jobs are one of them because of their flexibility and high earning potential.
If you’re interested in other ways you could earn a side income with driving jobs, you may want to check out things like becoming a Lyft or Uber driver. Each company (including delivery apps) will be introducing health and safety measures right now because of the coronavirus, so make sure you familiarize yourself with them before you apply.
I love Amazon. Yep, I said it. I buy just about everything through Amazon. Nowadays, can you blame me?
And Shopping on Amazon is even more fun when you have a gift card balance in your account ready to be spent.
In this post I will show you how to score free Amazon gift cards while finding new ways to earn cash.
Establishing a full scale side hustle takes time. But if you are in a bind and need to make money fast, then you’ve come to the best place.
This post will only take 10 minutes to read, and it is the best resource available to teach you how to earn free Amazon gift cards fast. These methods are all legit and will only take a few minutes to set up.
Here are some easy ways to get free money to spend at Amazon:
With InboxDollars, you earn money for small tasks like taking surveys, watching videos, and signing up for offers.
You’ll earn a $5 welcome bonus just for signing up.
It’s such a no-brainer.
Next Steps
There are tons of places to take surveys online that will pay you cash via PayPal or Amazon gift cards. Not all survey sites are legit, though, so be careful. One of my favorite survey apps is Survey Junkie.
Survey Junkie is a legitimate way to earn extra cash while you are waiting for the bus, on your lunch break, or even when vegging on the couch. I like to earn money with Survey Junkie as I wake up in the morning.
I like this platform because it’s easy to use, and you can take surveys on-the-go from your phone. Plus, they offer so many surveys that there’s never any shortage in money-earning opportunities (some of the other sites only offer a few each month).
You won’t get rich, but you can make a buck or so per survey. Each will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and you can cash out your points for Amazon gift cards!
Next Steps
Yep, another rewards program. But hey, when they make getting free Amazon cards this easy, why not?
With Swagbucks, you earn points for taking online surveys, watching videos, playing video games, shopping online, performing web searches, etc, etc. You can then trade in those points for gift cards.
Just for signing up, you’ll get a $5 bonus.
Let Swagbucks help you put cash (or Amazon gift cards) back in your wallet.
Next Steps
Get paid to shop online! MyPoints partners with more than 1,900 of the top retailers such as Walmart, eBay, and Amazon.
Sign up, make your first purchase of $20 or more, and you’ll get a free $10 Amazon gift card.
Next Steps
Ibotta is a cash back and rewards app that started in the grocery store but now has rewards for almost anything.
Unlike some of the other cash back companies, Ibotta rewards you for shopping online or in the store — which I find more convenient for groceries and local shopping.
After a trip to the mall, get cash back! Even after shopping for some items on Amazon, boom!
Ibotta works on iOS and Android devices, and is 100% free to use. There are no subscription fees or pushes for in-app purchases.
And to sweeten the deal, just by signing up you can get a FREE $10 bonus. This can be in the form of an Amazon gift card.
You can earn more in referral bonuses too by inviting your friends ($5 each).
Receipt Hog works in much the same way so you could download both apps and cash out through both from the same shopping trip.
Next Steps
Get a $10 signup bonus from Rakuten that you can trade in for Amazon gift cards!
Rakuten (formerly eBates) is another cashback/coupon shopping site. Unlike Ibotta, Rakuten works through online stores only.
But here’s a pro-tip: the workaround is to shop online and pick up your items in the local store if you prefer visiting retailers like Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Kohl’s.
What I like most about Rakuten is the handy browser extension that will alert you if the store you’re browsing has a cashback offer. It will also search for promo codes automatically and apply the one that saves you the best to your cart.
Sign up and get a $10 welcome bonus today! And if you like Rakuten, give Honey a try, too. Honey searches the web and compares it to your online shopping cart which can help you save money elsewhere.
Next Steps
With Drop, you earn points or “Drops” by shopping directly from this awesome new cashback app. Just load in your card details to the app and choose your five favorite vendors.
Once you start making purchases through the Drop app at any of your five favorite vendors that you chose, you’ll earn points based on the amount of money you spend. These points can be used for gift cards not only at Amazon, but other great places like Starbucks or for Netfilx. Or you could use your points to enter sweepstakes.
<!–Bonus: Drop users earn a $5 bonus just for signing up and linking your credit card or debit card to the app.–>
Next Steps
PrizeRebel is another survey site. It works a lot like Survey Junkie but tends to be simpler and even easier to use. I enjoyed using PrizeRebel because you can claim payouts in the form of about 500 different gift cards. The choices include a Visa gift card you can use anywhere.
Like Survey Junkie you’d need 500 points ($5) to redeem a payout. PrizeRebel is so simple and straightforward I would probably list it higher except for one thing. The site’s simplicity has a drawback: You don’t know when you start a survey how much time it will take.
More advanced sites like Survey Junkie let you know in advance how many points you’ll get and how much time you should expect to spend. Survey Junkie also lets you know in advance if the survey will require some kind of supporting documentation.
And, sadly, PrizeRebel does not have smartphone apps which means you’d need to be on your laptop or your phone’s web browser to earn extra money for your bank account.
Next Steps
Let’s face it. Taking surveys all day can become mind-numbing. So can watching videos or playing video games. If you’d like a wider variety of to-do’s in one place, give InstaGC a look.
Yes, you can complete surveys and watch videos but you can also test apps, browse web sites, test physical products, and refer friends to earn credits which you can trade in for Amazon gift cards and many other kinds of gift cards.
You could also get PayPal cash but your points will have less value if you cash them out directly. Gift cards don’t require a fee.
Next Steps
Personal Capital, my favorite and free financial tracker app, will give you a $20 Amazon gift card just for signing up. It’s that simple.
There is a reason I wrote such a comprehensive Personal Capital Review and log into it every day. It really does help me track everything I need to know about my money – investment performance, cash flows, budgets, and early retirement trajectory. This is the best money app – period.
In the age of online shopping, everyone notices free Amazon gift card offers. I know this because I’m a nerd and spend a lot of time analyzing Google search engine queries to help identify user needs.
I analyze searches so I can answer questions and come up with the best solutions for Millennial Money readers. Check it out, these are the most searched phrases related to “Free Amazon gift cards”:
The searches on Microsoft’s Bing search engine are similar. But over 100,000 people search these terms each month in Google alone. Clearly there is a need to learn how to get gift cards from Amazon quickly. A lot of websites try to answer this question.
The trouble is, many of the solutions require you to jump through so many hoops to earn Amazon gift cards for free. Sometimes, we need cash faster!
Some sites can also be spammy or invasive or just feel illegitimate. Other sites require you to watch videos or play games which could take a long time. Or on some sites it could take you weeks to earn enough points to cash in — whether you’re going for Amazon gift cards, PayPal cash, or some other perks.
I’ve tried nearly all of them so that I could compile the most legit ways to earn free Amazon gift cards. This is the one-stop-shop to earn Amazon gift cards fast. I hope you found it helpful.
My 10 best ways to earn Amazon gift cards didn’t include the following ways to make money because Amazon itself offers these methods. But they’re definitely worth mentioning and they may be just the thing you need today:
Even if you just earn enough to pay your Amazon Prime bill each month, you’d be coming out on top.
Working, shopping, and banking online — all of these everyday activities require top-notch security. Online survey sites and other ways to earn gift cards online are no different.
All of the sites I mentioned take sensible security precautions to protect your financial and personal contact data. But you should also take security measures:
Be safe, have fun, and earn some extra cash, or Amazon gift cards, in your free time!
