In the current state of the world, it is almost impossible to survive on a minimum wage. Even if you work 40 hours a week, you will probably end up somewhere below the poverty line if you depend only on your minimum wage job. While daunting, there are many ways you can addition to your income and make sure extra money comes in every month, giving you more financial stability while working for minimum wage. Here are 17 ways to earn extra income while working a minimum wage job.

1. Monetize your social media content

If you enjoy posting regularly on your social media profile and want to grow your following, you should consider whether you can capitalize on your social media presence.

While the top Tik Tok and Instagram earners can rake in millions, even low-level influencers can earn quite a bit of supplemental income. That reports CNBC, you need a minimum of 5,000 Instagram followers and 308 sponsored posts per year to generate $100,000. There is money to be made influencing social media, and if you already spend 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 just a few channel ideas. If you have a particular talent or interest, bring it to YouTube and see if you can gain more followers and make money while doing the things you love. Who knows, maybe eventually you’ll be able to quit your minimum wage job altogether and dedicate yourself full-time to producing YouTube content.

3. Pet sitting or dog walking service

Are you a dog person? Pet sitting and/or dog walking can be a fun way to earn some extra money. If you work nights, dog walking neighbors during the workday can be a particularly good way to earn extra money while working a minimum wage job. Apps like Wag and Rover are great if you want information on how to get started. They connect dog sitters with pet owners seeking help with their dog.

4. House sitter

House sitting is an excellent and largely passive way to earn some extra money. You only have to look at your neighbor’s plants, or maybe their cat, a few times a week and you can make some extra money doing it. Posting on NextDoor is a great way to get the word out that you’re looking for a house sitter, and once you’ve found a few regular clients, you can easily start bringing in some extra income each month.

5. Babysitting in your community

Babysitting is more hands-on but more lucrative lateral pressure that brings in some extra money. To find customers, you can post messages on Next Door or create flyers and pass them on to your neighbors. If you get along well with children, this can be a fun way to bring in extra cash. According to an recent online study, the median hourly rate for a nanny nationally is $20.57 for one child and $23.25 for two children. You may come across a nanny gig that pays more than minimum wage and find a way to significantly increase your annual income.

6. Do chores for your neighbors

Other chores, such as raking, mowing the lawn, clearing snow, or taking out the trash, can be other ways to help your neighbors and earn extra income throughout the year. Many of these jobs are seasonal, but dedicating a few weekends to raking leaves in the fall can easily earn you a few hundred dollars per season.

Alternatively, apps like Task Rabbit can put you in touch with people willing to pay you in exchange for a helping hand. Moving furniture, supplies, and crafts are common Task Rabbit tasks that can earn you extra money each month. Taskers choose their own hours and typically earn $22 to $62 per delivery project.

7. Gig work

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, access to your own vehicle, and pass a background check. Each app has different requirements, but after a short initial sign-up period, you’ll be ready to start working on your own schedule.

You can also consider delivering for apps like Instacart or Doordash. Delivery apps are most lucrative during the dinner rush, while Instacart has more money-making opportunities during the day. Depending on your schedule, you choose the app that best matches your other job.

8. Rent out your car or motorcycle

If you own a vehicle, another way to make some extra money is renting out your car or motorcycle. According to the Turo car-sharing app website, the average annual income from renting out one car is $10,516. If you have the flexibility to go car-free, even just for a week or two a month, this could be a good option for you.

9. Rent out extra space

Likewise, if you have extra space, even if it’s just a garage, you can rent it out for cash and earn a generous sum passive income. For example, with apps like Stache and Neighbor, you can rent out your garage, driveway, or guest room to a neighbor who is looking for extra storage space. According to Staches website, a two-car garage earns an average of $4,000 per year. Your abandoned basement can earn you a hefty sum of money, so don’t let your free space go to waste!

10. Tutoring students in your field

If you’ve always been a mathematician, know a second language, or can play the guitar well, chances are there are parents willing to pay you to tutor their child. This can be a rewarding way to pass on your knowledge and spend time doing the things you enjoy while earning extra income at the same time. NextDoor, posting on community boards, or handing out flyers at a school near you are some ways to get your name out there and get your startup tutoring business off the ground.

11. Donate plasma

Not only are you saving lives, but by donating plasma, you can bring in a generous extra income every month. The amount you can earn varies by location, but in general you can expect to earn $50 to $75 per donation appointment. By donating plasma regularly, you can earn up to $400 per month. Donating plasma is different from donating blood because your remaining red blood cells are separated from your plasma and circulated back into your body, meaning you feel energetic and ready to get on with your day at the end of your appointment.

12. Become a participant in the study

There is a wide variety of ways to earn money as a study participant. You can enroll in a clinical trial, volunteer in a psychological study, or participate in a focus group. Each individual study varies in pay, but in general you can expect to earn $50-$300 per day. See if a college near you is looking for volunteers, or apply online to be matched with researchers looking for study participants.

13. Sell handmade crafts or goods online

Selling your crafts online is another way to earn extra income while doing the things you love. If you know how to knit or sew, open an Etsy shop and market your products on Instagram to see the fruits of your labor pay off. You can also sell your artwork, paintings, carvings, jewelry, or other craft products that you specialize in. If you haven’t specialized in crafts yet, it’s never too late to let your creative side shine and earn money while doing so. that too.

14. Start with street performers

If performing arts is more your style and you have no problem putting yourself out there, hit the streets, put up a donation box and do your thing. Sing your favorite songs, show off your breakdancing talents or even read poetry. While all donation-based busking, otherwise known as street performances, gives you the opportunity to practice your art, have fun, and earn some extra cash.

15. Participate in paid online surveys

To earn money by completing online surveys, all you need to do is sign up, fill in some basic information, and wait to be matched with surveys that match your profile. You can take surveys at home on your days off so you can stay on the couch and still make money. Some survey companies even have mobile apps so you can take surveys and earn money wherever you are, maybe even on a quiet workday.

16. Watch viral videos

That’s right – you can get paid to watch viral videos or even play video games through a company called Inbox dollars. In exchange for answering a survey at the end of the video or game, you will be rewarded with a small amount of money. If you do spend your free time on your phone, it’s worth trying to take advantage of your high screen time.

17. Sell your unused stuff

The resale market is hot, and if you’ve carefully worn furniture, clothes, or other items, you may be able to make a profit on your unused items. There are both online and in-person options for selling your stuff. While more convenient, if you take your clothes to a consignment store, you’ll generally earn less than if you sold them yourself online at Poshmark or Mercari.

Similarly, if you sell your furniture on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you’ll spend more time negotiating with potential buyers, but you’ll likely earn more than if you had taken your items to a thrift store. Whichever route you choose, it probably pays to go through your stuff and get rid of the stuff you no longer need or use.

At one point, the minimum wage was also one living wage. Sadly, this is no longer the case for thousands of workers across the country, and it can be nearly impossible to survive on just a minimum wage job. Relying on a minimum wage job can be especially challenging for those raising a family, going to school or hoping to invest in a home. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to generate extra income while working a minimum wage job that can help you live a more comfortable life and become more financially secure.

The mail 17 ways to earn extra income while working for minimum wage appeared first on Because of.