making money

7 Ways to Make Money Over Memorial Day Weekend

Rachel Slifka — Fri, 11 May 2018 09:00:10 +0000

With Memorial Day right around the corner, people are getting ready for a weekend of travel, hosting visitors, shopping, and parties. But for many side hustlers, Memorial Day is the perfect weekend to make some money.

Whether you're just looking to make a few extra bucks, or you're hoping to give yourself a serious financial boost, here are a few easy ways to make money this Memorial Day weekend.

1. Host a garage sale

With an extra day tacked on to the weekend, it's a perfect opportunity to hold a garage sale. Spring clean your home and take stock of all the items you no longer want or need. Once you have an inventory, start advertising on Facebook or Craigslist to drum up your sale.

If a garage sale isn't your thing, you can always sell used items on Craigslist, Facebook, or eBay, or use apps like LetGo and OfferUp. These apps allow you to easily post for-sale items and provide a safe way to collect payment. (See also: 12 Garage Sale Items That Sell Like Hotcakes)

2. Rent out your home

Since Memorial Day is a travel-heavy holiday, many people will be looking for affordable accommodations in their planned destination. If you're planning on leaving your home empty to do some travel of your own, you may as well have it earn money while you're away.

Even if you have an extra bedroom or couch to spare, you can rent out your space on Airbnb to earn some quick cash. Just be sure you can provide a clean, safe environment and be available to answer any questions your guests may have. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

3. Do yard work

As the unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day weekend is the time when many people take a look around their yard and realize it's in need of quite a bit of TLC. Offer your assistance to folks who don't want to — or are unable to — do all that work themselves. You could mow lawns, weed-whack, prune hedges, rake leaves, and power wash decks and siding.

Yard work gigs aren't hard to find, as you can likely spot a few neighbors whose lawn could use a refresh. Ask around your neighborhood and you will be sure to find business.

4. Pet sit

Do you have any friends who might be out of town for the long weekend? Do those friends have dogs or cats at home? Offer to pet sit for them and earn a few extra dollars.

You can also use a site like Rover.com to sign up as a pet sitter. You can choose to watch the pet in your own home or in the owner's house. Many pet sitters earn $20 to $40 per night, per pet, making it a pretty well-paying side hustle. Plus, if you enjoy animals, you get the added benefit of spending time with some furry friends. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

5. Work in retail

Memorial Day brings the masses to the stores to shop sales and stock up on summer necessities. As such, some retailers are in need of additional part-time or seasonal help. If you have the time and can provide exceptional customer service, there is likely a seasonal job for you. Ask around your local area to see who is hiring.

6. House sit

Since many people are traveling for Memorial Day weekend, you can take advantage and offer to house sit for your friends or family. Most of the time, all you have to do as a housesitter is check the mail, water the plants, and make sure everything is secure and in order. What could be easier than getting paid to hang out in someone else's home?

7. Event staff

Your town may be hosting public celebrations over Memorial Day weekend, such as block parties, bonfires, or concerts. These events need staff. Check out event venues as well as your local Chamber of Commerce to see if any jobs are available.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Rachel Slifka of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Ways to Make Money While at the Beach This Summer

Mikey Rox — Mon, 07 May 2018 09:01:12 +0000

Whether you live near the beach, or just plan on spending the summer at one, you'll need steady income to make the most of your sunny days. From dog-watching, to baby-sitting, to selling sunscreen by the seashore, here are some clever ways to make a few bucks while having fun in the sun.

1. Pet-sitting

I started watching dogs through Rover.com to supplement my income a few years ago — and my "business" has steadily grown ever since. My bookings dramatically increase in the summer as a result of all the vacationers coming to town with their fur babies. They get to relax and enjoy the beach and boardwalk without their animal for a few hours (or even overnight), while the pup gets to play at a local "yappy hour" (basically a dog run with a bar) where I take all my clients' dogs to make new friends and expend their energy.

I charge a reasonable $39 per night, per dog fee ($25 for anything less than 24 hours of sitting during the day), which is honestly the easiest money I've ever made. There's not a whole lot of actual "work" involved and it brings me joy just to be around the dogs. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

2. Teaching fitness classes

I have a couple friends who have taken to the beach to build their personal fitness programs, and they've got a full schedule of clients during peak season. If you have the skills, certifications, and insurance to offer this type of service, pursue it. Hunter Healy, a beach-based group fitness instructor in Garden City, South Carolina, has found this type of business quite rewarding.

"The beachside facet has been the 'It' factor when finding and securing clients," he says. "Rain? No problem! We move to under the pier. I partner with several local tourist attractions as well as hotels to market my individual and group sessions to weekly travelers. This business has given me the ability to be active and do what I love in the best office I could ask for — the beach!"

3. Local event staff

There's always something happening in beach communities during the summer months — concerts, bonfires, surf competitions, volleyball tournaments, 5Ks, and more. These activities and events need staffers to ensure they go off without a hitch, and you could be the perfect candidate. Visit specific entertainment venues to inquire about available jobs. You also might want to pop into the local Chamber of Commerce to find out who the producers of events are if you can't readily pinpoint or get a hold of them.

4. Micro-subletting your home

Vacationers need a clean, convenient place to stay at the beach, and many families can't afford the local hotels in the high season. This is precisely how vacation rental services Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO became household names, and I've been taking advantage of this rental market since the very beginning.

If you live in a beach town, you can rent your extra room or space to tourists who need a place to crash. Based on my own success, this revenue source can really bring in big bucks if you do it well. Local laws are starting to prohibit homeowners from making money in their homes by being hosts, so check up on the regulations in your area before diving into micro-subletting. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

5. Driving for Lyft or Uber

Besides sunbathing on the beach, one of vacationers' favorite pastimes is drinking — and once they get good and sloshed, they're gonna need rides home. Depending on how active your beach area is, you can make serious money during the summer driving for ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber, especially between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on weekends.

I've made upward of $130 on single-fare, 20-mile trips when the bars close. I actually think of this side gig as a twofold benefit — not only am I making money, but I'm preventing myself from spending money on Friday and Saturday nights by not going out partying myself, which is often a significant cost when I'm ready to do it to it. (See also: 7 Ways to Earn Extra Money With Your Car)

6. Monetizing your driveway or yard

My beach town has very limited parking, which is a major annoyance for residents on summer weekends. But you can work this in your favor if you have yard or driveway space close enough to attractions.

People will absolutely pay a reasonable fee to park in your monitored space instead of driving in circles for 20 minutes waiting for someone to leave another spot for which they'll also have to pay. I think a sweet spot to charge is between $15 to $20 per four-hour period, then $5 per every additional hour after that up to $40 for a 24-hour period. (See also: How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Moneymaker)

7. Selling sunscreen, water, and snacks on the beach

Beachgoers forget and/or run out of sunscreen while on the beach, at which point they have to visit a store that sells it at "vacation cost" or live without it for the day, which is quite dangerous. Take advantage of this market and walk the beach offering bottles of sunscreen plus bottles of water and snacks. You'll make a killing. A word of warning: You may need a license in certain areas.

8. Provide a metal detecting service

A good metal detector will only cost you around $100 or so, but you can recoup that cost almost immediately by renting out the device or your searching services to vacationers who have lost valuable items on the beach, like wallets, rings, and keys. I would start with Craigslist, posting daily about your service (that's the first place out-of-towners will look), but also just walk the beach with your detector in hand. You'll probably drum up business right then and there by just being visible. Ten dollars an hour to rent or $30 per find sounds like a reasonable place to start pricing. (See also: 9 Ways to Make an Extra $1,000 This Summer)

9. Cleaning houses

I have houseguests a lot during the summer, and I don't always have time to clean my home. I sometimes hire a housekeeper to do the heavy lifting. Offering your own house cleaning services in a beach community during the summer should be a boon, as I'm sure there are plenty of homeowners in a similar situation as mine.

The key to building this business with repeat customers and referrals is to come prepared, clean like you mean it, pay attention to detail, and price your service reasonably. My suggestion is $20 to $25 an hour. Most people are willing to pay for the convenience if the price is in this ballpark.

10. Baby-sitting

Moms and dads want to have fun on vacation, too, so they may be looking for a baby-sitter during their stay. They probably won't know anyone in the area, so you might find it beneficial to list your services with some of the popular websites and apps that parents prefer, like Care.com and Sitter. (See also: 9 Summer Side Gigs for Grown-Ups)

11. Rent portable chargers

Invest in five to 10 portable chargers from various electronics and mobile phone makers, set up a little stand on the boardwalk, and watch the cash flow in. No brainer.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Make Money From Mother's Day

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:17 +0000

The average American spends around $172 to make Mom feel special every Mother's Day. If you have ever purchased a bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates, you've seen firsthand how costly it can be to shower Mom with gifts.

Turn the tables this year by earning money rather than spending it. Here are some unique ways you can cash in on Mother's Day. (See also: 14 Best Side Jobs For Fast Cash)

1. Host photo sessions

One year, a photographer friend of mine announced she was throwing mini Mother's Day photo sessions for $65. The session included 30 minutes of shooting with cute props in her backyard and a disc of five to seven edited shots on a CD a week later. She allowed families to sign up for one of 10 slots the weekend before Mother's Day.

As a customer, I was thrilled to get some affordable, wonderful shots without the hassle of planning a Pinterest-worthy photo shoot. As the photographer, she was able to generate $650 for about 10–15 hours of work. If you are a talented photographer, have great editing skills, and have a nice camera and editing software already on hand, try offering this service.

As a word of warning, if you are not experienced photographing families, especially ones with unpredictable kids and babies, you might not want to jump into this business until you are more practiced.

2. Sell crafted gifts

If you love to make crafts, think of the many ways you can offer your skills for sale for Mother's Day. You can sell general crafts, like scarves, potted succulents in unique designs, or jewelry. You can also offer customized creations that will help individuals give their mothers something extra special for the day. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

If you sew or quilt, offer to turn baby clothes or special family clothes into a beautiful blanket.
If you create jewelry, offer customized jewels to represent birthstones or personalities.
If you paint or draw, do personalized silhouettes or drawings of the family from photographs.
If you enjoy woodwork or painting, create customized signs or wood scroll art.

3. Deliver flower arrangements

Even having a small bouquet of flowers delivered will cost you around $35–$50. If you live near a flower market or have a flourishing garden to choose from, you can make your own floral arrangements and sell them locally.

Try creating one or two arrangements several weeks before Mother's Day to showcase your skills and what you will be selling. This will allow you to take orders and know exactly how much to buy when you purchase florals and containers. Offer handwritten notes to make the arrangement even more special. Add on a small fee for local delivery to cover your time and gas expenses. (See also: 7 Ways to Earn Extra Money With Your Car)

4. Put your baking skills to use

Nothing says love like a plate of homemade cookies or a tasty cake. However, not everyone has the time or desire to be in the kitchen whipping up something for their mama. If you know how to make beautiful cookies or cake pops, or have a secret cake recipe everyone raves over, why not try finding customers for the holiday weekend?

You could also sell your goods at local farmers markets or craft shows. Be sure to brush up on the laws in your state to ensure it is legal to sell food goods from your home.

5. Host a Mother's Day boutique

If you can't think of anything to create or sell, sell other people's goods. Host a Mother's Day boutique or craft show that allows other local vendors to set up tables and sell their goods. You can host the event in your home, backyard, or a low-cost venue such as a church. Vendors should pay a small fee to set up their booths and donate one item to your show's raffle. Next, advertise the boutique through friends, acquaintances, local businesses, and social media. Create an event on Facebook and spread the word.

The goal is to help connect your community to great local vendors and to give vendors the opportunity to sell their goods. Be sure to sell raffle tickets to help cover the costs of running the boutique, as well.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Creative Ways to Boost Your Retirement Savings

Kat Tretina — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:00:09 +0000

Everyone knows how important it is to save for retirement. However, actually setting aside money for your future can be challenging. When you're short on cash and have other demands on your budget, there might be little to nothing left to put toward your nest egg. How are you supposed to save for your future when you're completely strapped in the present?

If you don't make enough money right now to set aside, there are still ways to grow your retirement savings. You just have to think outside the box.

1. Use your tax refund

Many people daydream about how they want to spend their tax refund, which is often the biggest windfall they'll see all year. In fact, last year the average tax refund was $2,763, according to the IRS.

If you're getting a tax refund this year, put it to work. Rather than spending your refund on electronics or a vacation, consider depositing that money straight into your retirement fund. With the power of compound interest, that refund could grow by the thousands by the time you retire.

2. Deposit your credit card rewards

If you have a credit card that offers cash back, that cash can be a regular source of extra money for your retirement fund. If you already use your credit card for routine purchases like utilities, gas, and groceries, this is easy money. Just make sure you are paying off your credit card balance in full every month.

3. Use cash back apps

If you don't have a cash back credit card, you can still earn money for doing the shopping you were going to do anyway. Apps like Ibotta or SavingStar let you earn cash back on grocery purchases, while sites like eBates offer a percentage back on many online purchases. You'll earn a percentage of your purchase as cash, and a check will be mailed to you — which you can toss straight into your retirement account. It's a low-effort way to earn extra money going about your normal routine. (See also: 7 Apps That Actually Pay You to Shop)

4. Launch a side hustle

If you have some extra time, you can earn money in the evenings or on weekends by launching a side hustle for fast cash. From walking dogs to making deliveries, there are hundreds of side gigs you can do in just a few hours a week. That extra income can go a long way to funding your retirement.

5. Sell your clutter

Take a look around at all of the electronics, textbooks, toys, and more that you never use. You may have as much as a few thousand dollars' worth of items collecting dust in your home. That clutter can be eliminated while netting you some money for your retirement. Sell items on sites like eBay, LetGo, and Bookscouter to get cash for your stuff. (See also: 5 Things in Your Garage That Have Serious Re-Sale Value)

6. Rent out extra space

If you have an extra bedroom, you can rent it out on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. Depending on your location and the size of your space, you could charge hundreds per night. However, you don't even need an extra room to make money. You can rent out a spare closet or storage space in the garage on Spacer, or rent out your parking spot on SpotHero. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

7. Sell photos online

If you like photography, you can earn passive income to put toward your retirement savings by selling your photos. You can try your hand at selling stock photography on sites like iStock or Shutterstock, or you could sell your artwork in an online portfolio or on arts and craft sites like Etsy. You could also try selling smartphone photos on Foap, which is an app that connects brands with photographers looking to sell their images. (See also: Earn Extra Income With Your Smartphone Camera)

8. Let strangers drive your car

If you don't drive your car every day, your vehicle can become a lucrative source of income. You can rent it out to tourists or business travelers on Turo and set your own daily rate. According to the company, you can make nearly $5,800 a year if your car's market value is $20,000 and you rent it out for 12 days per month. That alone could get you to the contribution limit on an IRA.

9. Trade in clothes for cash

If you have clothes, handbags, or shoes that you don't wear anymore, stop letting them take up precious closet space. You can sell those items on sites like Poshmark, Tradesy, and even in-person at consignment stores like Plato's Closet or Clothes Mentor. A single bag of clothes could net you enough to send a couple hundred dollars toward your retirement account.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Profit Off Your Cabin Fever

Tim Lemke — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:00:05 +0000

Winter can be the pits. The weather's cold, and getting outside can be tough. You've got cabin fever, and you can't wait for spring.

But perhaps you can use the time stuck inside to your advantage. Now may be the time to get a handle on your finances and perhaps even make a little extra money while you're cooped up.

Consider these ways to improve your finances during the long, cold winter.

1. Optimize your investments

You may have spent much of the last year simply watching your investments do their thing, and thankfully they've probably done well. Every portfolio is due for a review now and again, so consider taking a look at your investments to ensure you're set up for maximum returns.

This may mean rebalancing your stocks and mutual funds so you aren't disproportionately invested in one area. It may mean selling some investments that have underperformed, or doing the same for stocks that may be due for a sharp fall. Making some good choices now could allow you to enjoy another year of worry-free investing. (See also: How an Exit Strategy Can Make You a Better Investor)

2. Get your taxes in order

Your tax returns will be due in mid-April. It's always wise to avoid waiting until the last second to file, and you should consider using this winter time to research the best ways to avoid paying too much at tax time.

Perhaps there are tax credits and deductions you never knew you could take advantage of. Maybe you have time to make IRA contributions or make other moves to reduce your tax liability. Or maybe you need time to dig up those receipts from charities you donated to in 2017. Doing taxes may not seem like fun, but it can be interesting, especially if you do the work to maximize your savings. (See also: 7 Surprising Tax Deductions You Might Miss)

3. Put together a pitch for a raise

Now may be the time of year when you can focus on advancing your career. Maybe you've been seeking a raise or promotion for a while, but haven't had the time to build your case. With a little time on your hands, now you may have the ability to develop a solid pitch to your supervisor. This may mean collecting examples of goals you've achieved, or ways in which you've helped the company. It may mean collecting data on salaries and how yours compares to the industry average. Take the time to find the right tone, make the right arguments, and go for it. (See also: 5 Times You Should Demand a Raise)

4. Look for a new job

What if you don't want a promotion or raise, because you can't stand your job to begin with? What if you feel like the only way to make more money is to switch companies or careers? Well, use the winter months to look for a new one. If you're stuck inside, take the time to update your resume, get active on LinkedIn, and reach out to your online network.

There are many employers that post new jobs at the start of the year, because they may have received the budget approval to hire. The caveat to this is that many people look for new jobs as part of their New Year's resolutions, so you may face some stiff competition. But if you want a new job and know what you're looking for, take advantage of the time to search for a new career in a thoughtful and deliberate way. (See also: 8 Signs You Should Quit Your Job)

5. Develop a side hustle

Perhaps a raise or a new job isn't yet in the cards. That's OK, you can still boost your income by finding other ways to make money on the side. Maybe now is the time to develop that pottery hobby into something revenue producing. Perhaps all this time inside the house will lead you to start a profitable blog or podcast. Whatever it is, you have the ability to make some extra cash just by leveraging your current talents. And who knows? Maybe the side hustle can eventually become your main hustle. (See also: 14 Best Side Jobs For Fast Cash)

6. Create budgets

Why not use the start of a new year to get smarter about spending less money than you earn? Now is the time to take a look at your spending and develop real limits on what you're buying and how much you are paying.

Ideally, you should have numerous budgets for things like eating out, entertainment, housing costs, automotive expenses, and even gifts. These budgets should be attainable but allow you to save money at the end of each month. Sticking to budgets can be hard, but even if you lose discipline during the year, you may succeed in reducing expenses in some areas and making progress in reducing debt or boosting your savings. (See also: Build Your First Budget in 5 Easy Steps)

7. Review your insurance policies

Oh yeah, everyone loves looking at insurance policies in their spare time. Exciting stuff, huh? It's true that this does not seem like fun, but a periodic review of your policies related to auto insurance, homeowners insurance, health insurance, and life insurance — as well as the rates you are paying — is a good financial move.

During this process, you may find that you are underinsured and placing yourself at risk, or that you are paying too much for insurance for someone in your situation. If you do a little rate shopping, you may find you can save significant money by switching providers. (See also: 7 Times to Update Your Homeowners Insurance)

8. Put on a sweater

When you're inside during the winter, you'll be tempted to crank that thermostat for maximum comfort. Consider instead keeping the house temperature lower and simply wearing more layers. While you may feel like you need the thermostat set to 72, you could probably get used to having it below 68.

Last year, my family's main heater broke during a snowstorm, and our house temperature fell into the 50s. Guess what? We threw on some extra sweatshirts, cuddled under some more blankets, and survived fine. Every few degrees of temperature on the thermostat could add up to hundreds of degrees — and dollars — annually, so dial it back and save. (See also: 5 Big Winter Expenses That Could Freeze Your Budget)

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Online Affiliate Programs That Can Make You Extra Cash

Nick Wharton — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:30:06 +0000

The web is awash with deceptive stories and clickbait ads claiming you can make millions online with little or no effort. So it's no wonder people think earning money via the internet is a shady and fruitless endeavor. However, there are plenty of legitimate methods of making money online, and affiliate marketing is one of them.

There are thousands of reputable companies looking to work with publishers to help promote their products and services. Whether you're looking to earn a full-time salary or supplement your income with a few extra dollars each month, affiliate marketing is a great option to explore. Here are three affiliate programs that can earn you money online.

What is an affiliate program?

Affiliate programs are a form of online marketing employed by advertisers seeking referrals from a wide range of sources. They usually offer a commission, which reflects a percentage of every sale made from the referral link. So if you have a website or a mailing list and you link to a product or retailer using a tracking link, the advertiser will know that that customer came from your link and if they buy, you will be paid commission.

It's beneficial for the company because it receives both advertising and sales leads that it wouldn't necessarily be able to access otherwise. It's also beneficial for you and their other affiliate publishers, who are able to make money from sales without actually having to get involved in handling the transaction. Since all you're doing is essentially connecting people with products, affiliate marketing can be one of the most time- and cost-effective methods to make money online. (See also: 5 Ways to Make Passive Income Online)

How to set up your affiliate program

If you have an established following, whether it's on your company website, a personal blog, or on social media, then it's easier to find an affiliate program you can implement. Some have requirements that you'll need to meet before being accepted as an affiliate, but many are open to anyone and have a very basic registration process.

Once you've signed up, you'll be able to create unique links that allow the company to track them back to you so you get credit for the referrals you provide. It's important to read the fine print to know the limitations of how and where you're allowed to include the links because it varies from program to program. You can then start dropping these links into places where readers are likely to click on them and buy whatever is being advertised. These places include blog posts, newsletters, and Twitter and Facebook posts. (See also: How to Earn Extra Income With Twitter)

One of the most effective ways of making money from affiliate programs is to link to the promoted products or services from your own website or email list. This allows you to build, analyze, and target your audience effectively. It's quick and easy to start a website if you don't already have your own, and it's possible to begin earning affiliate income within a matter of hours once the website is up and running. (See also: How to Turn Your Instagram Account Into a Paying Gig)

Booking.com

As one of the top accommodation booking sites on the internet, Booking.com offers more than a million properties for travelers, including everything from hostels to luxury apartments. The Booking.com affiliate program is also one of the foremost and well used programs around.

Commission is only paid when people book via your referrals and then complete their stay at their chosen property. Because of this, and the fact that customers sometimes cancel their bookings, the payment cycle is often slightly more complicated than those of other affiliate programs, but the platform allows you to easily track and analyze your earnings.

Thanks to the way the commission payments are structured, the more bookings that users make through your links, the higher the commission you'll receive. The rates start at 25 percent and go up to 40 percent once you've surpassed 501 bookings. To clarify, that means 25 percent to 40 percent of Booking.com's commission, so don't expect to get that percentage of the overall cost of the hotel stay.

Amazon

The Amazon affiliate program, Amazon Associates, is probably the best known program on the market. When it launched the program in 1996, Amazon was one of the pioneers of what was a new form of online marketing at the time. Many people attribute a large part of the company's resulting success to it.

One of the reasons that it's so successful is because the program is free and extremely simple to join. The interface is also easy to use. This means that you can start earning money right away once you've signed up. You earn money when a customer clicks on one of the links you're promoting and then buys something on the site. It doesn't even necessarily need to be the product you've recommended.

If they purchase anything within 24 hours, you'll get commission, and even if they just place items in their cart during that time, but purchase them within 90 days, you still earn. This is basically a 90-day cookie for any cart items, which is a very generous cookie duration.

Amazon's main site is renowned among affiliate partners for being a conversion machine, which means that just by providing links, the likelihood of the reader clicking and then buying something is relatively high. With Amazon Associates, you have various tools that allow you to implement the links in different ways such as banners, image links, and text links. You can earn up to 10 percent in fees.

ClickBank

Started in 1998, ClickBank is a go-between entity that connects vendors wishing to market their products and services, and publishers looking for relevant products to promote to their audiences. Whereas Amazon Associates is an affiliate program with a defined fee structure, ClickBank is an affiliate network that takes care of multiple vendors’ affiliate programs, so the commission structures vary. The vendors choose the commission rate, which is typically between 30 percent and 50 percent (though it can range from 1 percent to 75 percent). That’s significantly higher than Amazon rates of 1 percent to 10 percent, but of course, Amazon generates a much, much higher volume of sales.

ClickBank’s products and services, many of which are digital, are different from Amazon’s product line. So, many affiliate marketers will sign up for both ClickBank and Amazon to maximize their product portfolio and potential profits.

Signing up for ClickBank only takes a few moments, and it costs you nothing to join as an affiliate. There's no screening or approval process, and once you've joined, you can start making commission right away. There's a wide range of products for you to start marketing, so whatever niche you're in, you should find something relevant.

The great part about ClickBank is, your account is credited in real time, meaning you can keep close track of how your affiliate sales are performing.

Be sure to follow FTC endorsement guidelines

When promoting affiliate products online or within emails, it's important that you follow the guidelines from the Federal Trade Commission so that your readers and followers are well aware that they are clicking on affiliate links and you will be making money from their purchase. It's simply good business to be completely transparent about the nature of the transaction.

According to the FTC Website:

"If you disclose your relationship to the retailer clearly and conspicuously on your site, readers can decide how much weight to give your endorsement.

In some instances — like when the affiliate link is embedded in your product review — a single disclosure may be adequate. When the review has a clear and conspicuous disclosure of your relationship and the reader can see both the review containing that disclosure and the link at the same time, readers have the information they need. You could say something like, "I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post." But if the product review containing the disclosure and the link are separated, readers may not make the connection."

What to watch out for

Not all affiliate programs are created equal, so if you're trying to maximize your affiliate revenues, it's important that you know a few key things that will help you to ensure that you're getting paid for every referral.

Percentage of sale (commission rate)

Of course, the number one thing you want to look at is the commission rate. What percentage of the customer’s payment will you receive? In some cases, there is a flat fee for every sale made, and sometimes you will get a percentage of the total sale. Keep your eye out for "percentage of commission" sales, as this means that you're not taking a percentage of the total sale, but rather a percentage of the company's commission.

Average sale value

Once you know what the commission rate is, it's a good idea to check what the average sale is so that you know how much you can expect to earn (on average) from each sale.

Cookies

Affiliate marketers love cookies! Cookies are small pieces of data retained on computers by browsers that contain various pieces of information in regards to a specific website visit. In the case of affiliate programs, most of the good ones include a 30-day cookie or longer, meaning if someone clicks your link and visits the site, you'll still get paid as long as they return to the site and make a purchase within 30 days. Cookies that linger even longer are a bonus!

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Ways to Make Money Off of Your New Year's Resolutions

Mikey Rox — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:00:08 +0000

You'll probably set several New Year's resolutions this year, but "Make More Moneeeeeeey!" should be at the top of that list. How can you do that? By hitting the ground running on January 1 with these cash-earning opportunities that sometimes kill two birds with one stone. Here's to a happier, healthier, flusher-with-cash you in 2018.

1. Get in shape by walking dogs

Combine your love of adorable dogs with your desire to get healthier by joining Rover or Wag!, two sites that will help you set up a dog-walking side gig. Rover is the nation's largest network of dog sitters and walkers, and it'll help connect you with those looking for occasional care of their pets. I'm a member of Rover myself, and I've made several thousand dollars this year pet-sitting and playing with local pups. It's the perfect side-hustle for people who want to get more exercise, get outside more, and save some extra money after the expensive holiday season. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

2. Help name startup businesses

There are several online services (like Upwork and Truelancer) that can help you advance your creative freelance career, but Squadhelp.com gamifies the brainstorming experience with a decent payoff.

"If your NYE resolution is about finding a more productive use of your time, you might want to consider Squadhelp.com," says the site's founder Darpan Munjal. "You can spend couple of hours every day helping startups find great names for their businesses. You not only channel your creativity in helping real companies find great names, you also win cash prizes (ranging from $100 to $500) every time your name is selected."

3. Declutter by selling your unwanted stuff

If your goal in the New Year is to cut the clutter and free up more usable space in your house, there are several options to do just that while pocketing some dough. I've had a lot of success listing my in-good-condition junk on the Letgo app, but I also have friends who swear by Facebook Marketplace, both of which help you promote your secondhand wares to local buyers. (See also: 9 Ways to Make Money From Holiday Gifts You Don't Want)

To maximize your selling efforts, heed this advice from Letgo's head of communications, Jonathan Lowe:

Take clear, quality photos

Taking a few seconds to dust your coffee table or iron a pair of pants will make them much more attractive to buyers. Choose an angle and spot with good lighting and an uncluttered background. Put smaller items like headphones or jewelry on a solid color surface and take a photo from 45 to 90 degree angles. Make sure the item's in focus, and post a few shots from different angles.

Be transparent

Tell buyers upfront and include photos of any wear and tear on your item. Most buyers won't be concerned with a small scratch or frayed hem, especially if the price is right, but no one wants to feel like they've been misled.

Do your homework

Check out what other sellers are asking for similar items and price your items competitively.

Reply quickly

Turn on push notifications so you can reply as soon as buyers message you. Be courteous and answer any questions they might have.

Offer a package deal

Things like video games, vinyl records, art supplies, toys, and even jewelry often attract more interest as a set. (See also: Make Money and Declutter by Selling These 5 Unlikely Treasures)

4. Self-publish your book

I'm currently writing a book about how to be a successful Airbnb host, and I haven't considered reaching out to a major publisher because self-publishing seems more attractive to me. Here's why: Self-publishing gets your book in the hands of readers quickly. In fact, you may want to pursue this avenue as a way to extend your audience for a book you've already published. Self-publishing can award you with about 70 percent royalty (depending on the price you charge readers for your book), which could provide you with passive income for years to come. Something to investigate at least. (See also: 3 Real Costs of Self-Publishing a Kids' Book)

5. Use technology to fine-tune your personal finance

I've sung the praises of my well-used cash-back apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 over the past few years (I've made several hundred dollars using them), but there are other ways keep your personal finance in check while earning money or rewards, like The Birch Finance app, which makes it easy to analyze your past transactions and actively monitor spending to recommend the best cards to use for max rewards.

I'm also into Paribus right now, which links to your accounts at retailers like Target and Amazon and helps you find money based on price drops on your recent purchases. It'll send you an email when there's money waiting for you so you can claim it. Easy-breezy. (See also: 7 Apps That Actually Pay You to Shop)

6. Achieve goals with monetary encouragement

I feel a little weird about Goal Goodies — which is like a GoFundMe campaign for your health goals — but it could be a helpful way to keep your resolutions on track while making money. Essentially, you create your page and set your health goal (losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.) and then invite family and friends to pledge money to help keep you motivated. (See also: 6 Apps That Pay You to Work Out)

7. Clean out your garage and rent out the space

You know all about Airbnb by now, but if you're not comfortable renting out your home to strangers, maybe you'll consider renting out your garage to strangers' vehicles. After you clean it out and make it all pretty, STOW IT will help connect you with users who need a place to store their vehicles for a monthly fee. Imagine getting paid to let a car sit in a space that was designed for cars and not all those piled-up cardboard boxes! I think it's an awesome idea, and I'm little miffed that I don't have a garage to offer myself. I'll just live vicariously through yours.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Fast Ways to Restock an Emergency Fund After an Emergency

Annie Mueller — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 08:00:06 +0000

You worked hard to build up your emergency fund — and then you needed to use it. That's OK! That's why you had an emergency fund in the first place. Now it's time to rebuild that financial safety net (and your peace of mind). Here are six quick ways to replenish the savings.

1. Take on a weekend job

If your regular job is on a Monday-Friday schedule, you could look for a part-time weekend job. Retailers and restaurants are often on the search for dependable staff. You can also look for weekend positions in janitorial work or temp staffing positions. There are often various part-time positions available at any business or service that has to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For example, elderly care homes, emergency services, and gas stations all need part-time help.

You won't make big bucks at most of these jobs, but if you put 100 percent of your weekend paychecks into your emergency fund, you can rebuild it fairly quickly: If you net $150 per weekend, you can save $3,600 in six months of consistent weekend work.

2. Work retail for the holidays

Seasonable businesses depend on the profits they make in the high season, which is sometimes only a few key months out of the year. For example, retailers depend on holiday sales, so they increase their people power accordingly, hiring thousands of additional workers. You could be one of those workers, bringing in a decent hourly rate for all those extended shopping times. If you're willing to put in overtime, you can seriously raise that seasonal paycheck. Working retail during November and December could net you enough to rebuild your emergency fund, and get you a sweet employee discount for doing your own holiday shopping.

3. Work at other seasonal businesses

Other seasonal businesses include landscaping and lawn care companies, which get busiest in the spring and summer months. They often need additional help to do the landscaping work, and may also need help with office jobs, such as answering the phone, responding to customers, scheduling appointments, and handling invoicing and billing.

Seek out the seasonal businesses in your area and apply for a position. If you have experience in any of the work that seasonal businesses need done, negotiate for a higher rate; since it's seasonal work, they don't have a lot of time to spend on training. If you can jump in at full-speed, you're worth a higher salary, which means your emergency fund gets rebuilt even sooner.

4. Clean out and sell

Cleaning out your house, garage, and yard can be a great way to bring in some funds quickly. For higher-value items, such as appliances, furniture, or specialty wear like a wedding dress, list each one individually. Lower-value items, like books and everyday used clothes, can often be bundled for a faster sale and higher profit. (See also: Make Money and Declutter by Selling These 5 Unlikely Treasures)

You can approach selling your items in two different ways.

First, you can do it yourself using online classified services and social media. With this method, you keep all the money but you have to do all the marketing and work yourself.

Second, you can take your items to a resale shop that will take them in on commission or purchase them outright. You'll make less money, but the shop will handle the work of selling.

Here's one important note on selling your stuff: If you have specialty items, such as antique furniture, jewelry, or collectibles, seek out an appraisal from a qualified dealer. General resale shops often won't know the value of specialty items. A dealer, however, can help you set a fair price that reflects the value and may even be able to help set up a sale for a fee.

5. Offer your services

If you have any specialized skills or services, you can make the most of them now to rebuild your savings.

Child care

Parents of young children are often searching for dependable, trustworthy care for their kids. And the hourly rate can be much more than minimum wage, depending on the area you live in. Provide references and make your child care services available through your local network of friends and social media.

Tutoring

Kids in school need tutoring, and adults in continuing education or returning to college often need tutoring as well. You can find a local tutoring service in your area and apply for a position, or work solo. Find a public location (such as a library) to meet for your tutoring sessions. (See also: How to Earn $1,000 a Month or More as an Online Tutor)

Marketing

Local businesses often need help with social media, content marketing, flyer or brochure design, or script-writing for ad or television spots. How can you help? Put together a short list of your services and rates and approach local business owners via email, phone, or at their location.

The list of services you can offer is really only as limited as your capabilities. If you have a hobby, special interest, or any sort of experience in something other people need help with, you've got a service to offer.

6. Cut down to minimums

If you have little time to spare, take a hard look at your budget. Cut down to absolute minimums on all your spending for the next three to six months, and dedicate the difference to rebuilding your emergency fund. While living on a bare-bones budget isn't a lot of fun, it helps to know it's only for a limited time. Once you rebuild your savings, you can revert to your normal budget.

For maximum speed in rebuilding your emergency fund, combine a couple of approaches. For example, if you can sell some high-value items and also pick up seasonal work, you'll move that much faster toward a replenished savings account.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Annie Mueller of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Surprising Ways to Earn Money Online

Damian Davila — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:30:14 +0000

The internet isn't all about cats with attitude, hashtags on social media, and endless Reddit discussion threads. There are also plenty of ways — some a bit off the beaten path — to make money. Here are seven surprising ways you can earn money online.

1. Sell your photos

National Geographic estimated that every American took an average of 322 digital photos in 2015. If you can easily beat that number and have serious photog skills, you should consider uploading your photos to sites that pay you every time somebody wants to download and use your image. Sites such as SmugMug Pro, Shutterstock, Foap, Clashot, and iStockphoto allow you to submit your digital masterpieces for review or you can apply to become a paid contributor. (See also: Earn Extra Income With Your Smartphone Camera)

2. Complete microtasks

If you have some extra time on your hands, rather than scrolling through your Instagram feed, make a little money by writing 50-word product descriptions, transcribing audio, or making sure that uploaded photos don't contain sensitive material. Sites, such as CrowdFlower and Amazon's Mechanical Turk, allow you to find single, self-contained tasks that provide a monetary reward. Initial tasks usually pay just a few cents, but once you obtain higher qualifications you can earn much more. (See also: 6 Ways to Earn More Money — Without Working More Hours)

3. Create an online course

When you're really good at something and could teach it to anybody in your sleep, then you could earn passive income by creating a robust online course and receiving royalties every time that somebody watches your lessons or tutorials, or signs up to the service as a paid student. Some options to build on-demand courses are Skillshare and Udemy.

4. Tutor in real time

Since some students learn better by doing, you also have the option to deliver live tutoring through the web. Sites like Chegg Tutors and Tutor.com are constantly looking for experienced tutors on a wide range of subjects at the high school and college levels. (See also: The 3 Best Jobs for Expats and Travelers)

5. Become a beta tester

Some people wait in line for hours to get the latest smartphone model or video game platform. If you're one of those, ErliBird.com offers you the opportunity to get a sneak peek and provide feedback on upcoming apps, websites, and products. Some assignments require ownership of a Windows PC, Mac, or other specific devices. Depending on your set of demographics and the needs from clients, the site provides up to five assignments per month, each one paying $10.

6. Be a virtual jury member

If you just can't wait for the day to be called for jury duty, you can increase your chances of becoming a juror by signing up for eJury.com. Don't let the late '90s retro design fool you, this site is real and the Texas-based company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Assignments depend on location and demand from attorneys in that area, so it may take a while for you to land an assignment. But when you do, expect a $5 to $10 payment via PayPal. (See also: 13 Ways to Make Money Online That Aren't Scams)

7. Snap photos of help wanted signs

With the Job Spotter app from job search engine Indeed.com, you can accumulate points by taking photos of local job signs with your smartphone camera. For about 30 seconds of your time, you can win up to 150 points for submitting a local job sign. Once you hit 100 points, you can turn that into a $1 in Amazon.com credit. If you're a frequent Amazon shopper, this is a pretty good deal for the amount of time that you have to invest.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Damian Davila of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Ways to Make Money Doing Household Chores

Kat Tretina — Tue, 30 May 2017 08:30:12 +0000

When it comes to earning extra money, many well-paying side hustles, such as graphic design, require specialized skills, experience, and pricey software or equipment. The requirements can be a major obstacle to launching a lucrative side gig.

However, there are several ways you can make money doing chores you do everyday, for other people. Whether you are a champion at ironing or can always pick the ripest fruit at the grocery store, here are four ways you can make additional income.

Doing laundry

For busy families, the laundry pile can quickly become a mountain. Between work and school, some people struggle to keep up. That means they often scramble to find clothes for the next day. That's a perfect opportunity for you to make money. You can charge families a fee to wash or iron their clothes and do it on your own schedule.

One company that connects side hustlers with clients is Laundry Care. Clients pay $35 per bag of laundry, which is about three loads. Contractors take home a percentage of the fee, and can earn extra money for doing additional services like ironing.

Shopping for groceries

If you don't mind the grocery store, you can make up to $25 an hour as a shopper for Shipt or Instacart. Clients place their orders online through the company apps, and shoppers can opt to fulfill orders that fit their schedules. You can take on jobs that work for you. If you're tight on time, you may decide to just complete one or two large orders a week. Or you can take several orders back-to-back when you need the cash. (See also: 21 Fresh Food Delivery Services That Can Save You Big)

Cleaning houses

If you enjoy keeping things clean, you can earn up to $22 an hour cleaning other people's homes. Rather than having a contract with a large, expensive cleaning company, some families prefer to hire someone as needed. And others just need someone for special occasions, such as when they're moving or having a party. You can make a good hourly wage when you have the time.

If you have professional cleaning experience, and client references, you can sign up to work as a cleaner through Handy.com. Handy will connect you directly with clients and you can select the gigs that match your needs.

If you don't have experience, or want to set your own rates, you can set up an account on Care.com. Families can search for you when they need a cleaner, and Care.com handles the payments and administrative work for you.

Running errands

Whether it's dropping off the dry cleaning or picking up prescriptions, managing and making time for all of life's necessary errands can be difficult. To relieve some of the burden, many professionals hire help to handle those little chores for them. If you have some spare time and don't mind driving or walking around town, you can make extra money without much stress.

TaskRabbit is one company that connects clients with on-demand help. From furniture assembly to making medical appointments, TaskRabbit workers provide much needed assistance. And depending on the job's requirements, you can make over $20 an hour. (See also: Find a Side-Gig at These Micro-Job Sites)

Another service to check out is Postmates. Postmates is an on-demand delivery service for meals, office supplies, and more. If someone's phone charger broke and they need a new one, you can make money by picking it up for them and delivering it. You can make over $25 an hour as a Postmates courier.

Doing extra laundry or running some simple errands can help you pay off debt or boost your emergency fund, empowering you to build more secure finances.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Think Like a Billionaire When You’re Broke

Paul Michael — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:00:08 +0000

It’s not easy being broke. As of 2014, there were almost 47 million Americans living below the poverty line. That’s roughly 15 percent of the population.

To simply tell these people to "start thinking like a billionaire" may seem tone deaf, or even cruel. But it actually is great advice. Millionaires and billionaires, especially those who are self-made, tend to think in a completely different way. It all comes down to a different view of the world. And it’s time to embrace that mindset.

Don't think about the money you don’t have

To illustrate this point, consider the test Dr. Tina Seelig gave her Stanford University students. She challenged them to make as much money as possible in two hours using only $5 of "seed funding" tucked in an envelope. Working in teams, they could spend as many hours as they wanted planning, but once they tore open the envelope, the clock started ticking. The most successful results came from the teams that realized a very important part of the test — namely, that the $5 was a red herring.

Concentrating on the small sum of money put them in a box, so they ignored it, and instead looked at ways to make money from scratch. Some of the ideas were incredible. One team made $650 by selling their time; they sold their three-minute presentation slot to a firm looking to recruit students in the class. Brilliant. Now that’s how a billionaire thinks — looking at the opportunity, not the handicap.

The lesson here is that the money you do not have right now should not, in any way, hold you back. If you don’t have funds, find a way to use what you do have to make money. What can you sell? Is it your time? Is it knowledge? Is it a service? The lack of money in your account should not place a limit on your ideas.

Never say "I can’t afford it." Instead ask "How can I afford it?"

You may have heard it often growing up. "Dad, can I get a new bike?" "No, we can’t afford it." That’s how poor and middle class people often think. They look at their current financial situation, and make a quick calculation. But that’s the wrong approach.

If you need something, or your kid wants something that isn’t just a frivolous whim, don’t automatically say, "No, we can’t afford it." Instead, counter with a question. Namely, "OK … how can we afford that?"

Maybe it’s a new stove, or replacing the old, worn-out car. If you immediately shut down the possibility, you’ll never get it. A billionaire doesn’t place these limits on ideas or dreams. They look into funding sources, ways to create capital, and many other money-generating avenues. And we’re not talking about pulling out your credit card for something you can’t afford and don’t need.

For necessities — or important dreams — it doesn’t matter if the object in question costs $100 or $100,000,000. The process is still the same. How can you afford that? What can you do to make it happen? Start thinking. (See also: How to Come Up With $1,000 in the Next 30 Days)

See change as opportunity

Most of us are afraid of a major life change, be it a job loss, financial obligation, or a move to another state. These are stressful and difficult situations. But a billionaire sees any kind of change, even those most of us would consider negative, as an opportunity.

If it’s a job loss, it has created a glut of free time to use for a new venture. What can you do with that time that could create money in new and exciting ways? Think back to those college students with the $5 challenge. Some of them decided to make money waiting in line for people. They were making $20 a shot. Considering the minimum wage is currently $7.25, that’s almost three times the amount for literally doing nothing.

Fear of change is natural. But fear is a negative response to any situation, and in the long run, it will cripple your thinking and your ability to bounce back. Whatever the situation, take control and think positively. How can you turn it to your advantage? What do you have now that you did not have before this major event happened? Then, run with it.

Every penny saved is a penny earned

Billionaires do not blow money. People have this idea, which comes from a select few who hog the limelight, that the superrich are super wasteful. But they did not become rich by throwing money away.

There is a now infamous anecdote about a billionaire who went into a New York bank asking for a $5,000 loan, and put his Bentley up as collateral. It was approved, and the bank employee parked the car in their underground garage. Two weeks later, the man returned from vacation, and paid back the $5,000, plus the $15.41 it accrued in interest. When asked why he, a rich man, would require such a small loan, he replied "Where else could I have parked my car in New York City for two weeks, for only $15?!"

The story isn't real, but the strategy definitely is. This is how a billionaire would actually think about such a situation. Sure, they can afford the finest parking in the city, but why pay through the nose for it when they can get it for almost nothing?

You can think the same way. What are you paying for, right now, that could be reduced in cost? What ways are there to save money on everyday purchases? From extreme couponing, to haggling and bartering, you have many options available to you.

Time really is money

Donald Trump once stated that he never wastes time. Even when he’s on the golf course, he’s doing business. He sleeps as little as possible, because every moment he’s awake is an opportunity to make money or create something.

Look at the ways you spend your time, and see how it can be maximized to work for you. If you’re on the bus going to work, are you staring out of the window, or reading a book that could teach you a new skill? Do you have hobbies that are productive?

Even playing video games can make you a small fortune, if you record yourself playing and post the videos to YouTube and Twitch. Indeed, the average "pro-streamer" makes between $3,000–$5,000 per month from 40 hours per week of game time. Think about that. They are literally being paid a living wage to play video games. Something that many people believe to be a waste of time has been turned into an income stream.

Consider every detail

It’s been said that billionaires look at the bigger picture. It's often called "the 30,000 foot view," which basically means seeing the layout, but not the houses, driveways, and storefronts. This is, in fact, the complete opposite of how a successful business operator thinks. Yes, the big picture is important at the get-go. But the details are what drives the success or failure of a venture. Often, it’s a small detail that was overlooked that causes something to fail.

Look at your own budget, and lifestyle, with that same eye for details. Are you paying $1 too much for something, especially a monthly bill? Did you examine the contract for your lease? Is there something in it that gives you a chance to save money? Did you get every deal you were supposed to get at the grocery store? Check the receipt.

Back in 2005, a software company hid a $1,000 prize in the terms and conditions of its user agreement. It took five months, and over 3,000 sales, before someone actually read the agreement and claimed the money. Details count. Pay attention to them, and you could see incremental changes that really start to add up.

Remember, billionaires and millionaires may live extravagant lives, but don't let that stop you from thinking the same way they do. It will make you wealthier in the process.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Cash In On Getting Bumped From a Flight

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:08 +0000

Even before a United passenger was infamously dragged off a plane because his flight was overbooked, most people dreaded getting bumped from a scheduled flight. And yet, there are travelers who actively try to get bumped in order to reap the financial rewards airlines sometimes offer, which is usually a few hundred dollars in vouchers for future flights.

However, airlines have been known to offer higher amounts, and cash or gift cards instead of vouchers. And now that United has rewritten its rules to offer customers up to $10,000 to give up a seat (and Delta will pay up to $9,950), there could be some real profit in the pursuit of the bump. Let's look at some tried and true bumpee tactics to learn how you can get in on the action.

Pad your travel itinerary with extra time

You've probably heard gate staff announcing that they're looking for folks to give up their seats, and then offer an escalating reward. As the numbers climb higher, you sit there kicking yourself for booking your flight the night before the wedding you're supposed to attend, making it impossible for you to take the deal.

When possible, fly in a day earlier than you think you need to. Not only does this give you the freedom to accept a bump, but it makes it less likely that you'll miss your event due to other delays.

Choose a bump-friendly airline

Some airlines bump travelers more often than others. Fortunately, this data is publicly available. The Department of Transportation records two kinds of bumps: voluntary, as in, they paid you to give up your flight; and involuntary, as in what happened to Dr. David Dao on that United plane in Chicago.

In 2016, Delta had the most voluntary bumps at 129,825, followed by Southwest at 88,628, and United at 62,895. It's impossible to say if United's new, more passenger-friendly booking policies will change this in the next year, but based on past behavior, Delta is your best bet for getting paid to give up your seat.

Delta has also been known as being particularly generous with its rewards; a Forbes columnist and her family got paid $11,000 in gift cards to give up seats on several flights in one weekend. Sure, some of it was luck, but they also had a flexible travel schedule, they were willing to give up their seats each time their flights were rebooked, and they negotiated bump compensation to get the best deals.

Choose a bump-friendly flight

While some travel experts dismiss the notion that flights at any given time are more likely to be overbooked, others advocate booking flights on those nightmare days other flexible travelers avoid: the holidays, Monday mornings, and during periods of bad weather. The biggest downside to this tactic is that flights tend to be more expensive during busy times.

Have alternate plans in mind

Sometimes I've not volunteered for bump compensation simply because I didn't have enough time to think through how a schedule change would affect my plans. But if you know the opportunity to get bumped is a possibility, you can make contingency plans.

How would you know in advance that you might get bumped? Check the day before, and before you leave for the airport, to see if the flight is full. You can find out if a flight is sold out by going through the booking process up until the part where you would pay on the airline site, or you could check the seat maps on ExpertFlyer.

Once you know your flight is fully booked, research alternative flights that would get you to your destination at a satisfactory time, warn friends and family that you might be late, and pack a snack for a possible extended wait at the airport. Most importantly, avoid checking luggage.

For most people, getting bumped means arriving late. But sometimes people give up their trips altogether, for the right offer. That columnist who got paid $11,000 originally thought she was going to be late to see family in Florida, but when the offers got richer and the family got bumped again and again, they ended up giving up their weekend altogether. For them, at that price, it was worth it.

Request the bump the right way

This is perhaps the most important step of all. Some airlines, including Delta, allow you to indicate when checking in if you'd be willing to give up your seat for compensation, and for how much.

For other airlines, your best bet is to arrive at the gate early, luggage in hand, and let the gate staff know that you'd be interested in being "voluntarily denied boarding." If you have already researched an alternative flight, tell them about it. If they have multiple volunteers, staff are more likely to choose someone who makes the rebooking process easy for them. Then, stick close to gate area so you don't miss any announcements.

Negotiate well

So you've been chosen for voluntarily denied boarding! The work isn't over yet. Before agreeing to go ahead with the deal, ask (nicely) for these things:

A good seat on the rebooked flight of your choice.
A higher amount. They offered $500? It doesn't hurt to ask for $800.
Meals and lodging during your delay.
Cash instead of vouchers.

Vouchers have expiration dates and other restrictions that can make them hard to use. Most airlines offer vouchers as a default; so ask if you can get cash or gift cards instead.

If the airline is asking you to fly the next day, it will probably also cover your hotel and dinner for the night. If the delay is less than a day, you should be able to get meal vouchers to use at the airport. (See also: 7 Best Websites for Last-Minute Airfare Deals)

Understand that it's never a guarantee until the plane takes off

Even after planning ahead and negotiating a bump, chances are you'll end up on your original flight anyway. Usually gate staff gathers a list of volunteers, but it's not a done deal until the flight boards, because if anyone misses the flight, they won't need to bump you after all. With this in mind, make sure to let the staff know you want to retain your seat assignment and boarding pass while you wait.

And however it ends up, don't forget to thank the gate staff who worked with you! Smart frequent travelers even carry gift cards or chocolates to thank staff members who get them bump offers.

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Ways to Make Your Money Grow This Spring

Mikey Rox — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 08:00:10 +0000

I'm no fan of winter, but there's an upside to being holed up in my house three to four months out of the year: I spend way less money (outside of Christmas, of course).

Springtime, though — all bets are off. I'm outside most of the time, hitting the beach, grabbing lunches and dinners on the go, planning mini-vacays, buying fresh threads for all those weekend parties, consuming cocktails — you get the picture; it's expensive.

You could avoid spending money altogether when spring rolls around, but what fun is that? If you like to have a great time when the weather is cooperative, read through this list of ways to earn extra income so you can do all the things you like to do in the sunshine without going into debt.

1. Pick up seasonal employment

Depending on where you live, there could be a bounty of seasonal spring and summer employment. I live by the beach, for instance, and everybody's hiring this time of year — boardwalk shops, beach clubs, restaurants, landscapers, hotels, water-sports instructors, and more. But even if you didn't plant roots near a shore, there are still opportunities in your neck of the woods. Consider local amusement and water parks, baseball stadiums (one of the most fun jobs I've ever had!), spring-cleaning side work, camp counselor, and other outdoorsy-type gigs.

Andrew Fiebert, co-founder of Listen Money Matters, a personal finance podcast and blog, suggests, "Jobs where you can earn tips can easily boost the amount you make. Tutoring or private lessons are other great part-time jobs and you have more control over your schedule."

2. Sell your spring-cleaning surplus

I do a deep clean of my house twice a year — at the start of spring and fall — and I'm continually amazed at how much I get rid of each cycle. Instead of sending everything to charity or a landfill, I try to monetize my junk. I sell my unwanted clothes on Swap.com (which has gone fairly well in the past) and I list other household items, electronics, sports equipment, etc., on the Letgo app. Both are super easy to use. (See also: 10 Easiest Items to "Flip" for Cash)

"There are plenty of websites that can help you [unload your toss-outs], eBay being one of the most notorious, but you pay less in fees with Bonanza and eBid." says Natasha Rachel Smith, personal finance expert at TopCashback.com. "If your goods are designer, it's worth checking out Tradesy or Poshmark. BuyBackWorld is great for electronics, and Raise.com will, in many cases, actually pay you $1.50 per gift card you list for sale through TopCashback."

3. Switch to a cash back credit card

If you're not currently using a cash back credit card, it's time to switch — pronto. Credit cards these days offer scores of money-saving benefits, like price matching and return protection. And if you're going to spend money, you might as well get paid for it. (See also: How to Save an Extra $1,094.86 a Year)

4. Take advantage of free outdoor activities

I'm the planner in my relationship and among my friends, and I like to get out and have fun when the weather is nice. But having a robust schedule can be expensive if you let it get away from you. I spend cash here and there (movie tickets, boat trips, parasailing), but I'm primarily focused on all the fun, free activities my area has to offer, like bonfires, movie screenings, hikes, swimming in local hotel pools, game nights on the patio, and dozens of other ideas that won't cost you a dime. (See also: 47 Cheap and Fun Things to Do This Weekend)

5. Put your gym membership on hold and exercise outside

My gym membership is about $60 a month, but if I put it on hold in the spring and summer to exercise outside, it'll only cost me $15 a month. Now, I don't personally do this because I like my classes and instructors — they keep me motivated. But if you're a self-motivator or just focused on cardio, this could be a great place to cut back and put more money in your spring budget. (See also: These At-Home Exercises Will Give You a Gym-Quality Workout for Free)

6. Fight the temptation to spend your tax refund

Everybody gets those twinkly dollar signs in their eyes when their refund checks arrive, but practice self control and try not to spend it on frivolous things. That money is better suited paying off bills, going to your savings account, or paying for/putting a down payment on a vacation (but only if you've got a handle on your credit card payments and other bills). (See also: 50 Smart Things to Do With Your Tax Refund)

7. Plant a garden to cut down on food costs

When the temperature starts to heat up, I crave fresh fruits and veggies; there's just something about a cool cucumber when it's 90 degrees outside (especially in a mojito). You can go to the grocery store to stock up, but if you're resourceful and dedicated, why not plant your own garden to eat from all season long? According to the USDA, a family of four spends an average $1,000 a month on groceries, but growing your own produce will cut that bill. Maybe not significantly, but extra money is extra money. (See also: 10 Most Valuable Things to Plant in Your Garden This Spring)

8. Host guests via a micro-subletting site

I've been a host on Airbnb since its inception and it has completely enriched my life. Not only do I love meeting and hosting strangers from all over the world, but it's also made a major impact on my financial health. The revenue I bring in from my beach house during the summer fully covers the mortgage (with plenty to spare) all year long, which is why I recommend this lifestyle to everyone with the capacity to host guests. (See also: 13 Things I Learned From Renting Out My Home on Airbnb).

9. Nip excessive energy use in the bud

Open your doors and windows and pull up the shades to take advantage of natural light. Hang-dry your clothes instead of running the dryer. Cook on the outdoor grill more than in your oven. Turn on ceiling fans in lieu of the air conditioner for as long as you can hold out. Sleep with lighter blankets or just straight-up naked. Use less water with quicker showers, and by watering plants in the morning or late evening so the water doesn't evaporate as quickly. (See also: 34 Smart Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill)

10. Review your subscription services

Take a look at your subscriptions to see what can go. Maybe you want to keep your magazines because you like reading them on vacation. On the flip side, if you don't consume much content in the spring and summer because you're out and about a lot, you might consider putting on hold or canceling streaming services. Also, take a good look at your online bank accounts to see if you've missed anything; there might be monthly fees coming out that you forgot about. Cancel anything you're not using enough to justify its cost. Saying "so long" to standard cable, for instance, can add hundreds (maybe even $1,000 or more) to your budget. (See also: 3 TV Must-Haves Once You Cut the Cable Cord)

11. Just say "NO"

While I enjoy an active social calendar in the spring, I can't attend everything. And you don't have to, either. If an event (like a dinner group or destination wedding or weekend away with your pals) isn't affordable, opt out. You're not obligated to go to any of these things, and you shouldn't put yourself in a financial pickle as a result.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Easy Ways to Earn More on eBay

Andrea Cannon — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 10:30:32 +0000

Selling unwanted items on eBay is a great way to clear away clutter and make some extra money on the side. Use these tips, and you'll start making even more.

1. Take Clear Pictures

Clear, sharp, and well-lit pictures are important. This is the first thing buyers will notice when looking at whatever it is you're selling. While it's a good idea to include the manufacturer's photo of the item, you'll also want to include some of your own so that bidders will know exactly what they're purchasing. They will also be looking at the background in the photos, so make sure to take them in a clean, well-lighted space.

2. Write a Good Description

Write an accurate, thorough description. Make sure to specify the brand, type, size, color, material, and other important keywords for the item you're selling. You will also want to clearly specify the condition of the item. In the description field, highlight the benefits of the product and what makes it different from another seller's listing. Check for misspellings in your description, which can throw off your keywords and make your item more difficult to find.

3. Determine Your Pricing

To set a price, first do some market research to see what identical items in similar condition are selling for, and how it compares to the original asking price. Be sure to also factor in the cost of shipping, packing supplies, and calculate any fees.

4. Timing Is Everything

You can set the time that your listing will begin and expire on eBay. It's important to take into account that you may have bidders on both the East and West Coast, so you want to set your listing to end at a time that is convenient for both timezones.

According to eBay, buyers are most active between 5 p.m. PST and 10 p.m. PST. In most cases, it's wise to end your listing between 6 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. PST. This allows bidders to place their final bid once they are home from work, but before they go to sleep, regardless of which coast they are on. Sunday is generally the best day of the week to end your sale. Weekends see the most traffic on eBay, and Sunday evening is the most active.

5. Set Unsuccessful Listings to Resell

eBay will allow you to relist items that didn't sell up to three times at no extra charge. If you set each listing to seven days and choose the option to resell unsuccessful listings, your item will be up for a total of 21 days at no fee.

6. Bundle Items Together

Whenever possible, bundle items together. This makes it seem like buyers are getting a better deal, and can help make your listing stand out. Best of all, it can save you time and money on shipping. This is especially effective around the holidays when shoppers are looking for gifts.

7. Have Positive Feedback

Bidders will look at your feedback, so it's important that you have some positive reviews. If you haven't sold anything or don't have any reviews yet, consider selling some smaller items first so that you can build up some positive feedback. This will allow buyers to be more confident in you when considering a high priced item.

8. Offer Free Shipping

According to eBay, most buyers are looking for items that offer free shipping. It allows buyers to see the total price easily rather than having to factor in an additional cost. If you don't want to offer free shipping, then offer cheaper shipping.

Make sure to ship through your eBay dashboard. This will make it more convenient for you, and results in shipping discounts of up to 24% on Priority Mail and up to 37% on FedEx shipments. It also allows the buyer to automatically track the shipment and can charge your PayPal account for the shipping fees.

9. Ship Items Quickly

By shipping your items quickly, you can get more positive feedback, which is important to future sales. International shipping can be expensive and time-consuming, so you may want to turn international shipping options off when selling your item.

10. Answer Buyers' Questions

If a potential buyer asks a question about your product, it's important that you respond quickly and accurately. If you take your time answering, the buyer may have moved on to another seller and you'll lose out on a sale.

11. Offer Good Customer Service

If you are frequently selling items, issues are certain to happen from time to time. As the seller, you have the responsibility to make an effort to provide customer satisfaction. This may mean accepting a return even when you feel you were accurate in your description, or providing a partial refund to satisfy a complaint. Do your best to remain respectful and calm, even if you feel the buyer is being unreasonable.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Creative Ways to Make Money on Super Bowl Sunday

Mikey Rox — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 16:01:11 +0000

I don't watch football, I don't like football — heck, I don't even know how to play football. And I won't apologize for it. So what will I do when the Big Game takes over the first Sunday of February? The best thing I know how — make money!

Join me in exploring these options for lining my pockets with cash this Super Bowl Sunday. You can be all counterculture, too.

1. Provide a Party Setup Service

While most people plan their own Super Bowl parties, there are some folks out there who'd rather hand over the reins to someone else. I know when I host parties, I'm beat by the time the festivities begin after cleaning and cooking all day. If you've got the skills to set up a memorable get together, advertise those skills locally on social media, the Nextdoor app, or Craigslist. Keep your rates affordable ($20 an hour or less; it's not like you're discovering a cancer vaccine) and factor in the cost of goods if the host doesn't already have things to decorate and set up.

2. Drive for Lyft or Uber

I've been driving for Uber and Lyft sporadically for about six months, but I always make sure to get on the road during holidays and big events. You might not realize it, but days like Black Friday and Super Bowl Sunday are great opportunities to make more cash than usual because more people are out and about. And since Super Bowl Sunday goes hand-in-hand with drinking too much beer, you can expect that many revelers will need rides to and from their destinations that evening.

3. Tap Into Influencer Marketing Programs

In addition to blogging about personal finance, I also run a media company wherein I provide PR services to some of my clients. Recently, this has included hiring social media influencers, mainly on Instagram, to wear my clients' products and post about them. The influencers get paid for their posts, and the brand reaches targeted demographics who may have never heard of their products before. For the Super Bowl, these kinds of opportunities exist as well (but not through me; please don't contact me). Kamiu Lee, vice president of business development and strategy at Bloglovin', a leading lifestyle and social discovery platform, explains.

"If you have a successful blog or a strong social media following, the Super Bowl is a perfect time to get involved with influencer marketing," she says. "Brands that don't have that multimillion dollar ad budget still want to be a part of the biggest advertising event of the year, and in order to do so, they're looking to work with influencers who will help them reach their niche target audiences."

Of course, you should have a decent-sized following of at least several thousand to be considered for these kinds of marketing programs.

4. Become a Freelance Delivery Person for a Day

It should come as no surprise that Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest pizza delivery days of the year, along with Halloween, the day before Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. While you won't get any work delivering pies for the likes of the big guys, there are still opportunities available — especially if you live in cities where third-party delivery services, like DoorDash, are popular.

According to a DoorDash representative, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the busier days for delivery on the app.

"With orders for buffalo wings increasing by 500% and pizza deliveries by 300%, likely due to all the parties happening at people's homes, anyone can make several deliveries via DoorDash and still be home in time to catch the game," the company says.

5. Offer Child and Pet Sitting Services

There are several ways to get in on the lucrative baby and pet sitting game.

If you prefer child care, sites like UrbanSitter, Care.com, and Sittercity can help connect you with parents who'd like to be child-free while they whoop it up for their favorite team. Services like DogVacay and Rover.com, on the other hand, will match you with pet owners who need a helping hand during the game. Personally, I enjoy participating in the latter — I watch dogs from DogVacay frequently — and there's really nothing better than getting paid to play with puppies. Completely relaxing and satisfying.

6. Sell Your Winning Team Memorabilia After the Game

Have special or signed memorabilia from members of the winning team lying around the house? Maximize your earnings by timing the sale of these items for the team's big win. List the memorabilia on eBay and see what you get. If it's a particularly amazing game, you might make out better than you anticipated.

7. Advertise Small-Scale Catering

Like party planning, many party hosts don't want to deal with cooking all the gameday junk food if they don't have to. One alternative is to order everything in, which can get pricey — and the quality isn't always top-notch considering that takeout joints are pushing food out the door at warp speed that day.

Another alternative, however, is to order food from a small-scale caterer — and that's where you come in. If you've got skills in the kitchen, offer to prepare a spread for a friend, coworker, or family member's party. Create a menu, prepare the food, deliver and set it up, and take care of cleanup afterward. This scenario lets you enjoy the game (at least a little bit) while making money doing something you love. Again, keep your rates reasonable and research the cost of all ingredients and materials (aluminum trays, etc.) before providing a quote; the idea is to make money, not spend money you don't even have.

8. Clean Homes Before or After the Festivities

Since Super Bowl Sunday is not a national holiday — despite what many people might think — somebody's got to do that evening's or the next day's dirty work. If your schedule accommodates cleaning up after a Super Bowl party, post an ad on Craigslist or Nextdoor offering your services. If you live in a particularly festive area, you're likely to get a bite or two if you keep your prices affordable — say, no more than $20 an hour.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: