You aren’t a burglar -, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the hunt for fast, easy cash around your home. Your house and most things in it have some monetary value, and you can squeeze out a surprising amount of money if you know the best strategies and techniques. In each of the following spaces around your home, you can find a handful of viable opportunities for extra cash.
In Closets, Attics, Basements, and Garages
Your storage spaces are the most likely hiding spaces for easy money. If you are like most Americans, your storage spaces are where you toss the stuff you don’t truly want, but you also are too lazy to properly get rid of. Fortunately, now you can use that junk to bring you some much-needed cash.
First, you should spend some time sorting the wheat from the chaff ― or the potentially valuable stuff from the unsalvageable. Things that are in good condition can probably be sold relatively easily using apps like LetGo and OfferUp or websites like eBay and Craigslist. Meanwhile, things that are slightly damaged or outdated might require a bit more effort. You might be able to sell them at a garage sale or consignment store, but for less work and more reward, you might consider just donating them to an appropriate charity. Usually, charities will give you receipts that are good for sizeable tax deductions; plus, some charities will even give bonuses, like free vacations. Sometimes, giving your stuff away for free pays, too.
If you can manage to clear out your storage spaces, you might consider renting the space for some additional cash. You might renovate your attic, basement, or garage into a living space and use Airbnb (or a roommate) to supplement your income.
In Kitchens and Craft Rooms
You can replicate the process for storage spaces in every room in your house ― sifting through your belongings to find valuables to sell or donate -, but you can also find money in the practicality of certain rooms. For example, the purpose of kitchen and craft rooms is to take raw materials, like flour or glass beads, and transform them into usable products, like delicious bread or beautiful jewelry. If you have a hobby or skill, you can use it as a side hustle to scrape some extra cash. Whether you set up an Etsy store or sell baked goods at community events, you can find cash in your kitchen and craft room.
In Back and Front Yards
If your home is in a prime location, you can leverage you outside spaces to earn money on the side. Yard sales, which might include the junk from your storage spaces and the crafts you produce, can be marvelously profitable, if organized properly. That means posting advertisements online and in local papers as well as presenting your goods in an appealing manner.
Additionally, you might consider renting out your outdoor space much the same as your storage spaces. In cities, parking can be at a premium, and allowing commuters to use your driveway or yard might be a lucrative business. Alternatively, if you don’t have space inside, you might Airbnb your backyard as a viable camping spot for cheap backpackers. Since you can offer indoor plumbing, your backyard might be far superior to the actual woods.
In Bedrooms and Living Rooms
Even your most personal of spaces contain untapped sources of income. As mentioned above, any spare bedrooms can be transformed into rentable living spaces, either for travelers or long-term roommates. Some Airbnb hosts have made six-figure incomes on their rentals ― but that requires quite a bit more space and time (not to mention money) than you might have at your disposal.
Daily care services are other ways to squeeze money from your living spaces. Quality daycare, for pets, children, and the elderly, are highly sought-after, so if you have the caring instinct, you might be able to earn a pretty penny. However, it is important to note that some types of care require certification and licensing, so you should investigate the requirements for your area before advertising your services.
Aimee Hadden says
Selling textbooks has been a great way to earn a little cash. A few years ago, when I was finishing my degree, I would resell my textbooks and cover the cost of my new books.