This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Five Ways to Earn Some Extra Money:
1. Tutoring
2. E-Commerce (e.g., Amazon, personal website, affiliate links, etc.)
3. Teaching Music, dance, etc.
4. Upscale cleaning jobs
5. Thank you letters
Tutoring
What subjects come easy to you?
1. Math – Geometry, Statistics, Calculus (1–3), Algebra, Arithmetic, etc.
2. Science – Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic, Physical), Biology, etc.
3. History – US, Asian, African, South American, Australian, etc.
4. English – Grammar, Writing, Poetry, etc.
5. Business – Entrepreneurship, Economics, Investing
Usually, when people think of tutoring, they think of the subjects I listed above, but there are many more subjects and other services you can render aside from basic tutoring lessons. Here are some examples listed below:
Jewelry Making
Astronomy/Astrology
Law
Medicine
Nutrition
Translating
Help others speak and write English
Fitness/Personal Training/Nutrition
Organizing/Cleaning
Helping people complete college applications
Proofread college application essays
Assisting with research for grad & Ph.D. students
If you are not interested in making money in any of these ways, list things you are good at and monetize those things. You can also teach yourself a subject and then teach it to someone else for a fee. It is not hard to make money.
The next question you may ask is how you can let people know about the services you offer (which is a great question). There are many advertising strategies you could use; some ideas are given below:
1. Make signs and put them in different areas and different cities near you
2. Get a business card and actively hand it out and display it in the right places
3. Network and let people know your product offerings
4. Offer a referral reward (e.g., free session) to prospective clients
5. Offer a promotion for one month (50% off all services). If people really like the services you provide, they will stick with you when the promotion ends and also refer you to their friends.
6. Advertise on social media. You can start with a Facebook ad for as low as $1.00/day (what a steal)
E-Commerce
I have done business in e-commerce since I was a kid, and I have learned that it is simple to make money online. If you do not want to get too deep into the business of e-commerce, you can sell your current electronics, extra phones, video games, laptops, clothes, name brand items, etc., through various online websites, such as Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, etc.
If you want to do some serious e-commerce business, check out Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). There is a lot of potential money to make through this outlet, and you may enjoy it so much that you stick with it.
For Amazon FBA, all you have to do is:
1. Buy product (initial investment)
2. Ship the product you buy to Amazon
3. Sell it for more (your profit)
Some other details are involved with Amazon FBA, but they are worth your time if you really want to bring in some extra income. Check out Your items will sell quickly or slow depending on the sales rank of your chosen products. The goal is to sell the most profitable and hottest items on the market and find these items for a bargain price to increase your profit margins.
Teaching/Giving Music & Dance Lessons
If you are skilled at a musical instrument or a certain dance style, then monetize your skills. Many people want to invest in their kids and get them in lessons of some sort, and some people want to invest in themselves and learn something they have never tried before (or something they have always wanted to learn).
Teaching music offers big money-making opportunities. Depending on where you live, you can charge anywhere from $10-$60/hour and $5-$30 for half-hour sessions.
I taught intermediate piano and beginner guitar for 10+ years starting at the age of 14; teaching was my livelihood in high school, throughout college, and after college.
Marketing Yourself as A Music Teacher
Many of your clients can come from word of mouth (referrals), LinkedIn, social media ads, and putting out signs. The signs you put out can be as professional as those you see for political campaigns or as simple as ones you see for weekend garage sales. It really doesn’t matter which method you use; just make sure the sign is clean, readable (BIG font), and concise.
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Upscale Cleaning Jobs
Basic cleaning jobs often offer you a little money, but if you can, seek to do cleaning jobs for prominent people with money; these types of cleaning jobs will offer you big bucks if you charge the right fee. Upscale cleaning fees for luxury condos and houses range anywhere from $40-$100 per hour or a flat rate. Moreover, ensure your service matches up with whatever price you set.
Thank You Letters
One of the most important things you can do throughout your life and current or future career is to thank people. Thank people for the simple things and the big things. Whenever you graduate from high school, college, grad school, law school, medical school, etc., thank all the people that have witnessed, supported, and have been involved with your journey.
Often, telling people “Thank you” for those simple things can open financial doors of opportunity for yourself. Send these people heartfelt and genuine thank-you letters. Don’t expect anything from them by sending these letters, but oftentimes gratitude ends up rewarding those who express it.
Takeaway
There are always ways to bring in some extra income. If you really want to earn some extra income, you will find ways to make this happen. Many knowledgeable and useful articles offer more tips on earning income.
After you graduate, there is no reason for you to be broke. Working for yourself and utilizing an entrepreneur mentality can most definitely carry you on financially, for both long and short periods of time, if you put in the smart and consistent effort; and remember, it doesn’t have to be hard to earn money, and it shouldn’t be.
I Made 70K Straight Out Of College
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.