26 Smart Strategies to Earn an Extra $500 Monthly This Year

Looking to earn an extra $500 a month? Whether you want to save for something big or just have some extra cash, there are plenty of ways to do it. Here are some ideas:

1. **Start a Blog**: Blogging can be a fun and profitable way to make money. When I first started, I was thrilled to earn my first $100. Now, blogging lets me work from anywhere and be my own boss. It’s affordable and easy to start, and you can learn how to do it with my free How To Start a Blog Course.

2. **Complete Paid Online Surveys**: While surveys alone won’t get you $500 a month, combining them with other side hustles can help. Companies pay you to answer surveys and test products. Sign up for multiple survey companies like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars to maximize your opportunities.

3. **Join a Focus Group**: Focus groups pay more than surveys because they are more specific. You can earn $50 to over $100 per hour. Companies use your feedback to improve their products. Try User Interviews to get started.

4. **Sell Printables on Etsy**: Create digital products like grocery lists or gift tags and sell them on Etsy. This can be a passive income stream since you only need to create the product once.

5. **Sell Templates Online**: Use your creativity to design Canva templates for planners, eBooks, or presentations. You can sell these templates multiple times online.

6. **Become a Bookkeeper**: You don’t need to be an accountant to start bookkeeping. Learn the necessary skills and you can make more than $500 a month from home.

7. **Create an Online Store**: Selling products online is a great way to make extra money. Learn how to set up your own store and potentially earn thousands each month.

8. **Sell Items on Amazon**: Many people make good money selling items on Amazon. Learn how to start and decide what to sell to make a profit.

9. **Proofread Content**: If you have an eye for detail, proofreading can be a great side gig. You can proofread articles, books, and more from home.

10. **Write Romance Novels**: Surprisingly, writing romance novels can be quite lucrative. Learn how to start and sell your books on Amazon.

11. **Sell Stuff You Own**: Look around your home for items you no longer need and sell them on platforms like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.

12. **Start a Home Bakery**: If you love baking, you can sell cakes, cookies, or even dog treats from home.

13. **Find Gigs on Craigslist**: Look for one-time jobs in the “gigs” section of Craigslist. You can get paid the same day for tasks like moving help or house cleaning.

14. **Rent Out a Room**: If you have an extra room, consider renting it out full-time or on Airbnb to make extra money.

15. **Walk Dogs or Pet Sit**: Love animals? Offer pet sitting or dog walking services. You can earn around $25+ per day per animal.

16. **Become a Secret Shopper**: Companies pay you to shop and provide feedback on their services. Combine this with other side hustles to reach your $500 goal.

17. **Yard or Home Maintenance Jobs**: Offer services like snow removal, lawn mowing, or gutter cleaning. Advertise on Craigslist or local bulletin boards.

18. **Manage Facebook Ads for Small Businesses**: Learn how to run Facebook ads and help local businesses grow. This can earn you $1,000 a month or more per client.

19. **Freelance Writing**: Write for various clients like websites and magazines. Freelance writing can be a side gig or a full-time career.

20. **Rent Out Your RV**: If you have an RV, rent it out when you’re not using it. Platforms like RVshare make it easy to find renters.

21. **Rent Out Your Car**: Use services like Turo to rent out your car when you don’t need it. You can set your rates and availability.

22. **Become a Freelancer**: Offer services like graphic design, web design, virtual assistance, or video editing. Freelancing allows you to work for multiple clients.

23. **Find a Part-Time Job**: Consider traditional part-time jobs like serving, bartending, or working at a bookstore. Many places are hiring on the spot.

24. **Flip Items for Profit**: Buy items cheaply and sell them for a profit. You can flip clothes, shoes, home items, and more.

25. **Deliver Food**: Work for food delivery services like DoorDash or Instacart. You can sign up for multiple services to maximize your earnings.

26. **Earn Bank Sign-On Bonuses**: Some banks offer cash bonuses for opening new accounts. Meet their requirements and you could earn an extra $100-$500.

If you want to make even more, consider combining several of these ideas. With a little effort and creativity, you can easily reach your goal of earning an extra $500 a month. How would an extra $500 a month change your life? What do you do to make extra money?

By himoney