Picking up a little extra work?

[Wavy Blue]

So I recently made my first trip to WDW (I'm a Disneyland vet) and fell in love. I'd love to start planning when I'll go again, but in order to do that I need a way to earn a little extra money aside what I earn from my regular full-time job, especially since I'm planning to return to school in the fall. I've seen suggestions on the board like Swagbucks and gift card churn, but I think I'd rather find something to do that's technically a second job with very flexible hours.

I've applied for an online gig that would allow me to set my own hours, and contemplated signing up to be an Uber driver, but I'm not too keen on that since driving isn't my favorite activity. What other options out there have you guys pursued to make a little extra money? I'm not looking to earn much, but I like the idea of something I can work on at my own pace so if I get swamped with other things, I would have more flexibility.

Any other suggestions? Thoughts?

 

[BigAlsGal]

Dog walking, house sitting, pet sitting, babysitting, lessons (you play an instrument?), house cleaning.

 

[tvguy]

What about overtime at your job? Is that an option? Any special projects they want done on overtime, or can you pickup an extra shift? I usually pick up at least 4 hours a month of overtime, over a year that's over a weeks pay.

 

[Judique]

What about overtime at your job? Is that an option? Any special projects they want done on overtime, or can you pickup an extra shift? I usually pick up at least 4 hours a month of overtime, over a year that's over a weeks pay.

They would let me pick up four hours a day if I would do it. Its just too much work. I'm always exhausted and the taxes eat it up...

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I know of companies that hire home health aid type people. You basically go in, help the people get dressed, assist with acts of daily living. Sometimes all you do is go sit with them in the hospital and call a nurse if they try to get out of bed. I know of one nationally called Comfort Keepers, they are very flexible. I think all of their helpers are prn, so you'd only pick up if you need to, and there is no certification required. The pay isn't much, but it's not bad work and the flexibility is great.

In the past when I've needed extra money, I have cleaned housws, worked as a photographer for a local company that does all of the youth league photos, cleaned offices, babysat. DH is good at mowing lawns for extra cash.

These days I just pick up overtime for extra money, because my hourly rate is far more efficient than anything I could earn at the jobs previously mentioned.

 

[pjlla]

How about subbing or temp work? I started working as a substitute teacher for my local school district 12 years ago when my kids were little and I'm still at it! I know that different states and different areas have varying requirements, but it might be worth looking into. I also have subbed as a janitor/maintenance worker after school hours and in the summer (not glamorous, but it's still Disney money!) and I know they also need subbing for the cafeteria employees. It is SUPER flexible.... I can work just day to day (they call in the morning if they need me) or I can opt to pick up days ahead of time as they ask. The pay for my area isn't terribly high (I'm in a pretty rural area) and I know that if I were willing to drive to a nearby bigger city I'd be paid more, but the benefit of an 8 mile drive each way versus a 18 mile drive is worth it for me.
What I love BEST is the extreme flexibility. If I need a day for something else , I just say NO! I've never worked for a temp agency, but I've been tempted in the summer when school is out.

How about tutoring? You probably would be obligated to stick to a particular schedule as you acquired students to tutor, but it could be flexible and work with your other job. Do you have any particular strengths? I know Math and Science and Reading tutors are always needed.... but if you have a specialty strength at the high school level (Algebra, chemistry) those are especially needed.

I'm with you.... I'm ALWAYS looking for a side hustle that is flexible! Gotta earn the Disney money!......P

 

[Marionnette]

So I recently made my first trip to WDW (I'm a Disneyland vet) and fell in love. I'd love to start planning when I'll go again, but in order to do that I need a way to earn a little extra money aside what I earn from my regular full-time job, especially since I'm planning to return to school in the fall. I've seen suggestions on the board like Swagbucks and gift card churn, but I think I'd rather find something to do that's technically a second job with very flexible hours.

I've applied for an online gig that would allow me to set my own hours, and contemplated signing up to be an Uber driver, but I'm not too keen on that since driving isn't my favorite activity. What other options out there have you guys pursued to make a little extra money? I'm not looking to earn much, but I like the idea of something I can work on at my own pace so if I get swamped with other things, I would have more flexibility.

Any other suggestions? Thoughts?

I think that you will find that most employers of part-timers want YOU to have flexible hours and not the other way around. The best way to be able to dictate your own hours is to be your own boss.

If you're at all "crafty", you might want to take a look at Etsy. Or maybe buy items at garage sales and second-hand stores, then sell them on ebay for a profit. Some people mystery shop, but my area is so saturated with shoppers that snagging a job can be difficult.

Personally, I have done very well with Swagbucks, Perk, GC churning and signing up for rewards credit cards for the bonus points/miles/dollars. It takes very little time from my day and it paid for two trips last year and my upcoming trip in December.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

They would let me pick up four hours a day if I would do it. Its just too much work. I'm always exhausted and the taxes eat it up...

I think you will find that this will be your most lucrative alternative. The taxes appear to "eat it up" only because you are comparing it with other alternatives which are taxable, but on which taxes have not yet been withheld.

Can you start with less than 4 hours extra per day so you aren't as exhausted? -- Suzanne

 

[pjlla]

They would let me pick up four hours a day if I would do it. Its just too much work. I'm always exhausted and the taxes eat it up...

Unless you are willing to skirt the law and find an "under the table" cash job, you will pay taxes regardless. And if you are too tired to work an additional 4 hours at your regular job, then you will probably be too tired to work any job (unless your regular job is a super high-demand physical job). Yes, some jobs are more "low key" than others (working online versus being a janitor), but they all need you to be THERE, AWAKE, and READY TO WORK.

I got VERY fortunate and applied for an online position within another company that I work part-time for. I got the job and I am getting hours.... but it needs to work around my daytime subbing job. I often work 4 am - 7 am, then get dressed and leave for my day job at 7:30am. Then I come home around 3:15pm and work 4-7 pm or 5-8 pm (sometimes even more like 4 pm - 8 pm). And of course, during all of this I do my housework, laundry, make dinner, etc. YES, the online job is really flexible in that I can toss in a load of laundry between calls or as I am waiting for a response and I can eat dinner with my laptop in front of me..... but I still need to be THERE and present and alert.

Do I get tired.... yup, sometimes more than others. But the tuition bills just keep coming, so I keep working!

Maybe you could work LESS than the full four hours? Maybe you could talk to them about doing just 2 hours a day? Or maybe the full four hours just once or twice a week? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?................P

 

[Wavy Blue]

Thanks for the great ideas, everyone! Sadly, my work seriously discourages overtime, so I can only pick that up in extreme situations, but I enjoy cleaning and working with people/animals so I'll definitely look into the sitting and cleaning options. I don't have any experience with tutoring, but I've had friends who have done it before so I could get some information from them on how best to approach it. I'm a little crafty too, so I might just give Etsy a shot, too. I'm going to look into temp work as well - sadly I don't think subbing will work with my schedule unless it was janitorial in the evening since my day job runs 9-5 each week day, but there might be something out there that would fit.

Personally, I have done very well with Swagbucks, Perk, GC churning and signing up for rewards credit cards for the bonus points/miles/dollars. It takes very little time from my day and it paid for two trips last year and my upcoming trip in December.

Do you happen to have any links to posts or guides (here on Disboards or elsewhere) that explain how to maximize Swagbucks and GC churning? I've been looking around their respective threads but find myself getting a little lost on where to start. Any resources would be much appreciated!

 

[tvguy]

They would let me pick up four hours a day if I would do it. Its just too much work. I'm always exhausted and the taxes eat it up...

Well, extra income is all going to be taxable no matter where you earn it. A lot less hassle than finding another source of income. Ran into a guy at the recycling center who claims he makes $30,000 a year picking up soda and beer cans. He literally had a full sized pickup truck bed filled with flattened aluminum cans.

 

[crisi]

You might be able to make some money - although not minimum wage - on Mechanical Turk.

 

[StuckInKS]

Or maybe buy items at garage sales and second-hand stores, then sell them on ebay for a profit.

I did a version of this before the holidays last year and made about $5k in 3 months. I'm not sure of the total time invested since I worked at it very sporadically (I wouldn't work on it at all, except the shopping part, for a few weeks and then spend a few days doing everything at once), but it definitely did not add up to the time involved with an outside-the-home part-time job.

Personally, I have done very well with Swagbucks, Perk, GC churning and signing up for rewards credit cards for the bonus points/miles/dollars. It takes very little time from my day and it paid for two trips last year and my upcoming trip in December.

This has been more lucrative for me than the above with less time involved. Very little time requirement and a huge payoff, but its got its risks and sometimes you have to wait a few months to collect. It is been totally worth it IMO, as its reimbursed me for seven of our eight 10-day tickets within two months.

You might be able to make some money - although not minimum wage - on Mechanical Turk.

I would highly recommend avoiding MT. It is very little money for a lot of time invested. There used to be a really good writing company there, but they've moved from that platform.

 

[Judique]

I would never consider 'skirting the law' to avoid taxes. My job pays well and I live on my regular income very nicely and pay all my taxes.

The point I was making was that if I actually needed to make more money I have a job that is conducive to a lot of OT.

Pjilla - I'm not the OP who was looking for a part time job, but you make a good point - working less than the four hours might be easier! And that's absolutely possible if I needed to work more than I already do.

Another point is that with your regular job, the lure of overtime cash is extremely tempting. I know people who regularly put in many extra hours. But when the OT dries up and sometimes it does, they've learned to live at a new standard and then they are crying poor!

Using 'extra' money to meet a goal is one thing. But after awhile I see people who now need it. I've never let myself get into that lifestyle because I think it takes away too much from family time.

I do like dabbling in some of the online money makers. I think there is a certain fun level to it and I have no obligation to it. And when I get a five dollar gift card the feeling is more like winning a prize than earning income. Just something to do for me.

 

[Wavy Blue]

I did a version of this before the holidays last year and made about $5k in 3 months. I'm not sure of the total time invested since I worked at it very sporadically (I wouldn't work on it at all, except the shopping part, for a few weeks and then spend a few days doing everything at once), but it definitely did not add up to the time involved with an outside-the-home part-time job.

This method actually appeals to me a lot as I'm already a frequent visitor of flea markets/yard sales/thrift shop...my question is, how did you know what to look for to resell? Did you have specific things in mind you looked for or did you just buy a lot of different things and see what sold?

(I'm definitely going to look more into the Swagbucks/Perk/GC churn options too. I'm just still figuring out where to even get started with that.)