Have fun, make money – get paid to do what you love
A little creativity can go a long way in earning money doing things you enjoy. Check out some of the suggestions here, then think about ways you can get paid to do what you love to do.
Get paid to shop – Mystery shopping is a great way to make money in your spare time by providing valuable customer service feedback to businesses. It’s flexible and fun, and almost anyone can do it. The most important quality you need is to be reliable. It also helps to be observant and have good writing skills. Mystery shopping happens all over the world, so there’s probably mystery shopping going on in your neighborhood right now. For more information, pick up a copy of the Secret Shopper Handbook at http://www.idealady.com/. The book includes a list of 150 companies hiring buyers in the US and Canada and around the world, along with lots of insider tips.
Get Paid to Speak – You’ve seen these people handing out samples at the grocery store or demonstrating a product at the home show. They get paid to do this and you can too. To be good at this, you need an outgoing personality. You have to be willing to talk and get people to try what you have to offer, grab a coupon, or watch your demo. You can find these jobs by looking at help wanted ads in your local paper. For more information, see http://www.narms.com/.
Get Paid to Party – Direct selling companies like Tupperware, Pampered Chef and more offer a great way to earn extra cash or start a lucrative new career. You get paid to go to parties, do product demos, and take orders. You set your own schedule so you can fit work into your life rather than trying to squeeze life around work. For more information, see the Direct Selling Association at http://www.dsa.org/.
Don’t want to be a sales representative? You can get free products by hosting a party at your home. Look up a local representative in your phone book and ask how you can earn free products by hosting a party.
Get paid to be in the movies – You don’t have to live in Hollywood to be an extra in a movie or TV show. Your city or state probably has a film commission where you can get information about upcoming productions. Search the Internet for “film commission” and your city or state to find them. My local film commission regularly lists opportunities to be an extra in movies or TV shows, be a crew member on an independent film, or even get paid to be in the audience for a TV show.
Get Paid to Drive – If you seem to always be in your car or your car is often parked in a high traffic area, you can use your car to earn money by painting it with advertising. Advertisers look at what kind of car you drive, its condition, where and how much you drive, how many people see the car when it’s parked, and other factors when selecting cars for these promotions. If you and your car are what they are looking for, they will pay you to display their ad on your car. (More info: http://www.autowraps.com/)
Get paid for your opinions – Participating in focus groups and other market research does not provide regular income and there are often limits to how often you can participate. However, I have a lot of opinions and I’m always happy when I can get paid for them! I’ve been paid for opinions on music, clothes and even laundry detergent fragrance. You can increase your chances of being selected by signing up with market research companies. Check your phone book or local mall to find one in your area.
There are also many places online where you can get paid to write opinions or reviews or take surveys. Make sure you understand how you will be paid before you spend a lot of time on it. Many sites pay in credits that can only be redeemed with them, but some pay in cash.
Get paid to do your own thing – When you can make money doing something you love to do, it doesn’t feel like work at all. My main career involves speaking and writing, both of which I enjoy. I’ve also been paid for my opinions, I’ve made money as a secret customer and I’ve been an extra in movies! Use your imagination to find ways to make money while doing what you love. I call it “Solo-renewing” and that’s how I’ve made a living for over eight years. Do you love animals? Start a pet sitting or dog walking service. If you enjoy crafts, dancing, or playing an instrument, you may be able to teach a class or offer private instruction to people who want to learn what you know. For more information on Solo-preneuring see http://www.idealady.com/solo.htm.
General Information – When considering any of these opportunities, make sure you understand what you will be asked to do and how you will be compensated. Then you can decide if it’s worth your time and effort.
Beware of paying to be included in databases. Some companies charge you to apply without a job guarantee. You could be paying for a legitimate opportunity, or you could just part with $20 or more. Find out what you’ll get before you pay a fee.
You probably won’t get rich doing these things, but you can get paid to do things you enjoy. Even if you don’t make a million dollars, your life will be richer for the joy and satisfaction you get from your work—and you’ll have at least a few extra bucks in your pocket!
#fun #money #paid #love
