Clever Ways to Make More Money This Spring

Have you filled your tank recently? If you did, you might have noticed the dent in your wallet. What can you do when you need to score some sweet cash in a pinch? 

It takes effort, but you can do things to improve your financial bottom line. Consider the following eight clever ways to make more money this spring. 

1. Sell Things You No Longer Need 

Spring is here, which means it’s time to clean out your closets. When you do, use the 3-pile method, paying particular attention to those garments you could sell. For example, are you still clinging to your old wedding dress three years post-divorce? The right gown can fetch a pretty penny at a consignment shop. 

You might score even more pawning off old electronics that you have since replaced. For example, an older model Apple watch can fetch you cold cash in hand in minutes. Before heading out, look for verification of authenticity, such as a serial number or stamp. If you saved the original packaging and paperwork, all the better. 

2. Babysit

The pandemic created a childcare crisis that hasn’t yet ended. Moms, in particular, took a hit, losing the majority of jobs, and they weren’t helped by the lack of paid leave in the U.S. Now, many parents find themselves scrambling for help as more employers force a return to the office. 

You can help by babysitting on the side or even starting at-home childcare, depending on your schedule. Completing a professional babysitting course can help you get hired, although many parents will gleefully substitute experience with little ones. 

Those working part-time in the evenings or weekends might consider offering in-home childcare services. You may need a license depending on your location, although many states provide exceptions depending on your operation’s size. 

3. Rent a Room 

People still want to vacation, high gas prices or not. Additionally, there’s a severe housing crisis occurring, as much as the media ignore it. 

If you only want occasional house guests, sites like Airbnb and VRBO allow you to rent rooms to travelers. You pick the dates you want to open your home, preserving your privacy when you need it. 

If you need a more permanent income stream or simply want to help someone in need, why not consider a long-term rental of your spare room? You’ll find no shortage of applicants for the right price, and you can count on a steady secondary income stream month after month. 

4. Get Handy 

Do you love to swing a hammer? If so, you can make extra cash offering handyman services. 

As in childcare, check your state’s laws for licensing requirements. For example, Pennsylvania requires you to register with the Attorney General if you do more than $5,000 in work. Arizona demands that you obtain a contractor’s license to tackle jobs costing $1,000 or more. 

5. Lease Your Labor (and Truck)

The housing crisis means lots of folks need to move. If you have strong arms and a pickup truck, you can easily clear an extra $500 to $1,000 in a single weekend as a mover. 

Place ads in local media, such as Craigslist. You can also post flyers on community bulletin boards to drum up business. 

6. Restore Furniture 

Do you like woodworking? If so, your hobby could translate into sweet side cash without a considerable capital outlay. The trick is searching sites like Craigslist and your local newspaper for curb alerts and yard sales where you can pick up damaged furniture on the cheap, even for free. 

Once you select your desk or table, get to work cleaning and sanding. It’s not challenging to refinish an old end table with a fresh coat of stain or transform it using chalk paint. 

7. Donate Eggs or Sperm

If you’re youthful and healthy, you could make a tidy extra sum donating eggs or sperm to needy couples. Egg donors typically must be no older than 35 and sperm donors younger than 40. 

You’ll have to undergo thorough health screenings before being approved for either procedure. Sperm donation doesn’t pay as much, but you can do it more often. Egg donation requires hormonal treatments that can cause side effects like moodiness and weight gain. You can only donate a fixed number of times, but the payout is much higher. 

8. Give Plasma 

You’re not entirely out of luck if you’re older but want to sell your bodily products for extra cash during crunch time. You can donate plasma between 18 and 75 if you pass the health screening. 

However, people with heart disease, cancer, sickle cell anemia, malaria or HIV cannot donate. You are eligible if you’ve had COVID-19, although you must wait 14 days from the last date of symptoms. 

Way to Make Money This Spring

If you need extra cash in a flash, you aren’t alone. Rising prices mean many households are feeling pinched. 

However, you can find creative ways to fill your needs. Try one of these eight clever ways to make more money this spring.