Being unemployed today is nothing like being unemployed 20 years ago. That’s not to say it isn’t scary — it certainly can be. However, where unemployment in the past may have meant going months without earning any income, in today’s gig economy it’s possible to bring in enough cash to keep the lights on and food in the fridge while you’re between jobs. From online tasks that require minimum effort to offline undertakings that involve some patience and a little more skill, there’s a gig or two you can complete for earning fast cash today. A quick internet search can fill in the details for these 10 great possibilities:
1. Sell Old Items
Being unemployed gives you a lot of time to assess what’s in your home and to realize you don’t use half of the items you own. Gather all those old books, clothes, home décor items and appliances you no longer use and snap pictures of them. Post those photos to Facebook garage sale sites, Craigslist, letgo, OfferUp and other virtual communities that allow you to connect with local buyers. If you have a lot of items you want to get rid of, host an actual yard sale. Depending on what you have, you could make a substantial profit just by selling unused items.
2. Walk a Dog
If you enjoy the companionship of furry friends, consider joining a dog walking service while you’re unemployed and have flexibility for walks. Though it takes a bit of time to set up your profile, once everything’s been cleared through the system, you can start attracting clients in your area. Though dog walking is profitable, the real money is in pet sitting and pet boarding so consider offering these services as well.
3. Teach English Online
Have you been told that you’re great with children on more than one occasion? Search job boards for online teaching jobs. Candidates that hail from Canada and the United States are in high demand and have the potential to make up to $22 an hour from home.
4. Rent Out What You Own
Renting out what you already own, such as a bedroom, parking space or even high-value tools, is a great way to earn a recurring income without incurring any expenses. If the gig goes well, you can even keep it up after you land your next dream job.
5. Offer Your Services
There are plenty of people out there who could benefit from your enthusiasm and excellent health. Elderly people, disabled individuals and just plain busy folks would love to hand off chores such as lawn maintenance, grocery shopping and driveway shoveling to someone else. It’s a win for all since clients can free up time while you earn quick cash.
6. Join a Ride Share or Delivery Service
Owning a car may be all you need to start earning quick cash. Sign up for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft to taxi people around for money. If you want to avoid people but still make money, consider joining a food delivery service.
7. Complete Surveys
Though you won’t get rich completing online surveys, you can pay for your next meal with the proceeds. Instead of scrolling through Twitter or watching Snapchat stories, use your free time to complete online surveys. Most surveys require less than 15 minutes of your time and pay anywhere between $0.50 and $5, though some pay as much as $200.
8. Become a Mystery Shopper
Just like taking surveys, you won’t make a ton of money as a mystery shopper, but you may earn enough to put food on your table. In fact, many companies that hire mystery shoppers are restaurants. Not only do these companies pay you to visit their locations and file reports, but they also reimburse you for all or a portion of what you spend, which means you may score a free meal.
9. Test Websites
A fast, high-functioning, easy-to-use website is an essential asset for businesses today, which is why most are willing to pay users to test websites in their free time. Sign up for an account with UserTesting, UserFeel, Validity and other testing sites to gain access to dozens of assignments. Offer your most critical and genuine analysis to gain access to higher-paying gigs. Most testing sessions last between 10 to 15 minutes and pay $10 each.
10. Become a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants complete small tasks that busy executives don’t have time for, such as booking flights, scheduling meetings, connecting with customers via Facebook or addressing customer concerns. Being a VA requires little experience but can pay anywhere between $17 and $35 an hour.
Being unemployed in today’s gig economy doesn’t mean you have to be broke. Giving any of these gigs your all could help you earn enough to survive on until you find your next career. Our partners at Jooble are here to help as well. Use their search engine to find local, or remote positions and gain back the job security that gigs can’t provide in the long term.
To tide you over while you’re searching, don’t hesitate to see what loan options are available to you through LoanConnect’s personal loan network.
