Top 5 Fastest Ways To Make Extra Money Using Your Own Brain

Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Making money should be easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy. However, if it is feeling more stressy-messy, lemon-zesty, then it might be time to consider some simple side gigs where you can earn extra cash.
For example, you can bring in more money by leveraging what you already know and turning it into a business venture. You’d be surprised by the number of people willing to pay for your expertise or skills.
If you want to test the theory that money may not buy you happiness, but at least it allows you to be miserable in comfort, here are the top five fastest ways to make extra income by using your own skills, wits, and the power of your own brain.
No. 5: Those Who Can’t Do, Tutor
Any tax man will tell you the trick is to stop thinking of it as “your” money, but extra income can help take the sting out of looking at your monthly budget. The best part about the side hustle of tutoring is that you can start earning money fast just based on your own skill set and a little word of mouth.
Popular tutoring subjects include STEM subjects, college prep courses and computer science. You can use third-party websites to list your tutoring availability and start lining up clients with barely any start-up costs besides a laptop. Over time, you can raise your rates and build up your client list to really pull in extra money.
No. 4: Have a Little Classroom
Sure, no more teachers, no more books, but when you’re not the student, you can be the teacher giving the dirty looks — and get paid for your time teaching. No one gets into education for the money, but as a part-time gig, you can really start padding your bank accounts.
Like tutoring, teaching an online class is a fast way to earn extra money by sharing what you know with others. You can do this through an online school provider or by creating your own online course and selling it to others via your own YouTube channel.
No. 3: You Should Definitely Sell Out
If every time you make a budget it just looks like a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions, you might have to start selling more than you’re buying. Don’t forget, you can make money by selling products or personal items more than once a year at a yard sale or on Facebook Marketplace.
You can also list your products for sale through an online marketplace like Etsy. The site makes it easy by facilitating transactions and assisting in advertising. Selling physical products isn’t the only fast way to make money from a hobby, either…
No. 2: Let People Know What You Think is Cool, Then Monetize It
If your full-time job in life is knowing how to pick the best restaurants, clothing, recipes or internet dance trends, then maybe you should start getting paid for your influence on a variety of online platforms and social media accounts.
Some sites, like Substack, allow subscribers to pay for the content you publish, so if you can write compelling posts about things you are confident about, people may be willing to pay to read about them. Likewise, if you can confidently talk about what you are passionate about and build a loyal subscribership, platforms like YouTube will share the advertising revenue they make from your videos or you can charge for channel memberships.
No. 1: Pet Sitting Can Open Up Endless Pawsibilities
And now, the number one fastest way you can make extra money just by using your own brain is … tapping into the deep well that is the funds of pet owners. Whether it is dog walking, pet sitting, grooming or just keeping their furry friends company, there are endless, easy money-making opportunities that don’t require a degree or even that much time. Must love dogs, though.
More From GOBankingRates