Easy ways to make money online
The last few years have been a financial struggle for many Brits and a little extra cash would no doubt prove a big help. If you're looking to give your bank balance a little boost, here are five quick and easy ways to make money online, all from the comfort of your own home.
Pic: Getty
Paid surveys
If you're a regular browser and spend a good deal of time online already, paid surveys are a super simple way to make extra money. While you're unlikely to be able to retire on your takings, putting that spare 15 minutes to good use could net you in the region of £40 to £50 a month. There are plenty of sites around - from MySurvey and Opinium to Swagbucks and Inbox Pounds - all of which are free (you should never pay to join an online survey site). It's an idea to join several to bump up those earnings, and consider setting up a separate email address so that your inbox isn't flooded.
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Cashback
Cashback sites are a great way to earn money while you shop so if you're regularly buy online, it's worth signing up to the likes of Topcashback and Quidco. They work by giving you money back from purchases made at a sizeable list of online stores, which are only too glad for your custom. Topcashback is totally free, while Quidco will keep the first £5 of your cashback as a fee. It's not about shopping for things that you wouldn't normally buy just to get the money off, but if you're buying online anyway, why not get a discount?
Recycling
There's nothing like a good old clear-out to make you feel refreshed and clutter free. But why bother taking car-loads of trash to the tip when others will be only too happy to take it off your hands? Old mobile phones, for instance, can be sent off for recycling at a host of sites like Mazuma or Mobile Phone Xchange, who will pay you for your unwanted smartphones depending on the make, model and condition. Music Magpie is another site worth a visit, as they'll take anything from CDs and DVDs to old games consoles and gadgets.
Old clothes are often snapped up by fashionistas and vintage fans, so check out ASOS Marketplace to see what's selling and for how much, and if you've moved from paperbacks to an ereader and are desperate to make some space on your shelves, you can sell your old books to others on Amazon, or sell directly to the online shopping site in exchange for vouchers.
Let your space
With your home newly decluttered, you may find you've got space going spare. Put it to good use by renting it out to others looking for cheap storage. By undercutting commercial storage companies, you can generate a modest sum simply by keeping the stuff others haven't got room for in your own unused spaces. Check out Storemates to find out what the going rates are.
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Virtual skills
These days, companies and business people are always on the lookout for ways to cut costs, and that means there's a good market for virtual assistants. Anyone with proven admin skills and plenty of office experience can make a reasonable income by providing secretarial support to businesses that can't afford a full-time employee to do the job. As long as you've got the necessary software and a fast, reliable broadband connection, you can charge by the hour for doing just that. The Society of Virtual Assistants provides information on how to get started.
Alternatively, if you need to fit work around family commitments or another part-time job and have lightning quick fingers, transcription work can add a second income. Sign up to an online firm like Take Note Typing and pass the various typing tests, and you can choose shifts to suit your lifestyle.
Do you make extra money online? Tell us how below...
