Easy Ways to Make Money from Home (no Internet Scams Here)

Over the past couple years I have made a few thousand dollars on my spare time. There are plenty of easy ways for everyone to a pick up a few extra bucks here and there. Here are some great ways that I use.

Consignment Shops
There is a misconception that you have to have a collection of expensive dresses to sell to a consignment shop - not true. Many consignment shops want your slightly worn clothes and they will give you up to 75% of what they sell it for. You can sell clothes and household items. Go to http://www.consignmentshops.com/ to find consignment shops in your area.

Online Surveys
Out of the masses of internet survey sites there are a few that pay well. They will email you when a survey is available and if you qualify, you will make between $.75 and $5.00 for one survey. The two sites I use are MySurvey and OpinionOutpost

Focus Groups
Research companies will pay up to $150 for your opinion and they are always looking for people. If you qualify for a focus group, you go into their office at night or on the weekend and discuss the product at hand. For a few hours of your time, you can make a lot of money.

Sell your hobby
If you make jewelry, knit scarves, or bake amazing cookies, go to locally-owned stores in your area and ask if you can sell you items. Whatever doesn't sell, you can pick up and whatever sells, the shop makes a percentage. It is a win-win situation and local stores would rather work with local artists like you!

To go along with the good ways, there are some bad ideas out there. I have been roped into these ideas myself and I can tell you from first-hand experience, they aren't worth it. These are money-making schemes to avoid.

Mystery Shopping
After signing up for a few Mystery Shopping sites and paying for a Mystery Shopping certificate (putting out money should always be a red flag) I did four shops allover Baltimore and was still never pair the few bucks that was promised to me.

Home-Businesses
Don't invest in a business you know little about and team up with people you have never met. This is never a good idea.