First Person: The Profitable Moonlighter

In a shaky economy like this one, many people are looking for ways to bring in some extra money every month on top of their regular pay check. When I was a new college graduate, I did everything from delivering newspapers to selling books online to supplement my income and get ahead. If you're looking for some extra work, make sure it's an efficient use of your time. Most part time jobs out of the house have set hours and require you to have access to a car. There are many things you can do at home, however, to bring in extra money. Here are five profitable side jobs to put some extra cash in your pocket every month:

Sell Online

Online sites such as eBay are filled with part-time sellers. You can sell some of your unwanted items around the house or purchase goods to re-sell. One of the best parts of selling online is that you can set your own hours. If you choose to work at 2 am, you have the flexibility to do so. You can scale your hours up and down to meet your cash needs. All you need to get started is access to a computer and an internet connection.

Bartending

This is one of the most profitable part time jobs out of the house. I bartended my way through college and wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I needed the money. If you enjoy being around people and socializing at night, bartending may be a good option for you. The base pay is often quite low, but good bartenders can make $50 an hour or more in tips. You may wish to invest in a new pair of comfortable shoes as bartending can be hard on your feet.

Freelance Writing

If you are literate and can write, freelancing is a great way to bring in some cash. There are many online sites where you can write and earn money either upfront or based on how many times the article is viewed. You can also build up a clientele of private clients who need articles and blog posts for the websites and blogs. Freelancing allows you to set flexible hours as long as you are organized and can meet deadlines.

Tutoring

There is always a need for tutors, both at the elementary and high school levels. If you have a degree, you can choose that area to tutor in or widen your areas of expertise with some studying. You can tutor students face-to-face in your home or theirs or you can even use online video services such as Skype to tutor from your desk. Tutoring can bring in $20-40 an hour or more. Start by putting up flyers in public places and advertising in local online directories. As your clientele builds, your reputation will spread by word of mouth.

Teacher's Assistant

Professors at many colleges require help marking exams and papers and co-ordinating courses. Sometimes, this work can be done at home if the university has an online case and exam submission process. Check with your local university to see what their guidelines and rules are regarding teaching assistants. Some universities will only hire alumni but many will take applications from a wider pool.

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