I have sold many houses as an agent, and investor over the last 20 years. I have learned a lot about what helps houses sell and what does not. I have also learned what to spend money on and what not to. If you plan to sell your house, and you want to get the most money you can, you need to make it look as appealing as possible without breaking your budget.
Table of Contents
How important is curb appeal?
First impressions matter but they may not matter as much as many people think. When we watch HGTV all we hear about is curb appeal. I think curb appeal is mentioned so much because it is an easy catchphrase to remember and it is easy to see the differences on TV. TV is not always reality.
When I sell houses I want the property to look good on the outside but I do not need to spend tens of thousands of dollars installing custom landscaping. if the yard is dead on a house we are flipping we won’t install sod and then sprinklers because we will never get that money back. Now if you live in the home and can nurse a yard back to health with little money definitely do that.
We will add mulch, trim or remove dead trees, repair fences, etc, but we usually aren’t adding fences or adding trees. If the house needs paint we will of course paint it, especially if there is peeling paint as that can stop a buyer from getting financing. The reason we don’t do a lot of yard work is that most buyers feel they can do that work themselves. It can be hard work but not complicated work.
Decluttering and staging a home
Most of the homes we sell are vacant so we do not need to declutter. However, many of you reading this may be living in the home and have your stuff, maybe a lot of stuff in that home. Homes look their best when there are very few personal items in the home and no mess. It might sound weird, but leaving pictures up distracts buyers. It distracts me. I see them and I think do I know them, have we met, how many kids do they have, when I should be looking at the house! This is for a seasoned investor! Take down all the personal photos and remove as much clutter as you can. Make sure the home is as clean as possible and smells good!
If the house is vacant we sometimes stage it and sometimes don’t. It depends on the size of the home, the market, the feel of the home, and many other factors. When we do stage, we hire a company to add furniture and a few decorations. The worst thing you can do is add one table and chair with a bottle of wine. If you are going to stage, do it right. If you don’t want to stage that is fine but don’t make it obvious you wanted to stage but got tired and quit.
What repairs should you make when selling?
I can write an entire article on repairs and have done that because a lot can be said. I also have videos that I will link to after this section because repairs are tricky. The two biggest questions to ask when thinking about what to repair and what not to are can the buyers get financing and does the house look good?
For FHA to finance a home, it needs to be in livable condition which means the roof is decent, the windows aren’t broken, the major systems work, there is no peeling paint, and there are no safety hazards. Some people may say well we will just sell to a buyer not using FHA. Except, most owner-occupied loans will use the same guidelines as FHA. If you want to sell to an investor you will most likely get much less money than selling to an owner-occupant. if you need help figuring out what repairs to make for financing talk to a local agent or check this out.
Once the house qualifies for financing you need to make sure it looks and feels good. Cosmetic repairs go a long way like paint and flooring. You do not need to go crazy spending $100k on kitchen and bath upgrades. Stick to the affordable repairs if your budget allows it and if the home is in decent shape you might not need to make any repairs.
Price the home right and be easy to work with
If you price your home too high, it doesn’t matter how good it looks or feels. Pricing is the most important part of selling a home and you need to get it right from the start. If you price too high and lower it over time, you will most likely get less than pricing it right the first time. Again, I would use an agent to help you figure out what to price it at based on the condition of the home.
It is also important to be easy to work with. If you need 48 hours for a showing, that will deter many buyers. Have the home ready to show at all times and be ready to get out of there or let it be shown if you are at work. You may want 2 weeks after closing to move out but that will deter many buyers as well. be very clear about what stays with the home and what you are taking as far as appliances or other items that may be attached to the property.
If you get an offer remember you are not fighting the buyers or trying to win, you are working with them to come up with a win/win scenario.
When should you sell the home?
Many people say you should always sell in the spring because that is when most buyers are looking. That is true but that is also when most sellers are selling as well. If you are ready to sell your home, I would not wait for the perfect time although I would avoid a few times of the year if possible. Fall is usually the slowest time of the year because kids are going back to school and everyone is super busy. The Holidays are also tough because people are distracted and busy. Most any other time of the year works and buyers are always looking.
Conclusion
Selling a house is not rocket science but many things that go into it. Getting your house prepared to sell can net you tens of thousands of dollars more than simply listing it and hoping. It is easier than ever to sell by owner now with online marketing tools and social media but I would always use an agent personally. Yes, I am an agent but even buying or selling out of state where I am not licensed I always use an agent. They can help you price the home right, and give you ideas on staging and repairs, they also handle the showings and will expose the property to more buyers.
Are you thinking about downsizing your home? Whether you’re an empty nester looking for a more manageable lifestyle or starting a family and seeking a change, transitioning from owning a house to renting an apartment can offer a ton of benefits. In this guide, we’ll answer the question of how to downsize your home, from decluttering and preparing for the move to finding the perfect apartment and making it feel like home.
Know your why: understanding the motivation behind downsizing
Before setting off on the downsizing journey, it’s important to understand why you want to make this change. There are plenty of reasons why homeowners choose to downsize, like retiring, embracing a minimalist lifestyle, saving money or moving to a smaller house in a new city. By keeping your motivation in mind, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges that come with figuring out how to downsize your home.
Embracing the positives of downsizing
Downsizing your home doesn’t have to be viewed as a loss. Instead, focus on the positives that come with this transition. Consider the financial benefits, like lower mortgage payments, property taxes and maintenance costs. Downsizing can also offer newfound freedom and flexibility, allowing you to pursue other interests and experiences. By shifting your mindset and embracing the advantages, you’ll be more prepared to downsize successfully.
Planning the move in advance
To make the moving process easier, make sure downsizing your belongings ahead of time is on your to do list. This includes not only getting rid of unnecessary items but also evaluating your furniture and larger possessions. Determine what will fit into your new apartment and what you can live without. By downsizing your stuff before the move, you’ll have a clearer idea of what to expect and can make the transition to a smaller area more seamless by finding ways to save space while you save money.
Buying vs. renting: determining the best option for you
Once you’ve decluttered and prepared for the move, it’s essential to decide whether buying or renting an apartment is the right choice for you. Owning a home offers long-term stability, but it also comes with additional costs like mortgages, insurance and maintenance. On the other hand, renting provides flexibility and fewer responsibilities. Consider your financial situation, lifestyle preferences, and long-term plans to make an informed decision.
Hidden costs
When downsizing from a house to an apartment, it’s crucial to be aware of the hidden costs that might not be immediately apparent. Moving expenses, like hiring movers, purchasing packing supplies and potentially paying for a storage unit, can add up quickly.
While the apartment’s rent might seem more affordable compared to a mortgage, you have to consider the security deposit, pet fees, parking fees and any amenity fees that apartments often charge for extras like a personal on-site storage unit. These costs can significantly impact your budget, making it important to thoroughly research and factor these expenses into your financial planning.
If your new apartment requires any furnishings or renovations to make the space work for you, these are additional costs that need to be considered ahead of the move.
Utility bills
Utility bills in an apartment can differ significantly from those in a house, often leading to significant savings. Apartments typically have small rooms and less square footage than houses, which can result in lower heating and cooling costs. Many apartments offer utilities included in the rent, like water and trash services, which can simplify monthly budgeting and potentially save money.
It’s important to understand exactly what utilities are covered and what you’re responsible for paying. Some buildings may have less efficient HVAC systems or lack individual unit controls, leading to higher electricity or gas bills than expected. Researching and asking for average utility costs from the apartment management can provide a clearer picture of your monthly expenses.
Finding the perfect apartment
When searching for an apartment, it’s important to consider your specific requirements and preferences. Think about the location, amenities and size that will best suit your needs. If outdoor spaces or certain amenities are essential to you, prioritize only those things first in your search.
Consider potential future needs, like extra storage space, square footage for expanding your family or large windows for natural light. By carefully evaluating these factors, you’ll find an apartment that aligns with your downsizing goals.
Multipurpose rooms
Adapting to small rooms when moving from a house to an apartment requires creative use of space, making a multipurpose room not just a great idea, but often a necessity. A living room or guest room can double as a home office or a dining area with the right furniture and layout.
Investing in versatile furniture pieces, like a sofa bed, floating shelves, extendable dining tables or a functional storage unit, can maximize versatility without sacrificing style or comfort. Using room dividers or open shelving units for storage areas can help delineate spaces for different uses while keeping the apartment feeling open and airy. The key is to prioritize what functions are most important and design the new space around those needs, ensuring that every inch of your apartment works hard for your lifestyle.
Reviewing lease agreements and moving in
Before finalizing the lease agreement, thoroughly review all the terms and conditions. Pay attention to the rent price, security deposit, utilities and any maintenance policies.
Ensure that everything is as agreed upon and ask any necessary questions. Once you’re ready to move into your current home, you may choose to hire professional movers or handle the move yourself. Whichever option you choose, make sure you’re well-prepared and organized for a smooth transition.
Making your apartment feel like home
Once you’ve moved into your new apartment, it’s time to make it feel like home. Furnishing and decorating a smaller space requires careful consideration. Focus on selecting furniture that fits the apartment’s dimensions and serves multiple purposes in one room. Measure the rooms and furniture to ensure a proper fit. Personalize your space with colors, textures and accessories that reflect your style and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Decluttering
Decluttering is a critical step in downsizing from a house to an apartment. It involves carefully evaluating your possessions to decide what truly adds value to your life. Luckily, it also results in less stuff and, often, extra cash. This process not only makes the move easier and potentially cheaper but also helps in adapting to a smaller home.
Start by categorizing items into what to keep, sell at a garage sale, donate, get rid of or discard. Be realistic about the space limitations of your new apartment and prioritize items that are necessary or hold significant emotional value. Decluttering can be an emotional process, but a yard sale also offers an opportunity to refresh and simplify your lifestyle, making your new apartment feel spacious and organized.
Professional organizers
Hiring a professional organizer can be a worthwhile investment when downsizing to an apartment. These experts can offer invaluable advice and tips on how to efficiently use your new, smaller space, suggest ways to reduce clutter, and help you decide what to keep, donate or dispose of. They can also assist with the physical aspects of decluttering and organizing before the move, making the transition to a smaller home smoother and less stressful.
While the cost of hiring a professional organizer may seem like an unnecessary additional expense, their expertise can save you time and money in the long run by helping you avoid mistakes and make the most out of your new living situation. Their services can be particularly beneficial for those who are overwhelmed by the downsizing process or unsure where to start.
Embracing a minimalist lifestyle
Downsizing your home provides an opportunity to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Prioritize what truly matters to you and let go of excess possessions. Adopting minimalist principles will not only help you maintain a clutter-free environment but also promote a sense of peace and simplicity. By using storage spaces, focusing on quality over quantity and reducing material possessions, you can create a space that feels spacious and organized.
Managing the transition and settling in
Transitioning from owning a house to renting an apartment may come with some emotional challenges. It’s important to be patient with yourself and allow time to adjust to the new space.
Take advantage of the amenities and community offered by your apartment complex to connect with neighbors and feel a sense of belonging. As you settle into your new, smaller home together, you’ll discover the benefits of downsizing and enjoy the freedom it brings.
You can live large with fewer square feet
Downsizing to a smaller home can be a transformative experience. By understanding your motivation, decluttering your belongings and carefully considering your options for your new small space, you can successfully navigate this transition.
Embrace the positives of downsizing, find the perfect apartment and create a space that reflects your style and values. With the right mindset and preparation, downsizing can lead to a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle.
A Roth IRA can be a retirement savings tool for children as well as adults. Funded with after-tax dollars, a Roth IRA grows tax-free, so account holders won’t need to pay taxes when they withdraw money in retirement as long as the account has been open for at least five years. Plus, the money in a Roth IRA will have many decades to grow if you open it when your child is young.
And while a Roth IRA has an early distribution penalty, that penalty is generally waived for certain expenses, such as paying for qualified college expenses, if your child needs to access those funds. That flexibility can make a Roth IRA appealing.
Can you open a Roth IRA for a child? Yes! A Roth IRA for kids, called a Custodial Roth IRA, can be opened by a parent, grandparent, or other adult for a child of any age, as long as the child earns income (more on that later).
Here’s everything you need to know about a Roth IRA for kids.
What Is a Roth IRA for Kids?
A Roth IRA for kids, also known as a custodial Roth IRA, is an IRA opened by an adult (usually a parent), who manages the account until the child gets full control of it, which is at age 18 or 21 in most states.
A custodial Roth IRA for kids generally operates in the same way a Roth IRA for adults does. The account holder contributes after-tax dollars toward their retirement savings and the money grows tax-free in the account.
In order to open and contribute to a Roth IRA, your child must have earned income. 💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.
Who’s Eligible for a Roth IRA for Kids?
A child of any age can have a Roth IRA for kids. However, to be eligible, a child must have an earned income. Earned income can include the compensation earned from jobs like babysitting, dog walking, or working for an employer.
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Custodial Roth IRA Rules
In addition to the standard rules for a Roth IRA, there are specific rules for custodial Roth IRAs. These rules include:
No Minimum Age Limit
A child of any age can have a custodial Roth IRA as long as he or she has earned income.
A Child Must Have Earned Income
In order to open a custodial Roth IRA, a child must have earned income. The IRS generally defines earned income as taxable income, wages, and tips. This can also include self-employment, such as yard work or babysitting. Cash gifts given to a child do not count as earned income.
There Are Contribution Limits
The contribution limit for a Roth IRA is $7,000 for 2024 ($8,000 for those 50 and older), or the total of the individual’s earned income for the year, whichever is less.
In addition, a child (or an adult on behalf of a child) cannot contribute an amount greater than the child’s earned income. So if a child earned $2,000 as a lifeguard at the local swimming pool, for example, the most that can be contributed to the child’s custodial IRA that year, including contributions from parents, is $2,000.
Certain Early Withdrawals Are Allowed
In general, you can withdraw contributions from a Roth IRA at any time without penalty. Earnings typically can’t be withdrawn before age 59 ½ without penalty except in certain circumstances. Allowable exceptions include withdrawals up to certain limits to pay for qualified college expenses, cover certain medical bills, and to buy a first home.
Eventual Conversion to a Regular Roth IRA
When the child reaches the legal age in their state (typically 18 or 21, depending on the state), the custodial Roth IRA will need to be converted to a regular Roth IRA in the child’s name.
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How to Open a Custodial Roth IRA for a Kid
A Roth IRA for kids can be opened by any adult, such as a parent or grandparent, for instance. While the child is a minor, the adult will have sole access to the account; once the child comes of age (the timing of which varies by state), the account will transfer over to the child.
As with any Roth IRA, investment options within the account can include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
A Roth IRA can be opened through a financial institution or brokerage firm. You can typically open the account online by providing some basic information about yourself and your child. Choosing the right institution and Roth IRA offering depends on the investor and their preferences, so be sure to do some research. 💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that you must choose the investments in your IRA? Once you open a new IRA and start saving, you get to decide which mutual funds, ETFs, or other investments you want — it’s totally up to you.
Benefits of Starting a Roth IRA for a Child
Flexibility in how to use the funds can be one benefit of opening a custodial Roth IRA as part of an investment plan for your child. A Roth IRA can provide flexibility not only for potential expenses in early adulthood — such as college expenses or buying a home — but can be an investment vehicle throughout your child’s lifetime.
Another benefit is that a Roth IRA typically gives you more control over investments than an education-focused 529 college savings plan, and it may allow you to create a diversified portfolio of different asset classes.
A Roth IRA is a gift that can keep growing, since investors can potentially maximize compounding returns to get the most out of their investment. Here’s how a Roth IRA may unlock the power of compounding: As an example, let’s say you open a custodial Roth IRA when the child is 10 years old, and contribute $2,000 annually. At a certain point, your child might take over contributing $2,000 annually.
Assuming a 7% rate of return, the account will be worth $928,000 by the time your child is 60 years old — even though the amount you and your child contributed would be $100,000 in total. In comparison, if that same money was put in a taxable savings account over the same time period, the total of the account would be approximately $515,764.
And unlike a traditional IRA, there is no required minimum distribution (RMD) on a Roth IRA once the account owner reaches retirement age. A Roth IRA also allows people to continue contributing throughout their lifetime, as long as they’re earning income.
Alternatives to a Roth IRA for a Kid
If you’re looking for other possible investments for your child, some options to consider include the following.
• Savings account: A parent can open a savings account for a child, as long as the parent is a joint account holder. Savings accounts typically have low interest rates (as of January 2024, the average interest rate for a savings account was 0.47%), so you might want to look for a high-yield savings account instead. These accounts have average interest rates of more than 4% as of early 2024.
• Savings bonds: If your child doesn’t have earned income, you may want to consider savings bonds. However, savings bonds don’t offer the same potential tax advantages a Roth IRA does since you have to pay federal income tax on the bonds when they mature or you cash them. You won’t pay income taxes on Roth IRA earnings unless you take a non-qualified distribution.
• 529 plans: These plans can help you save for your child’s education. You can typically invest the money you contribute to a 529 plan and choose from a wide range of investment options. While these plans aren’t tax deductible at the federal level, your state may offer tax breaks for contributions made to them. And funds can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified education expenses. As of 2024, money left in a 529 may be rolled over to a Roth IRA for your child, although certain conditions and limits may apply.
• UGMA/UTMA accounts: A Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) account and a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) account are custodial accounts in which an adult can invest on behalf of a child. These accounts are typically used to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and so on. There are no contribution or income limits, and gifts below the annual gift threshold do not need to be reported. However, there are no tax benefits when contributions are made, and earnings are made to these accounts, and earnings are subject to taxes. When the child reaches legal age, they take over control of the account.
The Takeaway
For a child with earned income, a custodial Roth IRA may be a good way to help them prepare for their future and get started on the path to investing. A child does need to have an earned income to open a custodial Roth IRA, and contributions cannot exceed their income. If your child qualifies, a Roth IRA for kids could potentially give them years of tax-free growth on their money.
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FAQ
Can you open a Roth IRA for a child if they don’t earn income?
No. A child must have earned income — which the IRS defines as wages, salaries, tips and other taxable employee compensation, as well as net earnings from self-employment — in order to open a custodial Roth IRA.
Can you open a Roth IRA for a baby?
It’s possible to open an IRA for a baby. As long as a baby earns an income — modeling baby clothes, for instance — you can open a custodial Roth IRA for them. There is no minimum age to open a custodial Roth IRA, but the child must have earned income.
Is it a good idea to open a Roth IRA for a child?
It may be a good idea to open a Roth IRA for a child for several reasons. A Roth IRA can help a child save up for and cover certain expenses in early adulthood, such as qualified college expenses. Also, a Roth IRA typically has higher returns than a savings account. And because kids have a low tax rate now, when contributions are made, it makes sense to open a Roth IRA, which is taxed upfront. At retirement, as long as they are at least age 59 ½, they can withdraw the money tax-free.
Can I give my child money for a Roth IRA?
Yes, you can contribute to your child’s IRA. However, annual contributions to the account cannot exceed the child’s annual earned income. Also, per IRS rules, the overall amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA is to $7,000 in 2024 for individuals under age 50, or the total annual earned income, whichever is less.
What is the disadvantage of a Roth IRA for kids?
One potential disadvantage of an IRA for kids is that your child must earn an income in order to open and contribute to an account. In addition, you can only contribute the amount the child earns. So if the child makes $500 for the year babysitting, that is the most you can contribute to their custodial Roth IRA.
Can I open a Roth IRA for my 2 year old?
As long as your 2-year-old earns an income, you can open a custodial Roth IRA for them. There is no minimum age requirement for a Roth IRA for kids.
How do I prove my child’s income for a Roth IRA?
If your child receives a W-2 or 1099 form for work they did for an employer, you can use those documents to prove your child’s income. However, if they are self-employed and do work like babysitting, dog walking or yard work to earn money, you should keep receipts or records of the type of work they did, the amount they earned, when the work was done, and who it was for, as proof of their income.
What happens to a custodial Roth IRA when the child turns 18?
Once a child is of legal age, which is typically 18 or 21, depending on your state, the IRA must be converted to a regular Roth IRA in the child’s name that they then own and manage.
Do children need to file a tax return to fund their Roth IRA?
As long as their income is below the threshold that requires them to file a tax return, children are typically not required to file a tax return just because they have a custodial IRA. However, you may want to consult with a tax professional about your specific situation.
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Although you’re allowed to sell your own home, doing so is a lot of work. Before you move forward, take time to consider the pros and cons of handling things on your own.
If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you may be wondering whether you can sell your own home. Yes, you can, but don’t put up a For Sale sign just yet. Although you’re allowed to sell your own home, doing so is a lot of work. Before you move forward, take time to consider the pros and cons of handling things on your own.
Statistics on FSBO Homes
For sale by owner, better known as FSBO, tells buyers you’re not using a real estate agent or a broker. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, FSBO listings accounted for 10% of all home sales in 2021.
Nearly 30% of owners used word-of-mouth marketing via friends, family members, and neighbors to market their listings. Owners also used yard signs, third-party real estate aggregators, social networking sites, and other FSBO marketing methods to find buyers.
Why Sell Your Own Home?
Many people ask “Can I sell my own home?” because real estate agents receive a commission on every sale they make. The average commission is 6%, with the listing agent receiving slightly more than the buyer’s agent. If your home sells for $300,000, that’s $18,000 in commissions at the average rate.
Then, assuming the listing agent gets 3.5% and the buyer’s agent gets 2.5%, selling your own home would save you $10,500. You could use that money to buy new furniture, cover some of your closing costs, invest in the stock market, or take a vacation.
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Potential Pitfalls of Selling Your Own Home
If you decide to sell your own home, you’ll have to do all the work that a real estate agent would normally do. Some of the most important tasks include:
Setting a sale price
Preparing your home for walk-throughs and open houses
Advertising the property
Following all relevant real estate laws
Meeting with potential buyers and their agents
Learning how to do these things is time-consuming, and there’s also the risk you’ll make a serious mistake. For example, if you price your home based on emotions instead of market data, you may have trouble attracting potential buyers.
When you sell your own home, you also lose the opportunity to benefit from an agent’s extensive network of contacts. Experienced agents maintain relationships with plumbers, landscapers, home staging professionals, and other people who can help you get your home ready for the market. If you don’t have these relationships, you may have to wait weeks or even months before a home service provider can add you to their busy schedule.
One of the biggest potential drawbacks to selling your own home is that you may not get as much money as an agent would. The National Association of REALTORS reports that FSBO listings sold for an average of $225,000 in 2021. In contrast, agent-listed homes sold for an average of $330,000.
Tips for Selling Your Home Without an Agent
If you decide to sell your own home, follow these tips to maximize the sale price and reduce the amount of time it takes to find a buyer.
1. Choose the Right Sale Price
When setting a price for your home, you have to think strategically. If it’s priced too high, you’ll have trouble selling. If it’s priced too low, you’ll lose out on potential profit. The price has to be just right to attract a buyer without leaving money on the table. To find the right price, consider these factors.
Recent Sales
A comparative market analysis lists recent sales in your neighborhood, giving you valuable information about local prices. Normally, a real estate agent would provide a CMA report for you, but it’s possible to create your own. To get started, use public records or third-party listing websites to identify sold homes that are approximately the same size and age as your home.
Once you have the initial list, narrow it down by looking for homes that have features similar to yours. For example, if your home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, you’ll want to include other four-bedroom homes in your analysis.
The market changes quickly, so limit your search to homes sold in the last three months. Once you have a workable list, note the sale price of each listing. If you’re not comfortable creating your own CMA report, consider getting a professional home appraisal.
Location
The location of your home has a big impact on the sale price. Many buyers are willing to pay a premium to move to an excellent school district or reduce the amount of time it takes to get to restaurants, salons, office buildings, and entertainment venues.
Location refers not just to what city you live in but also where your home is situated. If it’s near an airport or a busy street, you may not be able to get as much as you would if it was tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.
Condition of the Home
The better your home’s condition, the more money you can get for it. Think top-of-the line appliances, fresh paint, and new flooring. If your home needs repairs or the appliances and flooring are a little outdated, you may have to set a lower price to attract potential buyers.
Market Conditions
Supply and demand have a big impact on home prices in your area. In a seller’s market, the demand for homes outpaces the supply, driving prices higher. Buyers may even get into bidding wars over the most desirable properties. In a buyer’s market, the supply of homes outweighs the demand, driving prices down.
2. Use Multiple Advertising Methods
It would be great if all you had to do was put your listing on social media, but it takes a little more work to sell a home. You may want to use the following marketing methods:
Newspaper advertisements
Social media posts
Yard signs
Third-party listing websites
Flyers at local businesses
Virtual home tours
3. Plan Your Open House Carefully
An open house gives potential buyers a chance to walk through your home and see if it looks just as good in person as it does in photos. Here are a few tips to help you plan a successful open house event:
Schedule it on a weekend: Many people work during the week, so holding an open house on a Wednesday at 11 a.m. isn’t the best way to attract eager buyers. If possible, schedule your open house for a Sunday afternoon.
Advertise: Yard signs are helpful, but you should use several advertising methods to make more people aware of your event. Try advertising on a third-party website or posting on social media
Clean thoroughly: You don’t want potential buyers focusing on dust bunnies, so give your home a thorough cleaning the day before your open house. Before people arrive, straighten your throw pillows, take out the garbage, and do some last-minute tidying.
Put away personal items: Potential buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in your home. They may have a tough time doing that if you have family photos and other mementos on display. To make your home more appealing, put away personal items before the open house begins.
Make arrangements for your pets: If possible, take your pets to a family member’s house before your event begins. Some buyers aren’t comfortable with animals, and you’ll have an easier time focusing if you don’t have to worry that one of your pets is going to escape.
4. Consult an Attorney
If you sell your home without an agent, you’re still responsible for following all relevant laws and regulations in your area. To ensure you don’t make a costly mistake, consult an attorney beforehand. A licensed attorney can advise you of your rights and educate you about the potential pitfalls involved in selling real estate.
It’s possible to sell your home without a real estate agent, but it takes a lot of time and effort. If you make a mistake, you can easily lose thousands of dollars in profit, making it critical to do in-depth research before you begin the process. You may also want to research other things before selling or buying a home, such as the state of your finances, your current credit health, or your loan options. Credit.com can help you work to understand these things better, so consider signing up for your free Credit Report Card today
Outfitting a new place with pictures and paintings can get expensive, but nowadays, there are plenty of cheap wall art options for your apartment that are inexpensive yet chic.
Once you’ve found the perfect apartment to rent, signed the lease and moved in, the fun part of decorating your new home can begin. If you’re wondering where to buy art for an apartment, we’ve put together a list of 25 places to find cheap wall art online. Browse these galleries or peruse in person and find cheap wall art for your apartment that’ll give it personality and color.
Where to buy art for your apartment
One day, you may be able to afford an original painting by your favorite artist, but until then, there are lots of places to find cheap wall art that’ll spice up your apartment without breaking the bank. Here are some places to consider when looking for art for your apartment.
1. Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace where vendors can sell their arts, crafts and vintage supplies directly to buyers. While you’ll have to search and filter through lots of options, Etsy has a huge collection of art available and is a great place to browse when looking for cheap wall art.
2. Thrift shops
Your local thrift shop is a great place to start when looking for art for apartments. Because of the nature of thrift shops where products are constantly being donated, each time you go to the local thrift shop, you’ll find different art available for purchase at an inexpensive price point. Thrift shops will offer a wide range of art genres and you’ll never know what you’re going to find when you walk in. This makes it a fun place to check out frequently and see what you’ll stumble upon
3. Yard and estate sales
Like thrift shops, local yard and estate sales are great places to go and browse for cheap wall art. You don’t know what you’re going to find, but it is a fun surprise when you find something unexpected that you love.
4. Antique stores
Looking for something vintage and antique to decorate your apartment with? Antique stores can offer one-of-a-kind pieces of art that’ll make your apartment stand out from other homes. Antique art hunting requires patience, but when you find a fabulous piece of art, the hunt is worth it.
5. Society 6
Society 6 is a website for independent artists to showcase their work. Here, you’ll find a variety of art options — from paper prints to framed art to tapestries — to buy and decorate your apartment with.
6. Target
Who doesn’t love going on a Target run? Whether you’re looking for cheap wall art online or looking to wander the aisles, Target offers a variety of art that’ll work when decorating anything from a nursery to the living room in your apartment.
7. Bed Bath and Beyond
Bed Bath and Beyond is another big-box store that offers a little bit of everything, including cheap wall art. Here you can purchase framed art or canvas prints that’ll look high-quality hanging in your home but won’t cost the same as a gallery piece would.
8. Art.com
Art.com is a great place to start when you’re looking for art for your apartment. This website offers thousands of pieces — from classics artists like Van Gogh and Picasso to unknown artists selling flowers or signs — Art.com is a great place to browse as you’ll find almost anything your heart desires.
9. Rifle Paper Co.
Rifle Paper Co. is a brand that features whimsical designs and sweet florals on a variety of products. From paper prints to licensed products, check out Rifle Paper Co. offers a nice selection of art to hang in your apartment.
10. Wayfair
Wayfair is where to look when you’re searching for anything from furniture to art to match. If you don’t know what style of art you like, Wayfair is a great place to start because you can match it to your furniture style.
11. Artfinder.com
Do you like to support local artists from around the world? If so, Artfinder.com is a great place to find cheap wall art online. You can find styles that you like and feel good about supporting local artists at the same time. Also, lots of times you’ll find art on sale, which is always a perk.
12. Minted.com
Minted.com offers limited edition prints, meaning the prints won’t always be available for purchase. If you like unique art at a stellar price point, check out Minted.com when browsing for cheap wall art online.
13. Overstock
If you’re in the mood to browse online at endless options, Overstock.com is the place for you. This online gallery offers thousands of options and you’re bound to find a piece of art (or two) that are great for your new apartment.
14. Christmas Tree Shops
Christmas Tree Shops offers so much more than holiday art. If you’re looking for canvas art that’ll look upscale and elegant in your home, this is a great website or store to check out.
15. Circle Graphics
Circle Graphics is a digital printing company and art vendor that can help you decorate your home with art or photos. Looking for art? Great. Looking to print your own photos on canvas? You can do that, too!
16. Home Goods
Home Goods is another place to browse online and in-store to find both cheap wall art and decorative elements for your apartment.
17. Great Big Canvas
Great Big Canvas is another online art gallery that allows you to search by subject, color, size or room. This is a great way to filter your art options and find the perfect piece for every wall in your apartment.
18. Abstract Art Gallery
If you want an original piece of art but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, Abstract Art Gallery is a great place to find abstract-style art for under $500. Check out this site if you’re looking for an original piece for your apartment.
19. Paper Source
Paper Source is a boutique paper store that sells print art and fine paper that can easily be styled into wall art. Find a piece of paper or pattern that you love, buy a frame to match and voila, you’ve got yourself a cheap piece of wall art. This is a great option because you can easily swap the art out seasonally and have new art regularly.
20. Urban Outfitters
Looking for something a little more hipster? Check out Urban Outfitters art and decor section and you’ll find a wide selection of posters, prints and frames to decorate your apartment with.
21. iCanvas
iCanvas offers people a large selection of options to find cheap wall art online. You can purchase prints that feature iconic movie and TV scenes, abstract art or classics.
22. Uprise Art
If you’re the type of person who wants to spend money on one beautiful piece of art that is a statement piece, Uprise Art is a great source to check out. With art for under $800, you can get a wonderful piece of art that’ll last you forever.
23. Vertical Gallery
Vertical Gallery is a digital art gallery where people can browse and see a variety of artists month over month. This is a fun way to purchase cheap wall art because the collections change and provide you with new options.
24. Big Lots
Big Lots offers art and home decor for inexpensive prices. This is a great place to start looking for art if you aren’t sure about your style and don’t want to invest in an expensive piece yet. You can purchase a few pieces of art, see what you like, and then commit to a more expensive piece down the road.
25. Dollar Tree
Last but not least is Dollar Tree. If you’re looking for cheap wall art, try Dollar Tree. You can get prints for literally one dollar and outfit the entire apartment wall-to-wall if you want.
Decorate your apartment with cheap wall art
Whether you’re looking for one statement piece of art or multiple pieces you can swap out seasonally, there are plenty of places to find cheap wall art. These 25 places are a great place to start when looking for places to buy art for your apartment.
Sage Singleton is a freelance writer with a passion for literature and words. She enjoys writing articles that will inspire, educate and influence readers. She loves that words have the power to create change and make a positive impact in the world. Some of her work has been featured on LendingTree, Venture Beat, Architectural Digest, Porch.com and Homes.com. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading and learning French.
The city of Laguna Beach, Calif. recently offered details of its city-sponsored aging-in-place program, dubbed “Lifelong Laguna,” in a profile published by CNBC. It provides new insight into the measures cities can explore to more easily facilitate aging-in-place goals for older residents.
2021 research from AARP indicates that 77% of adults at or over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes as they get older, but the figure in Laguna Beach is much higher. There, the figure is closer to 90% according to Rickie Redman, director of Lifelong Laguna.
Originally piloted in 2017, Lifelong Laguna is a program that enlists a local area nonprofit to encourage support for aging in place.
“Lifelong Laguna is based on the Village movement, where aging in place is encouraged with community support,” the story reads. “The Laguna Beach program aims to fulfill a specific need for a city where approximately 28% of residents are age 65 and over, while local assisted living and memory care services are scarce.”
Much of the city’s older population has lived in Laguna Beach since they were in their 20s and 30s. Now in their 70s and 80s, they simply do not want to be displaced to live somewhere else, even if another area or dedicated facility could more easily attend to their needs as they age.
“They make this city unique,” Redman told CNBC, saying many of the older residents can trace their journey here to the city’s “artistic roots,” the story explained. “They’re the placeholders for the Laguna that we now know.”
The program currently serves about 200 older residents, and there is no direct cost to them for participating. It is entirely funded by grants and local fundraising efforts, according to Redman.
“Its services address a wide range of needs, including a home repair program the city operates in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, nutrition counseling and end-of-life planning,” the story explained.
Other cities and communities have adopted similar systems, as aging-in-place preferences have increased dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Data from Genworth Financial indicates that roughly 70% of the 10,000 baby boomers who will turn 65 every day until 2030 will require long-term care at some point in their later lives, CNBC reported.
“There definitely is a mindset change, where people are saying, ‘I do want to stay put, I don’t necessarily want to move into a nursing home or into assisted care,’” said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to CNBC.
One beneficiary of the Laguna Beach program told the outlet that her needs have been attended to very promptly, from assistance with yard clean-up to the organization of end-of-life services for her recently deceased husband.
“Anything that I’ve needed, I’ve gotten help,” said Sylvia Bradshaw, an 84-year old Laguna Beach resident when describing her membership in the program.
Looking for under the table jobs? When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only. These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career. Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is…
Looking for under the table jobs?
When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only.
These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career.
Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is not paying taxes. But, you still should pay taxes, as it is the law in the U.S.
Key Takeaways
Under the table jobs are a flexible way to earn cash without formal employment.
You can tap into many different job fields, from childcare to handyman services, to make extra money.
If a person pays you in cash, it’s still important to report that income to the IRS. If you don’t, it could be tax evasion, which is illegal.
Best Under the Table Jobs
If you’re looking for ways to earn cash, there are plenty of jobs that you can do under the table.
Some popular options include:
As a handyman, you can fix things around a house, like replacing a bathroom mirror or broken doors. If you’re good with tools and fixing things, this can be a great way to make some money.
If you like sharing what you know, tutoring might be a good side gig for you. You can help kids with their schoolwork or even teach music if you play an instrument.
Babysitting is a classic way to earn cash. You watch kids while their parents are away and might even help them with homework.
Love being outside? Try landscaping or mowing lawns. You can make yards look nice and make good money.
For those who love animals, dog walking or pet sitting are fun ways to make money. Spend time with pets, take them for walks, and make sure they’re fed.
Continue reading below to see the full list and learn more about under the table jobs.
1. Reseller
Resellers buy items and sell them for a higher price to make a profit.
You can find things at low prices from garage sales, thrift stores, or online clearance deals. Then, you sell them in places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or even to friends and family.
You can sell things like clothes, electronics, toys, and books that people want. It’s usually a good idea to choose items you know a lot about because it makes it easier for you to know a good deal when you see one.
I personally have many friends who are resellers, and I was a reseller in the past as well (before I started blogging full-time!). It can be a great way to make cash income.
Whether you’re looking to make just a little extra cash or if you want a full-time job, this is a good option to look into.
I recommend watching the free webinar Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days to learn how to make money by flipping items.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
2. Childcare
A popular cash job is babysitting. Most moms and dads need good babysitters, and they’re happy to pay a fair amount for someone to watch their kids while they go out for the evening.
Babysitters make a good income these days – typically around $20 per hour.
If you think it might be tough to earn money this way, don’t worry – it’s possible. Just posting a simple message on your Facebook page could connect you with someone who needs a babysitter.
Note: I recommend making sure you check with your city or state before you begin. Also, make sure that your home is safe (if you watch children in your own home) and that you are CPR certified.
Recommended reading: 29 Best Stay At Home Jobs
3. Home and yard maintenance
When you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, you can do home and yard maintenance jobs. These are tasks people don’t have time to do themselves (or they simply don’t like to do!).
For example, if you like being outdoors, landscaping work might be perfect for you. Jobs in this area include lawn mowing, trimming hedges, and planting flowers.
If you prefer working indoors, you might focus on home maintenance tasks instead. Tasks like house cleaning or helping to organize a garage are commonly needed.
These jobs usually pay in cash at the end of the day or after the job is done. Usually, the homeowner pays you in cash before you go home.
4. Pet groomer
Pet groomers clean pets so that they look nice and healthy (and everyone needs a regular bath!). If you like pets, then you may enjoy being a pet groomer.
Pet groomers can sometimes get paid in cash, especially when you run your own business. I have seen many pet grooming businesses that operate out of a trailer that the person pulls behind their vehicle. They go straight to the person’s home, wash their dog in their mobile dog cleaning trailer, and then collect the cash payment once they are done.
Your work will include brushing and cutting fur, trimming nails, giving baths, and maybe even brushing the pet’s teeth. You make sure pets are clean, comfortable, and looking good. Sometimes, pet owners might also ask you to style their pets’ fur in a special way as well (such as by pinning back fur out of the dog’s eyes).
5. Pet sitter
Working as a pet sitter can be a simple and enjoyable way to earn extra cash.
As a pet sitter, your job is to keep an eye on someone’s pet while they are away. This can include feeding, walking, and playing with the pet to make sure it’s happy and healthy. You may need to stay overnight at the pet owner’s home or the pet may stay with you (it simply depends on what you and the pet owner agree on).
You can find pet sitting jobs on Rover. I have personally used this site countless times to find a pet sitter for my dogs.
Another under the table job similar to this is becoming a house sitter. House sitters watch homes while the owner is away and this can be a great side hustle. I talk more about this in a section further below.
6. House cleaning
When you’re looking for work that’s paid directly in cash, without formal paperwork, you might want to start with house cleaning.
So, what does a house cleaner include? Well, you’ll do things like dusting, vacuuming floors, and cleaning bathrooms. Sometimes, you’ll wash dishes or do laundry. If the house has pets, you might need to clean up after them too. Some house cleaners may even specialize in areas like extensive deep cleans that may take a whole day or even many days (or weeks!).
House cleaners earn between $25 to $50+ an hour for cleaning for others.
To get paid in cash means that you’ll typically work for yourself and get paid once you are done with cleaning for the day or after a week or two.
Getting this kind of business going isn’t costly because you probably already have the cleaning supplies you need (like a mop and vacuum). You can let people know about your services on Facebook, tell your friends and family, or create an account on Care’s website.
7. Dog walker
Dog walkers are exactly that – they walk dogs to make money.
You can find these jobs posted on platforms like Rover or just by posting something on your personal Facebook page advertising your dog walking service.
As a dog walker, your job is to take dogs for their daily walks while their owners are busy. This may be a walk that is around 30 minutes to one hour each time, but it all depends on what you have agreed on with the owner.
Walking pets can earn you about $15 to $25 or even more for each walk per animal.
8. Snow removal
If you’re good with a snow shovel or snowblower, snow removal might be a great job for you. This work can pay cash, making it a common under the table job.
When it snows, many people need help clearing their driveways and sidewalks. Some jobs are for one-time events, while others might need you all winter right after it snows to keep their driveways and sidewalks safe for people to walk or drive on.
You can find snow removal jobs by asking your neighbors or local businesses. Sometimes people put up signs along the roads in neighborhoods or ads online looking for help when there’s a big snowstorm.
People usually pay right after you’re done with the work.
9. Makeup artist
If you enjoy using makeup and know all the latest beauty trends, being a makeup artist can be a fun way to earn money.
It’s a job where you can be creative and help people look their best for events like weddings or photo shoots.
As a makeup artist, you’ll work with different tools like brushes, sponges, and a palette of colors. Your job will be to apply makeup on clients’ faces. You could work with all sorts of people, from friends and family to clients in your area.
10. House sitting
When you house sit, you’re taking care of someone else’s home while they’re away. This could be at a house near where you already live or maybe you fly to a fun vacation destination and watch their house there.
It’s your job to make sure everything stays safe and clean and that nothing happens to the home (such as a frozen water pipe bursts).
You might need to pick up the mail, water plants, or feed pets. Sometimes, people will ask you to stay overnight to make sure the house does not stay empty.
11. Sell at farmers markets
If you’re looking to make some cash, you can start selling at a local farmers market.
Some things that you can sell include fresh produce, homemade goodies, jewelry, unique crafts, or even baking cakes are great items. You’ll want to make sure your product and booth stand out, as there will be a lot of booths around you.
Shoppers at farmers markets typically pay in cash, so you can get paid quickly!
Note: To sell at a farmers market, you might need to get a permit. You can start by checking with your county health department and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rules. Every place has different laws, so it’s important to understand what applies to your situation.
12. Have a garage sale
Having a garage sale is a way to earn some extra cash, and you don’t need special skills to get started. Look around your home for things you no longer use or need, and these could be clothes, toys, books, or even bigger pieces like furniture.
Items sold at garage sales typically don’t sell for a ton of money, but it can be a great way to declutter while getting paid cash.
Weekends, especially Saturday mornings, are prime times for yard sales. Make sure to check your local weather forecast as a sunny day can lead to more foot traffic. Once you have your date, gather all the items you plan to sell.
Then, you’ll want to organize your items by category. For example, put all the kitchen items on one table and all the books on another. Price everything clearly – you might use colored stickers for pricing – to avoid confusion.
You can advertise your garage sale a few days before. You can do this by posting on social media (such as by sharing it in local Facebook groups), community bulletin boards, or local classified websites. Signs around your neighborhood can also help draw attention to your sale.
During the sale, you’ll want to have change ready for customers who pay with cash, and you’ll probably want to have a calculator handy if you’re not comfortable doing math in your head.
13. Tutoring
If you’re knowledgeable in a subject, tutoring can be a good job for you. This is a job where you help others, like kids or even adults, to understand things better.
As a tutor, you work one-on-one or with small groups to teach things like math, reading, specialty exams, or even foreign languages.
Harder subjects usually pay more than easier subjects, and you may be able to earn $25 or more per hour as a tutor. You may get paid after each tutoring session. Or, if you are a regular tutor for a person, it may be weekly or even monthly – it depends on the agreement that you have with the person you are tutoring.
14. Painter
As a painter, your job is to paint walls, buildings, and other surfaces.
Your job responsibilities may include preparing surfaces by cleaning and scraping, mixing paint to get the right color, and applying paint with brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
Back when we were selling our first house, we hired a solo painter to come in and paint all the walls. This is a job that you may be able to find as well.
15. Handyman
If you’re good with tools and fixing things around the house, you might think about working as a handyman.
This job involves fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in walls, or putting together furniture. People tend to need help with these small jobs and look for someone who can do them without too much fuss.
You can find handyman jobs on websites like Craigslist or by asking friends and family if they know anyone who needs help.
With the same house I mentioned in the previous section, we also hired a handyman to renovate our bathroom as well as do around 10 other smaller things around our house too. We actually found him through a family friend, and he did so much work for us. It was great!
16. Dance instructor
Being a dance instructor can be a fulfilling under the table job in some cases. You could work with students of all ages, teaching them how to dance or different dance styles.
Of course, you will want to make sure that you are a skilled dancer, as this is not a job that anyone can do.
So, do you have experience in styles like ballet, hip-hop, or salsa? Or something else?
You can start by giving classes in your community or looking for local studios in need of instructors.
17. Auto mechanic
Working as an auto mechanic could be a great under the table job for you, and there are always people who need work done on their cars.
You’ll typically charge less than if a person would be going to a car dealership or a car mechanic business. People would usually be looking to hire a cash-pay mechanic if they were wanting to save some money.
As a mechanic, you make sure cars are running smoothly. Your job might include changing oil, replacing brakes, and making sure the engine is in top shape. Of course, you need to know what you are doing, as people are trusting their expensive cars and their lives with the repairs and updates that you do.
Working like this usually means you have to find your own customers. Good places to start are local ads or online platforms like Craigslist (start by looking under the “gig” section).
18. Photographer
Becoming a photographer can be a fun way for you to earn money if you are good with photography.
As a photographer, you can decide to work as an independent contractor, which means you are your own boss. This might involve getting paid in cash or a check for your services.
The different types of photography you can get into include:
Portrait photography – You might take photos of people and families, capturing special moments. Families like to have memories of their loved ones, and they’re willing to pay you for this service.
Event photography – This includes taking photographs at events like weddings or birthday parties. People like to remember these big events and may hire you to make sure they have great photos to look back on.
Commercial photography – This is for businesses that need photos of their products, services, real estate, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
19. Sell firewood
Selling firewood can be a way to make money, especially if you live in an area where wood is used for heating or camping. Homeowners in colder places are always buying wood for their wood burning fireplaces and stoves, so this can be a good way to make some extra money by selling truckloads of wood.
First, you need to get firewood. If you have trees on your land, you might be able to cut your own wood.
After you have wood to sell, think about how you will sell it. You can sell wood online on websites where people buy and sell things in your community. You can also have a place at your house where people come to buy wood from you.
If you don’t have trees of your own, look for jobs where you can gather wood. Some people will even pay you to take away old trees or wood piles they don’t want.
Note: I recommend that you always keep in mind to follow the rules about selling wood where you live. Some places have rules about moving firewood to stop bugs and diseases from spreading to other trees.
20. Junk hauler
Being a junk hauler might be a great fit for you if you don’t mind a bit of heavy lifting. People tend to hire junk haulers when they have big, heavy things that they want to get rid of after all.
As a junk hauler, you get to help people clear out unwanted items from their homes or businesses. These items could be anything from old furniture to broken appliances.
Your job will mostly involve picking up and removing junk. You’ll need to have a reliable vehicle, maybe a truck or a van, that can carry all the items. Sometimes, you’ll be recycling things or taking them to a landfill.
You can find junk hauling gigs on websites or by signing up with companies that look for contractors. These could be one-time jobs or regular work, perfect if you’re looking for a side hustle or even to grow your own junk removal business.
You’ll generally get paid after you complete a job and since it’s often under the table, payment is usually in cash. This means you get paid directly, with no checks or direct deposits.
We personally had to call a junk hauler when we had several pieces of rotten wood that we needed thrown away – it was several hundred pounds and extremely messy – not something that we wanted to mess with and we also wanted it gone right away. That same day, a junk hauler came by and took it for $125. We paid him cash and he took it to the dump for us. It was so convenient for us and good business for him.
21. Rent out a spare room
If you have an empty room at your place, you might want to think about renting it out. This can be a good way to make some money on the side without a lot of work.
I have had several roommates over the years. We would rent out our spare room to long-term renters and people that we personally knew (such as friends and my sister).
To find a roommate and make money from renting your place, you can tell people about it in different ways. You can share it on your own Facebook page, post an ad on websites like Craigslist, make a rental listing on Airbnb, and try other methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re looking into jobs that pay cash, also known as under the table jobs, you might have a lot of questions.
What are under the table jobs?
Under the table jobs are ways you can earn money that’s usually paid in cash and not recorded officially by an employer. This means no tax forms are involved and no taxes are taken out of your pay right away (but you should still pay them!).
Is under the table work legal?
Okay, this is a great question to ask. After all, this is a whole article on how to find under the table jobs. So, does that mean these types of jobs are legal?
Well, working under the table can be tricky when it comes to the law. Your employer might pay you in cash without giving you a contract. While it might seem straightforward, not reporting this cash income to the IRS is considered tax evasion. Earning cash itself isn’t illegal, but failing to report it on your taxes can lead to problems.
What are the positives of working for cash?
When you get paid under the table, you get to keep all the money you earn immediately. This kind of setup is nice for jobs like babysitting or doing yard work, and you don’t have to wait for a paycheck. But, remember, you still have to pay taxes! So, the main positive is that you are paid cash right away, instead of having to wait a couple of weeks.
What are possible risks of working under the table? Is it OK to get paid under the table? Can an employee get in trouble for working under the table?
Working under the table can be risky. If the IRS finds out you’re not reporting your income, both you and your employer could face penalties. Also, you won’t have official records of your income, which can make it tricky if you need to show how much you earn for things like loans or renting a place to live.
What jobs can be paid under the table?
You can find jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, house cleaning, or gardening that pay under the table. These jobs usually pay cash because they are informal and may not involve paperwork. There are many other jobs that I didn’t even get into in the list above, such as becoming a personal assistant (doing things like grocery shopping and setting up appointments), personal trainer, graphic designer (making logos and more), and so on.
How do I find under the table jobs? How can you find local jobs that pay in cash?
To find these jobs, you can start by asking friends or neighbors if they need help with anything. You can also look at community bulletin boards or online classifieds for local job opportunities.
How do I ask for payment under the table?
If you’re looking for cash payment for a job, be honest and up front with your employer. Tell them you prefer cash payment, but realize that it’s usually smaller gigs that will pay cash and not more regular job opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that all income should still be reported for tax purposes.
How can you find jobs that pay under the table on Craigslist?
On Craigslist, you can filter your job search by using keywords like “cash pay” or “under the table.”
Under the Table Jobs – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best under the table jobs.
Getting paid cash right after you complete a job is nice – you don’t have to worry about waiting for a payment and you can pay your bills right away.
There are many ways to find under the table jobs, such as by asking people that you know or by looking at gig/job websites in your area.
Now, there are pros and cons to being paid under the table. Being paid under the table means you get cash quickly. However, there are risks like missing out on legal protections and benefits, and if not reported, it might lead to tax evasion consequences.
So, when working under the table, it’s important to keep track of how much money you make. After all, you’re responsible for your own records and taxes, even if you’re paid in cash.
So, you do still need to pay taxes on the income that you make.
When you work under the table, you’re often working part-time or full-time but without the usual job benefits. If you’re planning ahead, think about how these jobs might affect your career later on. Eventually, it may be a good idea to find a job with more regular benefits where you pay taxes straight out of your income.
What do you think are the best under the table jobs?
With its world-class golf courses, scenic beauty and natural landscapes, and high degree of privacy and exclusivity, the small coastal residential community of Pebble Beach is a magnet for affluent homebuyers.
And said deep-pocketed buyers have more choices to pick from, as a meticulously renovated private estate — sitting on a generous 3.16-acre lot — has recently landed on the market.
Priced at a hefty $39,000,000, the Pebble Beach property is currently the most expensive active listing in the unincorporated community on the Monterey Peninsula. And it has all the attributes to back its sky-high asking price.
Owned by WeatherTech founder and CEO (and automotive accessories tycoon) David MacNeil, the Pebble Beach estate is as impressive as its price point would imply.
Built in 2000 and fully renovated in 2023, the property has nearly 7,500 interior square feet on a 3.16-acre lot and includes seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms.
“I was fortunate to purchase this property at the beginning of the pandemic before the prices of properties had skyrocketed,” MacNeil says, before commenting on the property’s extensive renovation spearheaded by Monterey-based Holdren + Lietzke Architecture.
“This home has been modernized and opened up with more windows and access to the outside. It was renovated from top to bottom, both inside and outside with the finest finishes by Monterey-based Holdren + Lietzke Architecture,” MacNeil added.
Inside upgrades include the addition of a chef’s kitchen with custom cabinetry, three dishwashers and Wolf appliances, a 1,000-bottle temperature-controlled wine room, a laundry room with three sets of Miele commercial-grade washers and dryers, a billiards room, custom walnut and stone floors, and six fireplaces.
In addition, the property was updated with a copper roof, a backup battery system, a Lutron lighting system, an Axis security system, and geothermal heating and cooling systems.
The outdoor recreational areas have not been overlooked in the renovation process.
See also: You can buy the house Jennifer Aniston rented while filming ‘Friends’
Extensive landscape design completed in 2023 included adding a 30,000-gallon water collection and storage tank to reclaim water for landscaping use.
There’s also a built-in BBQ, dining and seating areas, hot tub, lower yard with putting green, tournament-ready bocce ball court with two firepits and built-in seating, and a pergola with solar panels.
Why would the WeatherTech founder part ways with his beautifully updated Pebble Beach house?
Talking about his decision to sell, MacNeal shares “Since I predominantly use another property in the vicinity when I spend time on the West Coast, I have made the difficult decision to put this property on the market for the next owners to thoroughly enjoy. The real estate market is lacking properties and I feel fortunate that I can pass this one on to someone else who can share it with their family and friends.
And he picked the best local realtor to find the right buyer.
The property’s real estate agent — Tim Allen of Tim Allen Properties Team, affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty — is no stranger to selling multi-million dollar homes in the area for record amounts.
With nearly four decades of real estate sales experience under his belt, Allen was the #2 individual Coldwell Banker agent for 2022 sales (out of approximately 100,000 agents worldwide) and helped close some of 2023’s biggest real estate sales for the area, including the $29 million sale of the Butterly House in Carmel-by-the-Sea and the $22 million sale of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s only oceanfront home in Carmel.
“The ultra-luxury market on the Peninsula remains strong, and we were fortunate to represent the buyers in two other iconic, historic local sales in 2023, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house and The Butterfly House, the latter of which was a record high for Carmel-by-the-Sea,” Allen says.
And he seems confident that the Pebble Beach house will also sell for top dollar.
“This architectural masterpiece provides a stunning setting for relaxation and magnificent views from its coastal Pebble Beach location. The house and property were completely reimagined and rebuilt to the highest quality, offering something unique and special to the market that had not been previously available,” the real estate agent adds.
Situated near the famous Pebble Beach Resorts, this property offers stunning views of Carmel Bay, Point Lobos, and the Pacific Ocean. Its location provides easy access to renowned golf courses, exclusive clubs, and the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
And just in case potential future owners need an extra reason to move to this idyllic area, we hear Brad Pitt lives nearby, in the historic DL James house (which also commanded a sale price somewhere around the $40 million mark).
More stories
‘Big Little Lies’ houses: Tracking down the Monterey Five’s stunning California homes
All the houses featured in Season 7 of ‘Selling Sunset’ and what happened to them
Inside Rod Stewart’s house in Beverly Park — a ritzy $80 million manor with its own soccer field
Want to learn how to make $200 fast? Having some extra income can be useful for unexpected needs or saving up money. Maybe you need money for rent, something broken on your car, or a medical bill. Maybe you have something that you’re saving for, and you just want to make some extra cash. If…
Want to learn how to make $200 fast?
Having some extra income can be useful for unexpected needs or saving up money. Maybe you need money for rent, something broken on your car, or a medical bill. Maybe you have something that you’re saving for, and you just want to make some extra cash.
If you want to make $200 fast, there are many ways to do it: You could sell things you don’t need, create and sell handmade items, use your car or home to make money, and more.
There are lots of ways to make $200 fast!
My top picks to make $200 fast
Selling items from around your home, such as clothing, an old cell phone, furniture, and more. You can learn how to flip your stuff in this free webinar.
Make $65+ per hour in a focus group sharing your opinions with User Interviews.
Rent out your RV with RVShare.
Freelance proofread and learn how to become a proofreader in this free webinar.
Start a blog (this is what I do!) and learn how in my free How To Start a Blog course.
Best Ways To Make $200 Fast
Below are the best ways to make $200 quickly.
Selling items from around your home
The quickest way to make $200 fast is to find stuff you already own and sell it.
When you’re in a pinch for cash, your home can be a treasure trove of items you can sell. Start by gathering gently used items or those you no longer need, such as electronics (phones, laptops), furniture (couches, coffee tables), clothing and accessories (especially branded ones), gift cards, and collectibles and antiques.
You can sell on Craigslist (ideal for bulkier items like furniture, tires, cars, etc., where local pickup is more practical), Facebook Marketplace (great for reaching a large local audience quickly), eBay (perfect for unique or more valuable items where shipping isn’t an issue), thrift stores (get cash on the spot at places like Plato’s Closet), having yard or garage sales (typically get less per item but can get rid of a lot of things at once), and more.
I have sold a ton of used items over the years such as clothing, jewelry, car tires, furniture, and more. It is easy and someone probably wants what you’re selling.
Recommended reading: 16 Best Selling Apps For Selling Stuff Online And Locally
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
Rent out your storage space
If you’ve got extra space in your home, be it an attic, basement, or spare room, renting it out for storage is an excellent way to earn extra cash.
A site to use to rent out your space is Neighbor. This website helps you earn money by renting out space you’re not using.
You can make up to $15,000 a year by renting out your garage, driveway, basement, or even a closet with Neighbor. You get to choose the prices and decide which reservations you want to say yes to and host.
Take paid online surveys
Earning $200 a day just by answering surveys isn’t normally possible (unless you are doing focus groups or paid research studies), but you can reach your goal by combining survey earnings with other ideas.
When I was repaying my student loans, I answered lots of surveys each week. I did this before work, during lunch, or after work. It was convenient because I could do it whenever I had free time.
Survey companies pay you for answering surveys, watching videos, and testing products. Sometimes, you might even receive free products to evaluate. The best part is that joining survey companies is free!
Some of the paid online survey companies I recommend are:
Here are 11 Paid Online Survey Sites if you want to learn more.
Answer questions in a focus group
A focus group is like a paid online survey, as I mentioned before, but you can make a lot more money from it.
I’ve done a focus group in the past that paid me around $400 for 75 minutes of my time. While that’s a bit more than usual, most focus groups pay anywhere from around $50 to over $100 per hour. Compensation differs significantly depending on the study’s length and topic, but higher-paying studies do exist.
Lots of consumer research companies pay people like us to share our opinions. The companies use our feedback to make their products and services better.
One focus group company that I recommend is User Interviews. User Interviews recruits participants to answer surveys and share their feedback.
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User Interviews pays very well for market research studies and these are some of the highest paying online surveys, with each paying $50 to $100 or more. The average pays over $60.
Play games on your phone
If you’re looking to make $200 quickly, your smartphone can be a surprisingly interesting way. By playing games on your phone, you can earn real money.
Game apps pay real money rewards because they make money from ads and in-app purchases. They share a part of their earnings with you to motivate you to keep playing their games.
The best game apps that pay real money include KashKick, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars.
When picking gaming apps to make money, check reviews and learn about how you get paid. Be careful with apps that ask you to pay to play or promise rewards that sound too good to be true. Also, keep track of the time you spend playing games to make sure it stays worth it.
Rent out your unused RV
If you have an RV that’s sitting idle, you may want to turn it into income by renting it out. Many people have RVs they don’t use very often. Instead of letting it just sit there, you might make extra money by renting it out. Yes, you could potentially make $200 a day by renting your RV to others.
Popular sites such as RVshare work similarly to Airbnb, connecting you with potential renters. They handle the bookings and insurance, making the process easier.
Another idea is to park your RV somewhere and list it on Airbnb. I’ve seen many RVs, campers, trailers, and more on Airbnb available for rent. Just make sure that you can rent it out in the location you want to leave it, as not all campgrounds or neighborhoods may allow it.
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RVshare is one of the best money-making sites because it helps travelers save money by cutting out the middleman and offering RV rentals directly from RV owners. If you have an RV that is sitting around, then you may be able to make $100 to $300+ a day.
Proofread
If you like finding mistakes in written content and want to know how to make $200 a day, proofreading could be a good fit for you. It can be a part-time job or a full-time work-from-home career too.
It’s a job where you can make $200 in a day, and many proofreaders earn around $40,000 a year or even more.
Proofreaders check for mistakes in articles, ads, books, student papers, emails, transcripts, and more.
To become a proofreader, all you need is a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, and the ability to spot mistakes and errors.
I recommend signing up for the free 76-minute workshop, where you can learn more about becoming a proofreader. You can sign up for the free How To Become a Proofreader workshop here.
Recommended reading: How To Become A Proofreader And Work From Anywhere
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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
Virtual assist
A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who helps a person, company, or business owner with administrative and business tasks, making sure everything runs smoothly. They’re just like in-person assistants, but they work from home and online.
I used to work as a virtual assistant for small business owners. I didn’t have prior experience, but I learned the skills while on the job. It not only helped me earn a good income but also allowed me to work from home. I also have virtual assistants who work for me, so I know how helpful they are! This is a very in-demand job field to get into.
Virtual assistant tasks may include:
Managing a company’s Facebook account
Managing a calendar
Scheduling appointments and meetings
Creating slideshows and presentations
Managing an email inbox and handling customer support
And more.
Typically, when you begin working as a virtual assistant, you might earn around $15 to $20 per hour. However, in some cases, you could start with twice or even three times that amount. It depends on the type of work you do and the services you provide.
This can be a full-time job or a side hustle too!
You can learn more at How I Earn $10,000 Per Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Selling handmade goods and crafts
If you want to earn an extra $200 fast, selling the things you make by hand, like crafts or handmade goods, is a great idea.
A popular place to sell handmade goods includes Etsy, which has a worldwide audience looking to purchase unique handcrafted items. You can also sell via social media or even rent a booth at a local craft fair.
You can sell all different kinds of handmade items such as jewelry, soap, furniture, art, photography, clothing, personalized gifts (such as engraved items), and more.
I have personally bought handmade goods all of these ways.
Freelance write
A person who freelance writes can make $200 in a single day.
Freelance writers work for clients, like websites, magazines, marketing teams, book publishers, and others. They write different things such as articles, blog posts for search engine optimization (SEO), marketing content, newsletters, press releases, and more.
You can find freelance writing jobs in many ways such as by searching on Fiverr or Upwork, looking to see if any of your favorite sites are hiring writers, networking with people in the industry you want to write in, and more.
I’ve been a freelance writer for a long time, and many of my friends also have this job. It’s a great way to make $200 a day or more all from home.
You can learn more about how to find freelance writing jobs below:
Transcribe
If you’re looking to make $200 quickly, transcription could be a great option. With a fast typing speed and strong language skills, you can convert audio files to text for pay.
Transcription is when you change spoken words from audio or video into a written document. Many businesses need transcriptionists because they need to convert audio and video into text.
New transcriptionists usually make about $15 per hour when they begin, and the good thing is, you don’t need any previous experience to get started.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
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In this free training, you will learn what transcription is, why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, how to become a transcriptionist, and more.
Blog
Starting a blog doesn’t instantly make you $200 on the first day because it takes time to set it up. However, with time and effort, bloggers can make $200 a day in the future.
A blog is a website with articles, like what you’re reading now. You can create a blog on topics such as personal finance, recipes, travel, pet care, family life, and more. There are many different types of blogs out there.
You can make money from a blog by partnering with companies for sponsorships, showing ads, doing affiliate marketing (for example, selling a product listed on Amazon), and selling products like ebooks, candles, T-shirts, and more directly on your blog.
This is what I do to make money, and I earn well over $200 a day online. It did take me around 6 months to make my first $100 with my blog, so it does take time to get started. It took me about a year to reach around $5,000 a month and around 2 years to get to $10,000 a month.
You can learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).
Another idea similar to this is to start a YouTube channel, TikTok, Instagram, and more!
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
Dog walker
Becoming a dog walker is a fun way to make some quick cash if you love pets, especially dogs. You can easily get started by signing up with well-known dog walking apps dedicated to connecting dog walkers with pet owners.
Here are some steps to help you begin:
Register on Dog Walking Apps – Platforms like Rover are great for finding dog walking jobs. You could earn around $15 to $18 per hour depending on your experience and the local demand for dog walkers.
Create a Profile – Highlight your experience with dogs and any references you might have.
Set Your Availability – Decide on the days and hours you’re available to walk dogs and set your schedule.
My sister as well as my husband’s mother are both dog walkers on Rover, and they both enjoy this side hustle.
Sell printables on Etsy
Selling printables on Etsy can be a quick way to earn some extra cash.
Printables are digital files that customers can download and print themselves. These can include things like planners, art prints, stickers, learning tools, worksheets, invites, and organizational tools.
You most definitely have used printables in your life, and so have most people. I buy printables all the time because they make my life so much easier – and it’s so nice to just print things out and have them more easily accessible for when I need them.
One great thing about selling printables is that you don’t have to print and send anything yourself. The customer pays for the design, and they print it out on their own.
Here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Find Your Niche
Determine what kind of printables you’re passionate about. Many people specialize in a certain type of printable, such as home, wedding, organizing, education, etc.
Research what’s popular and in demand. See what kind of printables people are actually buying right now.
Step 2: Create Your Printables
Use design tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
Make sure your design is original and appealing.
Step 3: Set Up Your Etsy Shop
Create a memorable and easy shop name.
Set up shop policies and fill in all the details.
Step 4: List Your Products
Take attractive product photos or create digital mockups.
Write clear and compelling product descriptions so that potential customers can find your printables.
Price your printables competitively.
Step 5: Promote Your Shop
Utilize Etsy’s built-in SEO by using relevant keywords in your listings.
Share your printables on social media platforms.
Consider Etsy Ads for additional promotion.
You can learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
Deliver groceries and food
Grocery delivery is a service that is becoming more and more popular. I’ve used it several times myself when I didn’t have time to shop or didn’t have a car available. This service is likely to keep growing.
If you’re looking to make quick cash, you can try delivering groceries and food. You have the flexibility to create your own schedule, and payment can be received pretty quickly – sometimes even within an hour.
Delivering groceries is a popular extra job, and all you need is a valid driver’s license and a car.
You get paid for each delivery and keep all your tips. Platforms like Instacart and Shipt can help you earn around $15 to $20 per hour.
Here are a couple of options for you to start earning with food delivery:
Instacart: As an Instacart shopper, you can choose to shop for groceries or both shop and deliver to customers. Being able to cash out your earnings instantly is a big plus.
Shipt: Enjoy shopping at stores like Target and CVS? With Shipt, you can earn by shopping for others. It’s a great way to combine earning with a task you already enjoy.
Sign up to become an Instacart shopper here.
Related to this: You can also deliver restaurant meals in your spare time through companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Drive for Uber or Lyft
Earning $200 quickly may seem hard, but you may be able to reach this goal by driving for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.
Here’s what you need to know:
Sign Up – Both Uber and Lyft require you to have a valid driver’s license, meet age requirements, pass a background check, and have an eligible car.
Flexibility – You have the freedom to choose your working hours. Whether it’s an hour, over the weekend, or throughout the week.
Earnings – Income can vary, but it’s possible to earn between $20 to $25 per hour on average. At this rate, driving for 10 hours can help you reach your $200 target.
Maximize Promotions – Keep an eye out for special promotions or peak time surge pricing (such as by driving during weekend nights or during a baseball game) as these can really boost your earnings.
Expenses like gas and vehicle maintenance will come out of your earnings, so it’s important to work efficiently and choose high-demand times and areas to increase your income.
Tutor
Tutors who know subjects well, like math, language, science, graphic design, and more, help students get better at those subjects.
Becoming an online tutor depends on the subject you want to teach. You need experience in that area, but there are options for beginners too. Tutors for advanced subjects, like calculus or college entrance exams, usually earn more than those teaching simpler topics.
Rates vary from $15 to over $100 per hour, depending on the subject and where you offer your tutoring services.
Read more at 11 Best Places To Find Online Tutoring Jobs (Make $100+ an hour).
Sign up for quick Craigslist jobs
You can make $200 quickly using your local Craigslist, which has short-term jobs and side hustles listed under “gigs.”
Some gigs I’ve seen include painting a room, running errands, passing out flyers, handyman work, loading a moving truck, shoveling snow, pet sitting, transporting a boat, and more.
You can also find quick gig side hustles through a company called Taskrabbit as well!
Note: When using Craigslist for odd jobs, be cautious of scams. If something appears too good to be true, it probably is. For instance, no one is likely to pay you $2,000 for a mystery shop or a 30-minute survey. It’s important to stay alert and choose opportunities that are realistic and trustworthy. Simply skip it if you have doubts!
Get a roommate
If you’re looking to make $200 quickly, getting a roommate can be one way to do so, and if you have an extra room at home, you can make extra money by renting it out on platforms like Airbnb or finding a long-term roommate.
Renting out a room long-term could earn you around $200 or much more, depending on the room and its location. It’s a good way to utilize your extra space for additional income.
I have personally had several roommates in the past, and it was a good source of income. Plus, we had the extra space anyway that was unused. We charged around $400 a month per room, but nowadays you can definitely get a lot more (especially depending on where you live).
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to finding a roommate and getting paid:
Advertise Your Space – You will need to find ways to get the word out about the spare room you want to rent out. You can do this on Craigslist, your personal Facebook page, placing a post in a local Facebook group, and more.
Vet Potential Roommates – You don’t want just anyone living with you as they will be sharing your space! Here are some ways to vet potential roommates:
Interviews: Have a conversation to make sure everyone is compatible.
References: Ask for and check personal and rental references.
Discuss Financials – This is all about money, so money definitely needs to be talked about and agreed on. You’ll want to think about things like:
Rent: Determine the monthly charge for rent.
Utilities: Decide how you’ll split costs like electricity, internet, and water. Will the monthly rent include all of the bills or will you split the utilities?
Set House Rules – Rules like quiet hours, guest policies, and cleaning responsibilities help avoid conflicts.
Create a Formal Agreement – Writing an agreement will lay everything out so that there is no confusion later.
Lease Addendum: If you have a lease, add your roommate officially.
Roommate Agreement: Outline terms of rent, bills, and house rules.
To learn more about renting out your spare room, I recommend reading A Complete Guide To Renting A Room For Extra Money.
If you want to take it a step further, you could even get into real estate investing. You can learn more about this option at How This 34 Year Old Owns 7 Rental Homes.
Rent out baby items, such as a crib
If you’re looking to make $200 fast, you can rent out your gently used baby items to traveling families. By listing a crib, stroller, or car seat on rental platforms, you can help ease the travel burdens for parents while earning extra cash.
Here are some ideas of what you can rent out:
Cribs
Strollers
Car seats
High chairs
Toys
A website called BabyQuip lets you rent out baby equipment. On average, people using BabyQuip can make about $1,000 a month, and some earn over $10,000 monthly.
Redeem credit card rewards
If you have a credit card, then there’s a good chance that you are earning points by simply spending like you normally do.
Or, you could even sign up for a new card that has a good signup bonus to earn more points.
With rewards credit cards, you can turn your points into cash back. Here’s how it works: whenever you use your credit card to buy something, you earn points as a reward for spending money.
I have rewards credit cards and I earn points every single time I shop or pay a bill, and I don’t have to do anything special. Just pay my bills and expenses like I normally do! In fact, I just signed up for a new rewards credit card with a great signup bonus today with a signup bonus value of over $800.
Two credit cards that I personally like include:
Important note: Making the most of credit card rewards is smart only if you use your credit card responsibly. It’s not a good idea to accumulate debt just to get rewards because debt with interest is neither free nor beneficial. To really earn money from credit card rewards, you will want to make sure to pay your credit card balance in full every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to make $200 quick.
How can I make a quick $200?
If you want to learn how to make $200 fast in a day, then I highly recommend finding items from around your home to sell, like clothing, jewelry, and video games. This is the easiest way to get started as you probably already own things you can sell.
How can I make an extra $200 a week?
If you want to make an extra $200 a week, I recommend freelance work, which might include writing, graphic design, or proofreading. Also, renting out things you already have, like a spare room, can be a great way to make passive income.
What items can be sold to quickly earn $200?
Look around your home for electronics, clothing, or collectibles that are in good condition but you no longer need or want. You may be able to find lots of things to sell (and have a yard sale) and/or find one or two big things to sell.
How to make $200 fast online from home?
I’ve done a lot of things on the list above to make $200 fast online from home, such as freelance writing, blogging, selling items online, taking part in a focus group, and more.
How To Make $200 Fast – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make $200 fast in a day.
As you learned above, you can earn $200 fast by doing a lot of different things, such as by freelancing, starting a business, renting out something you already own, playing games, and more.
The key is to choose what fits your life, how much time you have, and your money needs right now.
What do you think is the best way to make $200 fast?
Are you looking for the best jobs for pregnant women? Pregnancy is a special and exciting time for moms-to-be, and you may be looking for ways to make money during this time period. Finding the perfect job when you’re pregnant can be a scary feeling, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to…
Are you looking for the best jobs for pregnant women?
Pregnancy is a special and exciting time for moms-to-be, and you may be looking for ways to make money during this time period.
Finding the perfect job when you’re pregnant can be a scary feeling, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to focus on looking for opportunities that suit your skill set, level of experience, and physical limitations during pregnancy.
For me, when I was pregnant not too long ago, I really loved being able to work from home. It made life so much easier, and the flexible hours helped greatly for when I wasn’t feeling up to it.
A good starting point could be looking for work-from-home positions or freelance opportunities that allow for more flexible schedules and the possibility of working at your own pace from the comfort of your home.
Recommended reading:
Best Jobs for Pregnant Women
There are 16 ways for pregnant women to make money listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some jobs that you may want to start learning more about first:
Below are the top jobs for pregnant women.
1. Blogger
Blogging is exactly what I do for a living, and it is how I made money while pregnant as well.
Being a blogger means writing blog posts for people on the internet, just like with this blog post that you are currently reading.
You can write about things you like, such as money, travel, lifestyle, or family. Plus, you get to choose how you make money from your blog – there are lots of ways, like display ads or affiliate marketing.
Blogging is how I earn most of my money, and it has totally transformed my life. I can travel whenever I want, make my own schedule, be my own boss, and spend the whole day with my daughter. Plus, having flexible work hours helped me a ton while pregnant as I was able to choose my working hours.
Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
2. Freelance writer
Similar to blogging, freelance writing gives pregnant women the opportunity to showcase their writing skills while working remotely. This job allows you to work on various writing projects, such as articles and ebooks.
Freelance writers create articles, website content, social media posts, or even ebooks for different people or companies.
I have worked as a freelance writer for many years. It’s a great career because you can work from home and set your own schedule, like writing only when you’re feeling good during your pregnancy or while your baby is napping.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners
3. Tutor
An online tutor gives academic support to students via video chat or messaging platforms. It’s a good option for pregnant women as it is flexible and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Helping students with their studies can be a good way to earn money while pregnant. There are lots of ways to tutor from home, and you can make your own schedule and decide how much or how little you want to work.
Recommended reading: 11 Best Places To Find Online Tutoring Jobs (Make $100+ an hour)
4. Sell printables on Etsy
If you have a knack for design, you can create and sell printables on Etsy. This is a great work-from-home option for pregnant women who are creative and enjoy designing digital products.
Printables are digital products you can download and print at home, like checklists for grocery shopping, planners for your budget, invitations for weddings, printable wall art, and more.
I recommend signing up for Free Workshop: How To Earn Money Selling Printables. This free training will give you ideas on what to sell online, how to get started, and how to make printable sales.
Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
5. Virtual assistant
Virtual assistants give administrative support to clients (like an administrative assistant!), including managing emails, organizing calendars, arranging travel (such as booking hotel stays and rental cars), and scheduling appointments.
With the flexibility to set your work hours, this online job is perfect for pregnant women.
I have been a virtual assistant in the past, and I currently have a virtual assistant. It is a much needed job that just continues to become more and more in demand.
Recommended reading: Best Ways To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
6. Transcriptionist
In this job, you convert audio files into written text. As a transcriptionist, you can work from home with flexible hours, making it one of the good jobs for pregnant women to work from home because you can work as much or as little as you want.
Transcription jobs are flexible, and you can do them right from home.
As an online transcriptionist, your job is to listen to audio or video recordings and write down exactly what is being said. The aim is to do it without making mistakes in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
I recommend watching Free Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? to learn more.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
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In this free training, you will learn what transcription is, why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, how to become a transcriptionist, and more.
7. Answer online surveys
If you are looking for easy jobs while pregnant, then I recommend answering online surveys.
There is no set schedule, and you can do these while watching TV or in bed. No, you won’t get rich (nor will it be a full-time job), but it can give you a little extra spending money.
The survey companies I recommend for extra cash include:
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
Branded Surveys
PrizeRebel
American Consumer Opinion
User Interviews – These are the highest-paying surveys with the average being around $60. I have personally done one of these, and I was paid $400 for an hour of my time.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month
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Swagbucks is a site where you can earn points for surveys, shopping online, watching videos, using coupons, and more. You can use your points for gift cards and cash.
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Branded Surveys is one of the most popular survey sites that rewards you in cash and gift cards for sharing your opinion. You can get paid anywhere from $0.50 to $5.00 per survey.
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American Consumer Opinion allows you to express your opinions on products and services through surveys and product testing. You can earn $1 to $5 per survey taken.
8. Proofreader
If you’re good at noticing small details, you could offer your services as a proofreader or editor for various kinds of content. This means checking and fixing mistakes in writing.
People such as writers and business owners hire proofreaders and editors to make their work better.
I personally have a proofreader, and I know many, many others who have proofreaders as well. It is an in-demand job that you can do while pregnant at home.
If you want to become a proofreader, I recommend joining the free 76-minute workshop – Learn How to Become a Proofreader…and Start a Freelance Proofreading Business.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year)
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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
9. Bookkeeper
If you’re good with numbers, you might try selling bookkeeping services online or for small businesses, either as a freelancer or part-time.
Bookkeepers are people who handle financial tasks for businesses and this includes keeping track of sales, managing expenses, and creating financial reports.
Plus, you do not need a bachelor’s degree to get started.
If you want to become a bookkeeper, I recommend watching the free training How To Become A Bookkeeper.
Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs
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This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
10. Sell Canva templates
A Canva template is a ready-made design that you can sell for things like social media graphics, ebooks, and presentations.
Businesses, advertising professionals, social media influencers, and more buy Canva templates because it’s a helpful starting point if you’re not great at designing from scratch. These templates have blank spaces where you can add your own words and pictures. You can also change colors and fonts to fit your preferences.
They’re really useful for making things look good without spending a long time on it.
And, this is where you can come in.
You can design templates and sell them to others to use.
With Canva templates, you can sell a single design an unlimited amount of times. If you’re looking for something passive, this is a great way to learn how to make money while pregnant.
Recommended reading: How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates
11. Data entry clerk
Data entry clerks input, update, and double-check information in lists or tables, typing things like numbers and names to keep everything neat and organized.
On average, data entry jobs pay around $15 to $20 per hour.
All you need is an internet connection and a reliable computer to get started too.
This is a low-stress work-from-home job that is good for pregnant women.
12. Write book reviews
Book reviewers read books and get paid to share their opinions in book reviews. There are websites that pay you (and sometimes give you a free book) to talk about what you think of the books.
Some companies that pay for book reviews include Online Book Club, Kirkus Reviews, and BookBrowse.
So, if you find yourself reading a lot of books while pregnant, this can be a great place to start to make extra money.
Recommended reading: 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
13. Graphic designer
If you have design skills, you can make money while pregnant by creating logos, website designs, brochures, business cards, marketing materials, and more for clients as an independent contractor.
This is a job that you can do as a freelancer, which means you can make your own schedule and work as much or as little as you would like.
Recommended reading: How To Make Money As A Digital Designer
14. Social media manager
Social media managers and online community managers take care of a business’s social media accounts and online communities (such as forums) with the goal of bringing in new customers and helping the business grow.
They may post pictures or videos to highlight products or the company, and they might join in on popular social media trends, like on TikTok, to get more people to see them.
Social media managers also answer common questions that customers ask, such as on Twitter, in an Instagram Story, or in a TikTok video.
15. Search engine evaluator
A search engine evaluator, also called a Google Rater, is someone who gives ratings to websites based on how good and helpful they are.
This online typing job is perfect for beginners because you don’t need any experience to begin, and you don’t have to be an expert because Google prefers regular people to rate their sites.
Learn more at How To Become a Search Engine Evaluator.
16. Flea market flipper
A flipper buys items from places such as garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, or thrift stores and resells them online for a profit.
For example, you may sell clothing, appliances, household goods, and more as a flipper.
You may be able to earn extra money by flipping items for resale or possibly earn a full-time income!
A helpful free training that I recommend is Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about finding a job while pregnant.
Should I say I’m pregnant at a job interview? What are the rights of pregnant employees?
Legally, most employers cannot discriminate against you based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as established in the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. However, you might wonder if you should disclose your pregnancy during an interview. Ultimately, it’s your decision. If you believe the job is a good fit for you and your pregnancy, you can choose to discuss it after receiving a job offer to determine the necessary accommodations.
It’s usually within your rights to only disclose your pregnancy when you feel comfortable doing so. You should prioritize your health and the needs of you and your child, and focus on finding a job that supports your situation.
What job should I get while pregnant?
When looking for a job while pregnant, you may want to look for jobs that are not physically demanding and have a flexible work schedule. Some job options for pregnant women include becoming a virtual assistant, freelance writer, or proofreader.
What are suitable jobs for women with high-risk pregnancies?
For women with high-risk pregnancies, it’s important to choose jobs that don’t have exposure to harmful chemicals or require heavy lifting. Remote jobs such as online tutoring, social media management, or bookkeeping are ideal in this situation, but you should always ask your doctor to see which jobs are best for your specific situation.
How can a pregnant woman earn money from home? What are the best remote jobs for pregnant moms?
I think working from home is the best possible job idea for pregnant women, and it’s exactly what I did while pregnant! Pregnant women can earn money from home by taking on remote work or freelancing positions. Some options include proofreading, virtual assistance, freelance writing, bookkeeping, and online tutoring.
Are there jobs available for women in their third trimester of pregnancy?
Yes, there are jobs for women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Remote jobs or freelancing in fields like writing, proofreading, or bookkeeping can be suitable during the third trimester, along with many others!
Can you start a job at 7 months pregnant?
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 says that companies with 15 or more employees can’t make job decisions based on pregnancy or childbirth. As long as you can do the job, a company cannot refuse to hire you just because you’re pregnant. So, if you are 7 months pregnant and need a job, you can get one.
What jobs can you not do while pregnant?
Jobs that you may want to avoid while pregnant include those that involve exposure to toxic chemicals or heavy lifting. Also, some roles with high stress or long hours may not be suitable for some pregnant women. I highly recommend talking with your doctor about which jobs are safe for you during your pregnancy if you have questions.
Can I use FMLA while pregnant?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks off from work without pay for certain family and health reasons, like being pregnant.
Is it OK to not work while pregnant?
Yes, it is okay not to work while you are pregnant. If you can afford it, then saving money ahead of time can be very helpful.
Best Jobs for Pregnant Women – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best jobs for pregnant women.
Whether you are looking for permanent or temporary jobs while pregnant, you have many options.
If you are wondering what is the best job for a pregnant woman, then the list above is a great place to start. Everyone is different, and everyone’s pregnancies are different – so, you will want to think about what you are comfortable doing as well as what you can physically and mentally handle.
For me, I was so nauseous and sick for the first several months that it was too hard for me to do pretty much anything. Working online was all that I could handle, and even then, that was difficult.
So, do not feel bad if you are not able to handle much. Pregnancy is hard! You are growing a baby and that takes a lot out of a person.
I hope you are able to find the best job for you.
What do you think are the best jobs for pregnant women?
Recommended reading: How To Take Maternity Leave When Self-Employed