5 side hustles (I actually did) to make extra money

It happens to the best of us. Something comes up, we realize we're short on money and we find ourselves saying "I wish I could make the money for that real quick". Well, you can make some extra money! That's what side hustles are for! Over the years I've had several side hustles going on to make me some extra money here and there. Some of them are good for a few extra bucks, others can amount to a full paycheck.

I'm not talking about part time jobs. These are all either work from home or day jobs. I have had several side gigs over the years, everything from selling pictures or video I took to being a secret shopper. Most of these don't make enough money to warrant the effort they require, which is the difference between a side hustle and a hobby.

Oh sure, I've tried all the apps and rebate sites to save money when I'm shopping, but I'm not including those here for one reason: you need to spend money first. For instance I get a deposit from Ibotta almost monthly. However, I have to buy groceries to get that rebate. Which is obviously different than just earning the money. This list is only for ways I've actually made money...not refunds.

That link for Ibotta is my referral link...if they ask for a code use: F5XFUW

Acting for cash, Make extra money as a movie extra!

It seems like everybody has a side hustle these days! Whether it's selling essential oils or a weekend job, a side hustle can put extra money in your pocket or bank account. I have had a side hustle (or 3) for years! What can I say, I like to stay busy! One of my favorite jobs has been as a movie extra. It's easy work, it's so much fun and it can be very lucrative!

I have been working as a movie extra off and on since the 90's. If you have any interest in learning more about movie magic then it's a great experience. Movie extras are those people in the background that are in restaurants, on streets, in parties etc. They don't have interaction with the stars of the scene, but they make things more believable. I mean, how real would it seem if restaurant scenes were empty, no one was ever on city streets and the only people in a movie were the principal actors?

Movie extras are sometimes referred to as atmosphere, background or background actors whereas the main actors are usually referred to as 'the talent'. Don't let that get to ya though, we know how important background actors are!

My first movie was Dogma and my most recent one was a Seth Rogen film that I'm not allowed to talk about yet (update, it's called An American Pickle and I'm the one sitting next to them in the airplane). In between those, I worked on Concussion, Love The Coopers, the One Dollar series, a Budweiser commercial, a few other Hollywood movies and a bunch of small projects.

7 things I sold on ebay (instead of throwing them away)

I have sold stuff on Ebay for years. I used to spend time in thrift shops finding stuff to resell on ebay, but life got busy and now I really only put things on there that I would be throwing away instead. It's like free money..and it keeps stuff out of the landfill which is a win-win. Right?

A few times a year I sit down and list a bunch of things on ebay that I have been saving up. It's all new stuff that I either won't use or don't have the patience to deal with anymore. lol I can usually make an extra hundred dollars or so that week by selling garbage on ebay!

Free things to sell on Ebay:

Here are the 7 different things I sell to make money on Ebay, instead of throwing them away.

Free samples: I save these whenever I get them from ordering online, inside magazines, Freeosks, samples attached to (or inside) other packages, redeeming coupons for free samples, stuff that comes in the mail, samples they hand you walking through the mall etc. Anything I won't use, I save and throw in a flat rate box. As soon as it's almost full, I take a picture and post it on eBay. 

You'll get a lot more money for the collection if you managed to save all one type of sample. Like if they're all detergents, all toiletries, or all men's products. I usually get at least $20 for a box full, though I have gotten much more on occasion!