4 Awesome Ways to Make Money Online During Summer Break

By Amelia Woolard

Summer is here, which means that it’s officially time to trade your heavy textbooks, weathered syllabi, and jam-packed course schedule for flip-flops, sunscreen, and plenty of down time. Despite the current pandemic’s damper on your summer plans, you’re determined to make the most of the next couple of months. There’s just one problem: you’re broke, and with social distancing guidelines still strongly encouraged and the job market looking particularly grim, you’re not too sure when – or if – you’ll be able to score your usual summer gig.  

Though you may think it easier or more fun to work a traditional, in-person job, there’s something to be said for making cash online or through an app-based service. Not only can you work according to your own schedule, but you can also make some extra cash from just about anywhere and at any time – sometimes, even while you’re sleeping! Here are 4 awesome, completely legitimate ways to make money online.  

Sell unwanted clothing, gadgets, and/or books. 

Is your apartment feeling extra cluttered these days? Are your closets bursting with unworn clothing? Then, consider selling your unwanted or outdated belongings online! Whether you’ve got a stash of used clothing and accessories, gadgets, or books, you can easily get rid of these items, while making some coin, by using a dedicated resale site or app. Though it may sound like a lot of work to set up your online shop, the effort will be worth it, once the cash starts rolling in – and you’ll probably have fun with it, too!  

Getting started with an online shop involves three basic steps: preparing your items for selling, taking adequate photos, and listing your goods on the right type of selling platform. Poshmark is great for selling clothing and accessories, especially if you have a lot of name-brand wares. Looking to unload last year’s tech gadgets somewhere other than your desk drawers? Check out eBay, an international bidding platform that caters to millions of interested buyers. And, if you’re trying to get rid of those clunky textbooks from last semester, hit up resale sites like Chegg or Cash4Books. Then, spend (or save) your newly earned cash however you please!  

Become a freelance writer. 

Writing is a skill essential to the college experience and your future career path, despite your major. Though you might argue that you do plenty of writing during the academic year, there are several reasons to continue writing during summer break. For starters, exercising your writing skills is a great way to remain mentally sharp. Students, who understand basic writing skills, also have an easier time communicating with others and enjoy long-term academic success. Plus, writing can come in handy when you’re looking for a way to earn money online. 

Allow us to explain. Though you may only have experience writing for college professors, the reality is that there are many businesses out there dedicated to creating written content designed to make sales or spread the word about an event, brand, or service. These types of businesses are constantly on the lookout for promising, new writers – and you could be next! You can create a profile with Upwork, a platform that connects freelancers with clients. Or, browse blogging job boards, like Problogger, to discover opportunities across the World Wide Web.  

…Or, try data entry positions from the comfort of home. 

Not much of a writer? No worries – you can still land your own remote employment gig, like data entry, for example. Usually consisting of updating online information or transferring it from a physical source to a digital one, data entry clerks enjoy regular work that can be completed from anywhere – all you need is a solid Internet connection and the ability to focus on the task at hand for long stretches of time.  

Aside from an ability to focus and meet deadlines, you don’t need any special skills to get started with remote data entry, so why not look into these potential opportunities? Like freelance writing jobs, you’ll need to do a bit of searching to find the right job opening. But, a simple Google search should result in a list of companies, who contract their own data entry specialists, and virtual job boards, including FlexJobs. You can also use Freelancer to find and apply for data entry jobs, in addition to other types of freelance openings. Score a gig in two or three arenas, and you’ll be set for the summer and beyond!  

Sign up for a share economy side hustle. 

If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you know that we’ve been preaching the benefits of the side hustle for years now – like the fact that having such a job keeps you busy, while ensuring that you’ll always have some spare cash on-hand. Though side hustles can vary based on your interests, we’d say one of the most popular ways to make cash is by joining the ranks of the share economy. Whether you sign up to deliver groceries, offer rides, or fulfill tasks on an as-needed basis, there are plenty of ways to earn some extra bucks in the share economy.  

If you’re interested in share economy work, you’re in luck: there are plenty of apps and experiences to choose from. Instacart and Shipt allow you to shop for someone else’s groceries, and with the threat of COVID-19 still present, there’s never been a better time to sign-up for essential services, such as these. Want to earn money by driving around town? Give rides to those, who currently need them most, with Uber or Lyft or fulfill online orders with service apps, like DoorDash or Postmates. You can also register with Fiverr or TaskRabbit, which will alert you to task-oriented, moneymaking opportunities within your area.  

Stressed out about spending summer break with no money in your pocket? uCribs is here to save you from the horrors of no spending money! These days, anyone with a decent Internet connection and compatible smart device can make money online, whether by selling personal items, signing up for remote employment, or finding gigs through share economy apps. The next time you’re bummed about your lack of funds, take one of these suggestions for a whirl.   

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