Most of us have heard that you need to get an education and gain experience in an accredited field to become wealthy. Well, if the twentieth century has taught us anything, it's how to make a buck without having to go into student loan debt.
Bake for your local farmers market
Post quarantine – we should all have some experience with baking. Whether you jumped on the banana bread trend or not, we can bet that you spent some time in the kitchen over the past year.
So, put those new skills to use, and take advantage of the farmers market season. Whip up some homemade bread, cookies, brownies, cakes, jelly, jam, salsa, or even homemade skincare items like soap and bath salts. The options are endless.
Check out your local farmers market rules. Most markets offer booths for more than fresh produce. There are plenty of people who sell their natural baked goods, jams and jellies, and so on.
Grow seasonal vegetables
Having your own vegetable garden is a treat – you literally get to eat the fruits of your labor. Almost anyone can grow great-tasting vegetables from the comfort of their home, for little to no cost at all.
Gardening may not bring in the big bucks, but you will be saving on the cost of groceries. Plus, homegrown varieties are thriving with more nutrients than store-bought goods.
Once your veggies begin to grow, decide whether you will eat all of the harvests or if you could spare some to sell. Consider putting some of your vegetables out in front of your house with a sign that reads, "take what you need, pay what you can." Or, arrange a neighborhood swap or yard sale where you could host a booth. And remember, the bigger your garden, the more time it will take to harvest, and you will have more produce to sell.
Savor this delicious hobby.
Start a chicken coop
Raising chickens is doable for anyone with a small backyard. It is relatively cheap to purchase and house chicks, and once they mature, you can sell their eggs to make a profit. Plus, chickens are happy to eat unwanted pests like mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants, and fleas.
You may be wondering where you can buy chicks. The answer is your local farmer, hatchery, or farm supply store – you can even purchase chicks online. There is tons of information about raising chicks and chickens on the internet. But first, you should decide why you are raising chickens – to sell or eat their eggs, or just for fun?
Remember that chickens are pets. So, you will need to provide them with a homey chicken coop which, may require permission from your landlord or home owner's association. And, if you go on vacation, you will need someone to watch them. Despite the responsibilities that come with owning chickens, you may never stop smiling.
Take a snap, or film a story
In today's digital world, anyone can be a director. All you need is a smartphone and a fun idea.
So, grab your smartphone and head outside for a fun day of creating. Many applications make filming and editing easy – use TikTok, Instagram Reels, or Snap Chat to create fun, quick and quirky videos. The odds are slim, but your video could go viral. At the very least, you will have a good time and feel accomplished by the time you upload your completed video.
Flip thrifted items
Checking out garage sales is fun. Where else can you find priceless vintage furniture for a nickel and a dime? Plus, you turn someone else's trash into your treasure – or cash in your bank account.
Post pandemic, people need more space in their houses. Because people have been purging the items they own, there are more up for grabs in dumpsters, yard sales, and popular roadsides. Make some time to visit local thrift shops and garage sales to shop for anything of value. Then, turn around and sell those items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or host your own yard sale.
Make some coin by selling your photos
For some people, photography is their passion, but they haven't found a way to profit from their photos.
Well, here's your answer – stock photography. There are stock photography websites that allow users to upload photos, which professionals then curate. Then, anyone has permissive copyright terms to use that photo.
Simply take interesting photos and then upload them to stock photography sites like iStock.com and Shutterstock. They'll take care of the rest. Every time someone licenses your photo, the site will pay you. Over time, some of your images will be sold and used in publications and other places, and when that happens, you'll earn even more.
So, there you have it – five ways you can make a flexible income while having fun.