2026-07-06 19:34:35 How to Earn Extra Money in the Summer – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

How to Earn Extra Money in the Summer

By U.S. News & World Report

There are plenty of fun things to do in the summer, some of which require money. The frugal experts on this blog will keep the money-saving tips coming all summer long, but you might be looking to pad your wallet with cash from an extra income, as well. Whether you’re hoping to fund vacations, day trips or a new warm weather wardrobe, there are a few things you can do to earn money this summer.

Take advantage of travel season:

When your neighbors and friends pack up the kids and head out of town this summer, they might need a house sitter or a pet sitter. Taking care of someone’s home when they are out of town can vary in involvement, from dropping in once a day to water the plants and turn on the lights to staying overnight with pets. Depending on your availability and how much time you are willing to spend, you could rake in a good amount of money. If you have some experience with pet sitting, sign up with an online service like Care.com and let your local community know you’re available this summer. Dog walking is a great way to get outside in the nice weather and stay active.

If you live in a desirable area and have some extra space, you could also rent out a room to vacationers at your own home. Airbnb and HomeAway are two trusted rental websites to consider. The layout of your home is just one factor that will determine how involved you could be with your house guests. Renting out a guest room would mean sharing space with your visitors, but if you have an in-law apartment, carriage house or remodeled garage, you can advertise a “hands-off” stay to potential travelers. It’s also worth considering how guests would affect your street parking and neighbors.

Get outside:

If you’re looking to mix up your fitness routine, step out of the gym for a while and get outside by offering up yardwork services to neighbors and the community. Chances are there are plenty of people who aren’t able to take care of weeding, watering or raking and would be willing to pay you to clean things up once or twice a week. Print off a few flyers and post them around town at grocery stores and coffee shops or put an offer up on Craigslist.

Clean out the closet:

On the U.S. News Frugal Shopper blog, we talk pretty frequently about cleaning out your closet and selling your stuff as an easy way to streamline and pocket some extra cash. There’s even a trending movement called the “Konmari Method” that shows you how to tidy up your home and clean out your closet for more peace of mind. It’s worth a try, and once you’re done you can bring your gently worn clothes to a consignment shop or sell them on eBay!

For a rainy day:

During the summer, the last thing you might want to do is sit inside on your computer. But for those rainy — or just too hot — days, there are plenty of easy ways to make money online. Participating in online surveys can bring in small increments of cash, and you have total control over how much time you dedicate to it. Over time, you might be surprised by how much you earn.

Drive around:

If you have a reliable vehicle, you might consider signing up to drive for a ridesharing service. Companies like Uber and Lyft have arrived in cities all over the world and offer an alternative to other public transportation. As a driver for one of these services, you have complete control over how often you want to provide rides in your vehicle, which must meet certain standards.

Sell your snaps:

Due to a surge of online content and social media, there is a huge need for great images online. If you have a love for taking photos and a good collection to your name, you can sell them to microstock agencies and collect a commission when they are purchased.

I hope one or two of these suggestions fit your lifestyle and you can start earning an extra income in no time!

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How to Earn Extra Money in the Summer originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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