7 Ways To Earn Legitimate Money When You’re Unemployed

Unemployment can be a harrowing condition. Without money to pay for important things like rent, credit card bills, energy bills, and food, life can become an exercise in survival, and the desperation you feel is especially intensified if you have children.

Whether you’re just struggling to make child support payments or you have a household full of hungry little mouths to feed, having creative alternatives to your unemployment check will help hold you and your family over during the hardest times.

1. Uber or Lyft

Driving for a company like Uber or Lyft, popular new ride share programs, which offer alternative transportation, and be incredibly lucrative. It’s important that you have a good driving history, and a functional, clean vehicle, but thanks to Uber’s policy of listing their drivers as contracted worker, this gig won’t interfere with your unemployment check.

2. Craigslist

Nowadays, everyone owns more than they need. When you’re trying to make fast cash, knowing what you can live without can be the difference between a full belly and an empty one.  Posting to craigslist is so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been using this resource for extra money all along.

3. Be a Donor

This may seem a little shameless, but actually, offering a donation of marrow or even sperm can make a huge difference in someone’s life. While you can only make donations of this kind intermittently, it doesn’t change the fact that they can be a means to an easy bank deposit.

4. Etsy

If you’re unemployed and crafty, there’s no better way to put your creative impetus to work than by opening an Etsy store. The stores are free to open, and Etsy only takes a small cut of each purchase. Sell jewelry, handmade décor, clothing, even vintage if you’ve got the eye for it. Your creative ideas are the limit.

5. Pet Sit

A great way to make money on the side without occupying too much of your free time, people are always looking for cost effective, reliable ways to leave their cats, dogs, goldfish, and even plants behind for a few days. Find a friend or two who have pets, let them know you’re free to watch their cuddly companions for a fair fee ($25/night is such a steal compared to a boarding facility) and then do a killer job so more gigs roll in.

6. Yard Work

Another great service to offer is yard maintenance. Starting out might be slow, but offering a great low rate to mow, weed whack, and weed will get you in the door quick, if you makes sure the work you do is top quality.

7. Wash Windows

For the price of a bottle of glass cleaner and a squeegee, you can be a one-person window washing business. Take cash payment, and start making the rounds in early spring to snag loyal customers (businesses are best, and regularly need their windows cleaned).