Here are a few ways to turn what you currently have stuff, skills, un-skills into extra cash. Interest rates are at an all-time low and many families are considering refinancing their home to save on monthly mortgage payments. Cable can rack up a hefty bill over a year, especially when you keep pay-per-view, premium channel and miscellaneous costs in mind.

Opt for online providers like Netflix or Hulu Plus that let you stream shows directly onto your computer, mobile device or TV. There are multiple online sites, including NerdWallet, that will give you a free credit score.

After finding out where you stand, work on building your score.

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Tax time brings an opportunity to boost your income. You can earn cash back for the money you spend online anyway, just by clicking through another website first.

Free Ways to Make Quick Money Online - MoneyPantry

Saving money is all well and good, but making more money is even better. Put the maximum allowable amount into your k and IRA contributions every year. This can include a range of things — out-of-pocket costs, prescriptions and dependent coverage, for example. Chances are, you have too much stuff. If you can identify high-value items and present them well, you can have a cleaner, simpler living space as well as money to spend on what you really want.

Wipe off the dust, clear out the storage closet and set up a garage sale. Put some effort into presentation: Items lovingly arrayed on a table will sell better than those chucked into a cardboard box. Dig into storage, sell off what is valuable and throw away the rest.

If you think you might, spring for an appraisal. Otherwise you risk selling rare and valuable items below market rate. Buy interesting items both online and at your local flea market and restore them and resell for a profit. Flea Market Flip offers some great ideas for trash-to-treasure projects. Many office supply stores, including Staples and Office Depot, will offer credits for empty printer cartridges.

As the so-called share economy grows, you have increasing opportunities to get cash for your idling machines and empty space.

Parking spots can be a hot commodity, particularly in crowded cities. If you happen to be holding onto a coveted spot that you do not use all the time, put it up for rent. If that guest bedroom in your midtown Manhattan walk-up is left unused, consider renting it out on Airbnb or other vacation rental sites. Make sure that everything is kosher with your rental agreement beforehand. If you really want to free up money, a surefire way to do it is to split household expenses. Take the usual precautions: Ideally, choose someone known to you or trusted friends.

If you rent, make sure your lease allows additional occupants. Going on a trip? Have a penchant for crocheting, jewelry-making or embroidery? Working on a per-project basis lets your balance your side job with your current one. Stock photo websites like iStock purchase images from everyday people.

Websites such as VirtualAssistants. Or go to a local site such as Craigslist to advertise your skills or seek ads matching them. Fancy yourself the next Iron Chef?

Be careful to comply with food safety laws. Have a knack for finding the best deals on Expedia? Hawk your services as a low-cost alternative to full service travel agencies. Be careful with this one, as scams abound. Thoroughly vet any lead generation or host agency before signing up. Be skeptical of offers to sell you a license or credential, and avoid anything that pressures you to recruit other agents below you. Pick up shifts bartending or waiting tables at catered parties.

You can earn some extra income without sacrificing hours at your current job or studies. Maybe you already have a website or blog. If so, you might be able to make some money through it by joining an affiliate network Amazon has a good one and delivering traffic to your new partner.

Fluent in a second language? Advertise translation services on local job or listings sites. But do your due diligence. Websites such as UserTesting. Small businesses and companies just getting off the ground are often the most likely to give referral bonuses. Your employer might give referral bonuses too, so scour your personal networks to see if you know a good fit for open positions. Baby-sitting has the advantage of dovetailing well with a 9-to-5 job.

To make yourself more marketable, look into a child-care safety course from Red Cross or a similar organization. Most pet owners cannot afford a luxury weekend for their pet at the kennel. Price your rates competitively during your stint as a pet sitter, and make sure your place allows for multiple pets if you intend to board them with you.

Many sites, such as Care. Market research is the bread and butter of advertising agencies. To better tailor their strategies, many large ad agencies hold focus groups and offer a stipend to participants. Contact a local or larger market research firm and secure your spot in a future group.

Net recruit people to serve as mock jurors who help attorneys test their cases and arguments. Payment and time commitment vary. Snow shoveling, amusement park work, holiday staffing and lifeguarding are all seasonal work options that are low commitment and can be done sparingly according to your schedule. Make a side income at a job that helps you contribute to your local community.

Turn your passion for all things green into a side business by offering landscaping and gardening tutorials to fellow flower aficionados. Yes, they really do exist. Services such as Amazon Mechanical Turk connect businesses with a cohort of individuals looking to make a little cash on the side e. You can walk away with a nice check or gift card for a few hours of work. The taxicab industry used to be limited to a handful of licensed professionals.

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