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Debt reduction is on the mind of (nearly) every college graduate – from credit card debt, to repaying student loans; even monthly bills. Heck, it’s one of the main topics on this blog. And what’s one of the best ways to pay off debt a little more quickly? Increase your cash flow; especially if you’re in the pitfall of currently having to spend as much or more than you make.

I know that sounds pretty obvious, but I’ve read before that 90% of people don’t generate any income from anywhere other than their day jobs – at all. While taking on a second part-time job is always an option, it’s one that sucks up what little down time is left after a full-time job pretty quickly. But there are some things you can do during that down time to earn a little extra each month to help pay the bills, and all you need is an Internet connection. Think about how helpful just an extra $100 would be every month when it came time to pay the bills!

Some things to try:

1. Sell your left over text books on amazon.com. Have text books left over from last semester? List them all in the Amazon.com Seller’s Marketplace and watch the money come pouring in. I know that sounds a little trite and you’re probably thinking that the books won’t make you any money because when you went to the campus bookstore to sell them back, you were only offered $7 a book.

   But the truth is you can turn your text books – especially the really big, expensive ones – into quite a bit of cold, hard cash. I know; I did it every semester of my college career (and even profited – earning more at the end of the semester than I spent at the beginning – once or twice).

2. Sell stuff on eBay. Again, it sounds trite and I’m not suggesting turning into your day job – although it can be done; but that’s another post for another day. I’m merely suggesting rummaging through your closet and selling the clothes and shoes you no longer want. Sell things in your old bedroom that you’re not taking to your apartment with you.

   If you find success there, offer to go through your parent’s basement or attic and clean for them, in exchange for getting to sell what you find (or offer to split the profits with them).

   It may sound crazy but I made more from eBay a few summers ago than I did from my part-time retail job, doing exactly what I just described. Don’t have an eBay account? Click here to sign up.

3. Take surveys online. I’ve tried this out and never really had much luck with it. I did make a few dollars here and there but I just didn’t have the patience to sit in one place and fill out surveys for 20 minutes a piece. If you do, however, this is a great and (relatively) easy way to make a little extra money.

   My biggest piece of advice here — if paid surveys are the way you want to go — is to set up a separate free email account on yahoo or gmail or something just for your surveys and use it for every survey site you sign up with – that way your day-to-day email address isn’t flooded with survey offers.

   Also remember that each site will only offer you a few surveys a week (and you’ll qualify for even less than that), so the more you can sign up with, the better your chances of actually making some money (some examples of where to start can be found here and here).

4. Start a blog. Last but certainly not least – starting a blog is a great way to make a little cash on the side. While chances are you’re never going to reach the income levels of Darren Rowse, John Chow, or Perez Hilton – all of whom make six or seven figures a year from their full-time blogging – with a little work and perseverance, blogging is a great and fun way to make a few dollars a day. If you have a hobby you’re knowledgeable and passionate about… anything at all, really… you can blog about it.

   While some niches will be more widely read (and thus will make you more money) than others, it is theoretically possible to set up a free blog through sites such as www.blogger.com and www.wordpress.com (or to pay a monthly fee for your own dot com through someone like bluehost.com), install Google AdSense and some affiliate banners, and be making money tomorrow.

   For more on how to become a good blogger, click here.

There are certainly many more ways to make a little money on the side – try something old fashioned like walking the neighbor’s dog or shoveling their front steps if Internet riches isn’t for you – so do what works best for you. But supplementing your income is by far the best and easiest method for reducing your debt and boosting your net worth.

(image by rmwhittaker1012000)

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