Looking to make a little extra cash on the side in Austin, TX? There are a ton of ways to make some extra money and many of them can be done on your computer. Ready to get started? Check out some solutions for your money problems below.
Take Paid Studies
Yes, you can make a nice additional income taking paid research studies. These can be either in person or online. We recommend that you do both since the in person work can be hard to get in Austin.
Get started online and you could be making money in a matter of minutes. All that you need is a good website to work with but be careful. There are a lot f scam websites out there. We like Survey Junkie because they have been around a long time and have a good rep. You can join them here.
Once you get signed up, simply confirm your email and start knocking out paid surveys. Once you have enough points, cash them out for PayPal cards which are as good as cash.
How Much Do Online Paid Studies Pay
This is the big question. How much can you make doing paid studies and surveys in Austin? Well, it depends on you. On average, you should expect to make anywhere from $100 to $400 a month. This depends on how much time you put into it. Of course, if you are good and put in the time you could make a great deal more. And, of course, if you do not put in the effort, you will make less.
This is not enough money to replace a full time job but it is a great part time income. Especially when you consider the time involved and ease of completing the work. No driving to work, no uniforms, no bosses. It is income on your terms. Where else can you find that in Austin.
How Do Online Surveys Work
Once you sign up for a survey website, you can normally go right to work although you might want to first confirm your email or take a short questionnaire. No big deal, this will take just a minute or two.
Now that all the registration stuff is over, go take some surveys and make some money. The time involved and the payout should be listed for each survey. Choose the ones that pay the most for the least amount of time and work down from there. Divide the payout by the minutes involved and do the highest amount first. Once you have reached the minimum cash out level, do so. No use saving points. Cash out often.
Join Local Focus Group
Austin focus groups pay right around $25 an hour but you will have to go to their office to take the survey or participate in a discussion group. They can be difficult to get accepted to but it is worth trying to get added to their database. If you are interested in focus groups, the companies below are a good place to start.
In order to get started, you will need to call the companies and ask to be added to their database. If you are lucky, you will get the call to join a group. To increase your odds, if you are asked to compete a survey, take it seriously. Fill it out completely and accurately.
- JKS Market Research
2004 E 9th Street
Austin, TX 78702
512-452-0200 - Tammadge Market Research
210 Barton Springs Rd #515
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-1005 - Think Group Austin
6633 E Hwy 290 #201
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 637-6690
How Do Focus Groups Work?
If you get lucky enough to be chosen, the Austin market research company will contact you with a time and a place to show up. Do show up on time an dressed nicely. Once the group is ready, you will be shown a new product, service or advertising campaign to review. You will be asked for your opinion about it and those opinions will be used to make final changes to the product or service. Expect to be recorded and there may even be a live audience, probably behind a two way mirror.
Remember, to treat your first Austin focus group like an interview. How it goes may effect whether you get a call back. That is why you need to do several things. You need to dress professionally, you need to show up on time and you need to be engaged with the group. The market researchers are being judges by the companies hiring them as well so they want to give them a good product. Be a part of that good product and expect more work.
How Much Do Austin Focus Groups Pay?
This will vary quite a bit depending on what is being reviewed and the time involved. Expect to make anywhere form $30 to $100 for a single paid research group. Not bad money. You might make more for longer groups and for those reviewing a unique product that might be for a smaller demographic. A focus group of doctors for example would be paid more.
The only catch with focus group money is that it is not consistent. You might get one group in a week and then get nothing for several months or maybe never again. Treat this money like a bonus and part of an overall paid study plan. The other part is online work which you will find more consistent and reliable.
Other Ways To Make Money
Looking for another way to make money in Austin? Here are some ideas.
Drive Around Austin
Make money for shuttling people around Austin with Uber or Lyft. You can make a nice part time income driving for one of these companies. I believe Uber has the best name recognition but last time I checked Lyft was the one that allowed you to accept tips.
Either way, you can make money when you want it whenever you have free time. Just download their app, get approved and when you want to work, check yourself in.
Turn In Scrap Metal
If you have a truck, SUV or perhaps just a nice trailer, you can get paid to recycle. You can easily find metal discarded that can be recycled for cash. This is not limited to aluminum cans but also includes other kinds of scrap like copper and steel.
Check out CMC Recycling. They buy from companies and individuals alike. They even list current prices on their website and have two locations.
North Austin: 1704 Howard Lane
Austin, TX 78728
512.251.3407
South Austin: 710 Industrial Blvd.
Austin, TX 78745
512.442.2384
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lo of ways to make money in Austin. Of course, we are partial to surveys and I am here to give it to you straight about paid studies. A lot of websites like to tell you that you can quit your full time job and make a living online in Austin. This is just not the case. You can however make a steady and reliable part time income. Enough money to make ends meet, to perhaps buy your groceries every month or to allow you to go out to eat and enjoy your life more.
$100 to $500 a month is achievable and repeatable. Expect this amount of money and you should not be disappointed. Yes, most sites pay you in points, but you can easily trade those in for PayPal cards which work just like cash.
You might find this page useful if you live in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, San Marcus, Pflugerville, Leander, Kyle or Hutto.