How to Earn Extra Money Outside Your Day Job

Having a full-time job with a steady salary oftentimes means security, benefits, and other perks that part-time jobs just can't offer. But if you're still looking to put some extra money in your pocket, consider trying one of these part-time gigs.

1. Seasonal de-cluttering
While it's already a good idea to regularly purge your closet and garage of items you don't need, doing so can make you money, too. Sort through your closet and determine which pieces it's time to get rid of. For starters, if summer just ended and you have a shirt you didn't wear all season, it's time to say goodbye to it. The same goes for your garage -- dig through your belongings and figure out what you don't want anymore. Scan your bookshelves for books you don't read and never will.

Sell your clothes to thrift stores for some extra cash. They'll often donate what they don't take, which is what you probably would have done anyway. If you have old electronics or appliances that are still in good condition, sell them on Craigslist or eBay.

Cash earned: $20-$100 per purge, depending on what you're selling

(More from Manilla.com: Easy Tips to Plan a Better Tag Sale)

2. Sales for a direct marketing company
You can make money working for companies that recruit people to sell their stuff -- you just have to find the right ones. Companies such as Mary Kay, Avon, The Pampered Chef, and Stella and Dot offer people with full-time jobs the opportunity to earn commissions based on what they sell. Do online research to learn which companies appeal most to you, and find your local chapter.

Cash earned: An average of $2,400 per year, according to DirectSelling411.com

3. Tax prep work
It's easy to become a paid tax preparer -- all you have to do is pass the Internal Revenue Service's test, which you can learn about and enroll for at IRS.gov.

Cash earned: $3,000 to $7,000 during tax season

(More from Manilla.com: 7 Ways to Save Money with Mobile Technology)

4. eBay or Etsy business
Use eBay or Etsy to enhance a business you've been thinking about starting. I know someone who was able to make his monthly student loan payment solely by using money he made through buying and reselling antiques. Once you acquire an eye for what's valuable, doing this on a regular basis can be a goldmine.

Or, if you consider yourself a crafty person, turn your hobby into a business. Etsy is the perfect place to sell all sorts of crafts, such as jewelry, greeting cards, wall decor, and more.

Cash earned: $50-$800 per month, depending on the antiques you find and sell

Sarah Kaufman is the editor-in-chief of The Manilla Folder at Manilla.com, the leading, free, and secure service that helps consumers simplify and organize all of their bills and household accounts in one place online or via the four-plus-star customer-rated mobile apps. Sarah is also a regular contributor to Yahoo! Finance, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Redbook, and other sites. For more financial tracking and budgeting advice, visit Manilla.com.