Wacky Ways To Make Some Extra Cash

MIAMI (CBS4) -- Unemployment is high and savings are low and you're struggling to make ends meet. So what can you do about it? Some folks have come up with some pretty creative and wacky ways to make money.

Jonathan Turner keeps all options open when it comes to making money. He buys used books at garage sales but not to read, to resell.

"I've got an app on my iPhone and I'm able to scan the IBN number on it and actually pull up right there and it tells me right there how much is that book worth," said Turner.

There are a lot of web sites that buy used books. Using the app "Bookscouter", Turner knows on the spot whether he'll make a profit.

It is just one of many wacky ways to make money these days.

Kyle Taylor with ThePennyhoarder.com suggests starting with your fridge. The Nielsen Company, which keeps track of TV ratings, also wants to know what you buy at the grocery store.

"They'll send you a free bar code scanner and every time you go grocery shopping they ask that you scan the groceries that you buy and then it transmits the data to them and companies use that sort of feedback to tell them what products are popular," explained Taylor.

If you enjoy texting, you can answer questions for chacha.com and make a few bucks right from your couch.

"They get questions, random questions on their web site and via text and they need people to come up with answers and just through Google search or whatever, you get paid per text," said Taylor.

You can also rate music for money.

"Sites like hit hitpredictor.com and slicethepie.com will let you listen to music, rate it and then send you a small check for your efforts."

There's a way to make some cash by creating company names as well.

"There are websites online that hold naming contests. The person who comes up with the best name wins anywhere from 50 bucks to 500 dollars," said Taylor.

Some people even get paid for testing cars, including Turner.

"I get paid anywhere from 50 to 75 dollars a pop to go out and test drive a vehicle, have fun in it and then be able to get back and write up a report."

There is a word of caution. Check out the companies before you sign up. You shouldn't have to pay these sites in advance for any work you do.

"You're not going to get to retire by doing any of these money making things but it's a good way to bring in a little bit of extra cash," said Taylor.  "Anything that you can do, any little bit to help to offset your bills, you know, go for it," agreed Turner.

Another piece of advice from Taylor, compare sites for what they pay. For example, with the used books, he found one site that would give him eight dollars for a used cookbook, while another site only offered a dollar.