Top Ten Tips to Make Money and Get Rich Fast

News of the credit crunch is now unavoidable, and we're earnestly being told that a recession is looming. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make some pocket money to put away for a rainy day. Who would say no to a bit of extra cash? Not us here at ConsumerChoices.co.uk, that's for sure. So here are our top ten tips on how to make a quick buck, or £1370...
1. Clearance SaleSelling
all your unwanted books, clothes, toys and videos is a great way of making a bit of extra cash, as well as clearing out your closets. Amazon, eBay and Gumtree are all reputable and secure websites to sell your stuff on, and after paying the initial listing fee, can earn you a tidy profit.

How much can you make?

Dedicated sellers can make £100s on the side, but it all really depends on what you’re selling.

ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests

Waiting for 10p listing days. When you o
pen an eBay account, they’ll send you email updates with special promotions, such as 10p listing days. With this offer, even if some things don’t sell you won’t be out of pocket.
Selling used books (especially student textbooks) is really easy with Amazon, as all you have to do is type in the ISBN number and Amazon will fill in the rest. Listings last for 60 days; and if they don’t sell first time round, re-listing is free.

2. Story time

If you’ve had a near-death experience, or a have a gripping or extraordinary tale to tell, why not get paid to have it published? Feature World is an online publishing agency, run by journalist Alison Smith-Squire. As a writer for women’s magazines and national newspapers, she’ll help you choose which publication to sell your story to, tell you how much money you might expect to get for it, and look after your interests. And as an added incentive, selling your story through Featureworld.co.uk is free.
How much can you make? Sending a ‘star letter’ to a magazine could earn you £50, and published stories about £150. Depending on the newspaper or magazine, paparazzi-style or amusing photos can also sometimes be nice little money spinners.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests signing up with an agent and putting pen to paper.

3. Shop 'til you drop

If you’re a self-confessed shopaholic, getting paid to shop is a dream job. Unfortunately, you won’t earn big bucks from doing it, but a bit of extra cash never goes amiss. Becoming a mystery shopper is relatively straightforward. By registering at one of the companies sites, when a shopper is needed in your area for a particular store, the company will get in contact, specifying details of what you have to buy and what you have to be on the look out for. Retail Maxim and Optimum Contract are both agencies that are worth registering with.
How much can you make? Depending on the agency, you can be paid up to £70 a time, and some agencies may offer to pay your travel expenses.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests thinking about signing up to more than one agency. Being asked to participate in a mystery shopper challenge can be like waiting for a bus, just be patient and you’ll soon be raking it in. Just remember though, there’s nothing mysterious about a mystery shopper who goes around telling everyone they’re a mystery shopper! The agencies are very strict on discretion.

4. Give the dog a phone

Recycling your old mobile handset is an effortless way of getting a bit of extra money. Envirofone.com is the UK’s favourite online mobile phone recycling site. They paid out over £4 million last year, for both working and damaged handsets. Registering to trade in your old phone is easy - just follow the step-by-step guide on their website.
How much can you make? Trading in your old handset is beneficial to both you, and the environment. Envirofone.com will donate some of the money they get for your phone to charity, and you’ll pocket the rest. An old Nokia N-Gage would get you £12.34, and a Motorola Razr is worth £40.07.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests checking with Envirofone.com before trading your mobile in at a high-street store, you may get a better deal, and feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing you’ve done your bit for the environment.

5. Space to let?

If parking in your area is a little on the steep side, and you’ve got a spare space during the day, you could rent it out on a monthly basis. Registering at Parklet.co.uk is free, quick and very simple. Your spare space will join hundreds on the online parking marketplace. You can also set restrictions on use if you’re likely to need the space yourself, and ask users to pay a deposit.
How much can you make? You should be able to make just under the going parking space rate in your area. Spaces in London generally go for around £200 a month.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests taking a picture of your parking space and registering with the site. If you want to cancel your contract with them at any time, there is a one month cancellation clause, which is needed in writing.

6. Picture perfect money

If you’ve got an album full of scenic shots, or a new camera that you’re itching to try out, then you could make a very handy bit of pocket money. Whether you’re the next David Bailey or you’re completely camera shy, selling your photos on Fotolia.com is free, so there’s nothing to lose.
How much can you make? This is something where size really does matter. A small photo could net you a couple of pence, whereas larger images fetch more. Selling your photos on this site can take a bit of time, but registering is free and easy, so waiting for the cash to start flowing your way is worth it.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests putting your camera to good use. However, the site is not as easy to use as it sounds so make sure that you have a good look around and get a feel for what makes a pretty picture.

7. Music to your ears

SliceThePie.com is a music review site with a difference. You review the songs you listen to, then you get paid. As simple as that. The site pays you 5p for each song you rate, but as your credibility as a reviewer grows, you can earn more – as much as 25p a song. Nice as pie!
How much can you make? If you’ve got a spare ten minutes every day, sitting down to do a couple of these could net you about £30 a month, which isn’t bad if you enjoy music.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests registering to the site and having a look around. There is music from every genre, and you can pick and choose what you’d like to review.

8. "Your opinions matter to us."

Getting paid for online surveys may seem like a bit of a scam, but if you carefully sift through the multitude of companies offering “cash for your views,” then you’ll be able to find some that are really worthwhile. Signing up to Surveyhawk.com costs just £18, but after filling in a few questionnaires for their affiliate companies, you’ll soon be in profit.
How much can you make? Surveys can pay between £2-£40, and online focus groups can pay as much as £75.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests reviewing each site very carefully before signing up. Many of the sites only pay to US subscribers, so make sure you don’t fall victim to an online scam.

9. "Any cashback with that?"

If you tend to do a lot of you’re shopping online, then this is an option that you could really prosper from. CashbackShopper.co.uk is a UK site which rewards you for shopping online at 1000’s of online shops and high street retailers. It’s free to sign up to and they also offer a free £5 joining bonus, and a further £5 for every friend you refer.
How much can you make? If you shop online from a cashback store using a cashback credit card, you’ll get double the cash back. The American Express Platinum Card gives 5% cashback to customers for the first three months on up to £4,000 of spending. You could make £200 if you spend the full amount in the next three months, and double that if you make your purchases online.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests thinking wisely before you buy. If you don’t usually do your shopping online, then consider another money making idea.

10. Pimp your ride

A new advertising idea, that could have only come from America, is now speeding its way down the M4. Sign up to GetPaidToDriver.com and an advertising company will tart up your car with a paint job, in the style of the product you’re advertising. It’s a good way to earn some extra money each month while doing all your usual stuff – picking the kids up from school, visiting friends, shopping and even the day to day running of your existing business if it involves driving around. Just agree to have your car branded with the advertising company’s advert and see a cheque come through your door every month!
How much can you make? Depending on the company you sign with, and the product you’re advertising, you could earn between £200 and £800 a month.
ConsumerChoices.co.uk suggests this is not one for the fainted hearted. The contract with the company has a minimum duration of three years, so think it over carefully. Having your car plastered with adverts for Germaloids may be a little embarrassing when stuck in rush hour traffic!