It Just Makes Cents

In the last few months, I've found a few different ways to make a little money.

Now, don't get your hopes up. I really mean "a little." But it all adds up, right? They're all very simple things that take little or no time.

1. YouData

With YouData, just a minute or two can earn you a little change. YouData is trying to convince consumers that we should be the ones controlling our own data and selling our own attention, not third parties like broadcasters, newspapers, and spammers. By creating a "MeFile," I now control what ads I see and when I see them. Here's the great part - I am selling my attention directly to interested advertisers, for real money. That's right, I get paid for giving them my attention. YouData simply puts the change I earn directly into my PayPal account.

Plus, if you refer friends to create a MeFile, you get a bonus!

It's real! They pay. Just this morning, I made 60¢ in about 2 minutes or less. I know, I know... SIXTY CENTS?! But remember, it adds up. (Or in this case, it "ads" up. Ha ha!) Click this link to sign up!

2. Swagbucks

Maybe you've heard of Swagbucks before but have never signed up. Here's your chance! Swagbucks is nothing more than using Swagbucks as your search engine while getting the same results as you would by using Google. But as a perk, once in awhile you'll earn "SwagBucks" which you can redeem for prizes or cash. That's it! So easy.

Again, if you refer friends, you get a bonus. So sign up here!

3. Google AdSense

If you have a blog, you should sign up for AdSense. If you look closely, you'll see an ad or two over in the righthand column of my blog. Those ads are generated by the content of my blog and chosen by Google. Google will pay bloggers for advertising based on the page views and clicks they get on the ads.

Now, before you rush to monetize your blog thinking it will make you millions, let me tell you that in the two weeks since I put them on my blog, I've made.... wait for it... 1¢! Actually, as of yesterday that went up to $1.82. All in one day. I don't fully understand how it works, but what I do know is that it takes no effort on my part. I go on my merry way, blogging along, and Google pays me for the ads. And one day, one shiny day years from now, I'll have earned enough money from AdSense to buy myself a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food. It will be glorious.

But! If you're awesome like my friend Jody, you can earn $18 with AdSense in a matter of days. Seriously! I don't know her secret. I think the bottom line is, as I wander my way through blogland, I'm going to start clicking a few ads here and there, to support my favorite bloggers.

So there you have it! Three easy ways to make a little extra change, without spending much time doing it or even doing anything differently. We could all use a little extra change, right? Or how about devoting your on-line earnings to your favorite charity?

These are just three that I'm familiar with. Do you know of any other money-makers out there?