Earn Extra Dough

If there’s such a thing as easy money, this is how you get it.

(Photo: New York Magazine)

Undercover shopping:
Mystery shoppers anonymously evaluate customer service and can make $20 an hour shopping at Barnes & Noble or eating undercover at Dunkin’ Donuts. Beware of companies that ask for a registration fee. Mysteryshop.org has a list of FTC-approved opportunities.

Focus-group sitting:
Don’t expect to make a career of this, but you can earn anywhere from $75 to $500 for two to three hours of work participating in a focus group for companies like Advanced Focus, which call upon ordinary people to spout uninhibited opinions on everything from toothpaste to magazines. Sign up for a few different companies to increase your chances of being recruited. Try advancedfocus.com or greenbook.org for a list of bona fide companies.

Dog-walking:
Always in high demand in New York. Walkers can typically make around $300 for twenty hours of work per week. Experience with pets is preferred, and physical fitness is essential. Go to petaholics.com or call 866-910-5430 to inquire.

Related:

• Archive: “Cover Story”
• Table of Contents: Feb 11, 2008 issue of New York | Subscribe!