New technologies allow you to earn money on the way to work

TIME spent travelling between home and work can become a money-making exercise for people prepared to think outside the box.

TIME spent travelling between home and work can become a money-making exercise for people prepared to think a little differently.

Whether it’s on foot, by car or on public transport, new technologies have created new ways to generate some extra cash while on the move.

It won’t be enough to retire early, but these days every dollar counts. Here are some ideas.

ON FOOT

If you have feet and a smartphone, you can use the Job Spotter app, which launched in Australia last month and allows people to photograph and upload “help wanted” signs from business shopfront windows.

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The images are uploaded to jobs site indeed.com, and app users receive $1 to $1.50 on average per advertisement.

“Indeed launched the app in the US last year and so far there have been over 800,000 jobs uploaded by users. Job Spotter is already the second biggest source of mobile clicks among US jobseekers,” said Indeed’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Chris McDonald.

Student Jorja Larkin, 21, found out about Job Spotter from a friend in the US.

“I walk past a bunch of shop front window job ads on my way to and from the train station, so it’s a really easy way to make a few extra bucks, which never hurts when you’re on a student budget,” she said.

“It’s become almost like a game now. I’d say I would make an average of $5 -$7 a week, which goes towards my morning coffee habit.”

Jorja Larkin at the Bondi Surf Co store using the Job Spotter app.

IN YOUR CAR

Drivers can become mobile advertising signs for websites such as openads.com.au.

People can register for free and are selected based on their nominated driving patterns, so do not need to change routes, the site says.

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“You will earn $200 per month for (ads) installed on both sides of the car or on the back window,” it says.

The train is also a great place to make extra money in your spare time.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This offers more opportunities than other forms of daily travel because it’s usually hands-free. Rather than stare blankly out of a bus or train window, passengers can:

• Undertake online surveys and earn an average $1-$5 per survey. Websites such as www.opinionworld.com.au offer rewards via retail vouchers or cash through PayPal;

• Sell second-hand goods online through eBay or Gumtree. Once an item is photographed at home, the selling process can be done from anywhere.

• Study to improve earnings potential, either in your existing industry or a new one;

• Use online budgeting and financial apps to streamline personal finances and earn money by cutting costs.

Originally published as New technologies allow you to earn money on the way to work