by Cherie Hayes

Created on: January 22, 2009

The selection of information on the internet is vast, especially when it comes to opportunities for earning extra money. The trick is to have the time and knowledge to find valid and trustworthy sources of information. The internet has provided great potential for making money quickly that so many websites have popped up just to trick people into paying money or signing up for services that cost money. As with any product or service, the consumer must be aware of the terms and conditions outlined in fine print prior to investing any money and/or time. If anything seems askew, such as paying money up front, for example, that may be a red flag not to continue and move on to the next opportunity. Amidst the scams and tricks you'll come across on your journey along the information super highway, there are many valid sources to choose from when looking to earn extra money.

Two sources to utilize for making money by selling items are Ebay.com and Etsy.com. Of course most people have heard of and had some experience with Ebay. The range of items for sale on Ebay is seemingly endless. If you are someone who has a knack for finding good quality items very cheap at garage sales or thrift stores, Ebay is a great place to sell those items for extra cash. Finding a niche market on Ebay is a good way to increase your money making potential. Etsy.com is a website dedicated to artists/crafters who wish to sell their wares. It is a bit like a craft fair only online and with many more vendors you could ever fit into a convention center. You will find any and all mediums of art represented, as well as practical and functional handcrafted items. Some interesting things you'll find are custom greeting cards, handmade baby items, unique jewelry, and many wonderful gift ideas, just to name a few. If you are a crafty, artsy, or handy person, you may find Etsy.com a fun way to earn some extra money.

Another source for earning money online is taking surveys. This is an area for the consumer to take extra care not to be lured into signing up for unwanted services or magazine subscriptions. Many websites will promise to pay money if you take their survey, but instead lead you through 10 or more pages of optional services you have to either accept or decline. After many minutes of declining offers, the survey portion of the deal never surfaces, and your time has been wasted with no money to show for your efforts. Also keep in mind that any time you give your phone number on these sites, you most likely will get telemarketers calling you. Here are a few valid survey sites to consider: Myview.com, ProOpinion.com, GlobalTestMarket.com, Vindale.com, ValuedOpinion.com, MySurvey.com. These sites inform you upfront how their system works and do not lead you endlessly through unwanted solicitations. Most of the time you will be notified by email if they have a survey you are qualified to take based on the demographical information you provided during registration. It is not a get rich quick method of earning money, but the more sites you register with, the more chances you have to earn money.

Since there are so many new ways to earn money online, some websites dedicate their time to doing the research for you. These are good sources of information on trustworthy online companies that you may be able to work for. Work-at-home-corner.com is a good source for information on survey sites that are valid. MoneyMakingMommy.com is also informative of all different types of jobs you can do online.

When trying to earn extra money online, expect to spend a fair amount of time researching and sorting out the good from the bad. Then you'll be on your way to earning money and having fun at the same time!

Learn more about this author, Cherie Hayes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.