25 ways to double your paycheck in one month

1. Make Money Off Your Clutter

Take a look at your house or apartment: It's time to re-evaluate what you actually use and what's just taking up valuable space. Sell belongings you no longer need on eBay or Craigslist, or go the old-fashioned route and hold a garage sale. It's a practical way to free up some space and fill up your wallet.

2. Get Paid to Carpool

Switch up your daily commute this month by carpooling with other coworkers. If you have a reliable car, offer to be the driver — on the condition that your carpool buddies take care of all gas costs. If you're not wild about being the sole driver, work out a plan where you each switch off; you'll still save money on fuel.

3. Use Your Free Credit Card Rewards

Those cash-back points have to come in handy sometime. If you've been using a rewards credit card, check your statement to see how much you can redeem. Can you use your rewards points toward gas, groceries or other purchases? Just like money found under the couch cushion, these points were always there — but taking advantage of them is like tapping into free cash you can use throughout the month, without dipping into your bank account.

4. Pick Up Your Unclaimed Cash

There might be forgotten cash belonging to you, just waiting to be claimed. This could be in the form of a missing paycheck, a utilities security deposit or an annuity you didn't know you were entitled to. A good way to check to see if you have any money out there with your name on it is to visit MissingMoney.com, which is run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.Conversely, if you need some quick cash in a pinch, call your utility company to see if you can cash in your original security deposit — you'll be more likely to get it if you've been timely with your bill payments.

5. Get Into DIY

Taking over some of the chores, errands and housework you employ others to do can save you a lot of money in the long run.This can even help on a short-term basis: Find a service you could do yourself — gardening? cleaning your house? painting a room? — and cut it out of your budget for a month. In some cases, you might prefer your own skills and stick with the do-it-yourself method for good. Plus, if you find you've got an aptitude for the chore, you might be able to do it for neighbors or friends as a side income.

6. Sell Your Blood

Provided you're not squeamish about needles (and you meet local health code mandates), hundreds of for-profit blood organizations regularly hold drives where you can be paid upwards of $50 for your blood or plasma, according NerdWallet. Do some research (and, of course, talk to a doctor to make sure giving blood is in your best interest).

7. Become an Online Survey Taker

If you have an opinion on a wide range of topics and issues, why not get compensated for it? According to ChristianPF, there are a number of websites that will pay you for taking online surveys, including OpinionOutpost, E-Poll and Swagbucks. (The latter will also pay you for surfing the web.)

8. Return Unnecessary Purchases

Are there some impulse buys you made at the mall a month or two ago that still haven't been opened or used yet? Rather than letting them collect dust on the shelf, go back to the store where you got them (with a receipt, if possible) and try to get a refund. If the retailer's return policy is too strict, consider selling the item online or exchanging it for store credit (which you should only use on something you were already going to purchase).

9. Rent Out Your Parking Spot

Do you own a personal parking space? Try renting it out for one month and finding street parking. (Far away? You'll get more exercise.) If you don't own a spot, consider renting out your driveway.

11. Take Part in a Research Experiment

Universities, clinics and other medical research groups are always on the lookout for people to participate in behavioral studies and trials. And they'll pay handsomely, too; according Nerd Wallet, compensation can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Remember to always sign a consent form, do your homework on any organizations you plan on working with and don't participate in any studies that make you uncomfortable.

12. Sell Your Old Cellphone

Cellphones, iPads and laptops become obsolete fast, but that doesn't mean there isn't someone out there willing to buy an outgoing model from you. One good resource for this is Gazelle.com, which will appraise your equipment and, based on its condition, give an estimate of how much you're likely to earn by selling it.

13. Recycle Stuff for Cash

It could be anything from a few tin cans and glass bottles to old tires and computer equipment: Recycling can pay off with the right quantities at the right places. According to U.S. News, recycling centers generally pay about 40 cents per pound of aluminum cans, up to 50 cents per pound if you bring in over 100 pounds. As for computer equipment, the older the better — the really ancient machines are more likely to be made of materials like copper, which go for more.

14. Take a Part-Time Job

One of the best ways to double your paycheck is to earn another paycheck. Try to find a side gig that offers you flexible hours and quick cash in your pocket, like bartending or waiting tables.

15. Tutor or Teach

Is there a specific subject or skill you have a knack for? If you were always a math or science whiz, become an after-school tutor for a student needing help with algebra or chemistry homework. Were you always musically gifted? Consider offering guitar lessons. Set your own price, depending on the topic and level of instruction — you could easily make hundreds more a month.

16. Sell Homemade Crafts

If you've got an artistic side, your talents can bring in some quick cash when needed. Websites like Etsy.com are fast becoming the go-to online marketplaces for artisans selling all sorts of homemade creations, from hand-sewn fabrics to natural perfume oils, sculptures and paintings.To figure out what kind of prices to set, browse the marketplace you'll be using to figure out what's appropriate; if you end up being a popular seller, you'll be able to raise prices. In the meantime, make sure you're charging more than the cost of the supplies (and don't forget to factor in labor).

17. Sell Your Baked Goods

"If you can create tasty baked goods, then you can profit from others’ lack of skills in the kitchen," writes Cameron Huddleston over at Kiplinger.Have a knack for baking sweets, cupcakes and other treats? Sell some of your homemade baked goods at local farmers' markets, swap meets, church fairs or other community events.

18. Get Paid for Your Photography

Another hobby that can easily turn into a paying gig is photography. There are plenty of stock image websites in search of quality, professional-level photos (check out Shutterstock.com or iStockphoto.com). With most sites, you'll need to apply to be a contributor and submit samples; after you're selected, you'll likely get paid a royalty every time your photographs are downloaded.

19. Be a Living Advertisement

Some people have adorned their houses — and even their faces — with advertising copy to save money on mortgages or school tuition. Granted, you probably shouldn't go to that extreme, but there are companies that will pay you for putting their bumper stickers on your car. You can also make some cash by sharing branded videos or content on your social media through platforms like Wingsplay.

20. Become a Mystery Shopper

Your job will be secret, but the money you're paid won't be. Try your hand at being a so-called "mystery shopper"; you'll visit businesses, posing as a regular customer, and evaluate the quality of their service. At the end, you'll be asked to submit a report of your findings. Mystery shoppers are usually reimbursed for the food they ate or merchandise they bought (which they can typically keep or return for cash), and are often also paid a nominal fee on top of all that.

21. Scan Groceries for Cash

Before you get your groceries scanned at the checkout line, scan them yourself for a chance to earn some money. There are a number of apps that will reward you with cash for every item you buy at a supermarket. For example, NCPMobile from the National Consumer Panel is a smart phone app that compensates you for helping retailers decide which products are in demand and how they can improve.

22. Be a Tour Guide

If you know your city like the back of your hand, why not get paid to show people around? Websites like Vayable allow self-made tour guides to post "experiences" they'll lead — say, a farmers' market tour of San Francisco; interested tourists can sign up and pay by credit card, which goes straight to the tour guide's account (the site takes a cut, of course). Vayable handles the nuts and bolts, including reservations, communicating with potential tourists and all payments.

23. Get Into the Movies

It's not that easy to become a famous film star, but it's somewhat easier to find work in movie production as an extra for non-speaking, background roles. Especially if you live near an area with a thriving film industry (like L.A. or New York City), don't pass up on the opportunity to hang around a film set, get yourself on celluloid and be paid a small stipend for just being there.

24. Raise Funds

Only advisable if you're trying to get extra cash for a specific purpose or goal, online fundraising sites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter are great ways to generate donations from across the world for any sort of project or personal goal. According to ChristianPF, "People have used [crowdfunding sites] to raise the money for everything from mission trips to medical bills, weddings and honeymoons, business ventures, and even college tuition."

25. Turn Your Spare Room Into a Cash Flow

If you have a spare bedroom or guest house, consider advertising it on home-renting marketplaces like Airbnb. Renting out part of your home could untap a significant second income and require very little effort on your part; you could even just rent out your space when you're out of town (which will land you some extra cash and vetted house sitters).