Here are some unique and entertaining ways to make a little extra money online. You may not get rich, but at the end of the month they can make a nice addition to the family funds. 
 
Answer Questions and Do Research Online
Do you like to share your expertise, or enjoy doing research online? Several sites will pay you for the service. Pay is typically "per answer," and can range from $1 to $10.

Sites to see:
http://akhost.chacha.com/resources/recruiting/microsite/becomeaguide.htm
http://www.justanswer.com/expert.asp
http://www.knowbrainers.com/experts.php?
http://guruza.com/

Be your own Judge Judy as an “Online Juror”
If you love courtroom TV, you may enjoy making money as an online juror.

You’ll review interesting legal cases from the comfort of your home, provide feedback via an online questionnaire, and be paid for your time. (It typically takes 20-60 minutes to review a case, and payment is approximately $10-$60 per case.)

For more, see the Online Juror links we’ve listed at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/jobs-misc.htm .
 
Create and Sell Music Mixes
Do you love music, and have a good ear for mixes?

Mixaloo is a music-sharing website that allows users to create digital mix files and distribute them across the Internet on social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Blogger. Users can earn half the profit from each mix sold, as well as points toward merchandise. For more, see http://www.mixaloo.com .

Mystery Shopping
While there are many scams in this area (never pay for a job as a mystery shopper), there are many legitimate jobs online, too. If you love to shop and have a great eye for detail -- and the ability to report on what you observe -- this can be a fun way to supplement your income.

How does it work? Mystery shoppers are paid per “shop,” and fees are set in advance. A shop may involve going to Dunkin’ Donuts, for example, and buying coffee and a breakfast sandwich. While there, the shopper makes a mental note of whether the server is in uniform, the dining area and restroom are clean, the service is good, the food meets certain standards, etc.
 
Afterward, the shopper sends the details to the company, and is reimbursed for the cost of the purchase, plus (in this example) $7 for the shop and report.
 
Mystery shopping can also include using a copy center or gas station, dining out, going to the movies, shopping for insurance, or having an oil change.

For more, see our list at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/jobs-mysteryshopping.htm .

Doodling for Dollars
There was a time when selling your artwork on anything -- tees, mugs, calendars, etc. --  meant investing in inventory and setting up a storefront or website. Now, thanks to sites like Zazzle.com and CafePress.com, you can create and upload your art and sell it one piece at a time.

There’s no cost to set up, no inventory to purchase or store, and no website expenses. Earnings will depend on where you set your profit margins and the quantity of merchandise sold.
 
Liaisons, Hosts, and Event Coordinators in "Virtual Worlds"
If you haven't already heard of "online worlds," such as Second Life and There, the concept may sound a bit futuristic or strange. But they do exist, filled with businesses, clubs, universities, islands, oceans, and people -- essentially anything you'd find in the real world.

Already, millions of people "live" in these worlds, where they’ve created a character, or “avatar,” to represent them. Additionally, millions of dollars are spent in these environments each year, producing some real-world millionaires.

As more people join, the need has grown for "in-world" event hosts, liaisons, and greeters. If there's a part of you that likes fantasy, and you enjoy helping people (or maybe you’re just the adventurous type), a job in a virtual world could be just the thing.

For more, see:

http://www.there.com/opening_eventHost.html
http://www.there.com/opening_greeter.html
http://lindenlab.com/employment/concierge/liaisons

Voice-Over Artists
Many voice-over artists now work from home. All you need is a great voice, the ability to project various emotions, and good recording equipment. You can record directly to your computer's hard drive, and send your voice files electronically.

Work can include commercials, narrations, or even the "For billing, press 2 now…" recordings for corporations. According to Greatvoice.com, "Non-union jobs pay anywhere from $75-$400 a commercial depending on market size and whether your commercial runs on TV or radio."

For more, see:

http://www.opuzzvoice.com/
http://voice123.com
http://www.gmvoices.com
 
Money for Your Video Masterpieces
YouTube started the video-sharing trend, and there's no end in sight. However, many sites (including YouTube) let you make money from your videos.

Blip.tv has an advertising option that lets you earn 50 percent of revenues generated by ads placed on your videos. Revver.com offers a similar deal.

ExpertVillage.com, the world’s largest how-to video site, pays an average of $300 for how-to video assignments.

AssociatedContent.com offers up-front payments for some submissions, as well as a monthly performance payment for all of your original content.

Christine Durst and Michael Haaren co-host RatRaceRebellion.com, a leading source of screened, home-based jobs. Their first public workshop on finding home-based jobs will be held in Norfolk, Va., on Sept. 20. Members of Military.com may obtain a 15 percent  military discount by going to http://www.workathomehamptonroads.com and entering the discount code PATRIOT.

To learn more about home-based job opportunities or network with veterans who are already in this field, visit Military.com's Veteran Career Network.

Copyright 2008 Durst and Haaren.