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Most college students need to have at least some form of income to fund their social lives, put gas in their cars, and pay for other extras. Some college students have to earn money to pay for necessities and living expenses. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for college students to find jobs that work well with their schedules. Some students are lucky enough to land jobs where they can adjust their schedules when important assignments are in the works, or when they go home to visit family and friends. Students who aren't fortunate enough to find jobs with that kind of flexibility either deal with the consequences of working without a flexible schedule, or they risk getting fired every time they have to take a day off. Fortunately, these students do have another option. There are many ways to earn money as a college student that do not involve punching a time clock. If you are looking for new ways to earn money, maybe some of these suggestions will work for you.

Selling and Consigning Clothing

If you wear trendy clothing and take good care of the things that you wear, you can earn money selling your clothing directly to high-end second hand stores. As an alternative, if you can wait to get paid, you can sell your clothing on consignment. This means that the clothing store puts your items on display and sells them, and you split the profit with them. Consignment almost always brings in more money. The profit from this isn't great, but it will put gas in your car.

Making and Selling Crafts

If you have artistic talent, you can put your skills to good use by making craft items and selling them. Many students set up Etsy stores and advertise their items there. However, if you decide to do this, keep an eye out in the months before major holidays. It is not uncommon for schools, churches, and other organizations to host craft fairs. If you are prolific and a good sales person, you may be able to earn several hundred dollars in a single weekend, and collect orders for the future.

Selling Used Electronics

So many college students will buy new gaming systems, tablets, and other items, and then leave their old items collecting dust. Worse, they will recycle items that are perfectly useful. Sure, everybody would love to have the latest and greatest electronics, but the reality is most people can't afford it. When you recycle electronics, throw them away, or let them sit around unused, you are ignoring a nice potential for profit. Make a flyer and hang it in the student union, post something on Craigslist, or join a Facebook group that allows members to sell things to one another. You can earn some money and make the day of somebody who is a little more broke than you.

Self Employment

You don't need a complicated business plan or a ton of money to go into business for yourself. You can run errands for people, pet and house sit, tutor kids, help people set up their computers, do yard work, and a variety of other jobs to earn money. In fact, if you do this, you may find that you make more than your peers who work for other people.