Who doesn’t love the idea of making money? You might a full-time worker looking to hustle up some side income. Or currently not working at all. The ideas below will work for you in either situation.
None of these are going to make you rich right away. If you see an offer that promises instant, giant income…run the other way as fast as you can.
Some of these are side hustles that help you make money right away.
Others require a little additional learning.
And some of the ideas below have the possibility to turn into a real business that will grow into something amazing with a little effort.
If you’re dedicated to a long-term, profitable side-hustle, in most cases you have to be willing to learn. Not everyone has the skills right off the bat to be a writer (for example). Or proofreader. But making a small investment in learning will pay off in the long-run if it’s the right field for you. And if you’re passionate about succeeding.
As with every idea about making money on the side below, you need to ask yourself one question. Is this really worth my time? What is your return on investment?
Watching videos for a few points that will (with a lot of time) add up to 10 dollars someday might seem easy. But that time could more wisely be spent on something that earns money now. Or on some learning that could have you working from home full-time someday.
One final note. If you’re desperate for cash, you might want to look at your financial situation. Not a way to pocket an extra $100 dollars this week. I have a full FREE budgeting binder <<<click there<<< that you might want to check out. I also have an entire section of the site- Frugal Finance– that has budgets, saving money ideas, and more.
I also have an amazing product you might be interested in. Personal Money Management is more than just a book- it’s full of worksheets for you to work through so you can apply the financial advice to YOUR life. Take control of your finances today….check out Personal Money Management.
~~~~~This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.~~~~~
Freelance Proofreader
Freelance proofreading is another work from home job. The average Proofreader salary in the United States is $51,444 as of August 27, 2019, but the range typically falls between $45,143 and $58,742. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.(according to Salary.com).
I did an entire article on How to Become a Freelance Proofreader that includes places you can find jobs. As I mentioned above, some jobs require a little learning before you plunge right in.
If you want to learn more about proofreadering, check out “Proofread Anywhere” <<<Click there to check out the course and join a FREE WORKSHOP.
This course is intensive, in-depth and comes highly recommended. In fact, one of the proofreaders in my article got started by taking it!
Freelance Virtual Assistant
Freelance virtual assistants are becoming more and more common. Not only are other freelancers- such as bloggers- using them to maintain social media. But giant corporations are embracing long-distance work. As of Sep 3, 2019, the average annual pay for a Work From Home Virtual Assistant in the United States is $59,394 a year (according to ZipRecruiter).
I did an entire article on How to Become a Virtual Assistant that includes places you can find jobs. As I mentioned above, some jobs require a little learning before you plunge right in.
If you want to learn more about becoming a virtual assistant, check out “30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success” <<<Click there to check out the course.
This course is intensive, in-depth and comes highly recommended.
Surveys
I don’t have time to do these because every free moment I have is dedicated to my blog.
But back in the day- before I blogged-, I used to spend some time doing surveys. As long as you’re with a legit survey company and have the time, this is an easy way to make a little money in your spare time. You’ll never get rich doing surveys, but it can provide some side income. Never, ever pay to join a survey website. On a side note, I do NOT recommend watching videos as a way to make money. They pay cents apiece for time you could be doing something proactive to make money.
Legitimate Survey Sites:
• Survey Junkie
• Inbox Dollars
• Swagbucks
• Survey Club
Freelance Writer
Freelance writers are doing better than ever now that the internet has made it easier to find jobs. As of Sep 3, 2019, the average annual pay for a Freelance Writer in the United States is $66,436 a year (according to ZipRecruiter).
I did an entire article on How to Become a Freelance Writer that includes places you can find jobs. As I mentioned above, some jobs require a little learning before you plunge right in.
If you want to learn more about writing, check out “How to Become a Freelance Writer in 30 Days.” <<<Click there to check out the course.
Housesitting/Petsitting
People going on vacation who need someone to look after their homes (and pets) will pay to have you do this. You can look for jobs locally via word of mouth. Or talking to your local vet to let them know you’re available.
But (as always) with the advent of the internet, there are sites dedicated to putting people people together.
For housesitting, check out HouseSitter.com.
For petsitting, check out PetSitter.com or Care.com
Petsitting/Dog-Walking
Did you know that some people hate to walk their dog? Or they’re going on vacation and need a petsitter. You can always look locally to find work. Post in your neighborhood Facebook group. Let local vets know you’re available.
But (as always) with the advent of the internet, there are sites dedicated to putting people people together.
For petsitting, check out PetSitter.com or Care.com
For petsitting and/or dog walking, check out Rover.com.
Mystery Shopping
Before I was a writer, I used to do this. I loved it because I could move around the country (husband is in the military) and still have work. While I don’t remember all the companies I used to work for, I do remember Bestmark. They’re one of the best in the business and they pay cash- not some scam company that pays in “points”. Do some research and find multiple companies. I used to work for four different companies and had more jobs than I wanted (I was just doing it on the side for fun….and yes, a little money).
Transcriptionist
Being a transcriptionist is another work from home job. As of Sep 3, 2019, the average annual pay for a Work From Home Transcriptionist in the United States is $58,459 a year(according to ZipRecruiter). There is currently a high demand for audio transcriptionist, especially in the legal and medical field. This is a job you can do part-time or full-time. If you’re particularly proficient, your pay will be even higher.
As I mentioned above, some jobs require a little learning before you plunge right in.
If you want to learn more about transcribing, check out “Transcribe Anywhere” <<<Click there to check out the course.
Captioning
Related to transcribing, there is also a demand for having spoken word captioned on videos. The one place I heard of was: Rev.com. I’m not familiar with this area of work, so I would recommend doing some research before you hop in.
Wait Tables or Fast Food
Restaurants are CONSTANTLY looking for new staff. Or even people who are willing to fill in on short notice. While you might think this is a job for high-schoolers, companies are more than happy to hire responsible adults. In fact, you’ll probably end up as a supervisor if you’re particularly responsible and do a good job. Keep in mind, the higher-end the restaurant, the better the tips.
Blogging
I’m going to be honest. This is one way to make money on the side that requires a lot of initial investment. Not in money, but in time and passion.
If you’re interested in blogging, I would LOVE to help you out. Start with this article: How to Start a Blog: The Ultimate Guide. But this is NOT fast cash. This is a long-term business.
I didn’t share average salary for this job for one simple reason. The vast majority of bloggers quit within 6 months having made only pennies. Blogging is a long game that takes serious effort, passion, and willingness to learn. Very profitable bloggers make in the 6 figures, with a few hitting 7 figures regularly. The “average” professional blogger can vary between $1,000 and $10,000 a month.
Get Cash Back on Shopping
I hesitated over including this. But I included it for one simple reason. I’ve gotten over $600 back over the last two years from stuff I was going to buy anyways. That’s a lot of money I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
THE cash-back company to go to is Ebates. There is a $10 sign-up bonus after your first purchase. Yep, $10 free dollars right off the bat. I’m so excited about Ebates, I wrote an entire article on it: Ebates: Is it Legit or a Scam?
Cleaning and/or Handyman Service
People hate to clean. And a lot of people don’t have the handy man skills to do stuff like put together an IKEA bookcase or hang a TV. That’s where you come in.
Check out Handy.com and apply to be a professional cleaner or handyman. It hooks you up with local jobs.
Design Websites
If you have computer skills and know how to design, this is a great way to build up a side income. In fact, it could eventually replace your full-time job. Check out Fiverr and Upwork to find gigs. But make sure you know what you’re doing and can provide ongoing support (for a fee, of course). Keep in mind you’ll probably have to set up a website with examples of designs you’ve done before you’ll be taken seriously. But since you design websites, that shouldn’t be a problem!
Design Graphics
This is not a field for people who have no design skills. But it is a a potential source of side income. I have little to no design skills. So when I- as a blogger- need design done, I hire a freelance graphic designer. If you have an eye for design, there are quite a few places to find jobs:
• Fiverr
• 99 Designs
• 15 Essential Places to Find New Clients (article)
• Top Freelance Websites for Graphic Designers (article)
Test WEbsites
I’ve used a similar service to have people visit my website and give feedback. You’ll need access to a computer, ability to record voice notes and screen (the company you work with will probably help you with this), and an open mind. The following companies need testers:
• UserTesting
• UserFeel
• TryMyUI
Babysitting/Child Care
Not just a job for teenagers! In fact, people love to hire a responsible adult instead of the teen down the street. Care.com is the place to go to put up a profile and start looking for local work. Don’t neglect local resources. If your neighborhood has a Facebook page (and every neighborhood I’ve lived in for the last 10 years has had one), post in there.
Rent Your Car
Don’t use your car? Interested in making money with it instead of it just sitting in the garage (or on the street). I have two places recommended below. Both include a massive amount of coverage in case of damage to your car. Both also give you the option of letting them calculate the recommended price or you setting it manually.
Rent Your House (or a Room)
You’ve probably heard of Airbnb by now. But if you haven’t, here is how it works. You list either your entire place or a room. People traveling in the area pay you for the use. It’s a great way to make extra money. And a chance to meet new people. Check out Airbnb.com to list your house/room.
Rent Your Stuff
If you have stuff around your house that you don’t use…but don’t quite want to sell, then renting your stuff is an option. One place to check out is Fat Llama. They do a wide variety of items and you get to choose for how long your item is available. In addition, FatLlama covers you for up to $25,000 if your item is damaged or goes missing. Check out: FatLlama.com.
Sell Your Stuff
If you’re like most people, there is stuff hanging around that you have absolutely zero use for. There are multiple apps out there right now dedicated to selling stuff locally. Facebook even has a marketplace feature. One way to pocket a little money is selling all that stuff you don’t use.
Online Phone Representative
Have you ever called customer service? You know how important it is to get someone helpful who is polite. That’s where you come in. Companies are hiring online customer service representative to answer phone calls (and live chat) from home. You will need internet and a quiet, distraction free environment. So if you have a baby or little kids running around, this isn’t the job for you. I haven’t done this job personally, but I’ve heard of the following three places to try and find jobs.
• FlexJobs
• Sykes
• Working Solutions
Photographer
I hesitated about including this because there are a lot of amateur photographers out there giving a bad name to those who are real professionals. But if you’ve taken some photography classes and are passionate about doing a good job, this is a side hustle you can pick up. Keep in mind you’ll have to probably do some freebie shoots to build up your portfolio. You’ll also need fabulous editing skills…not just the ability to take a good photo.
Sell Your Photos Online
Do you love taking photos? If you have some skill behind the camera, you can sell your photos online. I haven’t done this yet (I don’t have time with all this blogging!), but I have plenty of photos- especially of flowers- that I could submit. As I said, I haven’t done this, but I’ve heard the following websites recommended:
• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock
• iStock (I couldn’t find a place to sell, but here is the home page of their website)
• Dreamstime
• Alamay
Deliver Papers
It’s not just for kids! Local papers are constantly looking for RESPONSIBLE individuals who are willing to get up early and deliver some papers. My whole family did this as a kid- we had three routes in a small town and made some major money. If you live in a good neighborhood, the tips around Christmas are great.
If you can’t commit to everyday, check and see if there is a Sunday-only route available.
Deliver Groceries
Some people can’t get to the store. Others are just too busy. If you don’t mind grocery shopping and have a car to deliver them, then this is a feasible way to make money. Two companies to check out:
Deliver Restaurant Food
If you have a car and don’t mind delivering stuff, delivering restaurant food is a great way to make money. You can go the traditional route and get a job at a restaurant. Or you can sign-up to be a driver at one of the following:
• Ubereats
• GrubHub
• DoorDash
• or check what your local restaurants use. For example, in my are FoodFrogger is big.
Deliver People
Sorry, I couldn’t resist the “deliver people” since we’ve done quite a few “deliver” options. What I really mean is drive people! The two big companies (which I’m sure you’ve heard of) are:
Teach Music
If you can play an instrument and have a decent amount of patience, you can teach your skill to others. The amount you’ll earn will depend on where you live, the instrument you play, and how much of a demand there is. I’ve heard rates quoted between $30 and $60 per hour.
Teach Fitness
This is another job that is going to require certification. But if you’re willing to put in the time and money to get certified, this is a great side gig to make money. People want to work-out after normal working hours…which means you can keep a full-time job and do this on the side. Rates can vary, but common pay rates are between $50 and $100 per hour. Not bad for helping people get in shape!
Teach a Class
If you have a skill like painting, gardening, or some craft you can make money by teaching a class at your local community center, senior centers, or craft stores. And if it’s a skill such as painting, you could even pick up gigs giving private lessons.
Selling/Re-Selling
There is an entire industry that involves buying stuff cheap and selling it for more. The two big marketplaces to sell/re-sell are eBay and Amazon. I don’t know much about this, but I’ve read some blog posts by people who make a ton of money doing this.
I would suggest doing your research and maybe taking a little training before you dive in.
Selling Produce
If you have a green thumb, selling produce is something you could try. People are heading to local farmer’s markets in droves looking for locally grown produce. If you go organic, you can charge even more. I still remember being with my parents and buying sweet corn on the side of the country road as farmers off-loaded their extra sweet corn. Related to this is one kind of out-there idea I heard. Raise chickens and sell the eggs. I personally can’t recommend this- it seems like a lot of work for minimum income. But I have heard it recommended.
Selling Handmade Goods
I’m sure you’ve heard of Etsy. It’s a giant website that focuses on selling hand-made items. If you’re fabulous at your craft, give selling your handmade goods a try. However, you can also try Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist. If your craft is something like refurbishing, focus on local sales- such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Selling Plasma
Did you know that while you give blood for free, you can actually sell your plasma? You need to be in a fairly populous area to find a center that does this. You can make anywhere from $20 to $50 per donation and can donate twice weekly. Check out Donating Plasma to find a center near you (despite the word donation, almost all the centers pay for plasma).
TaskRabbit
I made this its own item because it’s only in 72 cities (as of writing this). Plus the tasks that you can perform range from personal assistant work to delivery to traditional handyman jobs. Check out TaskRabbit to see if it’s in your area and if there are jobs you can perform.
Craigslist Gigs
I made this its own item because the gigs are so various. Check out Craigslist and scroll to the bottom. On the bottom right, there is a gigs section. One guy made almost $1,000 in one month (see article here) doing Craigslist gigs. As always with Craigslist (and other online stuff), if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, remove yourself from the situation.
English Teacher or Online Tutor
This requires a bit of education (most sites prefer those who already have a Bachelor’s). But that’s not a 100% hard and fast rule. If you like to teach, you can try to become an English teacher or an online tutor. I’ve ran across three reputable sites recommended by some tutors I interviewed:
• VIPKid
• Education First
• StudyPool
Recycle Cans & Bottles
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state with a can/bottle deposit, this is a great way to pick up some extra money just lying on the side of the road. I did this as a kid and was amazed with how much I could collect.
Mowing Lawns/Landscaping
I’ve never done this, so I’m not sure where to find jobs. I would suggest starting with local landscaping companies and seeing if they have part-time gigs or a list of people they call when they run short.
You can also advertise locally. Use Facebook groups, Craigslist, etc. to try and find jobs. As it grows as a side gig, you’ll probably start getting jobs via word of mouth.
Pressure WAshing Houses & Driveways
If you own a pressure washer, this is a great side gig. Lots of people either 1) don’t own a pressure washer or 2) don’t want to do the work themselves. This is a particularly lucrative field in spring and summer when people are sprucing up their houses.
Advertise locally. Maybe contact realtors in the area…people who are getting ready to show their houses may want the outside spruced up.
Paint Houses, Stain Decks, Etc.
Again, another great job for spring and summer. As with mowing/landscaping and pressure washing, you’ll be reaching out on a local network to find jobs.
Let Me Know How it Goes
I put a lot of effort into putting together a list that was practical and would fit a wide variety of people. I hope you found something useful in post on ways to make money on the side.
If you have a second, comment below with what idea resonated the most with you! Also, if you know where to look for jobs for any of the items on the list, let me know so I can include it for future readers.
This really isn’t relevant to the article, but I find it so frustrating to try to read the article when I’ve got a whole column of media possibilities such as Twitter, Pinterest, etc. covering up the left side of the page. I have no clue as to how I can get rid of it so I can read without frustration. Can you help me? Or is this an isolated problem?
That is a frustration for me when I find it on other websites. When I view mine, it doesn’t do that on my computer. But since it’s a pet peeve, I’ll go disable the floating sidebar right now. That is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves! I had NO IDEA it was displaying like that on my website. Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know.
Interesting!