How to make extra money online or from home
Knowing that you need some extra money in your pocket is quite easy. Just look in your wallet. The not so easy part? Find out how to make extra money.
These days it seems like everyone is working some kind of side gig, renting out stuff, or selling unwanted stuff to make extra money – which is awesome. But how did they come up with all these ways to make money? You’ve probably come across this list of 34 ways to make extra money. Or you know, another list somewhere – that’s totally possible too.
Either way, it’s time to put your financial goals into action and earn some extra cash at home, online, or on the side. Oh, and let’s be clear, these are all legitimate ways to make money – nothing shady here.
Now let’s get to work!
How to make extra money online or from home
1. Tutor online.
If you think being a teacher means you got straight A’s in high school and college, think again. It’s all about what you know and how well you know it. Online tutoring companies such as Tutor.com, TutorMe and Studypool hire tutors to share their knowledge with students on a wide range of topics.
Just make sure you’re careful when figuring out which tutoring gig to take. Some users on these on-demand tutoring sites are actually looking for someone to write an essay or do homework for them. Be smart when searching posts.
2. Become a user experience tester.
Every business hopes that their website provides great information, achieves its goals and – oh yes – makes money. But if something isn’t working, the business needs to know why, and many call on UX testers to provide feedback.
Are you good at finding out if a website is user-friendly just by spending a few minutes scanning a webpage? Companies like UserTesting or TryMyUI will pay you for your feedback. Most of them boast that you will get paid $10 for every 20 minute test you complete!1
3. Do your research.
Check out survey sites like MyPoints or Survey Junkie where you get paid just to take surveys and give your opinion. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? Remember that these sites are looking for really specific things when selecting people. So you may not qualify for every survey you come across.
Additionally, you will need to complete a certain number of surveys before you can redeem your points. This is by no means a get-rich-quick scheme, but that extra money can add up over time. If you are the patient and persistent type, give it a try!
4. Get cash back from apps.
There are plenty of mobile apps that can show you how to make extra money doing simple things. We’re talking really, really easy here—like easy to pick up your phone and scan a receipt. Check out mobile apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, Shopkick, Receipt Hog, and Dosh to earn some extra cash without too much work on your part.
5. Teach English.
It’s like going the tutoring route, except you’re teaching English with a company like VIPKid (a huge fan favorite in our Ramsey Baby Steps Facebook community). If the word teach makes you a little nervous, don’t worry. They will take care of all lesson plans and assessments for you. But you must have a desire to help others learn and be willing to teach an online class. Are you getting paid while helping others? This is a win-win!
6. Get paid for your creativity.
You have creative skills, but you haven’t yet connected with someone who needs your amazing work. Why not in your spare time with Fiverr? This site connects freelancers who specialize in writing, editing, graphic design and commentary work with clients who need these creative minds in their corner.
7. Offer your services as a virtual assistant.
If you are organized, like a good challenge and want to work from home, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! Plus, who doesn’t like a little variety in their workday? Chances are, most business owners could use your help as they try to find a better work-life balance these days. Check out sites like Upwork and Zirtual for opportunities to get started helping out.
8. Become an influencer.
Get paid for social media posts! Yes – it turns out social media can really come in handy. If you have a large following on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, or even on your blog, you may want to consider becoming an influencer.
Whether it’s fashion, kitchenware, or home decor, you can become a resource for businesses to gain even more exposure online. Just reach out to the brands you love and let them know you’d love to work with them! And if you’re open to affiliate marketing and sponsored content, check out ShareASale and Amazon Associates as well.
9. Become a social media manager.
Most companies have a presence on social media. Not only is it free marketing, but it’s also a way to stay connected with your customers (or future customers) and build a following. But it can be a huge task for smaller companies that don’t have many team members. This is where you come in. If you have a knack for creativity, connecting with others, and knowledge of various social media channels – this could be right up your alley!
Ways to make money on the side
10. Get paid for your photos.
Are you a bug? Got photos of gorgeous sunsets and perfectly staged lattes filling your camera roll? You can earn extra money for your photos without having to be a professional photographer. Foap will pay up to $10 per photo (some can get more for special “missions”), but they’ll also take 50% of your sales.2,
Remember, there is no guarantee that people will buy your photos. But even if you only sell a few, that’s easy money for something you’ve already done.
11. Drive for Uber or Lyft.
If you’re strapped for cash but want to work your own schedule, you might want to think about becoming an Uber or Lyft driver. You can ride as much (or as little) as you want and set your own schedule. Plus, you get the added bonus of interesting conversations along the way (or at least fun stories to tell about your travels with strangers).
Of course, the amount of money you earn depends on your location and how often they drive people around. So if you have a free Saturday every now and then, you might want to spend it as a glorified taxi driver exploring your city and getting paid for it.
12. Become a food delivery driver.
Since the old pandemic in 2020, many restaurants have closed their dining rooms or have limited seating. So what does that mean? More with you! Become a hero by delivering food to front porches in your city. Driving for Uber Eats, Grubhub, or Postmates is a great way to earn extra money in your spare time just by delivering food to hungry clients. Bonus points: Your car will smell amazing. we are a little jealous.
13. Join the focus group.
If you enjoy sharing your opinion, why not get paid for it? Find out if there is a local focus group in your area or online. You can earn money just for doing taste tests or trying different products. Before applying, make sure you match the type of things they’re looking for.
14. Deliver groceries.
If you love the thrill of shopping but don’t want to spend your own money, you might be interested. With Shipt, you get paid to shop and deliver groceries to clients through an on-demand service. According to the company, their customers earn up to $22 per hour!3 Are you getting paid to shop? Sign up with us!
15. Take an interest in babysitting.
Teenagers usually have a corner of the babysitting market. But there’s no reason why you can’t get into it, too. And truth be told, it might be easier than you think to get a gig. Most parents jump at the chance to have a date. However, sometimes it can be difficult to find a sitter they trust.
Let people in your friendship group, church, and workplace know that you’d like to babysit their kids in your spare time (they have to pay you, of course). And if you’re a little uncomfortable with word of mouth, you can always sign up with a service like Sittercity or Care.com to help you get some babysitting.
16. Start pet-sitting.
Are you an animal lover at heart? How about making extra money just by taking the dog for a walk or boarding the cat for the weekend? You can advertise your own pet sitting business on social media, put up signs in your neighborhood, or use websites like Rover. They allow you to set your schedule and set your own service charges. If you use Rover, keep in mind that they will take a cut of what you make.4
17. Advertise on your car.
File it under both super weird and the ultimate definition of the phrase passive income. The Wrapify app pays you to drive with a business ad wrapped around your car. Once the car is packed, you really don’t need to do anything other than drive around town as usual.
It sounds weird, but it’s actually quite rewarding: The more you drive, the more you earn. Wrapify says the average person who does a full wrap on their car makes about $264-$452 per month.5 If you’re still paying off your car loan, that’s a car payment right there!
18. Do tasks for people.
If you’re just trying to figure out how to make money doing a quick fix or errand job, TaskRabbit might be your best bet. You can do all sorts of things from gardening to assembling furniture. This is the perfect way to make some extra cash if you like tinkering with things – check it out, MacGyver.
19. Deliver for Amazon.
You know who hasn’t slowed down during the pandemic? Drivers for Amazon. There’s nothing like having a package delivered to your front door, especially if it’s from Amazon. Everyone loves getting packages, so why not spend a few nights a week driving around town and bringing joy to people? Sign up for package delivery with Amazon Flex and set your schedule for as much or as little as you want to work.
20. Turn your commute into money.
Between commuting to work and driving the kids to soccer practice, most of us spend a lot of time in our cars. It’s time to earn extra money while you drive! With Roadie, you can get paid just to drive a package (or even an animal!) from point A to point B along your route.
And check your area for apps that reward you for carpooling around town. Here in Nashville we have a company called Hytch that partners with some companies and rewards you for carpooling with one or more people. You already go to work every day, so why not get paid for it?
21. Become a photographer.
If you have a nice camera and a good eye, taking a few photos might be just what you need to find out how to make some extra money. You can go about it however you want. Maybe you only shoot family sessions and smashing birthday cakes on weekends. Or maybe you decide to start a business as a wedding photographer! The choice is really yours.
Check the current session rates in your area and think about setting your prices a little lower to keep them in line with the competition. Let’s say you earn $75-$100 per session. That can load pretty fast!
22. Do car washes/detailing.
If you’re a big car fanatic, this might just come naturally to you! And you probably already have the necessary tools. It’s amazing how many people will pay someone else to do something they don’t want to do. You can even take your business on the road and meet your customers wherever they are!
23. Become a financial coach.
Do you enjoy helping people take control of their money? Thick thick. We also. You can earn some extra cash in your spare time with financial coaching – no special skills required. Our Financial Coach Masterclass gives you all the tools you need to help bring hope to people as they figure out the whole money thing.
24. Start a blog.
If you have something to say, chances are people will read it! The great thing about blogging is that you can focus on almost any topic you want. If you are a great cook, start a food blog. Or maybe fashion is your true love. If you are passionate about fitness and nutrition, start a health blog.
Be prepared for a slow game with this one. You can definitely make good money with a blog. . . but you can also end up producing next to nothing. Okay, maybe that’s extreme. But you get the idea. Using things like Google AdSense or affiliate marketing (where you get a cut when someone buys the product you’re promoting) and even connecting with the right people can really make a difference to your readership and the money you make.