25 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline & at Home
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Make money with a side gig and learn how long it’ll take to see the extra income, whether it’s freelancing online, driving passengers or selling your stuff.
Want to make money, but you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
And you're not alone. More than one-quarter (27%) of Americans earned extra income from side gigs last year, according to the Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2020, released in May 2021 by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
NerdWallet rounded up 25 legitimate ways to make money – at home or out and about – and listed each option based on how fast you can get started and get paid. While most people prefer fast cash, don’t discount the slow gigs, as they may pay more in the long run.
How to make money online
Making money online is the sweet spot people look for in the gig economy. Whether you aspire to be a six-figure social media influencer, or are just looking to supplement your regular income with some internet gigs, we've found some viable options.
Here are some excellent ideas for work-from-home gigs:
1 | Pick up freelance work online |
Make money online through websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant. Fluent in a second language? Check sites such as Gengo or One Hour Translation, or drum up business through a site of your own. No matter what kind of freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know if you’re charging too much or too little. Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig |
2 | Test websites and apps |
Another way to make money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com. You get paid for your thoughts on how well – or not so well – certain websites and apps worked. You’ll have to pass a short test to be accepted, then you’ll be paid $10 for each 20-minute test, which involves a recording and answering four follow-up written questions. Or you could earn up to $120 to participate in a video conversation with a customer after your test. Total time: Approval time can vary |
3 | Pick up tasks on Amazon's Mechanical Turk |
Even in the age of automation, some jobs still require a human touch. Companies often outsource those jobs via services like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. As a worker, the tasks you’ll be assigned can be tedious – tagging images, transcribing videos, classifying receipts – and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Temporary employers or requesters set the price for each task and get to approve the finished product before paying you. That can leave room for scams, so do your research. Join a community like the MTurk Crowd forum, or the MTurk and Turker Nation subreddits, which can steer you away from shifty dealers. These communities and fellow workers can answer questions and give a realistic idea of how much money you can expect to make. Total time: Several days to find out if you're approved |
9 | Monetize your Twitch channel |
Gaming could be a way to make money from home if you have a steady following on Twitch, the go-to site for gamers. Broadcasters can receive donations from viewers and even get a share of subscription and ad revenue if they reach Affiliate or Partner status. Total time: This can be a long game |
10 | Sell your photography |
Turn your photographs into cash via sites like Fine Art America, which lets you upload your images to sell as prints, t-shirts, phone cases and more. Other marketplaces for photographers include SmugMug, 500px and PhotoShelter. Some sites require a subscription but may provide features ranging from cloud storage to password-protected galleries and a customized website. Total time: Buyers need to find you – and like your work |
How to make money from home
Some side hustles don't even require you to leave the house. Or if it does, it might just be a short walk around the block with a furry friend. Working from home requires a little creativity and a stick-to-it spirit.
Here are some excellent ideas for work-from-home gigs:
11 | Become a dog walker or sitter |
Love dogs? Make money by becoming a dog walker. Apps like Wag and Rover offer on-demand dog walking, so you can pick up walks when your schedule allows. If you have space (and your landlord’s permission, if you rent), you could offer overnight dog boarding. Read the fine print if you sign up for these services. Total time: Building a client base may take some time |
12 | Sell unused gift cards |
Make extra money by selling unused gift cards on a site like CardCash or GiftCash. These websites say they’ll pay you up to 92% of the card’s value. On CardCash, you can also trade in your card for one you’ll use. Total time: Depends on the popularity of the gift card |
13 | List your spare bedroom on Airbnb |
Renting out your home or spare bedroom on vacation rental sites is another way to make extra money. Be prepared to spend some money to clean and keep up the property, replace home goods and pay toward service fees. And scrutinize your rental agreement before you get started. Total time: Demand drives success, and depends on your location |
How to make money offline
There's online and at-home ways to make extra money – and then there's a third alternative: offline. This version of the gig economy may require a little more legwork, but the upside can be substantial. Here are offline ways to make money:
14 | Sell our gently used clothes |
Selling clothes you no longer wear is a quick way to make some money. Start with local consignment shops for faster cash or use sites like ThredUp and Poshmark to find buyers. If you go the online route, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces and research similar items to set competitive prices. Total time: Varies by sales channel |
15 | Trade in old phones, electronics for cash |
Have an old phone, iPad or gaming system lying around? Sell it on a site like Swappa or Gazelle. Check out Amazon’s trade-in program, which pays participants in Amazon gift cards – and eBay, too. If you’re in a rush, try an ecoATM kiosk, which offers cash on the spot for your device. Total time: Lots of options, so your time spent will vary |
16 | Get a babysitting gig |
Everyone from college students to recent retirees can make money by watching other people’s children. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family are still a great way to get started, but you can also create a profile for free on Care.com or SitterCity to expand your reach. Note any specialized skills, such as CPR certifications, to make yourself more marketable. Total time: Online setup takes minutes; neighborhood referrals may take a while |
17 | Rent out your car |
City-dwellers often don’t use their cars for days or weeks at a time. That idle time can translate to extra money with services like Getaround and Turo, which let you rent out your car by the hour or day. You take home the majority of those earnings, while Getaround or Turo takes a cut for protecting your car while it’s being rented. Total time: Demand for your car will depend on the local market |
18 | Sign up for TaskRabbit |
If you actually enjoy putting together Ikea furniture or standing in long lines, you may be cut out for doing tasks for others. Websites like TaskRabbit can connect you with people who need help with a variety of things, such as moving, cleaning, delivery and handyman services. The site also offers several virtual and online tasks, such as helping with a research project or data entry. Total time: Local demand for your skills will determine the time you spend |
19 | Become a private tutor |
Parlay your math, science, foreign-language or test-prep expertise into a lucrative side gig by becoming a private tutor. You can tutor people online or in-person. What you charge can depend on your experience, expertise and what’s in demand. To get started, see what types of tutors are needed on Craigslist or create a profile on sites like Tutor.com or Care.com. You can also advertise your services at local schools and community centers. Total time: Varies by subject matter |
20 | Drive for Uber, Lyft |
Join Uber or Lyft (or both) and make money by driving passengers around. Just don’t forget to factor in gas and maintenance costs. You need an eligible car in good condition and must agree to a background check and a review of your driving history. Total time: Depends on your market demand |
21 | Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats |
Take advantage of the growing delivery trend and sign up for a service like Instacart, Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash or Amazon Flex. You get paid per delivery, in most cases, and can even earn tips. A car isn’t always required – Postmates and, in some cities, DoorDash, lets you use a bike or scooter to make deliveries. However, a background check almost always is part of the deal. Total time: Depends on your market demand |
22 | Find work as a housesitter |
If you’re willing to watch someone’s home – and maybe feed the pets, water the plants and take out the garbage – become a housesitter. Tap your personal network for referrals or try out HouseSitter.com, which connects homeowners with housesitters. People often make $25 to $45 a day, according to the company’s website. Total time: Depends on your market demand |
23 | Sign up to be a mystery shopper |
Businesses often want to know how they’re performing from a customer’s perspective. Sign up to be their eyes and ears. You can apply online via sites like IntelliShop, BestMark and Sinclair Customer Metrics. Just beware of scams and do thorough research before signing on. Total time: Varies by site |
24 | Find season work |
Need a gig for a few months? Try something seasonal, like being a lifeguard, shoveling snow or working at a retailer during the holidays. Employers typically staff up a month or two before their busy season, so plan ahead to get on their payroll. Check storefront windows, Craigslist and local classifieds for seasonal opportunities. Total time: Varies by job |
25 | Put your drone to work |
The market for drones is expanding. Companies hire out work like aerial inspection, photography and land mapping. So if you’re already a drone enthusiast, why not make extra money with your aircraft? You first need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration and obtain certification from them for commercial use. Then, you can apply for gigs as a drone pilot. Learn how to make money with drones. Total time: Depends on demand |
Watch out for making money scams
The internet is full of opportunities to make money online or from home, but many are questionable, if not outright scams. Be wary of any opportunity asking for an upfront fee, wants you to pay for certification, or requests your Social Security number or any financial information, such as your credit card number.
Still unsure if an opportunity is legit? Look for community forums, like those on Reddit, for unfiltered reviews and complaints. (Workers on TaskRabbit, Uber and Lyft, for example, each have their own subreddit.) Also, check if the company has a Better Business Bureau profile. The BBB assigns ratings based on reported complaints, business transparency and other factors.
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Source: NerdWallet