In today’s digital age, making money from home has gotten easier than ever. Whether you’re looking for a full-time income, a side hustle, or just some extra cash, there are plenty of opportunities to earn without leaving your house. The best option for you will depend on your skills, interests, and financial goals. Read on for inspiration.
33 Easy Ways to Make Extra Money from Home
This list of home-based business ideas can help earn income without stepping foot out your front door.
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1. Test Websites
Most websites are well-designed and easy to use because they’re tested by real users — a service they get paid to do. Platforms like UserTesting and Userbrain will link you up with companies who need website testers, and you’ll earn money for each test you do. There are also opportunities to earn more money for live interviews about your experience.
2. Test Products
Products also need testers, and testing can be done at home, too. You might be able to earn extra cash by giving your opinion on gadgets, personal care products, and more. (Plus, you might get some free stuff in the bargain.)You can find product testing opportunities directly through large companies or using third-party sites like ProductReportCard and FocusGroups.org.
3. Take Surveys
Another way to make some extra money from home is by taking online surveys. You can tap this market through sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and MySurvey. Some platforms pay you in points you can later redeem for cash or gift cards, while others pay by check. You won’t get rich quick, but it can be worth exploring if you have a lot of free time.
4. Become a Voice Actor
If you’ve got a voice for radio — or an audiobook, video game, or the PA announcement at your local grocery store — you may be able to earn money doing voiceover work from the comfort of your own home. (Or more accurately, the comfort of your own closet, which is probably the most noise-insulated room in the house.)
5. Do Closed Captioning
If you’re a fast typist with the ability to pay close attention to speech, you might make a great transcriptionist or captioner. Companies like Rev make it possible to get paid for captioning video content, and you get to set your own hours.
6. Become a Translator
Are you fluent in a second language? If so, you may be able to put your language skills to work by becoming a professional translator. Popular platforms that post freelance translators gigs include: Fiverr, PeoplePerHour.com, Lionbridge, and Translate.com
7. Teach an Online Course
If you’re highly skilled in a certain area, chances are there’s someone out there who would pay to learn what you’re an expert at. Whether it’s creative writing, singing, or coding in JavaScript, you might be able to get paid for sharing your knowledge with platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Thinkific.
Recommended: Money Management Guide
8. Become a Tutor
If you aced the SATs or ACTs or have expertise in a particular subject, you may be able leverage your skills by offering online tutoring to high school and college students. You could market your services in your local area or apply to work for an online tutoring company.
9. Offer Music Lessons
If you play an instrument or know how to sing, you may be able to turn your talent into cash by offering music lessons or being a vocal coach. You could teach local students in your home or offer lessons virtually.
10. Write a Book
Okay, okay: This one is not a quick, nor guaranteed, way to make money at home by any stretch. But if you’ve got the chops and the dedication, you might just actually write a marketable novel, memoir, or essay collection. Just know that as far as the money goes, it’s generally a slow burn.
11. Start a Blog
If you love to write but aren’t ready to take on a book, you might start a blog that focuses on something you’re good at, such as baking, being a mom, or rating restaurants. If your audience gets large enough, you could potentially make money through ads or affiliate marketing. A successful blog could also land you speaking gigs, public appearances, and other earning opportunities.
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12. Become a Freelance Writer
Another way to use your writing skills to make money at home is to become a freelance writer, either on the side or full-time. It can be a tough industry to break into, but once you’ve established yourself, it’s possible to earn a living wage doing this work. Having examples of your published work is the best way to show a prospective client your writing skills. You might get started by writing a few pieces for a low (or even no) fee to build up your portfolio.
13. Do Freelance Copy Editing
If you’re a strong editor with a keen eye for detail and proper grammar, you might be able to earn money as a freelance copy editor. You can look for short-term gigs through freelance sites like Fiverr and Upwork. If you’d prefer something more long term, try a job board like Indeed.
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14. Freelance as a Graphic Designer
If you have design skills, you could turn your creativity into cash by designing logos for businesses, graphics for company websites, and more. You’ll likely need a portfolio of your work to show prospective clients.
Recommended: Managing Your Money as a Freelancer
15. Become an SEO Consultant
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a service that companies will often pay mighty well for… after all, good rankings translate into more money in their pockets, too. To get consulting gigs, you’ll likely need to share success stories and metrics, whether for accounts you managed professionally in the past or your own personal account.
16. Become a Virtual Assistant
If you’re the kind of Type-A person whose Google calendar is comprehensive and color-coded, consider channeling those organizational skills into becoming a virtual assistant. Tasks might include making travel arrangements, scheduling appointments, managing invoices, and answering phone calls. You can not only do this from home but can often set your own hours. Try Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn for leads.
17. Sell Your Crafts
If you already spend your downtime enjoying a craft like painting or knitting, why not consider placing your wares up for sale on a site like Etsy? Not only will your art bring smiles to other peoples’ faces, it might also be an easy and creative way to make extra money from home.
18. Design a T-shirt (or Mug, or Tote Bag)
Got a witty slogan, a riff on pop culture, or a beautiful image in mind that just has to be on a t-shirt? Make it happen! Websites like CafePress and CustomInk make it easy to create and sell your unique designs.
19. Become a YouTuber
If you’ve got something to say and are creative enough to say it with engaging video content (whether it’s dog grooming or fashion advice), YouTube can be a lucrative way to make money from home. Just keep in mind: This is a side-gig that can easily take a lot of time and require a considerable investment in audio/video equipment.
20. Stream Your Gaming Habits on Twitch
Earning money by playing video games might sound like a fantasy, but platforms like Twitch make it possible…provided you’re actually good (or at least entertaining to watch). You’ll need to have more than 50 followers and meet other marks to become what’s known as an affiliate and start earning cash via people subscribing to watch you.
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21. Get Paid to Post on Insta
If you have an Instagram or other social media account with a strong following and often share products you love, why not get paid for it? You may be able to partner with your favorite brands and earn money for sharing information about their products. You might also get the chance to test out some new ones for free.
22. Sell Your Stuff
If you’re overdue for a closet clean-out, consider selling the stuff you don’t need anymore on a site like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to take clear photos and do a search to find how much similar items sell for, so you can set a competitive price. Just be on the lookout for money scams that can crop up when buying and selling online.
23. Sell Your Photos
If you know your way around a DSLR or honestly even just an iPhone, you might be able to sell your stock-photo-worthy snaps for money. Platforms like Alamy and GettyImages are two places to sell or license your pictures.
24. Rent Out Your Clothes
Yes, this is real! Turn that prom or bridesmaid dress in your closet into income by renting it out to others. Peer-to-peer rental platforms like Tulerie and Pickle can help. Designer clothes are most in demand.
25. Rent Out Your Equipment
If you have a lawn mower, camping gear, snow blower, or any other piece of equipment you don’t use on the regular, you could be earning money by renting it out. Sites like Loanables and Fat Llama make it easy to list your items for rent. Bonus: Sharing items is a way to reduce our overall carbon footprint.
26. Rent Out Your Driveway
If you live in an area where there’s a shortage of parking spaces, such as a crowded metropolitan city, you could start a passive income stream by renting out your driveway through a platform like Neighbor or Spacer.
27. Do Data Entry
Are you a quick typist with great attention to detail? These days, companies who need data entry sometimes hire remote workers, which means you can populate those spreadsheets in the comfort of your own home.
28. Provide Customer Service
In today’s WFH world, you don’t necessarily have to commute to a crowded, noisy call center to get a job doing customer service. Many companies hire virtual customer service employees, including Amazon. Other than getting a good headset, this is a low-cost side hustle.
29. Do Medical Coding And Billing
Medical coding and billing might be tedious, but it generally pays well. And you don’t have to work on-site to do it. Many hospitals, healthcare companies, and medical practices hire at-home medical coders to help process patients through their systems. You can find leads through online job platforms.
30. Start a Podcast
It might be a long shot, but many successful podcasts started as a casual, at-home conversation between friends. If your subject matter is interesting enough to draw advertisers, it could become a fun way to earn money without a real job.
31. Start An At-home Daycare
Love kids? You could get paid to care for them by offering at-home daycare services for parents who need time to work or meet other commitments. Starting a business like this may require licensing and home modifications, but you can also hire out your services as a babysitter using an app like UrbanSitter, Care.com, or Bambino Sitters.
32. Become a Professional Pet-Sitter
Getting paid to hang out with puppies may sound like a dream, but it can be your reality if you charge for pet-sitting services. Apps like Rover make it easy to get started, but you can also just advertise around your neighborhood and get clients through word-of-mouth.
33. Rent Out Your Car
If your car is in good condition and you don’t need it every day, you might be able to make money by renting it out through a car-sharing app like Turo and HyreCar. Just make sure your insurance allows you to do this.
Tools to Help You Earn Money From Home
If you’re looking for a way to make money from home, these tools can help get you started.
Online Platforms for Freelancers
• Upwork: This popular freelance marketplace connects professionals with clients in need of writing, design, programming, and more.
• Fiverr: Freelancers can post their services and set their own pricing on this global marketplace.
• Toptal: An exclusive network of freelancers, Toptal is known for its rigorous screening process.
• Freelancer: Businesses post projects on this site; freelancers can then bid on them to try to win the work.
Apps to Rent or Sell Items
• Facebook Marketplace: This free platform can be great for selling a wide variety of items locally and is directly integrated with your Facebook profile.
• eBay: You can use this global online marketplace to auction or sell new and used items, including electronics, clothing, and collectibles.
• Poshmark: A fashion-focused app, poshmark can be a great place to sell your gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories.
• OfferUp: This app offers a quick and easy way to post items for sale in your local community.
• Fat Llama A peer-to-peer rental platform, Fat Llama allows users to rent out or borrow items like cameras, tools, and equipment.
Pros and Cons of Making Money from Home
Before you embark upon one of the ideas listed above, take a closer look at the pros and cons of earning income at home.
Advantages
Among the benefits of working from home are:
• Convenience
• Save time and money on commuting
• Don’t have to buy an office wardrobe
• Can set your own hours
• Not interrupted by office distractions
• Better work-life balance
• Potentially less stress (less “office politics”).
Disadvantages
That said, there are also downsides to working from home:
• Isolation/lack of social interaction
• Lack of teamwork/anyone to brainstorm with
• May end up working longer hours
• Communication issues if you use technology to stay in touch
• May not have office equipment you need
• Possibly more complicated taxes when you work from home
• Lack of motivation.
Alternatives to Making Money From Home
If you like the idea of flexibility and freedom, but don’t want to be at home all the time, here are some other options to consider.
Part-Time Jobs with Flexible Hours
These occupations often offer part-time positions with flexible scheduling:
• Bookkeeper
• Real estate agent
• Childcare provider
• Occupational therapist
• Speech pathologist
• Personal trainer
• Business consultant
• Fundraising manager
• Marketing or social media manager
• Events manager
Gig Economy Opportunities Outside the Home
Here are some side hustles that help you get out and about:
• Rideshare driving (Uber/Lyft) – Earn money by driving passengers to their destinations on your own schedule.
• Food delivery (DoorDash/Uber Eats/Grubhub) – Pick up and deliver restaurant orders to customers in your area.
• Grocery shopping (Instacart/Shipt) – Shop for and deliver groceries to customers who place orders through the app.
• Task-based work (TaskRabbit) – Complete various on-demand tasks like furniture assembly, moving help, or home repairs.
• Scooter charging (Bird/Lime) – Pick up, charge, and return electric scooters.
The Takeaway
Working from home can be a great way to earn extra income. As that money starts flowing in, you can help it grow (without doing anything at all) by choosing the right banking partner.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
How can I make $1000 a week from home?
To make $1,000 a week from home, you might explore options like freelance writing, graphic design, web development, virtual assisting, online tutoring, and creating and selling digital courses. You may need to combine multiple income streams to reach that amount consistently.
How can I make $200 a day from home?
You might be able to make $200 a day working from home by freelancing online. You might be a writer, editor, SEO consultant, translator, tutor, medical coder, virtual assistant, or find other professional work that pays by the hour or day.
How can you make money fast but legally?
Some ways to legally make some quick money include: selling things you no longer need, walking dogs, driving for a ride/share app, delivering food, freelance writing and graphic design, tutoring, renting out your car, and (if you live in a popular urban area) renting out your driveway.
How do I balance multiple income streams from home?
Balancing multiple income streams requires organization. Some tips include: using scheduling tools like Google Calendar, setting clear boundaries for each job to avoid burnout, and mixing passive and active income streams. It’s also helpful to use a budgeting app like QuickBooks to keep track of expenses and earnings for each income stream. This can also help you assess which streams are most profitable and adjust your workload accordingly.
What tools or equipment do I need to work from home?
To work from home effectively, you generally need a reliable computer, high-speed internet, and a comfortable workspace with an ergonomic chair. You might also want to invest in a quality microphone and webcam to enhance virtual interactions. If you live in a noisy environment or neighborhood, you may also want to get noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions and improve your focus.
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