Approximately one in four people in the US make money online. So there are definitely lots of ways to earn extra money at home!
If your day job doesn’t offer overtime or allow you to pick up extra shifts, it can be difficult to save for those dream purchases. Especially if you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Just a few hours working from home on the side means you might be able to afford more vacations and house renovations. You could earn money to treat your loved ones without even walking out of your front door!
This guide will show you how to earn extra money from the comfort of your own home.
1. Start a YouTube Channel
It’s not the easiest way to earn extra spending money, but it’s one of the most fun! And the most lucrative if you get a lot of views.
To make money on YouTube, start by creating a channel.
It’s a good idea to think of a niche and stick to it. What do you know a lot about? Are you an expert in Japanese food, mechanics, or getting babies to fall asleep?
Whatever it is, share your knowledge and make a lot of videos. To join YouTube’s Partner Program, you’ll need 4,000 watch hours within the last 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. Then you can earn ad revenue every time someone watches your videos!
2. Sell Your Pre-Loved Stuff
Selling pre-loved, secondhand, and vintage clothing and goods is big business. Once upon a time, eBay was the only way you could sell anything online.
Now, there are tonnes of other websites and apps to earn extra money by selling your stuff:
- Depop
- Vinted
- Preloved
- Poshmark
- …And many, many more!
And you don’t have to stop at your old Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt collection or the heaps of party dresses you only wore once. Many vintage lovers spot hidden gems in thrift stores and sell them for profit online. You could also upcycle your old clothes too!
3. Begin an Online Side Hustle Business
If you have any online trade or tech skills, there are many ways to earn extra money online. In fact, you could create a proper side business by working for yourself remotely. And if you do well, it could be your full-time gig!
Here are some of the best online side hustles:
- Software or Web Designer
- Freelance Writer or Editor
- Translator
- Graphic Design
- Video Editor
- Personal Trainer
- Social Media Manager
- Virtual Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- …And the list goes on!
Whatever your skills or expertise, practice and build on them. For example, if you are a Graphic Designer, take courses in different programs and offer to take free or low-paid jobs to develop your portfolio.
With effective social media marketing and word of mouth, you’ll be in high demand for online freelance jobs in no time.
4. Try Your Hand at an Online Casino
Gambling isn’t for everyone but it might be the best option if you have experience and need to earn extra money quickly.
There are different online casinos to choose from depending on whether you prefer online poker, blackjack, or another game. Just remember to do your research, and don’t spend more money than you can afford to lose.
Playing in casinos is a fun way to pass the time, so make sure it stays fun!
5. Teach English Online
Americans, Australians, Brits, South Africans… They all have a valuable commodity. English is their native language and it’s also the international language which means lots of people want to learn it.
If you are a native English speaker, you could make money by teaching English as a second language.
Some organizations that facilitate online lessons between teachers and students are VIPKid, PalFish, and IQBar. All you need is a good internet connection, time to teach lessons, and an enthusiastic smile.
Depending on the organization, often you only need a Bachelor’s degree in any subject. You could earn $20-$30 per hour as a TESL teacher and once you get really good, you could become a private tutor and charge what you want!
6. Profit From Your Creations
Do you take beautiful photographs or do you make awesome greetings cards? If so, you should consider selling your art online which is one of the most fun ways to earn extra money at home!
Whatever you want to make will influence what platform you should sell on. Etsy is great for crafts but if you’re a photographer, you could sell your photos to stock picture sites.
Even Instagram now allows small business owners to open stores on the platform. And once you make a name for yourself on a third-party site, you could start your own website and sell directly.
7. Become a Voice Over Actor
Thanks to 21st-century technology, you don’t need to be physically present for a lot of jobs nowadays. If you have a laptop, a professional microphone, a quiet environment, and a nice speaking voice you could try voice-over acting.
First, sign up to agency sites like Voices.com. Then you can upload a few samples and audition for jobs without leaving your bedroom!
8. Start a Blog for Diverse Income
Starting a blog may seem very 2007, but they still have great earning potential. Like YouTube, you will need to figure out a niche and consistently create lots of great content before you can start to monetize.
But once you have a decent amount of traffic, there are several ways you can monetize a blog. You could display ads from companies like AdSense, Ezoic, and Mediavine once you get enough traffic. And you could also put affiliate links on your site from companies like Amazon and TripAdvisor.
And depending on your niche, there could be several other ways to make money from a blog.
9. Take Online Surveys
Want to turn those hours of scrolling through social media on your phone into an opportunity to make some cash?
It’s not the most lucrative way to earn extra money, but it is low-effort. Personal data is very sought-after and companies value the opinions and thoughts of their consumers.
Check out companies like Swagbucks, Toluna, and Branded Surveys to give online surveys a try. If you go for a different company, just make sure they are legitimate.
Try One of These Ways to Earn Extra Money Today!
These are just some of the best ways to earn extra money without getting up from your couch. Dedicating spare time to your side hustle is not only a great way to make some extra cash but to have some fun too.
Check out our other lifestyle articles for more tips and advice!
