Looking for easy ways to make money from home? If so these ideas can help.
With these suggestions, you’ll learn how to earn a side income and even how to transition to a full-time salary.
How to Make Money From Home
Survey Junkie
Get paid to share your opinion whenever you want to.
Cafepress
Make money by designing all kinds of apparel.
Rakuten
Get money back with every online purchase you make.
Here are some legitimate ways that you can start making money from home.
1. Test Websites
User Testing and What Users Do are companies that will pay you to test websites. To get started, you will need to download the testing software.
Then you’ll record yourself with a webcam during the test. Clients want to see and hear you interact with their website. Being able to see you shows non-verbal language as well.
These sites will let you test between three and five websites each month. This can be one of the best ways to make money at home.
If you get invited to a live test, you can make at least $200 per test. These tests are longer, but you get to interact with the client in real-time and could make more per month.
Income: $10 to $200 per test
2. Start Blogging
When it comes to making money at home, blogging is one of my favorite ideas to earn money because of passive income potential. It also opens doors to several other income ideas on this list. And to start a blog is very easy.
A blog is your very own website. You can create a portfolio to connect with future clients. Or you can use it to share your thoughts with the world.
An excellent place to start a blog is with Bluehost.
Sign Up Offer: Get started for only $2.95 per month!
In addition to doubling as a portfolio, you can earn passive income from your blog.
For instance, you could make money through ads from a network like Google Adsense or my favorite, affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is where you partner with brands and services to recommend products. When people purchase through your link, you earn a small commission.
With affiliate marketing, you don’t sell anything. You only connect your readers with brands.
Oftentimes, when these brands payout, they will just deposit money right into your bank account. No need to even deposit a check.
If you decide to start a blog, it be a great way to work at your own schedule and be able to make as much, if not more, than you can in a traditional job. Just make sure you have a plan to promote it on social media to maximize your odds of success.
Income: $0 to over $100,000 per month
Taking paid online surveys is one of the most flexible side hustles, earning it the title of one of the top ways to make money at home. Companies are willing to spend money to do market research and value your opinion.
The cool thing about this is that you get to name the time you want to spend answering surveys. This option can be excellent to do in your spare time, even if you only have 10 or 15 minutes.
That’s the average amount of time you’ll need for most online surveys.
You may also qualify for online focus groups and medical studies if you’re an ideal candidate for a high-paying survey. These opportunities are usually invite-only after you answer several general online surveys to build your profile.
Earn money at home with these popular online survey options:
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie, one of the most well-known and reputable survey sites, has made it easy to sign-up and simple to complete online surveys.
Once you submit a survey, you will be awarded points that can be redeemed through Paypal or via a gift card.
This site has over 10,000,000 members and has a high Trustpilot score of 4.4 out of 5.
Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is one of the worlds leading market research communities and is one of the best ways to make money at home. They ask you a few questions so they can match your profile with different survey opportunities.
After you are done with the surveys, you are then awarded points. These points can be redeemed for gift cards or even cash through Paypal.
They have over 43,000 reviews on Trustpilot with a rating of 4.3 out of 5.
4. Create a YouTube Channel
Social media is a huge part of everyone’s lives, and our culture continues to gravitate towards video. You might consider starting a YouTube channel vlog.
From product reviews, funny cat videos, and how-to videos, people flock to YouTube.
By building a following, you can earn money on Youtube through affiliate marketing and ads.
Income: $0.10 and up per view
5. Become a Freelance Writer
Whether or not you own a blog, you could make money by writing online. You can write for a blog or business about any topic and get paid for it. Freelance writing is a legitimate way to make money at home.
The only two criteria are:
- Possess the ability to write effectively
- Be able to research the topic you’re writing about
You don’t have to be an English major to pursue being a freelancer.
Clients are always looking for freelancers on the platform Upwork. Some possible job avenues are blog posts, copywriting, eBooks and even corporate white papers.
Income: $35 to $50 per hour (around $3,000 per month if you work part time)
6. Write Resumes
Another way to generate revenue is by writing resumes for job-seekers.
Few people work with the same employer for their entire working career. That means they will need to submit a resume with each job application.
A resume gives potential employers a first impression of each applicant. To receive an invitation to interview, a resume and cover letter need to be impeccable.
Consider this income stream if you excel at highlighting someone’s strengths with a few powerful words. Additionally, consider writing cover letters, CVs and LinkedIn content to offer more income-making services.
7. Get Paid to Complete Tasks
If you want to get paid for your online activity, check out Swagbucks.
You earn points for these activities:
- Web searches
- Watching videos
- Opinion polls
- Online shopping
As long as you are at least 13 years old, you can make money at home with Swagbucks. In fact, Swagbucks is one of the top online jobs for teens.
Plus, you can earn as much or little as you want depending on your schedule.
“I love Swagbucks! I get points for doing things I normally do, which turn into free gift cards. The cards are really great to buy extra things or help our monthly budget stretch.”
M. Brownfield, Trustpilot.com Review
You will earn points (SBs) for each task completed on Swagbucks. It’s possible to redeem points for cash rewards or gift cards starting at $3.
Some of the redemption options include amazon gift cards and even PayPal cash deposits.
Swagbucks has paid more than $433 million to its members. The company awards more than 7,000 gift cards each day.
8. Test New Products
Companies will pay you to test new products. Also, they may mail you products for you to test in exchange for your opinion.
Plus, you can preview the upcoming product launches. Product testing is a fun way to discover new products. Sometimes, you will receive coupons for future purchases.
Two large product testing companies:
- Ipsos i-Say: Membership is free, and they offer a variety of ways to earn rewards points.
- Pinecone Research: This exclusive testing community pays $3 per survey, but enrollment is limited and by application only.
It’s possible to test a variety of things from household items to beauty products. You may even be able to test online products such as websites.
Income: $3 and up per test
9. Download New Phone Apps
If you enjoy being on your phone, pay attention. You can get paid to download sponsored apps and games to your smartphone.
FeaturePoints will pay you to do that and to watch YouTube videos as well.
After downloading and using the app, you will earn credits. You can exchange credits for gift cards. To be sure, this prize can be as useful as cash.
Enter my referral code, C8MNU, during signup, and you’ll get 2,000 Fetch Points ($2.00 in points) when you complete one receipt.
Income: $10 – $20 per month
10. Get Paid to Exercise
Did you know that you could get paid to exercise?
The Achievement app integrates with more than 30 Android and iOS apps.
Some of the healthy activities you get paid for include:
- Tracking steps
- Sleeping
- Healthy eating
- Social media shares
- Answering surveys
- Joining challenges
Achievement pays you via PayPal or direct deposit. Now, you don’t have an excuse not to exercise.
Income: Varies based on app
11. Design Graphics
If you’re a “picture person,” you can earn money designing graphics and logos. Your clients may be website owners, eBook authors or corporations.
You can also make money online editing photoshops, books, websites, packaging and marketing copy.
Social media is a great place to advertise your services. Fiverr is also a good place to start. Graphic designers can advertise their services for a variety of gigs, starting at $5 per task.
12. Become a Virtual Assistant
Chances are, behind every large blog or website is a virtual assistant.
Perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Schedule blog posts
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Answer emails
- Accounting/bookkeeping
- Customer service
You may do all of these mentioned above or only one of these tasks. It depends on the needs of the website and your interests.
Virtual assisting can either be a part-time or full-time position. When you become a virtual assistant, you decide how much you want to make per month.
To advertise your services, you can promote yourself on social media or list your services on sites like Fiverr or Upwork.
Income: Up to $10K per month
13. Website Management
When it comes to making money at home, another side gig you can start that is similar to working as a virtual assistant is that of website manager. Established websites always need managers.
You can earn money managing the back-end of websites working 100% remote.
As a website manager, you will optimize specific keywords for higher search engine rankings. Plus, you’ll update plugins and back up data. You can also make sure the site remains user-friendly.
You can also offer consulting services on an hourly basis to help bloggers. This might be for those who want an “SEO audit” and are not ready for website management.
Income: $20 and up per hour (part-time, this can equate to over $1,700 per month)
14. Design Websites
Do you like building something from scratch? If so, you can get paid to design websites. Some of your clients might be companies or bloggers looking for their unique theme.
You can also modify pre-built WordPress themes or use your own coding. Fiverr is a good place to get your name out there. Of course, your website will double as a piece of your portfolio.
Elementor is another website building platform that is gaining popularity. This service can be an excellent way to reach clients that want plenty of graphics that a standard WordPress theme doesn’t offer.
15. Become an Online Proofreader
Authors, businesses and bloggers all need an extra set of eyes. Being an online proofreader allows you to connect with writers and add a little sparkle to their work.
You do need an eye for detail and grammar to become a proofreader. It’s possible to proofread lots of different things, like eBooks, news articles and transcripts.
There are several different places to become an online proofreader. Start at Proofread Anywhere to learn the ins and outs of proofreading and land your first client.
Income: Entry-level starting at $10 and up (roughly $850 per month part time)
16. Transcribe Audio
Do you want to transcribe audio? This job is in-demand! You can earn at least $20 per audio hour or more with TranscribeMe. And, if you have experience with legal or medical transcripts, you can make even more.
How much audio you transcribe at once is at your discretion. For instance, you can transcribe short clips that are only a couple of minutes in duration. Transcribing longer audio is also an option for some clients.
To get started, you need an internet connection and a computer. And, if you like transcribing audio, buying a pedal can be worth the cost.
Want to learn more about how to transcribe audio? Check out Transcribe Anywhere!
17. Data Entry
If you are proficient at typing at least 45 WPM, you could work in data entry. Companies are looking for efficient data entry specialists.
DionData Solutions looks for home-based vendors for their database. You can also look at other freelancer platforms and company websites as well.
Data entry can take several different shapes and sizes, depending on the needs of the business.
Your workload might consist of the following tasks:
- Grouping data from multiple documents into a single document
- Gathering names from LinkedIn to build a marketing database of leads
- Processing mail-in rebates
- Processing invoices
- Entering medical data
- Maintaining an Excel spreadsheet of income and expenses
18. Medical Coding and Billing
Another type of data entry you could do from home is via medical coding and billing.
Notably, you don’t have to work in a doctor’s office to use your medical knowledge. Healthcare is a large piece of the American economy.
Many various medical providers and insurance companies have outsourced the coding and billing process. Using work-at-home people can help to minimize costs.
Aviacode can help you connect with remote work for medical providers.
In addition to medical-related data entry, you could become a remote medical transcriptionist. This job is a good idea if you have advanced knowledge of medical terms and want to transcribe the doctors’ audio.
Income: $529 weekly/$2,290 per month and up
19. Tutor Online
Tutoring sessions don’t have to take place at your local library. Now, you can tutor online with video sessions and even live chat.
You can tutor locally, but it’s also possible to teach students and adults online.
One online tutoring site to check out is VIPKID.
With this platform, you will be responsible for teaching English to children overseas.
Mathematics, science and college exam prep typically have the most opportunities. It’s possible to tutor students from elementary through university level.
Income: $18 per hour plus bonuses and incentives (roughly $1,500 per month part time)
20. Teach a Foreign Language
If you enjoy interacting with people from different cultures, you can teach a foreign language online. All you need is a webcam and microphone to teach over the internet.
With sites like Cambly, you can be a tutor for English, Spanish, French and several other languages.
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a flexible way to make money from home as a stay-at-home parent. Your prep time is less than being a full-time teacher while still helping others learn.
Income: $13 per hour and up (around $1,100 per month for part time work)
21. Be an Online Translator
Foreign language tutoring is one way to to make money at home by using your skills. However, you can also be paid to serve as an online translator.
If you are bilingual or fluent in a foreign language, companies will pay you to translate. You will translate their content from English into another language.
Abercap and WordExpress are looking for translators in several industries:
- Law
- Healthcare
- Information technology
- Marketing
Using these websites will be the most lucrative if you are a native speaker or have experience as a translator. But you can also “get your foot in the door” at other websites.
22. Create an Online Course
We are all good at something, and others are willing to pay to learn new skills. You can teach them something they need to know and get paid for it! Creating an online curse can be one of the most fulfilling ways to make money at home.
There are several online learning platforms that let you create an online course to share your skills. However, you might have the most success at Udemy since courses can sell for up to $200.
Every online course is video-based. And you can also include worksheet exercises to help your students.
Instructors can create an online course for many different topics.
Some popular ones include:
- How to play a particular musical instrument
- Computer programming
- Starting an online business
- Yoga classes
In addition to creating courses as a way to earn money, you can take courses as well. For example, I take Udemy classes to improve my side hustle skills.
23. Become a Customer Service Agent
Another potential income idea is being an at-home customer service rep. Many companies will hire seasonal reps during the Christmas shopping season.
Most jobs are phone-based but you can also qualify for chat-only positions. This income idea can offer more constent income than freelancing for multiple clients.
FlexJobs posts the newest openings for year-round positions. This will give you a reliable income stream for all 12 months of the year.
Income: Starting $12-14 per hour or $1,000 per month part time
24. Lower Your Monthly Bills
Reducing your monthly spending has the same effect as making more money. One way we monitor our spending is with Ask Trim.
This free app performs the following to save you money:
- Negotiate lower monthly bills for cable tv, phone and home internet
- Cancel an unwanted subscription
- Send low account balance alerts to stop overdraft fees
Trim is also rolling out tools to help you save money on electric bills as well.
Cutting back on spending is like giving yourself a raise.
Make Money by Selling Items
This section will focus on how to make money selling products from home.
These ideas will get your wheels turning. They can help whether you want to earn money and declutter your house, or if you want to monetize a hobby.
25. Sell Your Old Video Games
Connect with tons of video game buyers online as a way to earn money. Sell both last year’s version of Madden or some old Gameboy Color games you played as a child.
If you own current video games you no longer need, you can sell them with Decluttr. The selling process is simple.
To clarify, you scan the product barcode and mail your items with the prepaid shipping label.
Selling used video games online can be a lucrative side hustle. It also allows parents to buy games to share their childhood memories with their children.
Plus, players are always looking to buy the best games for less than retail.
26. Design Clothing
Did you know you can create and sell designs? In fact, you can design t-shirts, sweatshirts, baby clothing, and even accessories like coffee mugs and phone cases. Plus, you can earn decent money per month doing it.
All you have to do is upload your design to sites like Cafepress which will handle the printing and shipping when an item sells. Customers can request customized designs in addition to your pre-made work.
These online marketplaces typically provide the design software so the startup costs are minimal. Then, you pay fees when you make a sale instead of paying a monthly service fee to keep your online store open.
27. Sell Clothing Online
Another way to make money is by selling clothes online. Selling clothing can easily be an “evergreen” side hustle. After all, we all get dressed in the morning.
Not only can you clean out your closet, but you could also flip the clothes you bought for a bargain.
From personal experience, my top choice for selling clothes in bulk is eBay and for designer or single items, I like to use Poshmark.
And if you’re paying shipping costs when you sell an item, make sure you weigh it before you list it. To explain, we lost money on the first couple of sales because we didn’t calculate shipping.
Learn More: Poshmark Review
28. Sell Digital Items for Video Games
Video games are quickly changing from a hobby to a passion for many. And players don’t only spend money purchasing a brand new game.
For instance, many games and apps also require in-game purchases.
SecondLife is the perfect place to sell digital items. Anything you buy in real life is available in the game. So you can design anything from clothing to race cars. When other players buy your items, you get paid real cash.
Selling digital items can have excellent long-term income potential as the metaverse is a growing trend. Web 3.0 might be the next big revolutionary tech trend for the next decade and you can make money at home using your creativity.
Related Post: 15 Best Places to Hide Money Around Your Home
29. Sell Used Books
Whether you have used textbooks or riveting works of fiction to sell, people love to read. There are many different options to sell used books online.
My favorite is Bookscouter. They will quickly compare the prices of 42 vendors. This feature allows you to negotiate the best price in a matter of seconds.
Like clothing, you may decide to sell your unwanted books, or you may want to make it a steady side income. It just depends on how much time you want to invest.
Textbooks can fetch the most money yet bookselling apps will also help you sell novels collecting dust on your shelf.
30. Sell Movies and Music Online
Although many people stream their media these days, there’s something about having a hard copy of your favorites.
It’s also easy to sell your DVDs and CDs online.
You can do it yourself on eBay or a specialty site like Decluttr. Selling your used movies and music online can be more lucrative than having a yard sale.
Tip: Bundle music and movies from similar artists or actors to save on shipping costs when you sell on eBay.
31. Sell Unwanted Gift Cards
Do you have a drawer full of gift cards to restaurants, coffee shops and stores that you’ll never visit? You could re-gift them, or you can sell them for cash.
Raise makes it easy to list your gift card for sale. You can get paid in cash, or exchange it for a card you will use. Exchanging your gift card can make your card more valuable than simply selling it.
The selling process is quick and easy as most stores let you transfer the card details online. First, you list the card, the marketplace verifies the balance and you receive instant payment when a buyer accepts your offer.
You will sell your unwanted gift cards below face value but have the flexibility of spending the proceeds for something you need.
32. Sell Handmade Goods
Etsy is the largest online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. They’ll let you sell craft supplies as well. From homemade candles, crafts, clothing and decor, Etsy can be your new favorite marketplace to connect with shoppers.
You should also try selling locally on Craigslist or the Facebook marketplace. Selling in several markets gives you maximum customer exposure and potentially avoid seller fees.
Several local communities also host annual craft fairs. These events give artisans the chance to sell handmade items and avoid shipping fees. If you like to create and sell handmade goods, this is a great option to make some extra money.
33. Sell Your Digital Photos
If you like taking photographs, you can make money at home by selling your photos online. News agencies, bloggers and authors use stock images on a daily basis. They help make their articles “pop” and engage readers.
Pictures can include scenes from your everyday life, places you visit or images of nature.
As internet bandwidth speeds continue to increase, websites and their viewers can process more data-intensive graphics. Also, you can sell your videos for cash. More sites are including videos on their articles.
There are dozens of places to sell your digital media.
The three largest databases are:
- Shutterstock
- Deposit Photos
- iStock by Getty Images
Online photo marketplaces are also starting to let creators sell drone footage and vector graphics. Cosnider these income streams if you have the skill and equipment.
Income: $28 per photo or more
34. Have a Yard Sale
Each Spring and Fall, you can host a yard sale to downsize your unwanted treasures. This is a good option if you want to sell items that are too expensive to ship.
It’s also a good idea if you don’t want to go through the hassle of listing each item online. Instead, you can sell them as a lot to a local neighbor. Plus, you can always sell online what doesn’t sell in person.
To advertise, you can usually list your sale for free in the local newspaper, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
35. Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to make money from home but doesn’t require you to mail any products. This is why it’s a popular version of retail arbitrage. A drop-ship business is where you are the “middle man” between a manufacturer and the customer.
The customer searches for a product they are interested in through Google. Then they land on your site and buy the product through your website. Or, perhaps, they find your product listing on an e-commerce site like eBay.
Once the payment has been made, the warehouse ships the product directly to their front door. Your profit is the difference between the selling price and the manufacturer’s wholesale price.
For example, if a product is $30, you might pay $15 to buy the item and ship it. With these margins, you earn $15 on each sale.
The easiest way to begin is to create a website with Shopify. They have built-in tools to collect payments. Also, you can import your product listings to various e-commerce websites. They work with sites, including eBay, Facebook Messenger and even Pinterest.
Shopify also makes it easy to sell your products directly from your home. Plus, they have a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service for discounts.
Earn Money Offering Services
Do you have a special skill or service that you can offer? If so, consider one of these ways to make money without leaving your home.
36. Teach Music Lessons
If you have a piano in your living room, you can open up your house and teach your skills to the next generation.
For nearly a decade, my wife has taught piano lessons from home. One or two afternoons a week, students drive to our house, and she teaches them music.
To boost your income, you can travel to the student’s house or meet at your local community center. All in all, teaching music from home is easy. And it can be taught from any common room in your house.
You can spread the word about your services via social media, Nextdoor or even posting advertisements at local music stores.
Income: $25 per hour and up based on experience (around $2,100 per month part time)
37. Start a Small Business as a Daycare
If you enjoy children and have space in your house, you can operate a home daycare. You can find potential clients online at Care.com.
This option can be convenient if you live in a neighborhood with working families. They can quickly drop off and pick up their children. Also, it may be cheaper for them than a traditional daycare campus.
Home-based childcare can be an effective way to make money to pay your mortgage payment.
If you stay-at-home with children of your own, it can be a good way to get paid to stay at home. Plus, your children will meet new playmates.
Before starting a home-based daycare, make sure you check your local and state laws to understand what you must do to comply. Also, find out what licensing you may need.
38. Start a Doggy Day Care
When it comes to making money from home, you could open your house to pet sitting and increase your income stream. Many pet owners prefer keeping their dogs and other animals at a house instead of a kennel.
At many kennels, they may be locked up in a cage for the entire time.
Also, you can charge extra to walk dogs around your neighborhood every day they stay at your house.
Walking dogs can be a better option that pet sitting if you need more schedule flexibility. The pay is still pretty good and you can exercise at the same time.
You can advertise your services on social media. Furthermore, sites like Rover.com can be a good place to list your services. Also, you can offer additional services like pet grooming, to earn even more.
The service lets you avoid certain breeds and pet sizes you don’t feel comfortable caring for. Pet sitters can also receive up to $25,000 in vet care insurance in case an emergency trip to the animal hospital is necessary.
Income: More than $100,000 a year or $8,000+ per month
39. Rent A Spare Bedroom on Airbnb
One of the most popular sites to book travel lodging is Airbnb.
As an Airbnb host, you can make money by letting travelers stay in a spare bedroom. You can even rent out a finished basement or a guesthouse that is not in use.
Airbnb can be a fun side hustle. It’s great for empty-nesters or 20-somethings wanting extra cash.
Depending on where you live, short-term rentals like Airbnb can make more money than long-term tenants. You also have the flexibility of not offering your spare rooms when you have schedule conflicts.
Income: $1,500 per month or more
Related article: Neighbor Storage Review: A Way to Make Money Storing Stuff
40. Take Up Woodworking
If you enjoy working with wood, convert your garage into a money-making machine. Whether you make furniture, toys, picture frames, turned bowls or birdhouses, you can create and sell items you create as you enjoy your hobby.
It’s possible to sell your products to local passersby, online with Shopify, through social media and also using apps like Craigslist.
Etsy is another excellent place to sell wood crafts online.
41. Repair Automobiles
What if you could make money from home by repairing cars and trucks? People need their cars repaired and are always looking for quality labor at the right price.
A home-based mechanic can take many different routes with their business. You can do straightforward oil changes and car detailing.
Or you may also offer more complex repairs, like tune-ups, replacing brake shoes and more. Although you need basic tools, you don’t need an expensive shop to perform the most necessary repairs.
However, it largely depends on what services you want to offer and the type of equipment you own.
Also, consider learning how to repair electric vehicles. You can stay one step ahead of your competition!
42. Cut Hair
If you have a license to work as a barber or cosmetologist, or if you’re willing to get one, you can cut hair to bring in more income. Of course, you’d have to check out licensing requirements in your state.
But if you’re willing to jump through the necessary hoops to do something you love from home, this could be a good idea. My wife has her hair cut and highlighted by a friend who has a licensed shop out of her home.
It’s a fun atmosphere because it has a personal touch, and I love supporting my friend and her business.
43. Become a Fulfilled By Amazon Seller
If you would like to make money from home and not have to ship products from your home, this can be a worthwhile option. Amazon is one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world today.
So many people will buy on Amazon over other sites because of how easy it is to use and the fact that most of their items qualify for prime shipping.
While people could wait over a week waiting to receive items on other sites, if they buy an item on Amazon.com instead, they will get the item in only two days.
As a seller, you need to ship all of your product(s) to Amazon directly. Then they ship out the product(s) from their warehouse, which would save you time and money since you are not running to the post office all of the time.
You will want to check out all of the policies for FBA sellers as you want to make sure you are playing by their rules.
Other Ways to Earn Money at Home
Here are some additional options to make money from home. Check them out and see which ones might work for you.
44. Manage Social Media Accounts
Many business owners need to grow their online presence. They have social media accounts that often go untouched, but could really be beneficial if they updated them regularly.
This is where you come in. If you are savvy when it comes to social media, then this money-maker might be for you.
Here are social media platforms that you should be familiar with:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
Reach out to a small business that you think could use some help with their social media accounts and ask to schedule a meeting.
Give them some free pointers on how they can improve their social media reach. If you can show them how you can help them get more paying customers, then you are likely to get them to sign up as a client.
45. Invest in Real Estate
You might not have the time, money or knowledge to own a rental property or flip houses. But you can still make money from home via real estate investing. Say hello to crowdfunded real estate.
Now, you can enjoy the income potential of being a landlord without the headaches! With a $10 investment, you can open a portfolio at Fundrise.
Through Fundrise, you directly invest in properties located across the United States. Historical annual returns are between 8% and 12%, which is similar to investing in the stock market. The main difference is that you don’t have the daily market swings.
With any crowdfunded real estate site, only invest cash you don’t need for the next three to five years.
Notably, if you make an early withdrawal, you may have to pay a small penalty. However, it’s a small price to pay for becoming a real estate mogul.
46. Invest in Peer-to-Peer Lending
When it comes to making money from home, a relatively new investment idea is peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. P2P lending creates “micro-loans” to everyday people who don’t want to get a loan from a bank.
P2P lenders issue loans for many reasons. Some include credit card debt refinancing, business loans or home repairs. Peer lending offers a higher return than your current fixed income or bond investments.
This investment might help diversify your portfolio. It will also potentially give you a higher rate of return without excessive risk.
The minimum investment is usually $10 per note making it easy to invest small amounts of money.
47. Try MicroInvesting
Another idea to make money from home is to use a micro-investing app. This action will help you put your spare change to good use.
Acorns is one of the largest micro-investing apps. They allow you to invest a few dollars and earn interest.
For example, Acorns rounds up each purchase you make and invests the difference.
Also, you can earn additional cash back when you shop with their online partners. With spending round-ups, a $3.40 purchase becomes $4, and Acorns will invest the 60-cent difference.
For a 100% free investing app, I also like is M1 Finance. I use it to buy partial shares of my favorite stocks and ETFs.
48. Passive Income Investments
This income idea is a little different from the rest. You can make money from home when you earn passive income by investing.
You might invest for retirement with a 401k already. But you can boost your non-retirement savings with other investments.
If the thought of investing is overwhelming, you can also choose the automated approach offered by Betterment. This will let you earn passive income through hands-off investing.
Each month, you can schedule recurring investments with Betterment. They will invest in a basket of domestic and global ETFs. Selections depend on your age, investment goals, and risk tolerance.
49. Switch Bank Accounts
Do you still have your money with a local bank? Instead of earning pennies in interest, one way to make money is by switching to online banks like CIT Bank.
Online banks don’t charge annoying bank fees, and you can earn up to 20 times the regular bank interest rate. Since they don’t have to maintain buildings, they pass the savings onto you with higher interest rates!
For immediate access to your cash, choose a savings or money market account. For any cash you don’t need for at least one year, open a CD account and build a CD Ladder. CDs offer higher interest rates on your long-term deposits.
Several banks offer bonus cash when you satisfy the initial deposit requirments. These offers can be an easy way to earn “free money” but make sure the account doesn’t charge high service fees.
50. Try Rakuten
Do you know that you can make money from home by getting cash back on every online purchase? When you shop through Rakuten, you receive 1% to 40% cash back at over 2,000 online stores. I use Rakuten for my online shopping to get paid to shop.
If you do any shopping online, you will start earning cash back on each purchase made. The only additional step you need to take when shopping is visiting the Rakuten site first.
Or you can click the red button with the Rakuten browser extension.
Once your Rakuten balance reaches $5.01, you get paid by check, PayPal or gift card.
51. Make and Sell Handmade Goods
Etsy is the largest online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. From homemade candles, crafts, clothing and decor, Etsy can be your new favorite marketplace to connect with shoppers and make money at home.
You should also try selling locally on Craigslist, Facebook and eBay. Selling on several markets gives you maximum customer exposure.
To further advertise your creations, you can share them on social media. Making a page on Facebook for your business might help.
Bonus: With Etsy, you can also sell vintage store bought goods and craft supplies.
52. Sell Produce
If you’ve got a bit of space in your yard, why not sell produce from home? You can sell freshly grown vegetables like corn, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Or you can keep some chickens and sell fresh farm eggs. However, be sure to check out your city or town’s rules on selling produce from home before you start your business.
All cities have different rules on what is allowed for selling produce from home.
Selling at local farmer’s markets can be another effective way to reach potential buyers. Consumers like to buy local as it can be more environmentally-friendly, the food can be fresher and taste better.
Summary
To help you avoid the scams out there, we created this “legit ways to make money from home” list so that you can avoid getting taken advantage of.
The best part about all of these options is that you can do more than one! Incorporate as many ideas as you like in order to maximize your income.
Having multiple streams of income is a great way to protect yourself financially. Doing so will ensure you’ve still got money coming in if one of your sources of income drops off.
Some of these ideas might already be part of your everyday routine. If so, it means you know that there are people out there willing to pay you money for things you already do.
