20 Ways to Make Extra Money From Home

How to Make Extra Money From Home or Online

It's more than possible to bring in steady cash from home, whether that involves leveraging the internet or doing more hands-on work. Let this list stoke your inspiration.

1. Freelance

You could pick up freelance gigs within your industry, assuming there's no conflict of interest with your full-time employer. Alternatively, you could turn your hobbies or passions into freelance work—think of someone who's an accountant by day, Etsy crafter by night.

Time commitment: Building a steady client list could take time, so patience and diligence may be required.

Requirements: Whether you're designing websites or doing people's taxes, clients will want to make sure you have the necessary skills and training.

Difficulty level: Freelancing can be pretty beginner-friendly if you're leveraging skills you already have.

Tips for success:

• Ask yourself what you're good at, what you enjoy doing and if there are any freelance opportunities available.
• Don't be afraid to tap your professional network for leads.
• Marketing yourself is key. Consider creating a website to showcase your skills and offerings.

2. Take Surveys

Many websites are willing to pay consumers to take online surveys. You probably won't rake in a ton of cash, but finding your survey groove could unlock relatively easy money that you can put toward your financial goals, whether that's building up your emergency fund or paying down debt.

Time commitment: Making money with online surveys is usually a long game. To maximize your earning potential, you might need to put in about 30 minutes per day. You'll likely earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or a PayPal cashout. Swagbucks is a popular site that offers anywhere from 40 to 200 points per survey (100 points is equal to $1).

Requirements: There are no formal requirements, but not all surveys pay well. You'll need to sift through offers and decide which ones are worth completing.

Difficulty level: Taking surveys online is pretty easy. All you need to do is provide your honest opinion.

Tips for success:

• Get in the habit of checking for new surveys each day. Sites like MyPoints, Swagbucks and Survey Junkie are good places to start.
• Weed out surveys that require a lot of time for little pay.
• Take advantage of sign-up bonuses. MyPoints, for example, offers a $5 reward just for signing up.

3. Tutor Online

Interested side hustlers can help students with regular school work, test prep, college applications and more. The average hourly pay for an online tutor is $19, according to ZipRecruiter. Sites like Tutor.com and TutorMe can connect you directly to interested students. Alternatively, you can market yourself and tutor directly over a video conferencing platform.

Time commitment: You'll likely need to prepare for each session, which can take time and energy. But creating materials that you can reuse with other students can save you time. From there, the amount you work is up to you.

Requirements: You don't necessarily have to be a teacher to make money as an online tutor. Depending on your state, a high school diploma or bachelor's or master's degree might be all you need.

Difficulty level: It depends on your skill set and the subjects you're tutoring. If you've got a knack for math, for example, pre-calculus might feel easy.

Tips for success:

• Sign up with a few major tutoring platforms.
• Use social media to spread the word that you're tutoring.
• Find ways to streamline your efforts. For example, you might create a master lesson plan for a subject, then modify it as needed for specific student needs.

4. Sell Things Online

Selling stuff online is one of the easiest ways to make money from home. We've all got household clutter—why not swap yours for some extra cash? Just be prepared to pack up your items and ship them to the highest bidder.

Time commitment: It depends on how much stuff you're looking to offload. Cleaning out your garage, for example, might be a weekend project. You'll also want to get some high-quality photos, write a snappy description and set a compelling price.

Requirements: You'll need to find a platform to list your items. Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark and Decluttr might be worth exploring. Just be aware that you might pay a fee for selling things online.

Difficulty level: Listing your items is relatively easy, but shipping them might be a pain.

Tips for success:

• Take inventory of your unwanted stuff and flag items that are in relatively good condition.
• Decide which online platforms make the most sense for what you have. Then research the average going price for each item.
• List your items and see what happens. Some platforms allow you to "boost" your listing to get in front of more potential buyers.

5. Create an Online Shop

If you're the crafty type, you can sell your creations online—whether that's handmade jewelry or original artwork. You'll just need to create an online shop first. Platforms like Shopify and Etsy can make that part a little easier. You can also sell items direct-to-consumer through your own website.

Time commitment: It depends on what you're creating. Perhaps you can make items in bulk or use printing on demand (when you only create an item after a customer orders it) to save time.

Requirements: You'll need to gather your inventory and cover any upfront costs. You'll also need to find a site to list and sell your items.

Difficulty level: It depends on what you're selling. Creating an online store could be an easy way to satisfy your creativity and make some extra money at home.

Tips for success:

• Consider dropshipping, which is when your items are shipped directly from a wholesaler. This way you don't have to stock and ship items.
• Market your items. That might include building out your social media presence or promoting your website.
• Play to your strengths and sell things that you enjoy making or purchasing. If you love shopping, for example, you might like the process of finding inventory for your online store.

6. Consider Babysitting

The national average hourly pay for a babysitter is just over $21, according to Indeed. That could make for a good work-from-home gig, especially if you love kids. Start by registering with a trusted site like Care.com or Sittercity.

Time commitment: The amount you work is up to you and the families you babysit for.

Requirements: Most babysitting websites (and parents) will require a background check. CPR certification and first aid training can also help you stand out from the competition.

Difficulty level: It depends on the children you're babysitting and what their needs are.

Tips for success:

• Consider additional child care certifications, which could help you command higher pay.
• List yourself on major babysitting websites. You may be charged an annual screening fee, but some sites will boost your profile if you pay for a premium membership.
• Look for families with multiple children, which should pay more.

7. Create Sponsored Content

This could create a nice income stream if you have a decent social media following. It involves partnering with brands and creating sponsored content for your followers. You might review their products or simply share your experience using specific items.

Time commitment: Trying out items and creating original content takes time, but it may be worth it. The average national pay for this type of content creator is $116,615 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Requirements: You don't need to be a mega social media influencer, but having a loyal following can help you appeal to more brands.

Difficulty level: You'll need to be comfortable producing and editing content (or outsourcing the heavy lifting).

Tips for success:

• Build trust by creating quality content that will appeal to existing and potential followers.
• Partner with high-quality brands that have good reputations.
• Get proactive and reach out to brands that might be a good fit.

8. Explore Dividend Investing

Some companies make regular dividend payments to their shareholders as a way of distributing their profits—and that can provide a nice drip of passive income. That's on top of regular appreciation. Dividends are typically issued by large, well-established companies.

Time commitment: You'll need to research which dividend-paying stocks to include in your portfolio. A financial advisor or stockbroker can help.

Requirements: If you don't already have a brokerage account, you'll need to open one to purchase dividend stocks.

Difficulty level: Stock-picking can be tricky if you're doing it on your own. You'll want an approach that's in line with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Tips for success:

• Work with a financial professional who can offer personalized guidance.
• Stay diversified to reduce investment risk.
• Rebalance your portfolio at least annually.

9. Become an Airbnb Host

If you have a spare room in your home, you could rent it out for some extra money—or list your entire home whenever you're away. Sites like Airbnb and Vrbo can help you find guests. The amount you earn will depend on your location, rate and property type.

Time commitment: Becoming an in-demand host requires some effort. You'll need to prepare the property for each guest, be responsive to any issues, maintain the home and keep up with your listings.

Requirements: Positive reviews can go a long way. It also helps to be located in an area that attracts tourists.

Difficulty level: Maintaining a rental property and keeping your guests happy can be a lot of work, especially if you're doing it all yourself.

Tips for success:

• Take high-quality photos and optimize your listings to attract guests.
• Consider working with a property manager and cleaning company to help lighten your load.
• Be responsive to your guests' needs and encourage them to leave reviews.

10. Create an Online Course

You might have a unique skill that you want to teach to others, whether that's making pottery or launching a business. Creating an online course can allow you to share that knowledge and make some extra money from home. Platforms like Kajabi and Teachable can help you create and launch your course.

Time commitment: You can expect some work on the front end. You'll need to come up with a course idea, then create it and market it.

Requirements: You'll need to feel comfortable speaking in front of the camera and creating visuals for your course.

Difficulty level: From start to finish, creating an online course might feel overwhelming, but you can outsource tasks that are too demanding.

Tips for success:

• Be sure to market your course to appeal to potential students.
• Students will want to feel like you know what you're talking about, so choose a subject you're well-versed in.
• Research similar online courses to get a feel for what to charge.

11. Self-Publish a Book

You don't need an agent or publisher to put out a book. It's possible to write and sell a self-published title on your own. Another good thing about e-books is they're digital, which means you don't have to print and ship physical copies. You could write fiction, a memoir or a how-to book on just about anything.

Time commitment: Writing a book doesn't happen overnight. You'll need to come up with a compelling idea, complete a solid draft and push through the revision process.

Requirements: This might be a good option for creative folks who enjoy the act of writing. All that's required is a computer and some brain power. You might also need to research your topic.

Difficulty level: Self-publishing is a multi-step process. After completing your manuscript, you'll need to design a book cover and choose a publisher. Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing and Barnes & Noble Press are two popular options. From there, you'll need to market and sell your book.

Tips for success:

• Choose a topic that will sustain your interest over the long haul. Seeing a book through to the end can be a long journey.
• Consider joining a writer's workshop to get feedback on your manuscript.
• Don't be afraid to work with an editor who can help make your book the best it can be.

12. Look Into Pet Setting

If you're an animal lover, pet sitting could be an easy way to make extra money from home. That can include dog walking or caring for animals overnight. The average pay is $20 to $30 per day, or $45 to $75 per night, according to HomeGuide.

Time commitment: It depends on the level of care. Stopping by to feed someone's cat is one thing; taking care of a puppy overnight is another.

Requirements: Most pet owners will want someone who's cleared a background check and has experience working with animals.

Difficulty level: It depends on the animal, so you'll need to decide what you're comfortable with. For example, you might choose not to work with large pets or animals that require medical care.

Tips for success:

• Connect with potential clients on sites like Rover and Care.com.
• Let neighbors and local friends know that you're open to pet sitting.
• Research rates in your area, then set a competitive price.

13. Start a Podcast

Podcasts are wildly popular—and anyone can start one. There are lots of different formats, from Q&A-style interviews to solo shows to video podcasts. If you gain a loyal following, you could monetize your podcast and bring in some income. That could make sense if you're a natural speaker with a good idea for a show.

Time commitment: You'll need to regularly come up with new content, record and edit your podcast, and then market each episode. You might enjoy that work if your podcast is about something that excites you.

Requirements: A professional podcast requires a computer, high-quality microphone and closed-back headphones. You'll also need to edit each episode. Branding and marketing is another important piece of the puzzle.

Difficulty level: If you aren't tech savvy, producing a podcast could feel overwhelming. But if it takes off, you can make money through ads, podcast subscriptions, merchandise, live events and more.

Tips for success:

• Invest in high-quality equipment—and a home studio if you plan on filming your podcast.
• Consider working with a professional editor to turn your raw recordings into podcast-worthy episodes.
• Invest in branding, marketing, growing your audience and connecting with your listeners.

14. Become a Coach

There are all kinds of professional coaches out there. That includes:

• Career coaches
• Executive leadership coaches
• Sales and marketing coaches
• Health and wellness coaches

Think about something you're good at and have expertise in. For example, maybe you're a longtime business owner who's uniquely qualified to coach young entrepreneurs. You could use your experience and skills to help others and make extra money from home.

Time commitment: The more success you have in your field, the more likely people will be to work with you. You'll probably have to spend time in the trenches before you start coaching.

Requirements: Your field may require specific certifications or licenses, so do your research before you start taking clients.

Difficulty level: It depends on what kind of coach you become. Offering part-time coaching to a handful of clients might feel like a natural extension of your work.

Tips for success:

• Spend time building your professional brand and marketing strategies. What makes you different from other coaches in your field?
• Clarify your ideal client and develop offerings that can help them replicate your success.
• Invest in additional certifications that can help sharpen your coaching skills and give you a leg up over the competition.

15. Consider Microtasking

Microtasking is exactly what it sounds like: It allows you to drum up extra cash by completing small, straightforward tasks from home. That might include data entry, content moderation or image tagging. Popular sites like Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Clickworker are designed for microtasking.

Time commitment: You can take on as many tasks as you can handle. The time you put into it is completely up to you.

Requirements: Special skills usually aren't required. Microtasks are meant to be simple and quick to complete.

Difficulty level: It's possible to sign up for a task that's unclear or has limited instructions. Other tasks may feel tedious or boring.

Tips for success:

• Filter your search so that you're only taking higher-paying tasks that are worth your time. It might be possible to earn $20 to $25 per task.
• Sign up with several reputable multitasking platforms.
• Only take microtasks that feel like a good fit. And space them out to make dull tasks feel more bearable.

16. Join Online Focus Groups and Studies

Businesses are always looking for consumer insights, and focus groups are a great way for them to collect that information. Sites like User Interviews and Respondent make it easy to look for openings. Researchers also use these sites to find people to participate in studies. Some of these opportunities can pay up to $800.

Time commitment: Some focus groups and studies require more time than others; sometimes up to eight hours. However, many are under two hours.

Requirements: Studies and focus groups usually target specific groups of people, like professionals who work in a certain industry. You'll have to sift through the search results to find opportunities that make sense for you.

Difficulty level: Researchers want to hear your honest opinions and experiences, which shouldn't be difficult to provide.

Tips for success:

• Filter your search results to see the highest-paid options. From there, you can look for well-matched focus groups and studies.
• Applying doesn't mean you'll get accepted. To increase your odds, apply for multiple opportunities.
• Search for opportunities based on your unique situation. For example, if you have a specific health condition, you can look for studies on that topic.

17. Start a YouTube Channel

Anyone can start a YouTube channel and create video content for the masses. And if all goes well, it could lead to recurring work-from-home income. That can come through advertising, selling merchandise and offering paid subscriptions.

Time commitment: Expect to spend time planning, recording, editing and marketing your videos.

Requirements: You can record with a high-quality microphone, a tripod and your phone or a DSLR camera. Eventually, you'll likely need a steady following to make money on YouTube.

Difficulty level: Not everyone is a natural on camera. Drumming up video ideas, filming and editing are also required skills. You'll also need to find ways to attract viewers.

Tips for success:

• Choose a niche and get specific with the type of content you create.
• Create a social media marketing strategy to promote your channel.
• Find ways to interact with your audience and bring them into the experience.

18. Become a Mystery Shopper

Businesses are known to hire mystery shoppers to pose as regular customers and report back about their experience. To get in on this side gig, you'll need to work with a mystery shopping company like BestMark or Sinclair Customer Metrics. The average pay is $18 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.

Time commitment: It's flexible and you can put in as much time as you want.

Requirements: Mystery shopping companies likely want someone who has an eye for detail and can communicate clearly about their experience.

Difficulty level: This is an easy side hustle, and you might enjoy some free products and services along the way.

Tips for success:

• Apply with multiple mystery shopping companies.
• Do your best to make a good impression during your first gig. That might make the company more likely to hire you again.
• Be sure to take notes and provide specific feedback about your experience.

19. Work as a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants do administrative tasks from home. Think of it as remote office work that can include answering calls, managing calendars, handling social media and more. If you're good at multitasking, it can be a flexible way to make extra money. The average salary is about $27 per hour, according to Indeed.

Time commitment: It depends on your employer. Some may want you on call to take care of daily tasks and put out fires. Others might only require a few hours a week.

Requirements: Strong organizational skills can go a long way here. It also doesn't hurt to have prior experience.

Difficulty level: While the workload can vary, the work itself is usually limited to basic administrative tasks.

Tips for success:

• You can search job postings online to find opportunities for virtual assistants.
• Doing solid work can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and help you secure more work in the future.
• The longer you do it, and the better you get, the more likely you'll be to command higher rates.

20. Upcycle Used Items

If you've got a creative streak, you could make extra money from home by giving used items an upgrade. For example, you might pick up an old dresser at a yard sale, then repaint it, replace the handles and sell it for double the price.

Time commitment: You'll need to find items, whether that's clothing, furniture or anything in between. Revamping them and finding buyers also takes time.

Requirements: You'll need the ability to breathe new life into old objects. That might require some artistry or handiwork.

Difficulty level: It depends on what you're upcycling. Some projects may be trickier than others.

Tips for success:

• Make sure the time, energy and money you put in is worth it. You could easily spend more on inventory than you make in profit.
• List your products on popular online marketplaces. You can also bring your items to local markets.
• Consider making a website or social media page to promote your items.

The Bottom Line

There are lots of ways to make money from home. The sweet spot is finding work that feels relatively easy and pays a steady return. You might even be able to monetize a hobby from the comfort of your home. Just remember that you'll have to report any earnings on your tax return.