Popular side hustles like weekend waitressing or rideshare driving can be excellent ways to increase cash flow, but they might not always be feasible.
Fortunately, there are still ways to make extra money from home, many of which don’t require a business degree or a large social media following.
Whether you need to supplement your income stream, are hustling toward a savings goal or simply want to boost your spending money, there are a variety of ways to make extra money from home.
1. Sell your old clothes
If you have unworn or gently worn clothes that don’t fit your style, try selling them online. Just make sure to take good photos, provide honest descriptions and research similar products to know how much to sell for.
2. Take online surveys
Online surveys are typically easy to sign up for and cover everything from your favorite TV shows to what ads you’ve seen in the last week. Your time may be rewarded in cash or gift cards. Keep in mind that most of these are not high-earning opportunities, so it can take quite a while to earn significant money through surveys. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying — especially since you can probably do it while watching TV.
3. Pick up freelance work
Whether you’re a fantastic writer, talented programmer, marketing guru or possess other digital-forward skills, you have the talents that businesses need. Several websites can help you connect with employers looking for contract workers. Freelancing is a great way to expand your resume or strengthen your portfolio while also creating business relationships and building experience.
4. Become a virtual assistant
If you’re organized and have top-notch time management skills, you might consider looking for a virtual assistant position. Responsibilities could vary from answering emails to managing calendars and more. Many virtual assistants are independent contractors that set their own hours, though others may work full- or part-time in this position, so be sure to consider the time commitment.
It’s important to research these opportunities first to avoid scams. Avoid platforms that require you to pay money to sign up, and be wary of companies that ask for personal information like your Social Security number or credit card info.
5. Test websites or apps
Many companies pay users to test and provide feedback on websites or apps. Various user testing websites offer a range of opportunities to earn cash for even 20- to 30-minute tests.
6. Track your healthy lifestyle
If you already use a fitness wearable, you can earn cash just from tracking your steps (and other health-forward activities) through aggregate fitness apps. These programs reward you for all kinds of daily activities you’re already tracking — yes, even sleeping.
7. Become a mystery shopper
Mystery shopping is typically an in-person job: You act as an undercover customer in places like stores, banks, hotels and restaurants to observe and record your experience. But if you’d prefer to take this task on at home, you can. Some companies will let you secret-shop by phone as a way to evaluate call centers and the customer service experience.
8. Monetize a social media or other online account
Earning money through personal blogs or social media accounts can be lucrative, but it takes time and effort. However, that’s not to say it isn’t worth it. If you’re passionate about a topic, have expertise in a niche market or just love the creative side of social media and blogging, this can be an incredibly rewarding and fun side gig to take on.
Tip: It’s important to research these opportunities first to avoid scams. Avoid platforms that require you to pay money to sign up, and be wary of companies that ask for personal information like your Social Security number or credit card info. It’s possible this information could be needed for tax purposes, but you’ll want to vet the platform thoroughly first to ensure there aren’t red flags indicating fraud or scams.
Work hard and save hard
No matter what your financial goals are, an extra stream of income could help you achieve them faster, especially when paired with the smart savings tools at Ally Bank.
