Looking for a way to earn some extra cash? Why not turn those unused photos in your camera roll into profit?
15 out-of-the-box ways to make extra cash from anywhere
By now, you probably know that you don’t have to leave home to make money. After all, many companies sent employees home to work during the pandemic. But even if you aren’t a salaried employee, you can still make a living from the comfort of your own home.
All you need is a computer, a phone and a solid foundation of internet know-how. Some jobs are straightforward, like working for a call center from your home. But not all jobs have to be dreary and bereft of fun.
For instance, you can work as a professional dog groomer or even an artist who creates items from home. Apps like Etsy, Rover, Dolly and more have sprung up to empower you to become your own boss and work flexible hours. Here are 15 money-making opportunities that put you in the driver’s seat of your work life — sometimes literally!
Bolster your bank account
A few names get the most headlines when it comes to the gig economy. There’s Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash.
Good news if you don’t want to drive around the city, carting strangers and their food. There are many ways to make extra cash without surrendering to the 9-to-5 corporate world.
We collected some exciting ways to put extra bucks in your bank account. Save yourself some research time and check out our favorite resources:
- Sell your skills: Whether you like writing, drawing, dancing, voice acting or doing celebrity impressions, you can do anything on Fiverr. Some people will even throw a message in a bottle or speak with other people’s pets telepathically … or so they say!
- Pet sit dogs from your own home: Want to pet sit but don’t want to leave the house? Rover pays you to take care of strangers’ pets while they’re away.
- Transcribe audio: Put your ears to work by typing down the words from audio recordings at waywithwords.net.
- Be a mystery shopper: Check out BestMark and SecretShopper to start.
- Rent your car: If you aren’t using your car right now, rent it out through Turo.
- Decorate your car: Companies like Stickr.co and Wrapify give you decals with advertisements. Drive around with them to make sure people see the ads.
- Watch TV: If you love sitting in front of the silver screen, good news: there are sites that pay you for watching.
- Sell your friendship: Tons of people are lonely since the pandemic drove us home for a year and a half. Rent-A-Friend lets you connect with others for cash.
- Test products: Do you love free stuff? Sites like Toluna, Nielson and Johnson & Johnson will pay you to test products.
- Listen to music: Audiophiles can head to Slicethepie to make a few cents for every song they listen to and rate.
- Test medicines: If you want to be a part of medicinal progress, join clinical trials.
- Rent your swimming pool: Swimply lets you sell access to your pool by the hour.
- Rent out extra rooms in your house: We aren’t talking about roommates. Some folks just want cheap storage space. If you have rooms, rent them out through storeatmyhouse.com or neighbor.com.
- Sell your hair: If you have luscious locks, let it grow out to at least eight inches in length and chop it off. Sites like HairSellOn, OnlineHairAffair and WorldofWigs will be happy to take it off of your hands.
- Cook for your neighbors: Here’s a way to turn your love of cooking into cash…without working in the hectic environment of a restaurant kitchen. EatWith is a meal-sharing app that lets you host, cook dishes for people and even sell baked goods.
While many of these jobs are fun, you’ll probably have to put in a lot of hours and hard work to make a significant chunk of cash.
If you want to widen your net to find as many job opportunities as possible, we recommend heading to our sponsor, LinkedIn. It’s the No. 1 social media site for job seekers, employers and more.
You can find a ton of great gigs on LinkedIn
On the flip side, if you’re hiring, there’s no better place to put a job listing than on LinkedIn.
Money tip: 7 apps that pay for your opinions and time
A little extra cash is always welcome, no matter your financial situation. You can use your free time to make money with little more than your smartphone and an internet connection.
Ever considered being an online juror? How about testing products and websites? If you’re a good listener, you can transcribe audio. Tap or click here for more exciting ways to make money from home.
3 ways to make money on the side
Prices are skyrocketing, and having some extra cash never hurts. Give these side hustles a try.
Simple ways to make extra money for Christmas gifts
I know. I said it. The holidays are — somehow, some way — approaching. The good news is you have some time before the madness begins. It’s the perfect time to pick up extra cash to get you through an expensive season.
Want to make some extra cash this summer?
Who couldn’t use a little extra cash in their pockets? With so many jobs in the modern gig economy, finding work should be easy.
Keep reading for ways to make money on the side.
Side hustles for 2024
Need some extra cash? I put together a list of online side hustles that actually get you paid.
Start your tour guide side hustle
If you’re an expert on your hometown, why not make some extra cash? Here’s how you can get started in just 60 seconds.
The best eBay treasures to sell
A recent analysis of over 17 million sales on eBay uncovered the best-selling items to make extra cash. I bet you have a few of these products stashed in closets — or maybe your parents do.
If you want to make a few bucks, check out the list below and start scavaging.
Side gig: How to get paid for online jury duty
We could all use extra cash occasionally to pay for stuff like family vacations or a gas tank. Fortunately, there are plenty of side gigs, from Uber to Instacart to taking surveys online. Tap or click here for 15 new ways to make extra cash.
Best gigs for seniors to make extra cash without a 9 to 5 job
You may need or want to make some extra money after you’ve retired, but it can be tough to find full-time, in-person work after being away from the employment scene for a while. Not only are jobs hard to come by, but competition is stiff.
Turn your backyard into a dog park for extra cash
Dog lovers with big backyards, want to make up to $3,000 a month? I reveal the perfect side hustle for you in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get extra cash washing clothes with this app
Want to get paid for doing your weekly chores? Listen to this one-minute podcast for an app that will help you earn money.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This simple trick can save you hundreds of dollars a year on streaming
When cord-cutting was all the rage, the driving force was to save money. Why pay hundreds of dollars monthly for cable when you can get great shows and movies through streaming services?
The problem is the savings didn’t last long. Streaming services like DirecTV Stream, Netflix and Hulu always increase prices. Tap or click here for details on some recent price hikes.
Taking surveys to earn money? Don't fall for scams out to get your info
The new year is upon us, and what better way to get a headstart than to bring in some extra cash? There are several ways to go about this, from selling your old stuff to renting out your property. Tap or click here for five ways to save and make money in 2023.
5 smart ways to save and make money in 2023
Did you know your water heater uses around 20% of your home’s energy? Smart thermostats and lights are popular home additions but don’t forget smart water sensors. Tap or click here to save money with smart water management.
Make thousands of dollars a year in the free time you're wasting on Netflix
If you’re looking for a solid side hustle, we have a great way you can pick up some work, pass the time and potentially even add thousands of dollars a year to your bank account. Enter Mechanical Turk, an Amazon-owned platform that pays money to people willing to complete quick, menial tasks.
It’s tax time – Easy ways to scan without a scanner
Tax season isn’t only when the IRS kicks into high gear. Scammers do, too.
Rumors swirl every time a new rule or regulation rolls out, and you can bet cybercriminals use that confusion to swindle people. Tap or click for a fact check: Do you need to submit a selfie with your taxes this year?
Reader question: 'Can you help me pick a dashcam?'
Uber and Lyft have become overwhelmingly popular in America to make extra cash. Drivers can sign up in minutes, fill in their information and be up and running as an employee in just a few days.
But using your car to earn income comes with liability issues. What if you get into an accident or one of your riders becomes combative? Even if you don’t drive for a living, proving fault in a crash can be difficult. To avoid he said she said, you’ll need to protect yourself.
5 best budgeting apps to help get your finances in order
People worldwide have had their finances upended by the stressors the pandemic created. Unemployment, unforeseen medical expenses and a fluctuating economy have made everyone understand the importance of budgeting and personal savings.