10 Ways to Start Earning Extra Money from the Comfort of Home

Andrew BlackBy: Andrew Black

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019

10 Ways to Start Earning Extra Money from the Comfort of Home

Raise your hand if you could handle having more money in your bank account each month. Maybes it’s an extra $100 or closer to $500, who wouldn’t want to bring in more cash?

If you’re reading this, then you likely have a full-time job (whether it’s at an office, retail, or being a parent), and could use the additional income without the additional work. Is that even possible? Can you earn money without all of the hard work?

Well, unless you’re lucky enough to win the lottery, in which case, you have better luck than most of us, you’re going to have to put in a bit of work. Don’t worry though; it’s not going to be back-breaking, working up a sweat, and exhausting manual labor. Actually, with many of the ideas we have, you won’t have to leave your couch (you can complete surveys for money while sipping on a glass of wine and watching Netflix).

If you’re in need of more cash, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve all struggled at one point or another of not having enough money. Maybe you’re struggling to pay your rent on time, you have some credit card debt you want to get under control, or you’ve been eyeing up a pair of shoes that are a little out of your price range.

The point is, we all can benefit from having an extra few hundred dollars in our pocket at the end of the month.

Money can cause anxiety. Anxiety can cause a lot of stress. We all know what stress can do to us (hello grey hairs). If you had the opportunity to reduce your money stress and get rid of that anxiety, how long will it take you to sign up?

If you think about it, basically everything can make you money somehow. Just off the top of my head:

  • Sell stuff you don’t want any more to people who will take it.
  • Turn a hobby into a small business.
  • Write words on a word document just like I’m doing right now.
  • Fill out some surveys because your opinion matters.
  • Rent out that spare room in your home which let’s be honest, is holding items you could probably do point one with.

Easy, right? Take a read, and you tell me.

Make easy money with a few of these side hustles.

1. Complete Online Surveys

Did you know that you can make money through online surveys? Remember when I said you could make quick money without leaving your couch? That wasn’t a joke. With online surveys, you can do them at your leisure, even in your pajamas. Seriously, get paid for your opinion.

Now, many are skeptical about online surveys, and rightfully so. There are a lot of scam survey websites out there that won’t do what they promise you – pay you money. So, you want to be careful and smart about which site you go to.

I said you wouldn’t have to do much work, right? So, I did have of the work for you. My favorite survey companies that people love and actually has a good reputation is Survey Junkie.

Finally, you can say what’s really on your mind about a company or product and make the money you deserve, because your opinion matters. Also, read our Survey Junkie review for more information.

2. Start a Blog

If you like to write, why not start a blog? There’s lots of money to be made in a blog. Some popular bloggers can make thousands of dollars a month, even a day! Those are the really good ones though with a large following.

Starting a blog doesn’t take a ton of work, but it’s also not easy work. When you first start, don’t expect to make a ton of money or even any at all. It takes time to build quality content that people will trust and want to read.

One of the easiest ways to get your blog to generate an income is through affiliate marketing. Basically, you charge people to submit guest posts that promote their company. It’s up to you to set your rules on who and what can get posted.

3. Sell From a Hobby

If you have a crafty hobby, why not sell what you make? With using websites like Etsy, they help you set up a small e-commerce business so you can sell merchandise to other artsy and crafty people.

For example, I have a dream of selling things that I knit (most people giggle at that, but it’s a legitimate business potential). It’s a hobby that I love to do in my spare time. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve made so many scarves, headbands, pillows, baby blankets, and dishcloths that I’m starting to stockpile. So, I could post these items on Etsy and sell at a reasonable price. Viola!

If it’s a hobby you love, is it really that much work?

4. Become a Freelancer

If you like to write but don’t want to commit to a blog, you can write for other people and corporations. The great thing with freelance work is that you can do as much or as little as you want, depending on your schedule.

Many companies help set a freelancer up with someone looking for a writer. You’ll get paid on either a word basis or per hour, depending on what you agree on. One thing to remember with freelance work is that your reputation means everything.

5. Virtual Assistant

Assistants play a crucial role in the business world. Bigger corporations where the top dogs have so much work but not enough time, they hire assistants to help them out. Did you know that you can be a virtual assistant and make money at home?

You get to set your hours of when you’re available to work, as long as you get the work done. It may be as simple as scheduling appointments for someone, making phone calls, or researching on a topic for an upcoming presentation.

6. Online Tutor

If you have a few hours a week that you can dedicate to a student in need, become an online tutor. You can see with local schools if there are students who need additional help, browse through websites like Kijiji, or look for online tutor companies. You can even get into the proofreading business as an editor or as a transcriber.

If you don’t want to tutor online, you can always have the person come to your place for the tutor session. Just make sure you’re comfortable with having a stranger in your home and that it’s somewhat tidy.

7. Run Someone’s Social Media Account

With how big social media is nowadays, some people can make a killing with their Instagram account. They get so busy that they need someone to help them maintain their page. That person could be you!

Physical companies that have social media pages will also hire people to run them. They need to stay connected with their audience, and the only way to do that is by logging on all the time.

8. Be an Instagram Star

Speaking of social media and Instagram, why not be an Instagram star yourself? If not you, how about your cute furry dog?

Look at some of the accounts you follow, whether it be a dog making silly noises or a child who talks like a grownup and is hilarious, they likely make a few bucks for their account. If you have a phone and an internet connection, you’re already on your way to Instagram stardom.

9. Join an Affiliate Program

Again, social media is going to help you with this one. An affiliate program is when a company offers you either money, discounts, or free stuff as long as you promote them to your following on a regular basis. It’s that simple.

These affiliate programs will likely give you a discount code to share with your friends and followers. When they purchase something with your code, you get a small commission.

10. Join a Direct Sales Company

I know, people see the words direct sales and think pyramid scheme. Trust me though; there are legitimate companies out there who are successful with their direct sales program.

Last year I joined a direct sales company and love it! Of course, it has to be something you’re interested in. This side gig helps me make anywhere from $100 to $300 a month, sometimes without much work. I know people who are making thousands of dollars through their direct sales.

These are some of my favorite ways to earn additional money without too much work. If you have a full-time job, you don’t want to put in an additional eight hours a day to earn more cash. You need something simple and fast.

Do you have your own ways of making money?

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Andrew Black

About the Author:

Andrew Black is a personal finance and investment writer from Baltimore, Maryland. He specializes in creating passive income and financial security through value investing and real estate.

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