These days, there are so many ways to make money without the grind of a regular job. If you’re the entrepreneurial type, you’ve got more chances than ever to earn extra cash using your skills and time, whether it’s through freelance gigs, odd jobs, creating content, or running an online store.
How to make money without a job
1. Launch an online store
You can start making money by launching an online store. Consider products or services that interest you, make a plan, set up your own website, and start selling to people shopping online.
Running an ecommerce store is a great way to earn a few dollars outside of a regular job. Use a platform like Shopify, which gives you customizable themes, secure payment options, easy inventory management, and analytics tools. With everything in one place, your store can grow as your business takes off.
2. Take on odd jobs
Another way to make money without a regular job is to grab some odd jobs through apps like TaskRabbit or Fiverr. These apps connect you with people who need help with things like grocery shopping, moving furniture, or cleaning. You could also housesit or pet sit to earn a little extra on your own time.
If you’re good at organizing, consider becoming a virtual assistant. You can help clients with tasks like scheduling meetings, managing emails, or handling data entry.
3. Get paid to test websites
Many companies aim to deliver an excellent customer experience through their websites. These firms often hire people to test and provide feedback on the different elements of their site, which helps them identify what needs tweaking or fixing.
You can check outUserTesting and get paid to evaluate a website. In most cases, you’ll need to create a 20-minute video and voiceover explaining what is good, bad, or confusing about a site. Pay differs from site to site, with UserTesting paying a flat $10 for every review you successfully complete.
4. Design and sell t-shirts
Another way to make money without a traditional job is byselling your own custom-designed t-shirts. You don’t need access to a printing factory or complex equipment these days to get you started. Print-on-demand platforms like Printify let you design your own t-shirts (as well as a host of other items) and post them for sale online.
The best part is you don’t pay for the price of making a t-shirt until someone orders from your website. If you don’t have a website to post your products on, you can use marketplaces like Redbubble to sell your designs.
5. Work as a transcriber
Do you have great attention to detail, a set of headphones, and some extra time? You could earn money as a transcriber.
Most companies don’t fully trust automated transcription services, so there’s plenty of room for human beings with competency in listening and typing. All you need to do is list your services on a marketplace like People Per Hour or Fiverr.
6. Shop for others
Shopping might be a lot easier today than it once was, but it’s still a task a lot of people don’t have time for. Fortunately, this means there are earning opportunities out there for you.
Sites likeInstacart andFavor will pay you to pick up other people’s groceries and household essentials. You can use a car, scooter, or bike, or even walk to some places to deliver the items.
7. Get paid to pet sit
Many pet owners hire people to look after their fur babies when they have long shifts or need to travel out of town. You can earn cash by offering to sit or care for their pets while they’re away.
Find a pet-sitting gig by handing out flyers in your neighborhood and promoting your services through Instagram and Facebook. Or you can register with pet-sitting platforms like Rover to connect with people looking for trusted sitters.
8. Sell your photos online
Can you shoot good photos? If so, consider capturing and selling stock images, which companies use for all kinds of marketing and branding-related purposes.
You can take pictures with your smartphone or a digital camera for most websites accepting submissions online, likeAlamy or500px. However, you will need to make sure each of your photos meets the guidelines for quality and content provided by the marketplace you choose.
9. Manage social media accounts
If you’re good with social media and know what kind of content works, you could get paid to help brands manage their accounts. Start with local businesses and offer social media management services. Build your reputation and skills as you go, turning your knack for social media into a money-making gig.
10. Start a YouTube channel
Why not start a YouTube channel? You could make videos about DIY projects, travel adventures, cooking tips, or even unboxing cool gadgets. If you keep your content interesting and post regularly, you can grow a solid group of subscribers. Then, you can earn money through ads and by sharing affiliate links for products you actually like.
11. Rent out your car
If you own a car, you might consider putting it up for rent. You can rent it to someone for a couple of hours, a day, or any other period you choose,with Turo.
Turo lets private car owners list their vehicle as a rental and earn money every time someone makes a booking. You’ll earn anywhere between 65% and 85% of the trip price, with the money credited to your PayPal account within five days of the booking.
12. Produce online courses
You can also make money by sharing what you know. Create courses on anything from history to coding, writing, or graphic design. Even music production, if that’s your thing.
These courses can be in the form of videos, podcasts, or written content. Over time, they might turn into passive income. Upload them to platforms like YouTube or Skillshare, where you can earn a share of the revenue. Or sell them directly from your own website.
13. Sell stuff you already own
You can make some extra cash by selling things you no longer need, like old books, kitchen gadgets, or sports equipment. Try listing them on an online marketplace like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or set up a garage sale in your neighborhood.
If you’re into fashion, thrift stores are great places to find clothes you can resell for a profit. If you’re crafty, consider making handmade items or prints to sell online or at local craft fairs.
14. Earn with survey sites
You can make money by taking surveys on platforms that pay for your feedback. Sites such as KashKick and Survey Junkie are popular choices. If you have some spare time, these online surveys let you earn cash by helping companies with their market research. There are also in-person opportunities, like focus groups and interviews, where you can get paid to share your opinions.
15. Sell unused gift cards
Do you have a bunch of gift cards from stores you’ve never visited? Consider putting them up for sale to earn yourself some extra cash. Most gift cards remain valid for a period of one to five years from the date of purchase, so there’s a good chance that yours will still be redeemable at the outlets that issued them.
Do some research on websites that allow people to sell unwanted gift cards for cash. Some popular ones areGameflip (sell PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Google Play gift cards) andGiftCash (sell physical and digital gift cards from more than 150 retail brands).
Being unemployed doesn’t have to mean being without money
Not having a job is a stressful situation for most people. But there are ways you can manage your emotional wellbeing and make money, even when you’re unemployed. Consider pursuing some of the gigs above to earn income while you look for full-time employment. And keep an open mind, because these nontraditional work options could end up making you way more than what you earned with a 9-to-5 job.
How to make money without a job FAQ
How can you make money if you don’t have a job?
There are several ways to make money without a permanent job. You could offer freelance services like writing or graphic design, rent out your car or bike, or even make cash by tutoring online or running errands for others.
How can you make money fast?
Some of the fastest ways to make money include selling items you already own, taking online surveys, and picking up quick gigs like pet sitting or freelancing.
How long can you collect unemployment?
In the US, the length of time you can receive unemployment benefits depends on your state. For instance, Florida and North Carolina offer up to 12 weeks, while Montana provides the longest duration, with a maximum of 28 weeks.