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. Here are some ideas and inspiration to get you started.
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 who are 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
Every company should priortize delivering an excellent customer experience through their websites. To achieve this, many 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 out UserTesting and get paid to evaluate a website. In many 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, and is dependent on the kind of criteria you are fulfilling.
4. Design and sell t-shirts
Another way to make money without a traditional job is by selling 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.
Many 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, but it's still a task many people don't have time for. Fortunately, this means there are earning opportunities out there for you.
Sites like Instacart and Favor 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 high-quality 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, like Alamy or 500px. 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 YouTube 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 are Gameflip (sell PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Google Play gift cards) and GiftCash (sell physical and digital gift cards from more than 150 retail brands).
16. Start a blog
Consider creating your own blog focused on subjects you're passionate about. Blog content can include educational posts, how-to guides, infographics, interviews, lists, and personal stories.
If you run your own online business, a blog can help attract visitors who might become customers when they search for information on the internet. Remember to use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques like researching keywords, building links, and improving your website's mobile performance and loading speed.
17. Write an ebook
If writing is your strength, think about creating and publishing an ebook online. You can generate additional income through royalties on publishing platforms like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. While writing a fiction or nonfiction ebook requires time and effort, you can build passive income if readers discover and enjoy your work.
18. Rent out unused space
Another method for creating passive income involves renting out spaces you own but don't currently use.
For instance, you might rent out an extra room or garage to someone who needs space for living, storage, or work purposes. This approach can generate additional income while helping reduce your living expenses.
19. Offer tutoring services
Another option for generating income without traditional employment is to provide tutoring services either online or face-to-face for clients who want help learning new skills or subjects.
You might focus on teaching specific topics where you have knowledge, such as math or science. You could also concentrate on areas like test preparation or teaching English to non-native speakers.
20. Engage with content
Companies like Mistplay and Swagbucks provide rewards to users who play games, watch videos and complete surveys that showcase brands looking for more attention on their content.
While these apps don't generate significant income, they can provide a few extra dollars each week for users with free time.
Being unemployed doesn't have to mean being without money
Not having a job can be a stressful situation. 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 California provides up to 26 weeks of benefits.