14 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home

14 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home

The sting of inflation, even as it eases, may leave you wondering how to make some extra income. NerdWallet has rounded up 14 real ways to earn money from home, online, or while out and about. For each side job, we highlight the details, such as what it takes to get started, age requirements, and payment speeds. While many people prefer quick cash, don’t overlook “slower” gigs, as they may pay off more in the long run.

How to Make Money Online

1. Freelance Work Online Earn money through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. Opportunities range from writing, programming, and design to virtual assistance and data entry. If you're fluent in a second language, check out translation sites like Gengo or Blend Express. Keep track of the going rates for your services to set competitive pricing. Some freelancers earn up to $100 per hour or more for writing.

• Total time: Can take a while to get your first gig.
• Setup: 24-48 hours.
• Ease of Start: Easy if you have expertise.
• Age Threshold: 16 to 18+.
• Payment Speed: Varies by site.

2. Test Websites and Apps Get paid to review websites and apps through platforms like UserTesting.com. After a brief test to get approved, you'll complete tests and earn based on the type of test.

• Total time: Approval time can vary.
• Setup: Less than an hour.
• Ease of Start: Easy if you have the necessary tech.
• Age Threshold: 18+.
• Payment Speed: Within 14 days.

3. Learn to Use AI Tools AI tools are gaining traction, and learning to use them can be lucrative. Freelancers can integrate AI into their services, such as creating digital products or editing AI-generated content. With the rise of AI in content creation, companies are looking for skilled writers to edit AI content and incorporate SEO best practices.

• Total time: Depends on demand.
• Setup: 24-48 hours if using sites like Upwork or Freelancer.com.
• Ease of Start: Easy if you're already familiar with AI.
• Age Threshold: 16+ for Freelancer.com, 18+ for Upwork.
• Payment Speed: Varies.

4. Take Online Surveys Though survey sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie don’t offer substantial payouts, they can provide extra cash or gift cards. If you're looking for a quick, low-effort gig, surveys are a good option.

• Total time: Can take a while to accumulate rewards.
• Setup: A few minutes.
• Ease of Start: Very easy.
• Age Threshold: 13 to 18+.
• Payment Speed: Varies by site.

5. Affiliate Marketing on Your Blog If your blog gets decent traffic, you can earn money through affiliate marketing. You'll receive a commission whenever someone clicks through your affiliate link and makes a purchase. To increase traffic, use social media or Pinterest to drive more visitors to your blog.

• Total time: Takes time to build an audience.
• Setup: Easy with templates.
• Ease of Start: Easy to start, but creating regular content takes effort.
• Age Threshold: Any.
• Payment Speed: A month or two, on average.

6. Sell Handmade Items on Etsy If you're crafty, sell your creations on Etsy. Whether it's woodworking, jewelry, or embroidery, Etsy is the go-to platform for selling handmade items. However, it may take some time to get noticed.

• Total time: Time needed for customers to find you.
• Setup: Involves creating listings.
• Ease of Start: Moderate difficulty.
• Age Threshold: 13+.
• Payment Speed: Varies, depending on the payment option you select.

7. Self-Publish an E-book Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing allows you to publish and sell e-books easily. You can earn up to 70% royalties per sale. Although writing a book can be time-consuming, it can provide a passive income stream once published.

• Total time: Depends on your writing speed.
• Setup: Quick once the book is ready.
• Ease of Start: Easy to start writing.
• Age Threshold: 18+, but minors can publish through their parents' accounts.
• Payment Speed: Monthly after meeting the $100 threshold.

8. Monetize Your Blog or YouTube Channel You can earn money from your blog or YouTube channel through ads. YouTube requires at least 1,000 subscribers to apply for the YouTube Partner Program and place ads on your channel. You can also use Google AdSense to place ads on your blog.

• Total time: Can take weeks to get started.
• Setup: Relatively easy.
• Ease of Start: Depends on the content quality.
• Age Threshold: 18+.
• Payment Speed: Monthly.

9. Become an Instagram Influencer Companies hire Instagram influencers to promote products. You can earn money by partnering with brands through platforms like Open Influence or Aspire. Building a large and engaged following is key to success.

• Total time: Requires persistence to build your audience.
• Setup: Quick.
• Ease of Start: Requires building a following.
• Age Threshold: 13+.
• Payment Speed: Varies by partnership.

10. Monetize Your Twitch Channel If you're into gaming, Twitch allows you to earn money by streaming. Once you gain a following, you can receive donations and earn revenue through subscriptions and ads.

• Total time: Takes time to build a following.
• Setup: Quick.
• Ease of Start: Easy to start; requires time for growth.
• Age Threshold: 13+.
• Payment Speed: Monthly.

How to Make Money from Home

11. Sell Your Photography If you’re a photographer, you can sell your photos on platforms like Fine Art America or SmugMug. You can turn your photos into prints, T-shirts, and phone cases for additional income.

• Total time: Buyers need to find you.
• Setup: Quick and easy.
• Ease of Start: Easy if you have a good collection of photos.
• Age Threshold: Varies.
• Payment Speed: Varies by platform.

12. Become a Dog Walker with Rover or Wag If you love dogs, sign up to become a dog walker on platforms like Rover or Wag. You can schedule walks at your convenience, and some platforms also offer overnight dog boarding.

• Total time: Takes time to build a client base.
• Setup: A few weeks for approval.
• Ease of Start: Easy if you love pets.
• Age Threshold: 18+.
• Payment Speed: Two days to a week.

How to Make Money Offline

13. Sell Unused Gift Cards Sites like CardCash or GiftCash allow you to sell unused or partially used gift cards. You’ll receive up to 92% of the card’s value.

• Total time: Quick if the card is for a popular store.
• Setup: Easy.
• Ease of Start: Simple.
• Age Threshold: 18+.
• Payment Speed: A few days to two weeks.

14. Rent Out Your Spare Bedroom on Airbnb If you have an extra room, renting it out on Airbnb is a great way to earn extra income. Be sure to check for any local regulations or HOA rules before listing.

• Total time: Depends on local demand.
• Setup: Quick setup for your listing.
• Ease of Start: Simple if you have a place to rent.
• Age Threshold: 18+.
• Payment Speed: After check-in.

These side gigs, whether online or offline, can help you earn extra money. Choose one that fits your skills and lifestyle to start making income today.

Conclusion

There are countless ways to earn money in today's world, whether online, from home, or offline. By choosing a side job that aligns with your skills and interests, you can create a steady stream of income while enjoying the flexibility that comes with these opportunities. From freelancing to renting out your spare room, the options are diverse, allowing you to choose a path that works best for you. Start exploring these side gigs today and take control of your financial future!