8 Ways to Make Extra Money From Home

The fastest way to make money from home is usually selling something you already own. Options that can pay more over time, like freelancing or tutoring, take longer to get going. Which one fits depends on three things: the skills you have, the hours you can spare, and how soon you need the cash.

1. Freelance or consult using skills you already have

Chances are, something you already do at your day job could earn you money on the side.

For instance, are you good at writing? If so, businesses hire freelancers for blog posts, email newsletters, website copy, social media ads, and more. If you know your way around a spreadsheet, a small business owner could pay you to help them organize their expenses. You could also do graphic design, video editing, and resume writing, among other things.

If your head is swimming with ideas, choose one service you could confidently offer. Then, reach out to your LinkedIn network, former coworkers, or local businesses to drum up business. You can also try Upwork or Fiverr, but check each platform’s fee page, since fees come out of what you earn.

Know what you’re worth. Figure out your real hourly rate before you set a price. Say you charge $100 to edit a resume, and the job takes two hours counting back-and-forth messages with the client. If the platform keeps 10%, you take home $90 — or $45 an hour. If the same edit stretches to four hours, you’re now at $22.50. Same price, half the pay. Track your time on your first few jobs, then adjust your price or scope.

2. Sell things you no longer use

You may have things around the house you don’t use anymore. Maybe it’s a bike you stopped riding or your kid’s now-too-small puffer jacket that could be worth something to someone else.

Facebook Marketplace can be a gold mine for selling items to people in your area. Poshmark, Depop, and eBay are options for shippable items, like clothing, accessories, and small housewares.

Check what things actually sell for. A quick search before you set a price keeps you from asking too much or leaving money on the table. Then take clear pictures of your items and be upfront about any damage or wear, so there are no surprises at pickup.

A note on taxes

Selling your own things for less than you paid usually isn’t taxable, so a closet cleanout typically won’t add to your tax bill. If you sell something for more than you paid, the profit is taxable. And if you buy things to resell, the IRS may treat that as a business.

The app or marketplace you sell through might send you a Form 1099-K. Platforms only have to send one above $20,000 in payments and 200 transactions a year, but some send them for less. Getting the form doesn’t mean you owe tax on that amount. Keep a receipt or note of what you paid for anything you sell, so you can show the difference.

Read more >> How to Report 1099-K Income on Your Taxes

‍Scam check
‍Don’t accept a mobile payment from a buyer you don’t know, and never deposit a check for more than your asking price. The FTC’s guide to selling online covers other common scams

3. Take online surveys or complete small tasks

Online surveys are an old-school way of making money online. It won’t make you rich, but it could earn you a few extra dollars here and there in your downtime.

Sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie reward users for completing surveys. Clickworker offers small online tasks, such as categorizing images or checking information, though task availability can be uneven.

That said, you could spend several minutes answering screening questions only to discover you don't qualify. Say a survey pays $1 for 15 minutes, which works out to $4 an hour. If screening eats up half your time, you’re closer to $2 an hour. Some platforms also have minimum payout requirements.

Never pay to get paid. If a task app asks you to deposit your own money to unlock more tasks or withdraw your earnings, it’s a scam, the FTC warns.

4. Tutor or teach online

If you have a skill you’re naturally good at — like math, Spanish, or piano — you may be able to turn it into extra money.

Sites like Wiingy, Varsity Tutors, and Wyzant connect tutors with students. You can also find students by asking for referrals, putting up neighborhood flyers, or getting involved in local community groups.

Sell one specific thing. Think: 30-minute algebra tutoring sessions for middle schoolers, which is easier to say yes to than “tutoring.” Start with a few students and let referrals fill your schedule.

5. Rent out unused space or belongings

You might have space you’re not using. Maybe it’s an empty parking spot in your driveway next to a popular hiking trail or a spare bedroom in a tourist area.

Renting these out can bring in income without adding another part-time job to your schedule. Just don't assume the income is fully passive, because you may need to communicate with renters and resolve issues.

Read the fine print first. Before listing anything, check your lease, HOA rules, local regulations, and insurance coverage. If you use a platform like Airbnb, subtract fees and other expenses to see what you'll actually keep.

6. Start a small business or online store

This option takes more effort than others but could be worth it if you’ve got the entrepreneurial itch.

Maybe you’re crafty and want to sell handmade spoon rings or crocheted sweaters. Or, maybe you love playing around in Canva and want to design printable planners or budget templates, which don't require shipping.

Test before you invest. Start with a few products, see what customers respond to, and expand from there.

7. Work remotely in customer service

If you'd rather have a predictable paycheck than hunt for freelance clients, remote customer service work might be a better fit. Many companies hire representatives to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and help customers with orders. Some positions involve phone calls, but others are just email or live chat.

Check the setup they’ll expect. You may need reliable internet, a quiet workspace, and availability during set shifts. Company career pages or job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn list remote roles.

‍Scam check
‍Research any employer before you apply. The FTC recommends it as a way to avoid work-from-home job scams. If you’ve already shared your Social Security number with a fake employer, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and freeze your credit for free with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Credit monitoring can then alert you if someone tries to open an account in your name.

8. Become a virtual assistant

Some business owners would happily pay someone else to manage their email inbox, schedule appointments, or organize spreadsheets. The people who do these jobs are often virtual assistants.

Depending on who hires you, you could handle customer emails, make travel arrangements, edit documents, or schedule social media posts. You can look for clients on freelance platforms or reach out directly to small businesses.

Start narrow. Offer two or three tasks you already do well. Saying you provide five hours of weekly inbox and calendar support is easier to deliver than promising to handle every administrative task under the sun.

Read more >> The Importance of On-Time Payments in Building Credit

Bottom line

The best side gig is the one that fits the hours you actually have. Start with one, compare what you earn to the time it takes, and keep going if the math works.

Once the money starts coming in, give it a job. A small emergency fund means a surprise bill doesn’t have to go on a card. Extra cash can also go toward a balance you’re carrying, or toward staying current on the payments you already have.

Just know that your side income won’t show up on your credit report. Lenders may ask about income when you apply, but your report shows how you’ve handled credit accounts. If you don’t have many yet, there isn’t much for lenders to go on. Kikoff’s Credit Account reports your on-time payments to all three credit bureaus, with no credit check to sign up. Plans start at $5 a month.