How to Make Money — Online Side Hustles, Investments & More (16+ Tips)

With the power of modern technology at our fingertips, finding new opportunities to earn money is easier than ever. If you’re looking for how to earn money through flexible options like side jobs, online side hustles, or ways to make money from home, this is the guide you’ve been looking for.

From launching online businesses to creating passive income streams, the strategies detailed in this article are designed to help you take control of your finances and start earning extra money today.

Strategies to make extra money

These practical strategies can help you generate extra income and maximize your skills and time. Let’s dive into the best ways to make money fast.

1. Seek remote freelance work

Freelance remote work allows you to offer your skills in copywriting, graphic design, programming, and others to online clients. Among the platforms where you can easily get started are Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal.

These services will connect you with clients, provide you with the means to make safe and secure payments and offer you an opportunity to build a portfolio. You can set your rates and accept projects that best fit your experience and availability.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Flexible scheduling lets you take on short-term or ongoing projects that fit your lifestyle
• Access to global clients increases opportunities and earning potential
• Freelance platforms handle billing and payments, reducing administrative hassles.

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2. Take surveys

Platforms like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Pinecone Research pay you to share your opinions about products and services. It’s a great option for anyone earning extra income without specialized knowledge or time-consuming commitments.

Taking online surveys is one of the easiest ways to earn money online during downtime. Registration is quick, and you can earn cash rewards or gift cards with minimal effort. 

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Flexible and allows you to earn during your spare time, even for just a few minutes
• Accessible to anyone with an internet connection and no prior experience
• Surveys often provide instant or quick rewards, making them ideal for fast cash.

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3. Invest in stocks or crypto

Investing in the stock market or cryptocurrencies offers growth opportunities if you’re exploring ways to make money with long-term potential.

Platforms like eToro, Robinhood, or Coinbase make it easy to start with as little as $10 and cater to beginners and experienced investors alike. If you don’t know how to get started, you can take a look at our guide on how to buy crypto.

Another option for diversifying your portfolio is ETFs, which pool multiple assets to spread risk. If this route appeals to you, check out our guide on the best ETFs to invest in.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Helps you build passive income generation through long-term asset appreciation and compound interest
• Flexible entry points with options for various budgets and risk levels
• Easy access to investment platforms simplifies management and trading.

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4. Rent out spare rooms in your house

If you have it spare, renting out a room is an excellent side hustle you can do from home with minimal effort. Both long-term and short-term rentals, particularly in tourist areas or cities with high-profile events, can bring in a lot of money.

Platforms like Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo make this easy; You can advertise your room, set your rates, and start accepting bookings.

Before you start, you must ensure you comply with local regulations. After that, your goal will be to optimize your listings and provide an excellent experience to get your first 5-star reviews and increase your visibility.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Generates extra income while utilizing unused space effectively
• Flexible scheduling, allowing you to choose dates that suit your availability
• High earning potential in areas with high demand for short-term stays.

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5. Rent out your car

If your car has been idle for long periods, this could be another lucrative side hustle you can do from home. With platforms like Turo and Getaround, it’s relatively easy to list your car, set your availability, and connect with local renters to earn some money fast. These services also offer built-in insurance cover to ensure peace of mind.

Before listing, ensure your vehicle meets the platform’s age, mileage, and maintenance requirements. Extras like a full gas tank or flexible pickup options can improve your ratings and attract more renters.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Lets you earn passive income without significant time investment, which is ideal for busy schedules
• Helps offset car ownership costs, including insurance and maintenance expenses
• Attracts local renters who need short-term vehicle access, maximizing demand in your area.

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6. Babysitting or dog walking

If you enjoy spending time with children or pets, babysitting or dog walking can be rewarding side hustle jobs that allow you to earn extra money from home. Platforms like Rover and Care.com connect you with local families and pet owners looking for reliable help.

These platforms allow you to create a profile, set your availability, and specify your services, making it easy to get started in your area. The more personalized the care or relationship you establish with families and pet owners, the more likely you will get repeat bookings and positive reviews.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Flexible hours make balancing a full-time job or other responsibilities easy
• Builds trust and relationships within your local community, leading to steady clients
• It provides enjoyable, low-stress work while earning extra income by doing something you love.

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7. Sign up for TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit connects you with local customers who need help with manual labor, such as putting together furniture, moving, and home repairs. If you’re good with your hands or favor physical work, this could be one of the most profitable side hustles from home.

Creating a TaskRabbit profile lets you set your rates, choose the jobs you’re interested in, and manage your schedule. The platform offers secure payments and user ratings, making it easy to build trust and attract repeat customers.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Offers flexible scheduling, letting you choose tasks that fit your skills and time
• It provides quick payouts for completed jobs, which is ideal for those needing immediate income. Enables you to build a reputation and secure steady work by earning positive reviews.

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8. Become a private tutor

Teaching others your knowledge is among the best ways to make money online. Wyzant, Preply, and Tutor.com are great platforms that streamline the process and match you up with students who need help in your area of expertise.

First, develop an outstanding profile by highlighting your skills, experience, and availability. Then, establish competitive rates and choose between online sessions or face-to-face meetings. With an increasing reputation, earning potential will grow, too.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• The high demand for skilled tutors ensures steady opportunities to earn income quickly
• Flexible options to teach online or locally let you adapt to your schedule and preferences
• Builds personal fulfillment by helping students achieve their academic goals while you earn.

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9. Sign up for rideshare or delivery services

Driving for ride-sharing platforms like Uber or Lyft, or delivering food with apps like DoorDash and Instacart, is a flexible way to earn extra money on your schedule. These services allow you to work as much or as little as you want, making them ideal for those looking to make extra income while working full-time.

Ride-sharing services typically require background checks and insurance, while delivery platforms are more lenient and even allow bike delivery in some areas. To boost your income with extra tips, offer prompt and courteous service.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Lets you earn on-demand income by working during peak hours or high-demand times
• Provides flexibility to choose jobs that fit your availability and personal preferences
• Tips and bonuses can significantly boost your earnings.

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10. Sell unwanted possessions

Selling unused items is one of the easiest ways to make extra money from home. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Decluttr allow you to connect with buyers looking for secondhand items quickly. This is a flexible strategy for anyone looking to make extra money quickly and sustainably.

Gather items at home that are in good condition, especially from popular categories such as tech gadgets, vintage items, and high-end clothing. Take clear, well-lit photos, offer honest descriptions, and set competitive prices. You can also offer local pickup or home delivery options to speed up the selling process.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Generates quick cash with minimal effort, making it perfect for those who need to make money fast
• Provides an eco-friendly way to recycle items and reduce waste while earning income
• Helps you declutter your living space while targeting buyers ready to purchase, ensuring a faster turnaround.

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11. Become a virtual assistant

Helping businesses remotely as a virtual assistant is one of the most practical ways to make extra money from home. Tasks typically include email management, scheduling, social media updates, and customer service. Websites such as Belay, Zirtual, and Fancy Hands are excellent starting points for contacting clients needing administrative help.

First, identify your strengths (such as organization, technological know-how, or communication) and tailor your profile to highlight them. Offering specialized services, such as calendar management or social media programming, can help you stand out in this growing market.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Matches your skills with businesses that require administrative support, creating steady income opportunities
• Offers full control over your hours, allowing work-life balance
• Builds a versatile skill set, opening doors for long-term career advancement.

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12. Make affiliate and ad revenue through your website

Affiliate marketing and advertising revenue are lucrative options for those who manage websites or blogs. If you’ve been studying how to make extra money from home, this strategy allows your website to work for you. Programs like Amazon Associates and Google AdSense pay commissions to promote products or host ads.

Start by choosing a niche, such as personal finance or home improvement, and create high-quality content to attract readers. Promote your site through social media accounts and optimize it for search engines to increase traffic and grow your income over time.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Allows passive income generation, with revenue flowing in after the content is published
• Scales effectively as your website traffic grows
• Lets you monetize your expertise or passion, making work enjoyable and rewarding.

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13. Be an extra for film and TV

If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal with show business, working as a TV or film extra can be a rewarding experience. You’ll earn money while participating in exciting productions. Casting platforms like Backstage and Central Casting make it easy to find roles, many of which require no previous experience.

Being punctual and professional on set can lead to more opportunities, and networking with others in the industry can uncover other side jobs. It’s not just about the pay; extras often enjoy unique behind-the-scenes experiences.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Gives you a chance to earn money while enjoying a creative and fun work environment
• Requires no specialized skills, making it accessible to anyone interested
• Builds connections in the entertainment industry, which may lead to bigger roles.

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14. Make YouTube videos

For anybody looking to make money from home, creating a YouTube channel is one of the most scalable ways to do it. By monetizing their content through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links, creators can turn their passion into a profitable venture. Successful niches include tutorials, product reviews, and lifestyle vlogs.

Invest in basic equipment, develop a consistent brand, and focus on creating engaging and valuable content. Channels grow by offering viewers solutions, entertainment, or inspiration. As your audience grows, so will your revenue opportunities through advertising and partnerships.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Unlocks significant earning potential with a growing global audience
• Lets you express yourself creatively while building a personal brand
• Offers multiple revenue streams, including ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

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15. Learn to use AI tools

Companies are constantly looking for experts to help them integrate AI solutions such as ChatGPT or Jasper AI for content creation, marketing, and automation. This is one of the most forward-looking side hustle ideas, with a growing demand in all sectors.

You can improve your skills through online courses and offer services on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Popular tasks include workflow automation, AI-assisted content writing, and business data generation. However, you can integrate AI into just about anything you can think of.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Aligns with the growing demand for tech-savvy professionals in various fields
• Lets you stay ahead of the curve in an evolving industry while earning premium rates
• Offers remote flexibility, allowing you to work with clients globally.

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16. Sell homemade items on Etsy

For those with a creative side, selling handmade items on Etsy is one of the best ways to make more money without leaving home. Whether you make jewelry, candles, or one-of-a-kind t-shirts, Etsy connects you with buyers who value custom and specialty items.

Create a store on Etsy and showcase your products with eye-catching photos and compelling descriptions. To stand out, focus on quality and highlight the uniqueness of your offerings. Promoting your store on social media can generate more traffic.

Reasons to choose this strategy to make money:

• Gives you the freedom to monetize a hobby or craft you’re passionate about
• Provides access to a global audience, boosting your product’s visibility
• Enables higher profit margins for niche, handmade items.

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Things to be wary of when looking for side hustle ideas

Side hustles offer great potential for earning money, but not all opportunities are reliable.

It is crucial to carefully assess the risks and consider these three factors to avoid wasting time, effort, or money.

Take care when investing

Investing is one of the best ways to build wealth, but it is not risk-free. Before investing in stocks, cryptocurrencies, or real estate, thoroughly research the platform and type of investment.

For example, you can use tools like Morningstar to assess stock performance or CoinMarketCap to learn about cryptocurrency trends. Avoid any speculative investments if you are not familiar with the market.

Avoid get-rich-quick schemes

Any opportunity that promises quick and effortless profits is usually a red flag. The motto to remember is, ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’

Common traps include pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, and vague offers with little explanation. Always demand precise details about how income is generated and steer clear of any program that requires an upfront access fee.

Be wary of scams

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often target people who are looking to earn extra money by working from home or on the Internet.

Beware of offers that demand payment to ‘unlock’ access or jobs that ask for sensitive information such as bank details in advance. Fraudulent survey sites or bogus freelance projects are also particularly common, so beware.

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How to earn money — Conclusion

The road to financial freedom starts with finding the right opportunities to earn extra money that fits your lifestyle and goals.

In this guide, we’ve discussed multiple options for making money, from home-based side hustles like virtual assisting and tutoring to quick ways to earn money, like selling items you don’t use or signing up for job applications.

Each of these strategies offers different advantages, whether flexibility, passive income, or developing skills for long-term success. Remember to prioritize the options that best suit your interests and availability for the best results.

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FAQs