20 Ways To Make Extra Cash Online and Offline
Key takeaways
- Online opportunities include taking surveys, testing websites and hosting classes.
- Offline side hustles include walking dogs, delivering items and other odd jobs.
- You can also rent or sell your possessions or make small investments.
- Whatever you choose, make sure to set aside money for any taxes you might owe.
If you want to make extra cash, you have lots of options, whether from the comfort of your computer (like testing websites or hosting classes), or out in the “real” world (such as walking dogs or doing handy work). In fact, most Gen Zers and millennials have side hustles according to a LendingTree survey.
You can also sell or rent out things you own for some quick extra money, with many marketplaces to choose from.
How to make money online
Chances are you’re already spending a lot of time in front of a screen. Here are some ways you can get compensated for it.
1. Freelancing
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find freelance side hustle opportunities, whether your chops are in writing, graphic design, coding or consulting. Some freelancers do this full time, while others just use it to crank out some extra cash in their spare time.
2. Online surveys
It’s true: You can get paid just for sharing your opinion. Although you won’t get rich quick, you can put a few coins in your pocket by answering questions on sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie or Opinion Outpost.
If you spend time online anyway, this activity could make cents (pun intended).
3. Test websites and apps
Companies that build websites and apps need user testers to make sure they work. UserTesting.com is a popular site for this kind of work.
You’ll need to take a short introductory test and get approved — which can take a few days — and then can start earning, with the average rate said to be about $10 per test.
4. Sell products online
Enjoy knitting sweaters or crocheting “amigurumi” animals while binge-watching TV? Consider selling your handmade goods on platforms like Etsy, Amazon and others.
In fact, you don’t have to be crafty to get in on the game. You can also sell handicrafts or collectibles you own, via eBay and other sites.
5. Digital content creation
Whether it’s a travel blog or offering helpful how-tos on a YouTube channel, you can make money from ads, affiliate links, sponsorships and merchandise.
From podcasts on Podbean to well-curated feeds on Instagram, you have many ways to build a following and start earning. Even the biggest influencers are just regular people who started with an idea and an internet connection, just like you.
6. Learn how to use AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) might not make you money by itself — unless you’re an expert who can work as an AI consultant — but you can use AI to power up your work in other side hustles.
For example, you could use commercially available AI to create written content, graphics or even videos. And if you can learn some AI basics, you might find work creating specialized chatbots and other products.
7. Participate in contests and competitions
While it’s not necessarily a consistent side hustle, think about taking your poetry, photography or other creative work and entering them in contests. Some competitions can have payouts in the thousands of dollars — although it may also cost money up front to submit.
8. Host online workshops or classes
People will pay to learn your skills. From personal finance to yoga to UX design, you can set up an online course through Skillshare, Udemy or other platforms — or even pre-record a video workshop and sell it directly through your own website. The setup might take a while, but once you’ve created the material, you can keep earning money from it for a while.
9. Online tutoring
If you’re not quite ready to design a whole class but still have knowledge to share, you could help students through online tutoring. You can look for opportunities at Tutor.com, the tutoring section of Care.com and other websites. You could also tutor or teach English as a second language via platforms like italki and Preply.
How to make money offline
Want to get out from behind the keyboard and into the flesh-and-blood world? Here are some options to make cash offline.
10. Part-time jobs
Just like when you were in high school or college, working a part-time job in the evenings or weekends is always an option, even now as an adult. Find an employer who will let you work a manageable amount of hours so that you can handle it alongside your day job. A light second job can boost your income and even help you make new friends.
11. Handyman services
If you’re good at DIY projects or even just assembling IKEA furniture, then consider working as a handyperson. People who cry when they see an Allen wrench will happily pay you for your services — trust me.
You can post your availability on a handy work platform like Taskrabbit, or advertise on a community bulletin board or in your local paper.
12. Pet sitting and dog walking
If you love animals and have some daytime flexibility, you can offer dog walking or pet day care services for pets who would otherwise sit home alone all day — or even pet sit overnight while the owners are out of town.
The online platforms Rover and Wag! is a great place to get started, but you can also advertise in person.
13. Become an Uber or Lyft driver
If you love to drive and maybe chat with passengers, you can set your own hours as a driver with Uber or Lyft, earning extra income from the comfort of the driver’s seat.
The requirements for you and your car depend on where you’re based. If your vehicle is more than 15 years old, it may not qualify. And to drive with Lyft, you’ll need to be at least 25 years old.
14. Make deliveries
If you also love to drive but don’t really like chatting with passengers, you can still make extra cash by dropping off someone’s pad thai dinner for apps like UberEats or DoorDash, or making a pharmacy run for Shipt.
In fact, many customers prefer drivers to simply leave the package at the door without even knocking, so you can just jam out to your playlist with few conversational interruptions.
Use your assets
Sometimes you don’t have to work in order to earn extra money. Instead, you can just put your own wealth to work.
15. Rent out your home
If you own your place, you may be able to rent out your spare room (or the entire home if you’re away traveling) on Airbnb or Vrbo.
Be sure to check in with your local government about any restrictions or required licenses, since this can vary from place to place.
16. Rent out your car
You don’t need to spend hours behind the wheel to make money with your car, so long as you don’t mind renting it out to others when you’re not using it.
Sites like Turo and Getaround help with the logistics (like verifying drivers’ licenses and offering roadside assistance).
Beware of local laws that may impact your car-sharing earnings. In Anchorage, Alaska, for example, an additional 8% vehicle-sharing tax applies. Also make sure the rental site will cover your insurance, and you may need to notify your personal auto insurer as well.
17. Sell gently used clothes or furniture
Decluttering your home and making extra money in the bargain? Again, online platforms make it easier than ever these days. Selling your used clothing can be especially profitable, along with unneeded furniture and appliances.
You can sell your used items locally using Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Or you can seek a wider audience by listing on Poshmark or eBay, though you may need to ship the items.
18. Trade in or sell electronics
Have a stack of old cell phones or a defunct laptop lying around? You can use platforms like Swappa or Gazelle to turn those old electronics into new money — or take advantage of Amazon’s trade-in program if you’re in the market for a new device.
Investments and passive income
It’s said that you need to have money to make money. If you have money, here are just a couple of the ways you might make more.
19. Securities
Even if you don’t have a lot of spare cash to invest, you can still try to earn a little by investing on apps like Robinhood, Acorns, E-Trade or others. Of course, any investment is a gamble, but if you do some research, you can find the less risky options — though they might pay less as a result. You can also pick investments that will provide a regular payout, like dividend stocks.
20. Peer-to-peer lending
Also known as P2P lending, this involves lending money via a fintech company serving as the broker. If you have money to lend, you can offer it online and then collect the interest.
Prosper, a popular P2P platform with a long track record, allows you to lend out as little as $25 at a time. You can invest in multiple loans or cover a portion of a single loan.
Manage your extra income and taxes
Now that you’ve ready to start your side hustle and make extra cash, take a moment to figure out how you’ll manage that new income.
For starters, you’ll owe income tax on the money, so make sure to set aside a portion. The exact amount to save will depend on your income bracket, state and other factors, but as a longtime freelancer, my rule of thumb is to set aside about a third of what I earn.
Of the earnings you keep for yourself, you might also consider putting some of the funds back into your side hustle if there are investments that might help you earn even more extra income over the long run.
There are plenty of legitimate ways to make extra cash — but do watch out for scams. If something sounds too good to be true, remember that there’s really no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to the side hustle.