Want to make money, but you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
And you're not alone. Some 16% of adults performed a side gig in the previous month to help them make extra money and, of those, 64% spent less than 20 hours doing those jobs during that period, according to the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021 report, released in May 2022 by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. NerdWallet rounded up 25 real ways to make money at home, online or out and about.
For each potential side job, we list details like what it takes to get started, age requirements and how fast you can get paid. While most people want to make money fast, don’t discount the “slow” gigs, as they may pay more in the long run.
How to make money online:
Making money online is the sweet spot people look for in the gig economy. Whether you aspire to be a six-figure social media influencer, or are just looking to supplement your regular income with some online side jobs, we've found some viable options. A man makes money online with freelance work.
1. Pick up freelance work online
make money online through websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant. Fluent in a second language? Check sites such as Gen go or Blend Express, or drum up business through a site of your own. No matter what freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide, you know if you’re charging too much or too little. Learn how to get started on Upwork.
Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig.
Setup: 24 hours.
How easy to start: Easy, if you have the expertise.
How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.
2. Test websites and apps
Another way to make money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com. You get paid for your thoughts on how well — or not so well — certain websites and apps worked. You’ll have to complete a short test to be accepted, then you’ll be paid depending on the test type. UserTesting.com does not disclose an exact amount.
Total time: Approval time can vary.
Setup: Less than an hour.
How easy to start: Easy, if you have the tech gear and complete a sample test.
Age threshold: 18+.
How fast you'll get paid: Seven days
3. Take surveys for money
You can make money from home by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to be rolling in the dough. Survey sites don’t typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash. Some of the more popular survey sites include Swag bucks and Survey Junkie. Read our analysis of survey sites to find out which one is best suited for you.
Total time: It will take a while.
Setup: Just minutes.
How easy to start: Very. Just register and begin.
Age threshold: 13 to 18+.
How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.
4. Make money from your blog as an affiliate
If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates (that’s you) get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there. Some bloggers make a lot of money this way. Read more about affiliate marketing and other ways bloggers can make money.
Total time: It can take quite a while to build an audience.
Setup: With blog templates, building a site is easy.
How easy to start: Starting is not that difficult.
Creating regular content may be another matter.
Age threshold: Any. How fast you'll get paid: A month or two, on average.
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