How to Make Money at Home Online, On Weekends, Or at Night
Have you ever sat down to pay your bills and felt completely trapped? Wondering how to make money online or in a nontraditional way? Maybe you have a full-time job and even a side hustle or two and it just isn’t cutting it. You have too many bills compared to your current cash flow and you just don’t see a way out.
Let’s face it. We’re in a collective rough patch when it comes to finances. Prices are rising, many of us have massive student loans plus day care costs that are soaring ever upward. Rent is expensive and the cost of buying a house is exorbitant. There’s really not a great answer, other than to take weekend jobs or paid projects in your free time to earn extra cash.
Sure, you could get a part-time job, too, but many people who already work full-time really need something more flexible in order to retain their well-being and have at least some semblance of normal free time to relax and recharge.
I don’t like to champion overwork, but for a lot of us these days, there is very little choice. If you're looking for ways to make extra money on weekends (or when your kids nap, or after your workday), there are plenty of options available. Whether you want to boost your income during a recession or simply earn some extra cash, there are many ways to do it.
One option is to sell things online. You can start an Etsy shop, sell items on eBay, or even sell your original photos online. If you have skills in a particular area, you can also offer freelance services or tutoring services.
Another option is to take online surveys. There are many companies that will pay you for your opinion, and this can be a great way to make extra money on the side.
You could also start a blog and monetize it through advertising or affiliate marketing. If you have a passion for writing, this can be a great way to earn extra income.
Then, there are companies that make it easy for anyone to take on one or more side jobs. These companies include Taskrabbit, Airbnb, Fiverr, Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, and Upwork. You could also try a side gig babysitting (be sure to get listed on Care.com) or being a house sitter or pet sitter in your spare time. You can do data entry odd jobs or participate in focus groups, too.
Personal shoppers, transcription professionals, and real estate agents can also earn valuable extra money to help fill in the gaps on your own schedule. Maybe you want to try being a virtual assistant, an Amazon Associate, or a survey junkie.
Do you have a professional background that could be used for passive income or in a side gig? If you have experience with graphic design, proofreading, freelance writing, editing, programming, or web design, there might even be the opportunity for you to start a small business and launch a full-time career.
No matter what your interests are, there is likely a way for you to make extra money on weekends. With a little effort, you can boost your income and reach your financial goals. Let’s delve into these options a bit more.
Sell Things Online to Earn Money
Here are some ways to sell things online to earn money.
Sell Things on Ebay
If you’re looking to make extra money on the weekends and improve your personal finances, one option is to sell things online. Ebay is a great platform for selling items, and you can make a decent profit if you find the right items to sell.
To start, take a look around your house and see what you could part with. Once you have a few items, list them on Ebay and start promoting your sale. You can also look for things at garage sales or thrift stores that you think might sell well online. With a little effort, you can earn extra money by selling things on Ebay.
Here are some basic tips for getting started on eBay.
-Create a list of items you want to sell. Be sure to include pictures, descriptions, and prices.
-Start promoting your sale. Use social media, email, and other marketing channels to let people know about your eBay sale.
-Monitor your listings and shipping process. Keep an eye on your items and make sure they are shipped properly.
Auction vs. Buy it Now on eBay
One question you might have is whether you should use the auction format or the buy it now format on eBay. It really depends on the items you are selling and what you think will get the best price.
In general, however, auctions tend to be more successful when selling items that are popular or in demand. If you’re not sure which option to choose, you can always start with a few auctions and see how they go before listing your items as buy it now.
Start an Etsy Shop
Another option for selling things online is to start an Etsy shop. If you’re crafty or have unique items to sell, an Etsy shop can be a great way to make extra money. To get started, create an account and start listing your items. Be sure to take good photos and write compelling descriptions to attract buyers.
You can also promote your Etsy shop through social media and online directories. With a little effort, you can build a successful Etsy business.
What sorts of things can you sell on Etsy?
Etsy is a great platform for selling handmade or vintage items, as well as craft supplies. If you have a talent for making things, Etsy is a great way to monetize your skills. You can also sell vintage items or antique items that you’ve inherited. Be sure to do your research before listing an item, as you want to be sure it will sell well on Etsy.
Printables also sell well on Etsy, and listing these items is a good way to avoid having to collect or pay sales tax (in most places; you’ll need to contact a tax advisor to learn about specific for your area). This is because digital files typically don’t require the collection or remittance of sales tax.
You can also create digital files using a program like Canva, then upload your designs to a service like Printful. Printful has an integration with Etsy, so your designs can be seamlessly added to your Etsy shop for eager buyers to find. With this service, when someone orders a mug or shirt or hat with your design, Printful will print the item and ship the order directly to the buyer, so you never have to worry about building up inventory at home.
How to use a lightbox to take photos of Etsy and Ebay items
If you plan to sell things online, it’s important to take good photos. One way to do this is to use a lightbox. A lightbox is a small tent that you can set up in your home. It has lights inside, which makes it easy to take well-lit photos of your items. You can find lightboxes at most camera stores or online.
Here’s how to use a lightbox to take photos of your items.
-Set up the lightbox in a well-lit area of your home.
-Place your item inside the lightbox and adjust the lights until it is well lit.
-Take multiple photos from different angles. Be sure to include close-ups and shots of any details.
-Edit your photos as needed. You can use photo editing software to improve the lighting, color, and composition of your photos.
Posting Online Classified Ads
Another option for making extra money on weekends is to post online classified ads. Sites like Craigslist and Kijiji offer a free way to list items for sale. You can also use classified ad sites to sell services, such as yard work or home cleaning. To get started, create a list of items you want to sell or services you want to offer.
Then, create a well-written ad and post it on the classified ad site of your choice. Be sure to include photos and all relevant information about your item or service.
Selling Items on Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is another great option for selling things online. Like classified ad sites, Facebook Marketplace offers a free way to list items for sale. To get started, simply take photos of the items you want to sell and post them on Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to include a description, price, and contact information. You can also promote your items through your personal Facebook page or by sharing your listings in relevant Facebook groups.
While you might not think of Facebook as a place to sell things, it’s actually a great platform for reaching potential buyers. With over 2 billion active users, there’s a good chance you can find buyers for your items on Facebook.
Refurbishing Furniture and Selling It Online
Do you have a knack for refinishing furniture? If so, you can make extra money on weekends by finding furniture to refurbish and sell. You can find affordable furniture at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.
Once you’ve found a piece of furniture to refurbish, simply sand it down, paint it, and add any finishing touches. Then, list the item for sale online. Be sure to take good photos and write an appealing description to attract buyers.
Take Online Surveys
If you’re looking for an easy way to make extra money on the side, consider taking online surveys. There are many companies that will pay you for your opinion, and this can be a great way to earn some extra cash. To find reputable survey sites, search online or ask friends and family for recommendations. Some survey companies include Swagbucks and ERewards.com.
Once you find a few companies, sign up and start taking surveys. Be sure to complete the surveys truthfully and accurately to avoid being disqualified. With a little effort, you can make extra money by taking online surveys.
It’s important to note that many survey sites pay you in gift cards rather than via direct deposit, so you’ll need to be sure you can use the gift cards and won’t have to spend above the value of the gift cards to make a purchase. If you do, you’ve essentially lost money.
Start a Blog
If you’re passionate about writing, another option is to start a blog. You can earn extra income through advertising or affiliate marketing. To get started, choose a niche that you’re interested in and create content around that topic. Once your blog is up and running, promote it through social media and online directories. If you put in the effort, you can earn a decent income from your blog.
Share your blog on social media and join communities for bloggers to further enhance your presence online. If you want to really broadcast your message, get a podcast and work with other bloggers to serve as guests on each others’ podcasts. Then, work together to cross-promote them.
How to Become an Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate's own marketing efforts. This can be a good way to make extra money on the side.
To become an affiliate marketer, you first need to join an affiliate program. Once you have joined, you will be provided with an affiliate link. This link is your unique identifier and is used to track the traffic you drive to the merchant's site. When a visitor clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you will earn a commission.
Most affiliate programs require that you have a website or blog before they will approve you as an affiliate. If you do not have a website, you can create one easily using WordPress. Once you have a website, you can sign up for affiliate programs and start promoting products.
To be successful at affiliate marketing, you need to drive high-quality traffic to the merchant's site. This means that you need to have a strong online presence and a good reputation. You can create a strong online presence by writing quality content and promoting your site on social media.
How to Get Paid to Write Online
If you’re a writer, there are many ways to make extra money on the side. You can start a blog, write articles for online publications, or even become a freelance writer.
To get started, create a portfolio of your work and start pitching to editors. You can also search for online writing jobs and apply for positions that interest you. Want to learn more about the skill set needed for freelance writing? Check out our complete guide to how to become a freelance writer here.
How to Get Paid to Take Photos Online
If you enjoy taking photos, you can also make extra money by selling them online. There are many stock photo websites where you can upload your photos and earn royalties every time they’re downloaded.
You can also start a photography business and sell your photos to clients. To get started, create a portfolio of your work and start promoting your business. With a little effort, you can find paid photography opportunities online.
How to Get Paid to Tutor Online
If you’re knowledgeable in a particular subject, you can also make extra money by tutoring students online. There are many websites that connect students with tutors, and you can set your own hours and rates. To get started, create a profile and start applying for tutor positions.
You can also promote your tutoring business through word-of-mouth or social media. Online tutoring is a good opportunity for beginners and doesn’t require a lot of special equipment or an upfront investment.
How to Become a Teacher of English as a Second Language Online
Another option for making extra money online is to become a teacher of English as a second language. There are many websites that connect teachers with students, and you can set your own hours and rates. To get started, create a profile and start applying for teaching positions. Reviews from past students will go a long way toward improving your ability to attract new students.
Selling Cakes or Other Food Products Online
If you’re a good cook, you can also make extra money by selling your cakes or other food products online. If you’d like to provide an extra value-add to your customers, you can add a delivery service to your offerings. Take orders via phone or meet with clients virtually to design the baked goods you can create. Then, prepare the food, take payments via PayPal, Stripe, or Square, and deliver your delicious goods to satisfied customers.
Making Extra Money Through Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
If you love animals, another option is to start a dog walking or pet sitting business. This is a great way to earn extra cash. Let friends and relatives know that you’re taking on odd jobs involving pets. You can also create business cards or post flyers in your town.
Driving for a Rideshare Company
If you have a car, you can also make extra money by driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. Delivery services like DoorDash and UberOne also present similar opportunities. This is one of the more popular side hustle ideas, as extra cash is easy to come by from these odd jobs, and the hours are flexible.
These are just a few of the many ways you can make extra money online. With a little effort, you can find paid opportunities that fit your skills and interests, from house sitting to working as a babysitter. So what are you waiting for? Start searching for ways to make extra cash today!