Finding ways to earn extra money each month is a relatable goal among adults pretty much around the entire world.
In the United States, however, that may be connected to the fact that, according to a recent study, 40% of people shared that an unexpected bill of $400 would be a challenge to cover.
Not having enough in savings or feeling like the bills won’t be paid in full can bring on unwanted feelings of anxiety and stress. Fortunately, there are several ways to earn money from the comfort of your own home.
Before taking on a new gig to make more income, it’s important to first come up with a plan of action. Consider how much energy and time you have to put into something that will pay off in the end, without sacrificing your current job or other responsibilities.
It’s also helpful to set a goal. If you want to make $10,000 a month, think about realistic options for how to make that happen. Sure, there are plenty of easy ways to make money to supplement your day job, but if you want to earn enough to support yourself full-time, you’ll have to get creative. Whether you are a stay at home parent, a recent grad, a retiree, or someone simply interested in creating a surplus in your monthly cash flow, these ways of making extra money from home can help you get there quickly.
A strong internet connection and phone may be all you need to start earning more income from home.
Opting to work as a virtual assistant, either on a part-time or full-time basis, can be a great fit if you have the right skill sets. Being organized, having strong verbal and written communication skills, and understanding what executives or business professionals need on a day to day basis all help as a virtual assistant. Many business owners are too busy to tackle operational tasks on their own, and plenty are willing to hire the right help to get the job done correctly and efficiently.
There are a handful of websites that allow you to post a brief bio, your hourly rate, and your availability for those in need of a virtual assistant. On average, you can earn just under $16 per hour doing this work from home.
Working from home as a freelancer can also bring in a significant amount of money each month. Freelancers range wildly in terms of the skills they possess, the hours they work, and the rates they charge to clients, so this option takes some planning on the front end. Think about what you are good at — writing, posting on social media, graphic design, or coding are common freelance positions.
Once you have your skill in mind, research average hourly rates based on your experience in that field. You can then search for freelance opportunities on sites like these to find clients who are ready and willing to work with you.
If you have a love for the written word, or you think the world needs to hear your opinions, advice, or general musing, starting a blog may be right up your alley. Creating a blog online is a relatively simple process.
First, pick a topic you want to write about on a regular basis, find a name that suits that topic, and get to writing. While that part is easy, making money at blogging can take some time. It may mean working with advertisers to form partnerships, but only after you have an audience big enough to lure paid ads. Building a blog from the ground up is hard work, but there are plenty of success stories from those who have and continue to earn income from writing.
If freelancing, writing, or virtual assisting aren’t your ideal money-making opportunities, consider getting creative — or crafty.
Sites like Etsy make it easy to create a potentially booming business for those who are able to create handmade items and sell them to the masses. In this day and age, millions of consumers are scouring the Internet for unique items, from home décor to anniversary gifts.
If you can create something that appeals to these shoppers, you have an opportunity to make decent income by selling handmade items from home.
While it won’t necessarily create a $10,000 per month income stream, getting paid for sharing your opinions is another fun way to make money from home. Online survey sites offer the opportunity to participate in paid surveys, many that ask a few brief questions about your knowledge or experience with a product or service. Some sites also offer more in-depth surveys and focus groups, while others may pay you to be a secret shopper. Utilizing one or more of these sites each month can not only be a fun way to kill extra time, but it can also lead to a few to several extra dollars in your bank account.
Working from home to extra additional income is so much easier these days thanks to technology. Several options exist for those who want to utilize their skills, put pen to proverbial paper, or offer up their opinions online. The opportunities above may not be for everyone, but for those who want to put in the effort, they can be lucrative positions over time.