You want a side gig and don't have much time, but also need an income that's more than what your regular job provides. You're looking for something simple and easy with no risk of losing too much if it fails.
Fortunately, there are lots of apps out there that let you make extra money on the go, all while keeping things as simple as possible. Here are some of our favorite options for making money without investment.
Note: Some of these apps require users to perform actions like watching ads in order to receive their earnings. If this bothers you, try using mobile data instead (as long as it isn't super expensive). Or use Wi-Fi only when necessary!
InboxDollars -- InboxDollars has been around since 2012, so we know it works well. It takes "surveys" every day via text message, asking its members about topics such as household items, food products, pet care, travel destinations, and other general interests. Members get paid $5 per survey completed, which adds up over time. The surveys take 5 minutes or less, so they won't waste your precious time. Plus, you'll never be asked to buy anything or do anything shady here. Since this company treats its customers respectfully, chances are good that you'll see at least one payout each month. And if you qualify, you could even withdraw most of your earnings monthly rather than waiting until next payday. Be sure to check out my interview with InboxDollars below.
Pros: Easy to qualify for payouts. Simple interface. No obligation to spend money. Earnings directly deposited into bank account once earned above minimum threshold. Free trial available.
Cons: Only pays once per week compared to other companies that offer multiple payments per week. Average customer satisfaction rating is just 58%.
Cash App -- Cash App offers another great option for people who prefer receiving their paycheck through their phone number. This service allows you to link various accounts together, including credit cards, banks, PayPal, Venmo, and more. Once linked, you can transfer funds between those different services quickly and easily. Just enter the amount, select how you'd like to send it, then choose whether you want to send it electronically or by mail. As far as fees go, transactions cost 3% plus 30 cents per transaction. That means, for example, sending someone $50 would cost $4.50. However, if you sign up for automatic deposits, you may not incur fees at all. Withdrawing your earnings will also come with little charge, unless they exceed $2,000 within 60 days. Of course, there is always room for error with withdrawing large amounts of cash, especially when you consider taxes. But overall, Cash App seems pretty fair and straightforward.
Pros: Fast withdrawals, reliable platform. Available worldwide, although withdrawal limits vary based upon location. Automatic deposit feature saves time and increases efficiency.
Cons: Requires linking several banking accounts in order to work. Not ideal for beginners. Doesn't allow for direct depositing of earnings.
Peep-- Peep is unique because it actually lets you invest real dollars into digital assets. When you first register, you set up a profile that includes your age, gender, occupation, and current net worth. Then, whenever you complete a task, you simply tap the icon on your screen and watch as your virtual portfolio grows. Based on the tasks you accept, you might earn anywhere from 1 cent to 10 percent back onto your actual dollar balance. For example, completing five surveys might return 2 cents back, whereas accepting 20 product reviews might give you 0.2 percent. While this doesn't sound like a lot, it does add up over time. Also, since your earnings aren't tied to specific tasks, you're able to earn additional revenue throughout the day. At the end of the day, you'll receive your total earnings and keep whatever exceeds your initial investment. So, if you invested $10 and ended up getting $20 back, you'd keep the remaining balance.
Pros: Allows you to invest small chunks of money in exchange for larger rewards later down the line. Invest early to maximize returns. Provides you with tools to help increase ROI.
Cons: Can feel overwhelming due to variety of tasks offered. Must wait until tomorrow to learn more details. May feel intimidating to new users.
Earnest ($1) -- Earnest was created by former Facebook employees, so it should come as no surprise that this app feels familiar. To start off, you create a profile and follow certain rules regarding what kind of content you post. Afterward, you'll begin seeing sponsored posts related to your chosen categories. These types of posts will appear alongside organic ones, giving you the chance to earn a few bucks per piece. Your earnings depend on the popularity of your posts and how many interactions they generate. Every user earns 75 cents per hour, which can range depending on how active you are.
Pros: Quickly generates passive income. Offers flexible hours. Has a clean UI design.
Cons: Content must meet strict guidelines. Does not provide tracking statistics. Earning potential highly dependent on participation rate.
ReadyForZero - ReadyForZero helps thousands of Americans save money on bills, groceries, gas, loans, rent, and insurance. All you have to do is fill out a short questionnaire about yourself, and it will tell you exactly where you stand financially. From there, you can decide what steps you want to take toward improving your situation. You can either opt to improve your debt repayment, budget, savings goals, etc., or to focus entirely on increasing your income. Either way, the website recommends three actionable tips tailored specifically to your needs.
Based on your results, ReadyForZero shows you step-by-step instructions on achieving your goal(s), along with links to relevant resources. Everything is explained clearly, with clear deadlines included. Each tip comes with a helpful video guide and FAQ section, so you can become confident before trying them out. Finally, you can track your progress through weekly reports, graphs, charts, and milestones. Overall, this site is perfect for anyone struggling to achieve financial freedom.
Pros: Very informative, detailed breakdowns of your finances. Achieves goals effortlessly. Helps users build better habits with practical advice.
Cons: Takes a bit longer to reach goals. May lose motivation after gaining momentum.
TutorMe - TutorMe connects students needing assistance with tutors offering private lessons. Students search through tutor profiles and book sessions according to availability. Fees differ depending on area, subject matter, student experience, etc. Sessions last 45 minutes maximum and typically run twice a week.
While tutoring jobs generally pay $25-$30/hour, TutorMe currently boasts an average hourly wage of $13.45, putting its hourly earnings among the highest in the industry. Users also benefit from unlimited scheduling flexibility, 24/7 support, and the ability to contact tutors directly. On top of that, TutorMe provides a comprehensive feedback system so employers can monitor employee performance, allowing them to determine future earnings accordingly.
Pros: High demand in major cities across the U.S. Flexible schedules, consistent paychecks, personalized attention.
Cons: Low supply in major cities makes competition stiffer. Not suited for professional tutors.
FlexJobs360 [No Longer Available] -- Flexjobs360 is primarily designed for freelancers, but non-freelancers can still utilize it to find part-time gigs. Register for free, then browse dozens of opportunities posted by both businesses and individuals. Post your resume and apply for open positions. Companies review applications, and you can expect to hear back from prospective employers within 48 hours. Most openings pay $15-$40 per hour, though rates vary greatly depending on position type. Payout occurs biweekly, usually starting two weeks following completion of requested duties.
If you've got a computer and Internet access, this site is definitely worth checking out.
Pros: Great place to discover freelance jobs near you. Reliable payouts. Payment processing provided.
Cons: Limited selection of locations. Difficulties finding remote workers.
Stripe Atlas -- Stripe Atlas is a marketplace connecting creators with consumers. Creators put their talents on display by listing skills, projects, and ideas. Consumers can view listings submitted by others and express interest in working with particular project owners. After reaching mutual agreement, parties will collaborate on finalizing agreements and executing projects. Payments happen automatically through Stripe, meaning creators don't have to worry about handling sensitive information.
The beauty of Stripe Atlas lies in its simplicity. There are no contracts involved, nor are you required to hand over personal info. Simply list your abilities, post your offerings, and clients will approach you. You set the price point for your services, and Stripe handles everything else. One downside is that Stripe Atlas requires users to verify their identities, but it shouldn't deter newcomers.
This site is certainly geared towards entrepreneurs, but it's not exclusive to them. Anyone can join and participate.
Pros: Simplicity and ease of use. No need for extensive training.
Cons: More suitable for professionals. Needs further development.
You've probably heard that making money online isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be as difficult as people think. If you're looking for an opportunity to get started earning money today with very little effort, we'll walk you through how to do just that — without ever investing a dime of your own money in this post.
We looked into some popular methods and found what works well for many users who are trying to build their first income stream. You don't need to learn new skills either! All of these ideas use things you already know, like social media, email marketing, blogging, and copywriting. So if you want to start earning extra income right now, keep reading below.
Note: Some of these opportunities will require an initial signup fee or subscription before you begin getting paid regularly, so check them out carefully to see whether they meet your needs.
There's no better place than Reddit to find success stories about anyone going after something big. This subreddit has over 100,000 subscribers, all of whom share their experiences on how they succeeded (and failed) when pursuing different goals. It makes for great inspiration because everyone here shares real life examples instead of pie-in-the-sky promises.
One Redditor recently published his story on r/makemoneyonlinepros, where he details how he earned over $2 million in affiliate commissions selling other peoples' products. He says his biggest tip for beginners is "Don't try to run away fast." Instead, focus on building relationships and trust among customers, vendors, and affiliates alike. Once you establish yourself as someone reliable, people will actually consider working with you.
Another user on r/socialmediaexpertise shared her experience of being able to quit her 9-5 corporate gig and work full time from home using Facebook ads. She got started with less than $1,000 of spending cash thanks to tips she learned while studying business administration. Now, three years later, she earns more than $50K per year from her ad revenue alone. That's around $4,333 per month ($5567)!
If you'd rather not create your own content, you could also take advantage of freelancing sites such as Fiverr or Upwork which offer services ranging from article writing to translation. Or you could simply browse YouTube videos for relevant keywords and then become a freelance video editor.
The easiest way to generate passive income online is via membership websites. Think of places like Patreon, SubscribeStar, Ko-fi, and others where you pay once a week or monthly to support creators whose work you enjoy. For example, you might choose to donate a portion of your paycheck each payday to a charity you care deeply about, or maybe give a few dollars to one of your favorite artists every time you buy music. The beauty of these programs is that you never really invest much money up front, but you still end up receiving dividends long afterwards.
Of course, you should only join a program if you feel comfortable with its terms and policies. And even though you may decide to cancel your account at times, it's important to remember that most people stay subscribed because they love supporting the creator's efforts. They also help to boost traffic to the website and increase engagement. In fact, according to research done by PayPal, supporters often spend more money overall compared to non-supporters.
But perhaps the simplest method of generating recurring income is by creating your own blog. With platforms like WordPress offering free hosting plans, publishing regular posts is easier than ever. Plus, since the amount of clicks and views aren't limited by advertisers or sponsorships, you can charge readers directly whenever you write articles. There are plenty of helpful tools available to help you promote your site too. But whatever platform you prefer, remember to put quality content out consistently. Readers come back again and again for fresh material, so you must always deliver value.
Creating passive income streams takes hard work, patience, and persistence. While you won't immediately hit the jackpot overnight, there are definitely strategies you can implement right now that will eventually lead to profits.
For instance, you can leverage the power of influencer marketing by reaching out to bloggers, vloggers, celebrities, and similar types within certain niches. Simply reach out to influential people in your niche and ask them to mention your product during a live broadcast. Then, send them an invoice for say, $500-$1500 depending on their size. Next, negotiate a 30% commission rate off the top. Afterward, you can direct viewers to your sales page, ensuring potential buyers click the link to purchase.
As another option, you can also partner up with brands that sell physical goods such as clothing and accessories. For example, you can curate items from various designers onto your Etsy shop, allowing visitors to order directly from your store. Alternatively, you can set up wholesale accounts with retailers to distribute merchandise to stores across the country. You'll receive a cut of each sale and a percentage of profit, plus you can keep a larger chunk of royalties for yourself. To get started, head over to Shopify's guide on becoming an eCommerce entrepreneur.
Lastly, you can also explore affiliate marketing —a type of referral marketing whereby sellers refer shoppers to a third party vendor's service. Whenever someone buys something through your links, you get a commission. Typically, merchants offer between 10%-75% commissions based on the price of the item sold.
Making money online requires putting in consistent hours. As mentioned above, you should publish several pieces of high-quality content per week to attract organic attention from search engines. If possible, aim to produce 2-3 new original posts daily. You can also supplement those with guest blogs written by experts in your field, press releases, giveaways, etc. Try experimenting with posting fewer updates than usual to test drive the waters. Don't worry if you don't land a steady audience right away! Persistence pays off in the end.
While you wait for traffic to trickle in, why not get creative and brainstorm some unique ideas for your next project? Write down everything that comes to mind, including topics you plan to cover, questions you hope to answer, and challenges you intend to overcome. Take a break from thinking about it for a bit, and let go of pressure. The solution will present itself naturally when you least expect it.
To speed up the process further, you can also automate parts of your workflow with apps like Hootsuite, Buffer, Mailchimp, Canva, Zoho CRM, Google Calendar, Trello, LinkedIn Pulse, Latero, FollowUpNow, and many others. These allow you to schedule posts, track leads, manage contacts, collect emails, and monitor interactions respectively.
Here's hoping that helps you achieve financial independence sooner than expected! Happy earnings, friends!
You've probably heard that making money online requires some sort of investment -- whether it's an advertising budget, time commitment, or one-time purchase of software and services. But what if there was another option for earning money online without investing anything in return?
Here are several different types of income streams where you don't need to spend a dime on marketing campaigns, subscriptions, or other fees. You could even start today!
1. Sell your stuff
If you have items lying around collecting dust, consider selling them through sites like eBay or Craigslist. Even better, sell something specific people want instead of just random junk. For example, try searching "eBay" for ideas about how to get started selling things online.
2. Make crafts
Doing arts and crafts has never been easier thanks to Etsy. If you enjoy sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, cake decorating, jewelry design, photography, painting, stained glass, pottery, woodworking, etc., then this site might be right up your alley. The beauty of Etsy is that sellers only pay when they actually receive orders. It's also great because customers keep all their profits once they leave your store. And did we mention that the majority of transactions made via PayPal aren't taxed by state governments?
3. Become a freelancer
Freelancing allows you to work as much (or as little) as you'd like while still receiving a regular paycheck every month. As long as you're qualified for the task and able to complete projects within deadlines, you'll find plenty of clients looking to hire independent contractors. There are many freelance jobs available ranging from writing articles, editing photos, graphic designing, web development, copywriting, data entry, translations, medical transcription, virtual assistant tasks, proofreading, customer support, consulting, teaching/coaching, tutoring, event planning, office management, project management, social media management, public relations, SEO content creation, research, video production, audio recording, voiceover work, and more.
4. Start your own blog
Blogging may not be new but starting your own website sure is. Blogging is simply publishing written posts on topics related to your niche so people who search for those keywords will discover your page. A good blogging platform should cost less than $20 per year. HostGator offers affordable hosting plans that include WordPress plug-ins preloaded which allow users to easily create pages and add content using drag & drop tools. Additionally, there are thousands of themes and plugins available across various platforms including Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, and others. With these features, you won't believe how easy it is to set up a professional-looking domain name, install a theme, write a few paragraphs, upload images, insert videos, link back to your main site, publish posts, and build traffic. Best of all, none of these costs you a cent. Plus, after your first post goes live, you'll continue getting paid monthly forever.
5. Write ebooks
Ebooks used to require lots of expensive equipment such as scanners, printers, digital cameras, camcorders, mics, microphones, computers, tablets, laptops, monitors, hard drives, and other accessories. However, now you can turn your handwritten notes into quality printable documents using nothing but Microsoft Word and maybe Photoshop. While you may not see large returns immediately, over time, ebook sales can dramatically increase depending upon the popularity of your topic. Also, unlike traditional books, you can give away printed copies of your book without worrying about copyright infringement issues.
6. Get hired as an intern
Internships allow companies to gain valuable insight regarding potential employees. This helps employers determine how well suited candidates would be working under similar conditions before hiring them full-time. Companies typically offer internship positions either part-time or during lunch breaks. Interns usually do basic administrative duties such as answering phones, filing paperwork, taking messages, setting appointments, greeting visitors, organizing meetings, photocopying, running errands, cleaning offices, doing light IT repairs, returning phone calls, fetching coffee, assembling presentations, and helping out wherever possible. In exchange, interns receive a modest stipend plus room and board. Depending on the type of job you choose, you could end up being paid anywhere between $8-$15 per hour.
7. Offer consultation services
Consultants help businesses solve problems relating to their industry. They provide expert advice, training, guidance, feedback, and assistance to individuals or teams who lack certain skills required for success. Whether you specialize in business growth, operations, strategy, finance, accounting, technology, human resources, marketing, sales, legal, communications, hospitality, nutrition, education, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, construction, energy, entertainment, agriculture, automotive repair, personal training, pet care, catering, security, transportation, childcare, financial planning, sports coaching, music instruction, life coaching, yoga classes, dog grooming, landscaping, event planning, massage therapy, acupuncture, hair styling, interior design, gardening, wedding planning, home improvement, travel destinations, event coordination, translation, certification courses, and more, you can use your knowledge to become a consultant. To qualify, you must possess strong communication skills, exceptional organizational abilities, and extensive experience. Most consultants charge hourly rates based on their expertise and years of experience.
8. Create informational products
Informational product creators gather information from interviews, surveys, questionnaires, forums, reference materials, blogs, case studies, news stories, newspapers, magazines, technical reports, manuals, white papers, textbooks, pamphlets, cookbooks, newsletters, infographics, and other sources to produce informative guides intended to educate consumers about particular subjects. Informational products come in two forms: downloadable (such as PDF files) and physical (like CD-ROMS). Physical versions are generally cheaper to produce compared to digital downloads since most customers prefer having tangible objects rather than intangible ones. Although both formats can generate significant revenue, downloadable products tend to bring higher earnings due to their lower price tags. Some popular examples of informational products you could consider creating are weight loss programs, diet supplements, makeup tutorials, exercise routines, motivational speeches, self-improvement eBooks, parenting workshops, health quizzes, DIY instructions, cooking lessons, fitness tips, inspirational quotes, and motivational posters.
9. Take online surveys
Opinion surveys often consist of multiple questions designed to elicit answers from participants. These responses are compiled together to form useful data sets. Survey providers recruit respondents directly through emails, advertisements, websites, mobile apps, text message alerts, and other methods. Once enrolled, survey takers receive compensation according to the number of surveys completed. Surveys vary widely in terms of length. Many take five minutes or less, whereas others ask dozens of detailed questions. One thing is clear though, the longer the survey, the more opportunities it creates to maximize your earnings.
10. Sign up for affiliate programs
Affiliate marketers promote third party products on behalf of merchants who wish to expand their reach. Affiliates receive commissions each time someone makes a sale. Commissions range from 15% to 75%. Usually, affiliates sign up to be compensated for referring other shoppers to vendors' sites. Popular affiliate networks include Clickbank, Amazon Associates, Commission Junction, LinkShare, ShareASale, CPA Marketing, JVZoo, Digital River, Skimlinks, PayDotCom, MediaBrix, Thrive Leads, Market Healthily, and Rakuten Supermarket.
11. Sell unused gift cards
Unused gift card holders can sometimes be sold for pennies on the dollar through sites like Cardpool.com. Gift card buyers browse listings and send you instant payments via PayPal. Cards expire after six months unless redeemed before expiration. After redeeming gift cards, owners realize that they weren't worth very much money anyway. Thus, buying and reselling gift cards provides a quick source of extra income.
12. Rent out rooms
Renting out spare bedrooms, guestrooms, suites, lofts, apartments, houses, boats, cars, vans, trucks, campers, trailers, RVs, and other spaces gives families additional flexibility to save money on lodging expenses. Airbnb hosts advertise short term stays consisting of nights, weekends, holidays, and summer vacations. Guests rent entire homes from homeowners willing to temporarily let go of their space. HomeAway lets travelers stay overnight in private vacation rentals worldwide. VRBO operates similarly to HomeAway allowing renters access to hundreds of properties throughout North America. VacationRentals.com lists rental accommodations located near airports, tourist attractions, beaches, golf resorts, ski resorts, lakes, cruises, amusement parks, camping grounds, national monuments, historic landmarks, hiking trails, bed & breakfasts, cottages, condos, farmhouses, and tree houses.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.