Introduction
The dream of making money from the comfort of home is more attainable than ever in today’s digital age. While some work from home jobs require you to be at your computer on a regular schedule, many offer unparalleled freedom and flexibility to earn extra income on your own time.
So what exactly constitutes a work from home job? There are two main categories:
- Passive income – Making money from assets that require little day-to-day involvement. Examples include collecting rental income or earning royalties from creative work.
- Active income – Getting paid directly for your time and effort. This covers a wide range of opportunities like selling handmade products, freelancing, participating in surveys, etc.
The income potential with work from home jobs runs the gamut from pocket change to exceeding a full-time salary. Realistic monthly earnings often fall somewhere in the range of $500-$2,000. However, with persistence it’s possible to eventually earn $4,000-$5,000 per month or more with the most profitable ideas covered below.
When evaluating work from home opportunities, the most lucrative and flexible options tend to fall into three main categories: monetizing existing assets, freelancing skilled services, and scaling simple online businesses. The sections below will explore powerful examples within each area.
By the end, you’ll have a solid game plan to start earning a meaningful income from home at a pace that works for your lifestyle!
Online Surveys
Online surveys are a popular way to make money from home in your spare time. Survey sites connect you with companies and researchers who need opinions on various products and services. Here’s how it works:
- Survey companies recruit online survey takers by working with survey panels and networks. They need a diverse pool of respondents to get balanced data.
- When they have a survey that matches your demographics and interests, you’ll get an email invitation to participate. Surveys usually take 5-20 minutes to complete.
- For each survey you complete, you earn money, points, sweepstakes entries, or gift cards. Each survey’s incentive will be shown upfront before starting.
- Many sites use a point system where points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. Points vary per survey based on length and specificity.
Some of the most popular paid online survey sites include:
- Survey Junkie: One of the most popular survey sites with over 6 million members. Surveys pay out in points or cash via PayPal.
- Swagbucks: Get paid to take surveys, watch videos, surf the web, and more. Can redeem earnings for gift cards.
- InboxDollars: Get paid for taking surveys, playing games, reading emails, and redeem for cash.
The average earnings for online survey sites are around $5 to $20 per hour. Some pros of online surveys include:
- Flexible schedule. You can take surveys whenever it fits your schedule.
- Easy to get started. Just create an account and start taking surveys right away.
- Variety of survey topics to choose from. You can take surveys matched to your interests.
Some cons to consider:
- Low pay compared to other work from home jobs. Surveys alone may not provide a full income.
- Limited availability. The number of surveys depends on your demographics and how often you check for new surveys.
- Boring and repetitive. Answering survey questions repeatedly can get tedious over time.
- Rejection from surveys. You may occasionally get disqualified from surveys despite matching demographics.
Overall, online surveys offer an easy way to pick up extra money from home. Just don’t expect it to be a lucrative full-time job. Use survey earnings to supplement other income streams for best results.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is one of the most popular ways to earn income working from home. The internet provides a huge market for written content, creating ample opportunities for writers to earn money remotely.
The main skills required for freelance writing are strong writing ability, effective research skills, good time management, and self-motivation. Most freelance writers focus on a niche subject area where they have expertise, such as finance, health, marketing, or technology.
Some of the top freelance writing opportunities include:
- Writing articles for blogs, magazines, newspapers, and websites
- Creating content for marketing materials like email newsletters, brochures, and websites
- Writing product descriptions for online retailers
- Ghostwriting books, articles, or blog posts for clients
- Copywriting for advertising and marketing campaigns
- Editing and proofreading documents
- Writing transcripts for videos and podcasts
The average pay rate for freelance writing depends on your experience level and types of writing projects. Entry-level freelance writers can earn around $15-25 per hour, while experienced freelance writers can earn $50-100 per hour. High-end freelance writers working with major publications or clients can earn over $100,000 per year.
Some of the top freelance job boards to find writing gigs include:
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Fiverr
- Contena
- Scripted
- ProBlogger
- Blogging Pro
- Flexjobs
- SolidGigs
By leveraging freelance job boards and building a portfolio, freelance writers can secure steady work and earn substantial income from home. With discipline and hard work, freelance writing can become a lucrative full-time career.
Sell Handmade Crafts
Selling handmade crafts can be a great way to make money from home. Some of the most popular handmade items that sell well online include jewelry, ceramics, woodcrafts, paintings, knitwear, candles, soap, and stationery.
The skills required depend on your specific craft but may include jewelry making, pottery, woodworking, painting, knitting, soap making, calligraphy, and more. Even if you’re new to a craft, with practice you can develop skills to create quality handmade items over time.
Income potential varies widely based on your craft, skill level, time investment, and ability to market/sell your products. On average, crafters report earning $30-60 per hour selling handmade goods. Top sellers can earn over $100 per hour.
Some of the best online marketplaces to sell handmade items include Etsy, Amazon Handmade, eBay, Artfire, Dawanda, Craftsy, BigCartel, and Zibbet. You can create your own online shop, join craft fairs locally, or even approach retail stores once you’ve built an inventory.
The handmade craft segment is growing as consumers appreciate unique, quality items that are made with care. With passion for your craft and smart marketing, you can turn your handmade creations into a profitable home business.
Provide Virtual Services
With the rise of remote work, there are now more opportunities than ever to earn money from home by providing virtual services to clients around the world. One popular option is working as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants help clients with administrative tasks like scheduling, data entry, managing email, and more. The typical pay range for virtual assistants is $15-$25 per hour.
Another role that can be done remotely is a social media manager. Social media managers create and curate content, engage with followers, run ads, and track analytics for businesses’ social media channels. Strong writing skills and knowledge of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are must-haves. Average pay is $15-$30 per hour.
If you have teaching experience, working as an online tutor can be lucrative. Subjects like math, science, languages, and test prep are in high demand. Most tutors charge $20-$50 per hour. You’ll need to be knowledgeable in your subject area, skilled at explaining concepts in a clear way, and comfortable using video chat platforms.
The key benefits of providing virtual services are the flexibility to set your own schedule and ability to work from anywhere. It does require self-motivation, time management skills, and expertise in your chosen field. With some preparation and research to find clients, providing virtual services can be an excellent option for making money from home.
Rental Income
Renting out extra space in your home or other properties you own is a convenient way to generate passive income without a huge time commitment. With the rise of home sharing platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, it’s easier than ever to find short-term renters for extra rooms, apartments, parking spaces, and more.
Renting out an extra room in your house is one of the most popular options. The average rental rate for a private room is around $50-$100 per night depending on your location and amenities offered. Hosting travelers for short stays enables you to earn thousands per year, especially if you live in a popular tourist destination. Property management companies can assist with listing, screening guests, cleaning, and other hosting tasks.
Beyond extra rooms, you can also generate rental income from unused parking spaces, storage areas, backyard spaces for events, and even pools or hot tubs. The average rental rate for a parking space is around $50-150 per month depending on location. Storage spaces tend to rent for $25-100 on average. Backyards, pools, and other amenities command higher premiums on a per-day basis.
Owning investment properties specifically for renting out is another great way to earn passive rental income, although it requires more upfront costs and effort. The average gross rental yield across properties is 7-12% annually. Real estate investing may involve buying a duplex and renting out one unit, or purchasing a vacation property to rent out when not in use. Property managers can handle maintenance, repairs and tenants.
Renting out extra or unused space takes advantage of assets you already own. With minimal effort, rental income can provide thousands in extra earnings each year. Tracking local market rates helps optimize pricing and take advantage of demand.
Resell Items Online
Reselling items online can be a great way to make money from home if you have an eye for finding valuable items at low prices. Some of the most profitable items to buy low and resell for a higher price include electronics, vintage clothing, collectibles, and designer brands.
Most Profitable Items To Resell
- Electronics – Laptops, phones, gaming systems, and other technology sell well on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Look for good deals at thrift stores, garage sales, or wholesale lots.
- Vintage clothing – Rare or vintage brand name clothing can sell for top dollar on sites like Etsy, Depop, and Poshmark. Look through thrift stores for hidden gems. Focus on pieces in great condition from popular brands.
- Collectibles – Rare coins, stamps, trading cards, and other collectibles have enthusiastic buyers willing to pay premium prices. Check local estate sales and auctions to find undervalued items. Comic books, sports memorabilia, and vintage toys also have strong demand.
- Designer brands – Gently used or new with tags designer apparel and accessories sell well online. Source from thrift stores, wholesale lots, or outlet malls. Stick to popular luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of what’s valuable – Learn what items sell for top dollar in various niches through research.
- Negotiation – Haggle for the best possible prices when sourcing inventory.
- Photography – Take high-quality photos to showcase items attractively online.
- Listing skills – Write compelling descriptions highlighting an item’s features, flaws, provenance.
- Shipping and handling – Pack items securely and know the most affordable shipping options.
Average Income
Income varies greatly based on time invested and items sold. Many resellers net $20-$50 profit per item. With consistent effort, it’s possible to make $500-$2000+ per month reselling online. Top sellers make 6 figures. Focus on finding valuable, high profit items.
Top Platforms
- eBay – Largest marketplace. Best for electronics, collectibles, vintage items.
- Facebook Marketplace – Meet local buyers. Low fees. Good for bulky/heavy items.
- Etsy – Popular for vintage and handmade goods. Charges listing and transaction fees.
- Poshmark – Leading platform for used clothing. Take a 20% commission on sales.
- Amazon – Can sell as an individual or professional seller. High competition on Amazon means focusing on profitable niches.
Reselling thrifted and discounted items online takes work, but can become a lucrative side business with the right skills and strategy. It’s scalable too – start small then expand your inventory and sales channels as you gain experience.
Deliver Food
Delivering food is a flexible way to earn extra income in your spare time. The rise of food delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub over the past few years has created ample opportunities for people to work as delivery drivers. Here’s an overview of how it works.
Overview of Food Delivery Apps
Food delivery apps allow customers to order food from local restaurants for delivery. As a driver, you’ll get notifications of delivery opportunities nearby through the app. Once you accept a delivery, you’ll drive to the restaurant, pick up the customer’s order, and deliver it to their location. The main apps to deliver for are:
- Uber Eats – Fast growing app with busy orders. Tends to pay better base rates than competitors.
- DoorDash – Most popular app with many orders across the country. Low base pay but allows bigger tips.
- Grubhub – An early market leader now smaller than DoorDash and Uber Eats. Steady stream of orders.
- Postmates – Focuses more on retail deliveries beyond just food. Smaller market presence than the top apps.
You can sign up to work with any or all of the major food delivery apps as an independent contractor. The apps don’t require set schedules or minimum hours, so you can freely choose when and how often to work.
Average Pay
How much you earn depends on factors like your location, hours, and efficiency. Drivers typically make $10-$20 per hour on average, including tips. Busy times like dinner hours on weekends tend to be the most lucrative. You also get to keep 100% of your tips. Income can vary widely week to week, so it pays to track how many hours you work and how much you make over time.
Requirements
The requirements to deliver food are relatively minimal:
- Have a vehicle – Car, bike, scooter or motorcycle works.
- Proof of insurance and valid driver’s license if driving.
- Pass a background check.
- Be over 18 years old.
- Have an Android or iPhone smartphone.
That makes food delivery open to a wide range of people looking for flexible work. Students, part-time workers, retirees, stay at home parents and many others deliver food to earn extra money.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very flexible schedule – Work whenever you want.
- Decent pay in short bursts of time.
- Get exercise if biking or walking.
- Minimal startup costs – just need a vehicle and smartphone.
- Easy onboarding process with apps.
Cons
- Inconsistent pay and reliance on tips.
- Uses your own vehicle – costs gas and leads to mileage/wear and tear.
- Less stable income than regular job.
- Need to track expenses to maximize earnings.
- Can be slow during off-peak times.
Overall, delivering food is an accessible option to make money on a flexible schedule. The income works best as supplemental earnings rather than a full time job. It’s worth trying out if you want to earn extra cash in your spare time without a rigid schedule.
Sell Stock Photos
Selling stock photos can be a great way to earn passive income from home. There are many types of stock photos that sell well on the major stock sites:
- Lifestyle photos (people doing everyday activities)
- Nature and landscape photos
- Cityscapes and architecture
- Business/office photos
- Food photos
- Emotive photos (expressing emotions)
The most popular stock photo sites include:
- Shutterstock
- Getty Images
- Adobe Stock
- iStock
- Pond5
On average, stock photo sellers can earn $0.25 to $2 per download of an image. However, if you build up a large portfolio of images that continue to sell over time, you can start earning passive income each month from your back catalog of photos.
When selling on stock sites, you’ll license your photos to buyers. Common licensing options include:
- Royalty-free – buyers pay a flat fee to use the image multiple times.
- Rights-managed – licensing fees are negotiated between the buyer and seller.
- Editorial use – images used in news or editorial content. Lower fees but with restrictions.
With quality photos and a large portfolio, stock photos can become a steady stream of income even while at home. Just be sure to use your own original photos and check each site’s image requirements.
Conclusion
The best ways to make money from home provide a variety of options to earn extra income, gain professional experience, or even start a full-time business. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations about how much money you can make with each option.
Many of these opportunities are part-time and may generate income ranging from a few dollars to potentially over $1,000 per month. But results depend heavily on the time and effort you put in. For example, taking online surveys may bring in pocket change, while building a freelance writing business can become a lucrative full-time career.
Additional tips for earning money from home:
- Set a regular schedule and commit time each week. Treat it like a job, not a hobby.
- Promote yourself and acquire new clients continuously. Don’t rely on a single income stream.
- Track income and expenses carefully using accounting software. Pay all applicable taxes.
- Reduce costs by utilizing fee-free platforms when possible and reinvesting profits.
- Stay motivated through goal setting, planning, and celebrating small wins.
The best home business opportunities allow you to do work you enjoy with flexibility to suit your lifestyle. With grit and patience, many of these money-making pursuits can become highly profitable over time. Do your research and focus on providing real value to start earning real money from home.