Fed up with the 9-to-5 grind? These days, it’s possible for you to earn money even without the traditional office-based desk job. Heck, you can even earn money while sitting in your PJs drinking coffee.
If you want to be your own boss, or cut loose from the rat race, you've come to the right place. Whether you're out of work, looking to earn a little extra on the side, or simply ready for career change — we've got you covered.
So let's kick traditional employment to the curb and dive head first into other options for making money. Want to know how to make money without a job? Here are 20 options to choose from.
Ready to make money without a job?
Applying for work and writing endless cover letters can be pretty frustrating. If the traditional work life of 9-to-5 sounds like your idea of hell, why not earn money a different way?
In this list, we've aimed to include as much variety as possible. Whether you're trying to earn a few dollars on the side or set up your own full-time business, there's plenty to choose from.
1. Survey sites
If you often find yourself scrolling social media platforms, why not use that spare time to fill out online surveys instead? There are lots of different survey sites out there that can match your profile with surveys in minutes.
Several survey sites offer varying levels of online surveys, from ones that take a few minutes to some as long as half an hour. The best survey sites pay out quickly, so you're not waiting to hit a milestone before you're able to withdraw your cash rewards.
Here are a few worth noting:
However, it can be pretty time-consuming for little reward. So if you're serious about making money, you might want to opt for another option on our list. Still, for a few dollars here and there to fund your Starbucks habit, filling out surveys could be handy.
2. Home and pet sitting
Looking for proactive ways to make money? You can even work on your side projects while house or pet sitting and double your money-making potential. There are many websites worth looking at, such as House Sitters America, where you can sign up to become a house or pet sitter.
Not all platforms pay for pet sitting, though. While you can charge for your services, some websites offer free accommodation in return. It could be the perfect way to travel abroad and earn money from anywhere in the world.
3. Become a virtual assistant
You don't have to be a marketing professional to become a virtual assistant. Many businesses and self-employed people are too busy to manage all areas of their business and are constantly on the hunt for good help.
If you're great at time management, being a virtual assistant could be a great option. But it isn't all about organizing someone's diary. There are lots of other tasks you can get involved in too, such as:
- Administrative tasks
- Customer service
- Bookkeeping
- Email marketing
- Transcribing
- Data entry
- Website management
Unsure of how to learn some of the above? There are plenty of online courses and communities online to help you pick up a variety of skills.
And when it comes to getting paid as a VA, share your Whop checkout link and they'll be taken straight to a secure checkout page. Easy, huh?
4. Write an eBook
Not only are eBooks in demand, but the topics are endless. Plus, we're not talking about publishing a novel here, so you can start earning cash quite quickly. Whether fiction, non-fiction or educational, there are so many options.
Even better than POD services, there's no need to print, ship or worry about stock, since your eBook would be readily available to download. With Whop, you can earn some extra cash immediately with your eBook, while leaving space for other services and digital products.
Getting set up is easy, with options to offer pricing tiers, bundles and community access — all earning you extra money.
Want to make money without a job and make passive income? Here's how to start selling eBooks, from finding your killer niche to getting published.
5. Host a podcast
Got a topic you can't seem to stop talking about? Whether you're a true crime fan, a football fanatic or have a love for cars, a podcast could be your calling.
There are plenty of podcast hosting platforms available, many of which are free — so you can get started right away. There are lots of different ways to use a podcast to earn money, including ads, sponsorships, newsletters and merchandise. So it's not all about how many episodes you can create.
Once you've found a home for your podcast, why not take it to the next level with Whop?
Creating your own whop is easy, and can be done in a matter of minutes. Once your podcast is set up, monetizing your content is straightforward. Whether it's building a paid community, or encouraging your listeners to buy digital products — there are so many opportunities to take your podcast from a side gig to a full-time money-making machine.
Not sure what to talk about? Here are some standout podcast topic ideas to get started with.
6. Sell custom products with print-on-demand
Starting your own online store can feel a little daunting, but opting for a print-on-demand (POD) service can make the process much easier. POD services allow you to focus on building a brand, without the headache of having to manufacture products or handle shipping.
With so many online courses available to help you learn design techniques, you'll be well on your way to making money from the comfort of your own home. You can even take advantage of AI tools to create quirky designs.
Some POD services offer just clothing, while many others can print onto mugs, stickers, bags, shoes or phone cases. Starting your print-on-demand journey is relatively quick and takes little effort.
Not sure what POD services to trust? Here are a few of the big guns to consider:
Make sure you shop around a little to work out the best way to maximize your income streams and reduce fees as much as possible.
7. Consider gig economy platforms
If you haven't heard of these platforms before, you're in for a treat. The "gig economy" refers to one-off jobs or tasks you choose to take on, on your terms.
This means you can earn money across different platforms, picking up work as you please. It could be a food delivery app like DoorDash or UberEats, or even babysitting via an app like UrbanSitter.
If you've got a side hustle on the go and just want to earn a few dollars on the side, these apps make it easy to pick up work according to your schedule.
The gig economy explained: Is it the future of work? We dig a little deeper into this new way of working.
8. Rent out extra space or asset
Whether a garage, a parking spot or a spare room in your house, renting out your extra space can bring in some easy money. If you're not keen on renting out your home to strangers, why not set yourself up to rent storage instead?
Renting is a great way to earn money, with little effort. All you have to do is let people use the stuff (or space) you're not using. It's pretty flexible too, so you choose when to make your space or stuff available. There are plenty of sites out there that allow you to rent out items as well. So if you've got a bunch of photography gear, sports gear or camping equipment readily available, why not rent it?
While Neighbor makes it easy to rent out parking or storage space, services like Yoodlize or Rannsak make it straightforward to rent out items.
9. Use cashback apps
If you're looking to earn money without a job, cashback apps can be a great way to take advantage of daily activities. Although it's free money, you do often have to spend some to get a percentage of your spending back.
There are plenty of apps worth looking at, including lbotta, Rakuten, Upside and Swagbucks. Many apps can even help you see what offers are nearby.
Although cash rewards are great, this method is unlikely to give you a proper income. But it can be a great way to save money and get a little back alongside whatever side hustles you've got on the go.
10. Set up a paid community
Paid communities are one of the best ways to make money without a job. No matter what your topic, a community brings like-minded members together effectively. This means no searching endlessly online, no trial and error and no trolls.
One of the best things about setting up a community is the flexibility. It can literally be about anything, whether an interest, skill or particular topic. Maybe you sell stuff online and want to share your tips for doing so — if others can learn from you, you've got a great foundation. Then, as members join and learn from one another, your community can somewhat run itself.
Whop is the best place to start. When you set up your own whop, you can create a tailored community using a wide range of apps. You can use the Chat app to create chat rooms, the Courses app create an online course, the Files app for downloadable files or eBooks — taking your income to a whole new level.
11. Take part in market research
If you're willing to share your data, market research can be a quick way to make money. Passive income through data sharing is made simple with apps like Pogo, MobileXpression or Caden.
Different websites will pay for your opinion on their products and services, such as Take Part In Research. While some sites and apps will ask to monitor certain activities and app usage, some keep track of how you use your phone overall.
Paid market research can give you some extra money, and can be easily done with minimal effort — especially if you opt to safely share your data.
Before getting started, take a look at reviews. This will ensure you keep yourself safe and avoid any scams online.
12. Start your own blog
Fancy yourself a writer? Or maybe you just have a strong opinion on a particular topic? Now's the time to start your own blog.
You can either build your own website or use a blogging platform to get started right away. While blogging was previously considered a hobby or online diary, it's now a big online business. Many bloggers earn a passive income through affiliate links, digital product sales and advertising.
Once you've nailed your blog niche, you can even get freebies to review and promote - both on your blog and social media accounts. You'll be pleased to hear there are many different methods to making money as a blogger online.
13. Try affiliate marketing
If you've got your own website or growing social media accounts, why not try your hand at affiliate marketing? It's a great way to promote businesses by essentially sharing unique links to their products or services.
Unlike a traditional job, being a successful affiliate can lead to passive income. After all, once you've got social media platforms running well or a website ranking, those crucial clicks can somewhat run themselves. With each purchase made through your affiliate link, you'll earn a percentage of the sale.
This means you don't have to deal with the sale of products, stock, shipping or customer service. You can get started by writing reviews and blog posts and sharing content on your social media platforms. Here are some of the best affiliate marketing programs to take a look at:
- Shopify
- Amazon Associates
- Rakuten
- eBay Partner Network
- Leadpages
- Semrush
- Kit
- Fiverr
- HubSpot
- Whop
Don't know how to get started with affiliate marketing? Follow our ultimate guide and discover the different routes you can take.
14. Get creative with arts and crafts
If you're feeling creative, you can try your hand at selling arts and crafts. Finding the right online marketplace to sell via is key. Etsy is one of the biggest platforms for selling DIY crafts.
You don't have to be a pro at knitting to get started, either. You can buy and customize items, such as clothing, or use print-on-demand services to avoid the stress of manufacturing.
Before you know it, you could have your own online business set up, with zero need for a traditional job. Just beware of the Etsy fees.
15. Tutor online
Did you know you can earn money online by tutoring? From teaching English on a language lesson platform such as italki, to sharing your skills in math, science or design — if you've got a knack for something, why not teach it?
There are many different websites where you can tutor online, without having to sign up full-time. This means you can work when you want, wherever you want. Got your side hustle taking up your Monday to Wednesday? Use Thursday and Friday to tutor online.
Here are some great tutoring websites to take a look at:
Or why not take your talents one step further with Whop? Turn your skills into digital products and start selling in a matter of minutes. From creating online courses to eBooks, paid content and communities, there are endless monetization opportunities. You can host students one-on-one with video calls, share lesson plans, sell self-paced courses and even run quizzes, all from your whop.
16. Transcribe audio and video
Transcriptionists listen to an audio or video and convert it into a written document. There are various platforms you can sign up to online to do this kind of work, and they typically involve a typing test to check your speed. All you need is a laptop, internet connection and potentially some headphones.
Agencies like TranscribeMe and Scribie allow you to take freelance transcription jobs as and when you want, and the more you work, the quicker you'll get. After all, transcribing is all about speed and accuracy.
If you're quick at typing, transcribing is one of the easiest ways to make money without a job. Plus, you can decide when you work and which jobs you take, giving you full flexibility. So if you've got a side hustle on the go that you're focusing on, transcribing can give you some extra cash on the side.
18. Sell stuff online that you already own
If you're still stuck on how to make money without a job, why not sell stuff you already own? There's nothing quite like clearing out some clutter, whether clothes, books or electronics. You can easily sell locally on Facebook marketplace, or sign up for an app such as Vinted or Depop.
If you have an eye for fashion, you can even check out local thrift stores and find clothing to resell online.
Looking for another online marketplace to sell on? Check out our Facebook marketplace alternatives to help you make more money.
19. Start a YouTube channel
Much like building an online community or starting a blog, it's worth considering launching a YouTube channel. Think about your favorite topics. You could start a channel focused on reviews, education, sports or even personal vlogs.
Once you've built a following, you can start to monetize your YouTube channel through the platform's ad network, or even through affiliate marketing links.
You never know, you could become the next MrBeast who has a whopping 330M subscribers. Once you’re all set up, you can start monetizing your channel with Whop in just a matter of minutes - building a base of paying subscribers with paid extras including access to a VIP community and behind-the-scenes footage.
Need a hand getting started? We’ve got 120+ kickass YouTube channel ideas that can make you money online.
20. Sign up to a rideshare app
Unlike traditional employment, rideshare apps allow you to make money on your terms. From Lyft to Uber, if you don't mind driving you can choose when and where you want to work. This has to be one of the easiest ways to make money, especially if you already have a vehicle and driver's license.
Since you can work to your own schedule, you can also take advantage of the best-paying days. So if you've got some free time on a national holiday, why not earn peak prices and tips for the same work?
Start making money with Whop
Want to make money on your terms? Whop is just what you need. Whop is a social commerce platform designed to help you sell a wide range of digital products and services, from eBooks and coaching sessions to online courses and paid communities.
Signing up takes just a matter of minutes and won't cost you a dime. Set up your whop, optimize your products and services and start selling right away. You won't pay a thing until you make your first sale. Watch this video to see how easy it is to get started:
Ready to get started with Whop? Start monetizing your skills, knowledge and more in just a few minutes — sign up today.
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