How to make money without a job: 40 fast and easy ideas

You don’t need a traditional job to make money, just an internet connection. Here are 40 ways to earn, from print-on-demand products to online coaching: no age limits, no commute, and no fixed hours.

You don’t need a boss, a timesheet, or a 9–5 cubicle to earn cash. Today, making money online is easier than ever.

The gig economy is booming, and is projected to hit $780.6 billion by 2027. 

Online hustles have transformed side gigs into serious income streams – even teenagers are making money from digital side hustles.

Saving for something big, between jobs, or just tired of the daily grind? There are plenty of legit ways to earn on your terms: no commute, no uniform, no rigid hours.

How to make money without a job: 40 creative ways to make money

If you’re over the same old grind, ditch the job applications and check out our top methods for earning without a traditional role below.

From online gigs to offline opportunities, there’s something here for everyone. The gig economy is only getting bigger, projected to reach $2,178.4 billion by 2034. Big jump from 2027, right?

Let's take a look at a summary of the top five items from our list:

There are many options you can pick, not everything on the list will be right for you. You should pick the methods that match your skills and available time.

Passive and easy ways to make money

Passive income streams are perfect if you want money flowing with minimal effort. Once you create the product or set up the system, your income can keep coming in automatically while you focus on other projects or hobbies.

1. Rent out your unused space

Renting is one of the easiest ways to make money online, without lifting a finger.

Got a spare room, an empty cabin, or a holiday home sitting idle? List it on Airbnb and let people pay you to stay there. You control when it’s available, so you can cash in when you’re not using it.

Why let something collect dust when it could be paying your bills?

• Best for: People with extra rooms in their house or in-demand items that they don't use
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like Airbnb or Yoodlize
• How much can you earn: Depending on the demand, size (for rooms), and condition, $300-$3,000+ per month
• Requirements: An unused space and accounts on Airbnb or Yoodlize

2. Take online surveys

Online survey apps like Swagbucks, CloudConnect and Survey Junkie pay you to answer questions that match your profile.

Some surveys take 2 minutes, some take 30. Either way, you’re getting paid for your opinions.

The best survey apps pay out fast: Survey Junkie lets you cash out at just $5. Don’t expect to quit your job, though — surveys are pocket-money level.

Think coffee runs, small Steam purchases, or an Uber Eats order here and there. Still, stack a few apps and you can keep a trickle of cash flowing.

And like Keisha says above, it's pretty easy work:

"Usually, you'll be sent an online form. You fill out this quite detailed information, giving your feedback. Sometimes you're asked to share videos, sometimes you're asked to upload photos, and you can get paid anywhere from around $50 to $150 for doing this sort of task."

- Keisha Singleton, Whop

• Best for: People who can spend an extra hour each day
• How to get started: Sign up for multiple survey platforms (make sure not to participate in the same survey in multiple platforms)
• How much can you earn: $10-$150+ per month
• Requirements: Time to invest in surveys

3. Get paid to play games

Apps like Fetch, Bridge Money and Swagbucks pay you for casual gameplay, just as they do with surveys. While you won’t retire off it, you can make money playing games.

Want something with higher returns? Platforms like Game Tester pay you to play new titles and report bugs, so you’re literally getting paid to nitpick. To do this, you need some experience understanding game mechanics and predict how bugs or glitches might happen.

Also, if you’ve got personality and patience, streaming on Twitch or YouTube can turn your hobby into an audience. You can even make money with ad revenue, donations, and sponsorships.

• Best for: People who know how games work and can spend hours testing every angle of a game
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like Fetch or Game Tester
• How much can you earn: $20-$3,000+, depending on the app/game you're testing and how good you are at it
• Requirements: Ability to spot mistakes and try out every single intricacy of each game

4. Use cashback apps

Getting paid to shop sounds like a scam, but cashback apps are legit. Apps like Upside, Swagbucks, Rakuten and Ibotta let you shop as usual, and pocket a rebate.

If you think about it, that's basically free money. Groceries, gas, online shopping — stuff you’d buy anyway is suddenly paying you.

Stack these apps alongside a couple of other side hustles, and you're earning decent money.

• Best for: People who shop regularly
• How to get started: Sign up for apps like Upside, Swagbucks, and Rakuten
• How much can you earn: $20-$100+, depending on how much you shop
• Requirements: Being able to scan receipts (with a phone) and having valid payment methods

5. Participate in focus groups & market research

Platforms like Pogo, MobileXpression and Caden reward you for letting them track specific data and activity. Some monitor your phone use, others link to apps like Netflix or Uber.

Remember, though, you are trading privacy for cash. So stick to legit platforms that anonymize your info (like the ones above), and you can pocket passive income for doing literally nothing.

Look, if you’re already cool with sharing your data and usage patters (anonymously), you can get paid for it.

• Best for: People who can spend an extra hour or two per day and are comfortable sharing data
• How to get started: Sign up for apps like Pogo, MobileXpression, or Caden
• How much can you earn: $5-$40+ per month
• Requirements: Meeting demographics of surveys want and being comfortable with sharing data

6. Do affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is basically getting paid to recommend stuff you already like.

Create a post, attach a link, someone buys through it, and you get a cut – that’s why every “link in bio” TikTok you’ve ever seen exists.

"Let's say I have a cousin who wants to learn how to sell with TikTok shop. I can click on a whop, scroll to the bottom of the page, and add the affiliate reward to my dashboard.

Then, I copy my affiliate link, send to my cousin, friend, family member, and receive that reward straight into my Whop account."

- AB, Whop

This hustle can make money while you sleep. The tricky part is finding brands that actually pay decent commission - unless you’re using Whop.

Almost every whop comes with affiliate options, paying anywhere from 5% to 30%+ on sales you drive.

Translation: you promote, they buy, you earn a comission.

• Best for: People with active audiences
• How to get started: Join programs like Whop Affiliates and get in contact with creators or brands
• How much can you earn: $50-$1,000 per month, depending on the size of the audience
• Requirements: Marketing skills and an active audience

7. Watch videos and ads for rewards

You might scroll through TikTok or YouTube for hours for fun, so you might as well get paid while you do it.

With platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints, you can get paid for watching short clips, commercials, or curated ads.

It’s simple: watch, click, earn. Some platforms even gamify the experience with point systems, sweepstakes entries, and bonus rewards.

Don’t expect a full-time income, obviously. But the beauty is there’s zero effort besides keeping your eyes on the screen. You can even queue videos while doing other things, turning leisure into passive earnings.

• Best for: People who spend hours online and don’t mind watching ads
• How to get started: Sign up for Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or MyPoints
• How much can you earn: $20–$200+ per month, depending on time invested and platform bonuses
• Requirements: Time to invest to reach minimum payout limits and internet connection

8. Passive browser extension earners

Turn your internet connection into a silent money-making machine with extensions like Honeygain or Nielsen Consumer Panel. These extensions let you share unused bandwidth (your internet's transfer capacity) or data and earn cash in the background.

No coding, no clients, no videos — just passive income while you browse, work, or binge-watch shows. The more devices and connections you can safely add, the higher your earnings - of course, this depends on the TOS of the extension you're using.

This is truly “set it and forget it” income: you install the extension, leave it running, and watch money trickle in while doing literally anything else.

• Best for: People with stable internet and multiple devices
• How to get started: Download Honeygain, Nielsen Consumer Panel, or similar extensions
• How much can you earn: $10-$100+ per month, depending on bandwidth shared and platform
• Requirements: Stable internet connection and compatible devices with the extensions

9. Pocket and micro investing

Apps like Acorns, Raiz, or Moneybox round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the difference automatically.

Some apps also let you invest small amounts directly into stocks, ETFs, or crypto, all from your phone.

The best part? You don’t have to constantly monitor it or have a finance degree: the apps do the heavy lifting, diversify your portfolio, and reinvest dividends. You can even follow other big investors' portfolios in some apps.

Over time, small contributions can grow into meaningful passive income. Some platforms even reward you with sign-up bonuses, referral rewards, or cash-back-style perks for investing.

• Best for: People who want to grow spare change or small investments without financial stress
• How to get started: Sign up for micro-investing apps and link your accounts
• How much can you earn: $1-$100+ per month initially, with growth compounding over time, depending on investments and market performance
• Requirements: A bank account and disposable income

10. Sell stock photos and videos

Stock video platforms like Shutterstock, Pond5, and Adobe Stock let you upload clips, and every time someone downloads one, you earn royalties.

Yep, your drone shots, travel clips, or even everyday shots can make money while you sleep.

The more high-quality, in-demand footage you upload, the more your passive income grows over time – no clients, no pitching, no follow-ups.

Bonus points if you film niche or trending topics that buyers are hunting for. Once your clips are online, the money rolls in automatically.

• Best for: Filmmakers, drone enthusiasts, or anyone with video content to sell
• How to get started: Sign up on Shutterstock, Pond5, Adobe Stock, or similar platforms and upload your clips
• How much can you earn: $5-$500+ per month, depending on clip demand, quality, and quantity
• Requirements: A good quality camera or smartphone and basic photography skills

11. Open a high-yield savings account

Saving accounts are an easy way to set some money aside and watch it grow - the problem? The small amount of interest.

A high-yield savings account, as its name suggests, offers higher interest rates than a classic savings account.

One of the key benefits of high-yield savings accounts is the liquidity. Unlike some other assets like stocks or bonds, they allow you to withdraw your money quickly.

• Best for: People who want to watch their money grow in the bank
• How to get started: Open an account at a trusted bank and transfer your savings. Make sure to do research on interests.
• How much can you earn: It depends on how much money you want to invest. High-yield account interest rates can range from 0.5% to 5%
• Requirements: Initial deposits and a bank account

Active ways to make money

Active income still gives freedom from a traditional job, but requires hands-on work. These gigs let you directly trade time and skills for money.

While the work isn’t totally hands-off, it gives you control over your rates, schedule, and workload – and can often scale into higher-paying opportunities.

12. Mystery shopping

Mystery shopping is a side hustle that can feel more like fun than work, if done right. 

Gigs involve visiting stores, restaurants, or even car dealerships, then reporting back on the service and experience. You might need to snap photos, ask questions, or make small purchases. 

Getting paid to shop and eat? Sign me up. The brand gets real insights, and you get free stuff plus cash.

It’s not a full-time income, but it’s a great way to turn errands and nights out into money-makers.

• Best for: People who like shopping, dining out, or giving feedback
• How to get started: Sign up with platforms like Secret Shopper or Market Force
• How much can you earn: Usually $10-$50 per gig, plus freebies or reimbursements
• Requirements: Reliable transportation and attention to detail

13. Film and TV extra work

Becoming an extra is one of the easiest ways to dip into the entertainment industry, being paid to be background talent in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

No lines, no scripts: just show up, blend in, and get paid. It’s not glamorous (expect long waits between takes), but the pay is decent and the experience can be unforgettable.

If you’ve got a flexible schedule and patience, this is a fun way to earn cash while brushing shoulders with the film world.

• Best for: People with free time, flexibility, and curiosity about film sets
• How to get started: Sign up with casting agencies like StarNow or Heesom Casting
• How much can you earn: $150-$300/day, sometimes more for featured extras
• Requirements: Flexible schedule and ability to follow directions

14. Hire your items and equipment

People are keen to rent high-quality gear instead of buying it outright.

That DSLR camera you only use on holidays? The kayak in your garage? They could all be making you money right now.

Specialized platforms handle the listings, bookings, and payments, so all you need to do is hand over the item and collect your cash.

It’s a low-effort hustle that turns unused stuff into a steady income stream.

• Best for: People with gear, tools, or hobby equipment gathering dust
• How to get started: List your items on platforms like Fat Llama or Yoodlize
• How much can you earn: From $20/day for smaller gear to $500+/month for high-demand items
• Requirements: Rentable items in good condition

15. Get on a gig economy app

Gig economy apps let you pick small and on-demand jobs. Your options? Food delivery apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats, odd jobs via TaskRabbit, babysitting on UrbanSitter — basically, apps that let you turn spare hours into instant paychecks.

Just you deciding when to cash in. Sure, technically it’s still “work,” but you call the shots.

It’s the ultimate filler hustle: dip in when you’ve got free time, log off when you don’t. Perfect if you’re juggling other projects but still want money flowing on demand.

Of course, some apps require background checks, occasional tests, or even means of transportation.

• Best for: People who can spend an extra couple of hours each day
• How to get started: Decide on what kind of gigs suit you and sign up for the relevant platforms
• How much can you earn: $15-$25+ per hour on regular and $25-$40+ during rush hours
• Requirements: A driver license and means of transport (for delivery and rideshare gigs) or specific skills based on the gig

16. Start coaching online 

Got a skill, experience, or expertise worth sharing? Turn it into an online coaching business.

You’re not just teaching: you’re guiding, mentoring, and helping clients get results, no matter where they are in the world. The best part? Coaching can be scaled - you can turn your services into online classes, mastermind sessions, and even online courses.

As the creator above says, you don't need to be a genius to coach – just package the knowledge you do have:

"If you know a pain point you can solve, and you don't need to be an expert at it. You just need to be a couple of steps ahead."

Platforms like Whop let you set up courses, run live video calls, host group chats, and build a full coaching business — all with zero upfront costs.

Unlike traditional tutoring apps, you control pricing, content, and how you interact with your clients.

Bottom line: if you can help someone level up, you can make it a legit income stream.

• Best for: People who have expertise in niche topics
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like Varsity Tutors or create your own whop
• How much can you earn: $20-$200+ per hour, depending on the subject and experience level
• Requirements: Expertise on a niche and strong communication skills

17. Start day trading

Day trading is buying and selling stocks, crypto, or other assets within the same day to profit from short-term price movements.

Like Mike says in the video above, trading is high-stakes, fast-paced, and not for the faint of heart:

"If you could go 60 days in a row, growing a $100 account by just 10% per day and never having a losing day, you'd end up with over $30,000 in 60 days.

But it's grossly oversimplified because almost no one goes 60 days in a row with no losing days."

- Michael Poarch, stock trader

Still, if you're game for a non-traditional earner with high reward potential, trading could be for you.

Success requires research, strategy, and nerves of steel, but if you get it right, the rewards can be huge. The catch? Losses can be just as fast and painful as gains.

• Best for: Risk-tolerant, market-savvy people who can dedicate time daily
• How to get started: Open an account with brokers like eToro, Interactive Brokers, or Robinhood and practice with a demo account first
• How much can you earn: Highly variable, anywhere from a few dollars to thousands per day, depending on skill, capital, and market conditions
• Requirements: Initial investment and understanding market risks

18. Take transcribing gigs

Transcribing is one of the simplest ways to make money online. You listen to audio, type out what you hear, and get paid. If you’re fluent in the language and can type fast and accurately, platforms like TranscribeMe and Scribie have freelance gigs ready to go.

Speed and accuracy are two of the most important skills you should have when transcribing - the faster and more accurately you type, the more you earn.

Competition can be fierce on big platforms, especially for languages with large numbers of speakers. But if you’re good at this and deliver results fast, consider working with clients directly.

• Best for: People who can type fast and have attention to detail
• How to get started: Apply for platforms like TranscribeMe
• How much can you earn: $10-$35+ per footage hour
• Requirements: Flexible schedule and good listening skills

19. Get paid to house sit

While house sitting isn't always a paid job, you can make money doing it if you're in the right place. On sites like House Sitters America, you can sign up to become a house or pet sitter and receive requests from homeowners. 

You can also respond to listings from people who just need someone to drop in and make sure their home and pet are safe and sound. 

Some sitters charge for their services, while others sit for free in return for the free accommodation. On the other hand, looking after pets usually pays even if you get free accommodation too.

• Best for: Trustworthy people who have flexible schedules, loving and being able to take care of pets is a plus
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like House Sitters America
• How much can you earn: $20-$70+ per day
• Requirements: Trustworthy references or ratings and a flexible schedule

20. Start a dog-walking business

Dog walking is a simple and fun way you can turn puppy love into paychecks. You can get paid to take dogs out for walks and handle their basic routines, and show them love, which is the easiest part.

The trick: earn trust. Clients need to feel their furry friends are in good hands.

The rates of dog-walking vary by location, with busy cities paying more, but there’s potential to boost income with extras: drop-ins, overnight stays, or even training sessions. Walk, play, repeat, and get paid for it.

• Best for: People who love dogs, can take care of them, and live in busy areas
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like Rover and market your services on social media
• How much can you earn: $15-$30+ per walk
• Requirements: Being able to comfortably walk dogs of all sizes and personal fitness

21. Tutor people online

Skip the traditional platforms and build your own tutoring business on Whop.

You don’t need a teaching degree to get paid for your skills. Cooking, crafting, even penmanship — if someone wants to learn it, they’ll pay for guidance.

Set your prices, keep more of your cash, and run your services your way. Add courses, video calls, live streaming, chats, files — whatever you need to deliver value.

In minutes, you can go from zero to business owner, turning your knowledge into income without relying on anyone else.

• Best for: People who have experience teaching or have expertise in academic subjects
• How to get started: Create a portfolio and join a tutoring platform or create your own whop
• How much can you earn: $20-$100+ per hour, depending on the subject and expertise
• Requirements: Expertise in a subject and teaching skills

22. Sign up for a rideshare app

Working with rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft is an easy way to make money on your terms.

You decide when and where you want to work, and aside from a vehicle and the credentials to drive it, there aren't many requirements. 

Because you're not obligated to work, you can also sign up just to take advantage of the best-paying days.

For example, if you're not busy on a national holiday, you can earn peak-time prices and enjoy good tips for the same amount of work.

• Best for: People who are good with people and have good driving experience
• How to get started: Apply to apps like Uber or Lyft
• How much can you earn:  $15-$25 per hour on average, can increase in holidays
• Requirements: At least 21 years of age, a vehicle that meets platform requirements, and a valid driver's license

23. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants keep businesses running — and get paid for it.

We asked Matthieu in the video above for his advice on getting started:

"I've learned that CEOs and companies usually hire virtual assistants to take tasks that might have taken up a lot of their time. You just need to offer a solution to a problem they have."
- Matthieu Ratrimoson, virtual assistant

Busy entrepreneurs and remote teams often need help but don’t want a full-time hire, and that’s where your time management and people skills come in.

VA work can include admin, customer service, social media, website management, bookkeeping, email marketing, transcription — basically anything that keeps a business ticking.

Pay ranges from one-off gigs to steady retainers, but to unlock your full earning potential, set up a Whop for your VA business. Chat with clients, send files, run video calls and accept payments — all in one place, all under your control.

• Best for: People who have strong organization, multitasking, and communication skills
• How to get started: Create a portfolio and sign up for freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr or create your own store on Whop
• How much can you earn: $15-$40+ per hour, depending on experience and specialized skills
• Requirements: Strong organization, time management, tech, and communication skills

24. Create and sell websites

Since there's a demand for well-built websites, and if you have design and web development skills, you might want to try creating and selling websites to other people.

A business isn't complete without a website, and they're not the only ones that need them. Whether you're an influencer, a creator, or a brand, you're going to need a website.

The best target audience for this hustle is small businesses, startups, and creators. Even if you're not super good at coding the website, you can still create amazing work using AI and low/no-code website builders.

• Best for: People who have design and web development skills
• How to get started: Create a portfolio on your own website or store page and sign up for freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork
• How much can you earn: $100-$1,500+ per website sold
• Requirements: Web design and development skills

25. Become a clipper

Clipping is taking long-form content and turning it into scroll-stopping short videos.

That TikTok you saw of your favorite YouTuber? Someone clipped it from a longer YouTube video or Twitch stream.

We asked the creator above who clipping is best suited to:

"This will work for people who want to consistently post content that gets views and earns money through content rewards. If you're trying to build a personal brand based solely on your own content, this might not be the right system for you."

Realistically, clipping is a numbers game. The more content you clip, the more likely you are to hit that viral moment and earn big money.

• Best for: People who have a following on social media and know how to edit videos
• How to get started: Join Whop, find out active Content Reward campaigns, and start submitting clips you post
• How much can you earn: $10-$3,500+ per clip
• Requirements: Video editing skills and understanding of social media algorithms

26. Edit videos for creators

Freelance video editing is another highly lucrative way to earn money without a traditional job.

As content creators grow their platforms, the demand for polished, high-volume output can become overwhelming.

Creators provide the raw footage, and editors turn it into engaging, ready-to-publish content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

To succeed, you’ll need experience with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or Final Cut Pro.

• Best for: People with video editing skills
• How to get started: Create a portfolio of your editing work and sign up for freelancing platforms
• How much can you earn: $10-$75+ per hour
• Requirements: Video editing skills, attention to detail, and a reliable computer for large projects

27. Become a copywriter

Copywriting is one of the most straightforward ways to make money online — if you’ve got the words, people will pay.

You can write short marketing copy, long-form blogs, or even full campaigns.

Bonus: If you know SEO, you can charge even more for long-form content.

Start by building a portfolio — real projects aren’t required; mock projects work fine as proof you can deliver.

Then, find clients on Fiverr, Upwork, or skip the middleman entirely and create a whop, where you can communicate with clients, showcase your work, and start turning words into cash.

• Best for: People with writing and marketing skills
• How to get started: Build a portfolio with real and mock projects, then sign up for freelancing platforms or create your own store page
• How much can you earn: $500-$5,000+ per month, depending on the experience level
• Requirements: Writing and grammar skills, understanding of marketing, and a strong portfolio

28. Build custom whops, Discord servers, or subreddits

"Every day, creators and coaches are launching communities but have no idea how to set them up. What channels to create, how to organize them, etc. Now, to do this well, you need to really know the ins and outs of whatever platform you are working with.

Once you get good, you can sell templates for $50 to $500 each or do custom builds for $300 to thousands dollars."
-east from Whop

Not all online communities build themselves. Many creators need someone experienced to set up their Discord, subreddit, Telegram, or whop. That’s where you come in.

Search “Discord server builder” on freelancing platforms and you’ll see the demand. Creators want pros who know how to launch a space that actually works.

If you’ve got the skills, create a freelancing profile or a Whop store page and start offering your services.

Pro tip: Skip saturated markets like Discord and go where the competition is thinner — building whops, for example, is wide open.

• Best for: People who are experts on platform-specific knowledge
• How to get started: Focus on a single platform (you can expand later) and create a portfolio of your work. Then sign up for freelancing platforms or create your own store page
• How much can you earn: $50-$500+ per build
• Requirements: Deep knowledge of the platform you're building servers on

29. Become a community manager

"One question I get a lot is if it's worth becoming a community manager in 2026. And the answer is easily yes. A great community manager is basically heart of the business.

You are answering questions about products or services, you're onboarding new members so they don't get overwhelmed or leave, you're making sure everyone feels welcome regardless of their experience level, and you are handling conflicts before they even blow up."
-east from Whop

Community managers interact with communities, welcoming users and making sure everything runs smoothly – and they get paid to do it.

The responsibilities of a community manager are enforcing the rules of the community, assisting members, engaging members, and removing unwanted content.

It's typically pretty easy work, especially for those with lots of online experience.

You can find community management gigs on freelancing platforms, or you can directly join the communities you like and get in contact with the founders (like your favorite whop communities, for example).

• Best for: People who have strong communication skills and are not afraid to confront people
• How to get started: Join existing communities and search for open positions. You can also join freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr
• How much can you earn: $200-$1,500+ per month, depending on the size of the community
• Requirements: Strong communication and conflict resolution skills and strong understanding of the platform the community is in

30. Do online jury duty

Online jurors watch case presentations, talk to others online, and give their verdict.

Legal teams with strong operations don't go headfirst into battle; they test their cases on mock juries.

Your job is to watch case presentations, talk to others online, and give your verdict. This is how lawyers understand how regular people think about their cases.

If you have great attention to detail and are able to explain your thoughts and reasoning in a clear way, you should consider doing online jury duty.

• Best for: People with good judgement and communication skills
• How to get started: Sign up for platforms like OnlineVerdict and JuryTest and meet the requirements
• How much can you earn: $20-$300+ per month, depending on how many cases you participate in
• Requirements: Reliable internet and strong communication, and judgement skills

Creative products & content that earn cash

Selling digital art, ebooks, templates, photography, or music allows you to turn creativity into tangible income.

Even short-form content, like TikTok videos or YouTube tutorials, can be monetized with ads, sponsorships, and affiliate deals. 

31. Start a POD (print-on-demand) business

Print-on-demand products let you sell your designs without handling inventory or shipping. Think clothing, mugs, stickers, phone cases — even bags, blankets, or shoes.

Once someone buys, the POD service prints and ships it automatically. No upfront costs, no risk, just passive income.

You can create your designs and sell them directly through platforms like Redbubble, Printful, and Printify — or make it even easier with Whop.

• Best for: Creative people who can design and market products
• How to get started: Create unique designs and open a store on Whop or a POD platform
• How much can you earn: $50-$1,500+ per month, depending on your designs and marketing
• Requirements: Design and marketing skills

32. Start your own blog

Blogging isn’t just diary writing anymore — it’s big business.

Successful bloggers earn from ads, affiliate commissions, digital products, and even free PR boxes from brands hoping for a shoutout.

Your blog niche can be anything: travel, fashion, food, crypto, or hyper-specific obsessions like figurines, stationery, or… whatever you’re obsessed with.

The payoff? Top bloggers pull in seven figures, while a solid, consistent blog can easily bring in around $37K+ a year.

If you’ve got a niche and an audience, blogging can turn your passion into serious cash.

• Best for: People who are good at writing and have experience in a niche
• How to get started: Choose the niche you want to write about and create a blog using platforms like WordPress, then monetize your community of readers with a whop
• How much can you earn: $0-$500 initially, can be scaled to $1,000-$4,000+ per month
• Requirements: Writing and content creation skills and good understanding of SEO

33. Host a podcast

"Podcasting is a great online business to start, because not only can you make money from sponsors, you can also send traffic to your own digital products."
-Brett Malinowski from WGMI podcast

Podcasting isn’t just a hobby — it’s a full-on business if you play it right.

Got something to say? You can start a show. Not sure what to talk about? Endless podcast ideas exist.

Podcasters earn money in many ways: ads, sponsorships, merchandise, newsletters, ebooks — even exclusive communities.

With Whop, you can turn your podcast into a paid hub where listeners interact with you, access exclusive content, buy courses, and attend events. Charge a subscription, and your show becomes a steady source of passive income.

• Best for: People with interesting ideas and experiences who can intrigue others with their conversations
• How to get started: Create a couple of episodes and start posting them on platforms like YouTube or Spotify
• How much can you earn: $0-$200 per month initially, can be scaled to $1,000-$5,000+ per month
• Requirements: A basic recording setup, interesting ideas, and audio editing

34. Sell an online course

"So in the last couple months alone, I've done $124,000 in sales, on Whop.

There's a lot of options... I've investigated all the options out there in terms of course hosting - Whop is the leader for me, for sure."
-Coach Carl Parnell

Creating an online course is one of the best ways to turn your skills into cash.

Unlike tutoring or coaching, you build it once and keep earning — though regular updates help it stay relevant.

With Whop, you can use the Courses app to craft courses in any niche, from scratch: add videos, PDFs, quizzes, knowledge checks, and more. Want to charge even more? Layer in one-on-one coaching, live webinars, events, or private communities.

The more value you offer, the bigger your payout — all while keeping control of your business. Music producer and Reddit user u/joegilder says:

"For the last 15 years, I’ve sold music production courses. Doing over $300k per year, mostly profit."

• Best for: People who have experience in niche topics and can create comprehensive guides
• How to get started: Create an outline for your course, create the content, and upload to platforms like Whop
• How much can you earn: $500-$3,000+ per month, depending on the subject and marketing
• Requirements: Expertise in the subject, teaching skills, and video recording equipment (or software)

35. Sell ebooks

You don't need to be a professional writer to sell ebooks – you can write your own with the assistance of AI, or you can use Private Label Rights (PLR) content.

PLR lets you purchase ready-made ebooks and resell them as your own, saving you the time and effort of writing from scratch.

Jeremie Lander is the author of 3 successful ebooks, and he says the secret to selling is building a proper funnel:

"I use my following from social media, whether it be YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, to drive sales directly to these books."
- Jeremie Lander, three-time published author

Platforms like Whop make selling ebooks simple. Just list your ebook, set your price, and even bundle it with other products or community access to increase its value.

• Best for: People who have writing skills
• How to get started: Carefully plan your book's sections, completely write and format it, then sell on platforms like Whop or Amazon KDP
• How much can you earn: $50-$3,000+ per month
• Requirements: Writing and grammar skills and preferably expertise in a niche

36. Set up a paid community 

Paid communities are a way to make money online without trolls, misinformation, or endless scrolling.

You can either leverage an existing audience or build one from scratch in a niche.

Talking about Vookum's paid community, the creator above says:

"He used short-form content to build trust, then launched a paid community where he gives access to a private marketplace and teaches people how to flip watches.

Around 2000 people pay $20 a month. That's 40 bands a month just from the community."

Already have followers on social media, a blog, or a YouTube channel? Turn them into paying community members.

Starting from zero? Pick a niche people are passionate about and grow your audience around shared interests.

• Best for: People who have authority in a field or influencers
• How to get started: Create a community on popular platforms like Whop and get together a staff
• How much can you earn: $500-$255,000+ per month, depending on the niche
• Requirements: Expertise in a subject and community management skills

37. Run an ecommerce store

Ecommerce takes work — but done right, it can pay big.

The key is picking the right niche: go for something in demand but not oversaturated, or lean into passion projects for a slower, steadier income.

Sell handmade creations, dropship, import products, sell vintage finds, or even digital products. Platforms like Etsy, Zendrop, and Whop make it easy to reach customers.

New to ecommerce? Don’t go it alone. Join a community of other store owners (plenty exist on Whop) to swap tips, stay motivated, and get your store thriving.

• Best for: Entrepreneurs with marketing skills
• How to get started: Research niches and market trends, then create your store on platforms like Etsy
• How much can you earn: $500-$5,000 per month, can be scaled to over $10,000 per month
• Requirements: Marketing skills, upfront investment, and understanding of ecommerce

38. Become a livestreamer

"I have 20,000 followers and if you're just starting out on Twitch, the best way to make money is through subscriptions and donations from viewers."
-Propernator

Livestreaming isn’t just for gamers or influencers with expensive rigs. Anyone with a phone or computer can jump in and start earning.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and even Whop let you go live and start building an audience immediately.

Forget about high-end cameras or microphones. What matters is engaging your viewers: chat with them, entertain, share tips, or just be yourself. The more your audience interacts, the more opportunities open up for income. Monetization can come from donations, sponsorships, brand deals, or paid subscriptions.

• Best for: People who have charismatic and funny personalities
• How to get started: Sign up for streaming platforms like Twitch, TikTok, or Whop. Then start streaming regularly
• How much can you earn: $100-$10,000+, depending on marketing, niche, and follower count
• Requirements: Streaming equipment, dedicated schedule, and a fun personality

39. Monetize TikTok

With millions of users scrolling TikTok every second, there's an endless demand for content that you can then monetize.

Some creators earn via the TikTok Creator Fund, raking in millions if they hit the right audience. But that’s just one way to make money. You can also try:

• Clipping: Turn long-form content into viral TikToks and get paid
• Affiliate marketing: Drop links in your bio and earn commissions on sales
• TikTok Live: Engage fans in real time and earn through gifts, donations, and subscriptions
• Brand deals: Partner with companies wanting exposure to your audience.

TikTok Live, in particular, can be a goldmine if you're driving traffic to digital products or other offers. Patryk in the video above says:

"The power of live streaming is insane, guys. Okay? You remember infomercials, back in the day? You would turn the TV on, and then there was a guy trying to sell you something, right?

That's the same idea here, but you do one on TikTok and it's extremely powerful."

- Patryk Karwasz

If you're already chronically online, TikTok offers heaps of ways to cash in – no boring job required.

• Best for: Creative people who can follow trends and TikTok algorithms
• How to get started: Start posting content consistently in a specific niche and be up to date with trends
• How much can you earn: $50-$3,000 with brand deals and Creator Program
• Requirements: Understanding of the TikTok algorithm, and marketing/content creation skills

40. Develop Whop apps

Developing apps might sound intimidating, but it’s easier than ever with the Whop App Store, even if you can’t code.

Many sellers are using AI and large language models (LLMs) to generate code, build apps, and launch them on our app store within record time.

With Whop’s SDK, your app can interact with the platform: access Whop data, handle authentication, process payments, and more.

There are three main ways for devs to cash in:

• Installation fee: Creators pay a one-time fee (e.g., $500-$2,000) to add your app to their community
• Revenue share: You take 10-30% of whatever creators charge for access to your app
• Subscription model: Creators pay monthly based on their member count (e.g., $1 per member)
• Requirements: Coding skills, understanding of multiple libraries and APIs, analytical thinking

Still not convinced apps are worth selling? Take it from Siya, developer of GenPPT, who exited with 45k users:

• Best for: People who have web development skills
• How to get started: Check out Whop's developer documentation and identify problems that can be solved with apps
• How much can you earn: $100-$2,000+ per month

Start making money with Whop today

There you have it! 40 ways to make money without needing to get a 'real job'.

While some are easier than others, the biggest earners are the ways to make money online. Scalable, flexible, and setup costs you zilch in most cases.

If you want to make money on your terms and have knowledge to share or a business idea, Whop makes it easy. We're a social commerce platform where you can sell everything from online courses and ebooks to paid communities, coaching, and more.

Plus, we've just gone independent with our payments, allowing our sellers to keep more of their earnings and cash out in any currency, including crypto.

Trust us, you don’t need a 9–5 to succeed. We'll help you monetize your skills, passions, and expertise.

Start selling today and turn what you know into what you earn.

FAQs

How can I make money as a teenager without a job?

Some work has age restrictions, but you can still make money as a teenager.

Become an influencer on social media, make online content, do gig work like dog sitting and babysitting, rent out items online, and much more. We found that almost half of Gen A are earning through online side hustles!

The key is finding low-investment work that you can fit around your school schedule. 

How can I make money fast without a job?

If you need to make money fast, work that doesn't require experience is the best.

You can jump right into online freelance work like transcribing and virtual assistant gigs to make money quickly.

You can also try rideshare driving or food delivery if you have access to a vehicle. 

Do I need special skills to start?

Depends on which hustle you want to pursue!

Some may require some background skills – for example, you're going to need writing and marketing skills for copywriting, or web development know-how to create and sell websites.

Still, there are many hustles you can do without special skills, like creating a print-on-demand business or completing online surveys.

Can I do multiple side hustles at once?

If you have the time? Stack as many as you can, and earn that cash.

Why should I choose a side hustle over a full-time job?

Side hustles give you more control over your scheduling and allow you to try multiple hustles, increasing your income.

And there's no limit — you can scale most side hustles to generate more than a traditional job.