Do you want to learn how to earn income without working a boring desk job? Or perhaps you are tired of your eight-hour workday and want to find another way to make a living. Fortunately, the 9-to-5 job is on the way out, and you don’t have to sit behind a desk all day to earn a paycheck.
And even if you don’t have a full-time job, there are numerous ways to earn money on the side. You might be able to make enough to pay off your student loans and increase your savings accounts.
When I say job, I mean the desk work where you work specific hours. For example, working at a bank or grocery store. However, there are so many other ways to make money on your own schedule if you want to know how to earn money without a job.
Top 29 ways to make money without a job
Some of these projects are Internet-based, and you can run them from anywhere. Others may require certain technical skills or that you reside in a specific location. Use these suggestions as a starting point to come up with additional ways to make a living without a salary.
1. Become a freelance writer
Are you interested in writing? Perhaps you used to have a blog, or maybe you always correct your friend’s spelling mistakes when they text you. If so, becoming a freelance writer may be for you.
Freelance writing is an excellent opportunity to earn money without a job in that it is productive and flexible. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median pay for freelance writers is $68,000 a year, or $3
You might also begin by finding jobs on social media sites like Twitter and job boards like Indeed and building your portfolio that way.
All you have to do is have an internet connection. And as a freelance worker, you get to set your hours and choose which clients you will accept.
2. Start a blog
Blogging is an excellent method to make money without needing to work. If you’re interested in a highly specific subject and can competently write, becoming a blogger may be an ideal option for you. You have the freedom to write whatever posts you want and write on whatever topics interest you.
For example, if you’d like to write about a wide range of topics, you can start a lifestyle blog. WordPress makes it easy to set up such a blog and is very inexpensive to use.
You can make a lot by blogging, particularly if you have a lot of subscribers and use affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is when you link to products, and that company pays you for every person who purchases those products after clicking on the link on your blog.
Blogging can be quite demanding in the beginning. You need to be aware of such topics as SEO, marketing, and promoting your posts on social media.
You may also include Google AdSense to earn money as advertising revenue. Blogging is also a fun side gig, and it can also be lucrative.
3. Earn cash back
Who doesn’t like free money? Cashback apps and cards give you cash back every time you buy groceries. Several banks and credit cards offer this benefit, so check with banks to see if you have any cards with this offer.
Other sites like Rakuten and Acorns give you discounts for shopping at their many partner stores. You can also invest your cashback earnings in your Acorns investing account. The best part is that this is a part-time job that pays well and doesn’t take much time.
Be careful not to purchase things you don’t need or cannot afford. Cashback is a helpful way to earn extra money, but it is designed to encourage you to spend even more money. And going into debt just to earn a little more money is not a good option.
4. Become a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is a person who helps others as an assistant, but who is virtually an assistant. For example, they might schedule meetings, set up phone calls, manage social media sites, maintain blog content, and more. Best of all, it can be done in one’s own home.
Just figure out what skills you are capable of offering your patients.
Start with a few easy assignments, such as social media management or email management. Then, you can work your way up to larger tasks at companies like Upwork and eventually build your reputation and clientele from there.
5. Become a dog walker or pet sitter
Are you interested in making cash despite the fact that you’re unemployed? You can earn money by spending some time with lovable animals!
You can make money by walking dogs and pet-sitting for pet owners in your city or town. Pet sitters earn approximately $36,188 annually or maybe more, depending on your location.
Start with grassroots marketing in your neighborhood and social media. Find groups of animal lovers on Facebook in your neighborhood. You can make money through pet-sitting platforms like Rover.
6. Housesit
If you want to travel and don’t have to book a hotel room, then consider house sitting. Not only do you get paid to reside in a nice home, but you can also use the opportunity to travel to an area you’ve been considering moving to.
There are many websites to find people looking for house sitters, such as TrustedHousesitters and Nomador. You may have to take care of the owners’ pets and maintain the lawn and water the garden, but these tasks are not terribly demanding. You likely do these things in your own home anyway.
7. Sell handmade items on Etsy
Do you like to craft or paint? You can sell your handmade items on Etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace for users who create and sell their own creations.
You can sell anything ranging from crocheted dolls to paintings, home decor, vintage items, and jewelry. And with a little SEO knowledge and advertising, you can even make a living out of it.
8. Sell your used items to make money without a job
Selling your extra items is how you can make money without a position; it’s effortless, and it frees up space in your house as well! If you have gently used merchandise, you can sell them on sites such as Vinted and Facebook Marketplace.
You can sell your old clothes, electronics, furniture, books, and shoes and purses. So go ahead and turn that clutter into money!
9. Invest in real estate
Real estate is a great way to earn income. Buying and renting out property requires a lot of upfront capital. But you may usually get your mortgage paid for and have some money left over.
But not everyone wants to be a landlord. Thus, you might invest in real estate through crowdfunding platforms, such as Fundrise and Roofstock. You can even purchase as little as $500 for the protocol.
In exchange for delivering labor at the facilities, you’ll earn quarterly dividends and as your holdings appreciate in value.
10. Babysit
Babysitting isn’t just for high school students. If you enjoy children or have your own, you can open a babysitting or nanny service.
You can ask loved ones, friends, and even your neighbors if they need a sitter. There are online job sites like Care.com that can help you find babysitting jobs in your area.
11. Invest in dividend stocks
“How can I make money without a job?” One of the best ways to boost your wealth over time is to invest in stocks. While investing in the stock market often takes time, you can start increasing your wealth much more quickly by investing in dividend stocks.
Dividend stocks are shares that give you money for keeping the company’s stock. Shareholders are often rewarded for holding the stock.
You will need to research investing to find the highest dividend stocks for you.
12. Become a transcriber
Do you type very quickly and are an excellent listener? Remember everything, even if it is something you said years ago? Transcribers often report for 40 hours per week and can earn good money with these skills.
A transcriber converts audio into text, and the typical hourly rate for transcribers is $16 an hour. You can work when and where you want using your smartphone, laptop, or PC with WiFi. All you need is a reliable computer and high-speed internet service.
You can use sites such as Crowdsurf, Transcribme, and Rev to find transcription jobs.
13. Make YouTube or TikTok videos
It is easy to publish YouTube videos and TikTok videos by using a smartphone and a little bit of creativity. It’s easy to make YouTube videos for YouTube if you would like to create your own TV show or a vlog.
You might also be able to earn money on YouTube through sponsored videos and affiliate links. You must have a certain number of subscribers and views to begin receiving earnings.
TikTok is another platform where you can earn money through affiliates. Once again, you will need to have a strong number of subscribers.
The key for both YouTube and TikTok is to post quality content frequently. You must also include the right keywords in your videos’ titles and descriptions, engage with your viewers, and grow your audience.
14. Rent out your home on Airbnb
This is a good way to make money without a daily job. If you have an extra room or guest house, you can rent it out on Airbnb for extra money.
All you need to do is create an account on the application, take high-quality pictures, set your own fee and capacity, and then proceed to accept reservations. Help people have a fantastic vacation and earn some money.
You can pick your own dates for when you want to have guests. It is very inexpensive to start an Airbnb, but you will have to pay booking fees and either hire a cleaner or clean the house yourself.
15. Write eBooks
Have you ever wanted to publish a book? You do not need a million followers or a publisher to give yourself an eBook. Sales for electronic books currently total about $13.62 billion, so writing one can get you money without a job.
With Amazon, you can publish your book on Kindle for free. As eBooks are less expensive than traditional books, there are no shipping costs. And with the number of users purchasing eBooks from Amazon, you may earn some extra income, especially if you promote your book yourself on social media.
16. Make money without a job flipping items
Have you heard of “house flipping”? You can flip other things as well and get rich in the process. Flipping is when you buy inexpensive items, improve them, and sell them for a much higher price.
You can find inexpensive items at thrift stores, refurbish them, and then sell them for a higher price. For example, you might buy used furniture, paint it (perhaps with a unique design), and sell it online. You can also post your items on websites like Etsy or Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace to sell to buyers in your local area.
17. Become a notary public
According to a Zippia study, there are approximately 9,000 Notary Publics in the United States. Notaries play an important role in the country. By handling mortgage signings, notarizing trust documents, and more, it is a good opportunity for making money without a position.
Notaries are independent contractors, so you can start your own business. This skill can also complement other jobs, such as working as a virtual assistant.
Be aware that each state has different rules governing what you need to become a notary public, so research the regulations for your state.
18. Lose weight and make money
Want to lose a few pounds and need to know how to get money without a job? Why not get paid to do it?
With HealthyWage, you can all be rewarded for your weight loss goal. All you have to do is sign up, set a goal weight, and set a limit.
You can place a wager on yourself, from $20 to $500 a month. Once you reach and maintain your objective, HealthyWage will pay you money, which can be as much as $10,000. This is an excellent way to make money and obtain fit as well!
19. Start a coaching business
Have you opened your own business? Do people you know and even total strangers ask you for work advice? You can become a trainer and start your own business. You could earn money by helping other people reach their goals.
Different types of coaches exist, so you’ll need to determine which sort of coach you want.
For example, a life coach helps clients meet their personal goals, whereas a business coach assists entrepreneurs expand their companies. You can also be a financial coach to help others with their finances or a fitness coach and help others lose weight. Get started making money for your experience!
20. Rent out your car (Turo)
Need some extra money to pay your monthly car payments? Renting out your car to Turo can earn you extra money.
You don’t need your car to drive often. If you do drive frequently, hosts may cover their costs if they rent out their car for only nine days per month.
You can rent out your car on Turo to earn extra money without having to work. You can even rent it out while working from home!
All you have to do is sign up for Turo, list your car, and pick your price. You get paid through PayPal within five days and earn 65% to 85% of the trip price.
21. Online surveys
If you want to earn income without working, there are many online survey websites that will pay you for doing questionnaires.
Try out Survey Junkie or Swagbucks and other survey sites and see if you can make any extra money as a side gig.
22. Mystery shopper
If you enjoy shopping, you can become a mystery shopper.
You can mystery shop and share your experience for money. It’s a great sideline venture if you have no job and would like to earn some extra money, and you may also get to shop for stuff you love at your favorite stores.
23. Sell your textbooks
If you want to start the fall semester of college early, you can sell your textbooks.
Many people want to buy used textbooks and save money. The best place to start looking for used books is Chegg.com.
24. Photography
Are you interested in photography and would like to know how to make money without having a job? You can earn some extra money with your camera and talent. Photographer salaries average $33,968 a year according to Zippia.
Do wedding photography sessions for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. In addition, you can sell your stock to websites like Shutterstock if you wish to use your photography skills to generate money without the additional work.
25. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects people who need small, odd jobs done with people who can do them. If you are a skilled gardener, you can help people move things, or excel at home maintenance, and you can make some money from TaskRabbit.
26. Rent out parking or storage space
If you have a spare parking space that rarely gets used, consider renting it out. Many people need a place to park during the day, and your empty spot could be their only opportunity. And if you have a garage with extra space, you can rent it as well.
To begin, you can try to find an app to rent the space. However, be careful about who you work with.
27. Deliver with Grubhub
It is exciting to deliver food to paying customers. You pick up orders for them, transport them to their residences, and collect payment for your services.
You can also work any hours you like with Grubhub.
28. Make your own app
Those who have the skill can develop an app and earn money. New apps are created every day, simply because there are many problems that need to be solved. If you identify one such issue, such as fitness tracking or financial management, use your app to fix it.
29. Start a gardening or landscaping business
Your neighbors or friends might want someone to maintain their lawns looking good. Services such as mowing a lawn, planting a garden, and watering flowers can make you money.
This skill could be particularly useful in the spring and summer months.
You can make money without a job
With a little research and effort, there are many ways to make money without a job. From pet sitting at writing services to selling used items and running errands, there is a plethora of available work.
You can say goodbye to working from 9 to 5 and pondering, “how can I make money without a position.” Say goodbye to a fixed schedule and hello to being able to work a job you love.
These guidelines can also help you learn how to spend the cash you generate as you practice. Start investing and tracking your earnings so that you can keep a better eye on where your money is going.
