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100+ Ways to Make Money Without a Job

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If you think about making money, most people often instantly think of that dreaded three letter word.  In case you can’t guess it, it’s J-O-B.

Yes, while I agree that a job is often associated with making money, it isn’t the case anymore, especially with all of the options that are provided to you on the internet as of today.

So, in today’s post, I wanted to talk about the many ways you can make money, all without a job commitment.  Yes, they are still jobs, per se, but won’t require a schedule.  Make sense?

That means you can work whenever you want, at your own pace and potentially earn what you need for whatever reason.

Now, while a lot of these options won’t make you rich, they can make you a good chunk of cash throughout the month, helping you pay off debt, save for a vacation or maybe even retirement.  Some pay a few bucks while some could pay thousands once you get good enough.

Remember, you will still need to work for your money, but you won’t have to commit to a schedule or a full-time boss.

So, whether you’re a teenager or just need a summer gig, there’s going to be something for you.

As always, I talk about honest, ethical ways to make money and will never sway you into a shady venture.

Let’s begin!

How to Make Money Without a Job

Help Out Research Companies

I promote helping research companies a lot here, but it’s for a very good reason.

It’s a great way to get started now, make some okay money and have fun while doing so.

And, if you’re not familiar with how these research companies work, let me quickly explain.

In short, research companies are looking for particular demographics, and if your profile is what they are looking for, then they will want to ask you a variety of questions.  These questions can greatly vary, from talking about a new food product to watching a commercial.  It’s quite diverse!

Just read a question and answer it.  That’s all there is to it.  And, yes, there’s something for everyone.

Take a look at my Swagbucks dashboard, for instance:

That 3,500 SB, equivalent to $35 would only take me 10 minutes to earn if I qualified.  These pop up all the time on my dashboard, so I at least recommend joining to see what you can take advantage of.  Every day, I see a TON of survey opportunities.

Now, there are a ton of companies, all of which you find the majority in my 80+ survey companies guide, but I will list some of my personal favorites below:

All of these websites are 100% free and could make you $200+ a month if you log in daily and participate with at least five to seven companies.  For example, I use Swagbucks as my primary option and I easily can make $5 to $10 a day with very little effort.

No commitment is required and it can all be done from home, I promise!



Amazon mTurk

mTurk is yet another option you can sign up for and get started almost immediately once approved.

I dabbled with mTurk in the past and had some luck with it, however, there is a learning curve if you want to make okay money.  You won’t get rich, either.

In short, mTurk relies on people like you and me and to complete a variety of tasks, from describing a picture to maybe finding a phone number for somebody.  There’s a lot of everything.

For example, take a look at my dashboard:

All of these tasks are extremely short and usually pay $0.01 to $0.05 each.  But, since the tasks only take seconds, you can sometimes earn $8+ an hour, again, if you get good enough.

If you find a task you like, click on it, complete it and then wait for it to be accepted.  And, in many cases, if you liked it, providers often upload thousands of jobs, which means you can keep busy for quite some time.

mTurk can take some time to learn, so I do recommend these free eBooks or take a look at this subreddit for more information.  You can also refer to my how to make $50 a day on mTurk guide.  There’s a lot of information out there that can help you maximize your time and earnings.

The more you learn, the more you can potentially make inside your home.  It’s free to join and no experience is necessary.

Freelance

I know you’re good at something that you can do online.

Whether it’s graphic design, writing or even answering e-mails, there are so many services you can offer online, all while working at your own pace.

I have posted this graphic before, but I will include it here as well:

Take a gander at the many services companies/individuals often buy viat hat graphic, and if you feel you could offer something of value, consider setting up a profile and start bidding on jobs.  Easier said than done, I know, but who said money is easy?

My two personal favorites, Fiverr and Upwork.com, will have more than enough work to keep you busy, but there are other freelancing websites to consider as well, most of which I talk about on my 550+ ways to make money online.

Freelancing can be a tough egg to crack and can take a lot of work.

But, to succeed online, as long as you have patience and continue to bid on jobs, a good opportunity should come your way.

To learn more about the freelancing industry and how to succeed, I highly recommend a few of these highly-rated Amazon books to get the help you land your first client and even make enough to quit your full-time job.

Flip Items

Known as flipping, this process involves finding an item for a fraction of what you could sell it for on Amazon, eBay or even Craigslist.

For example, if you found a book for $2 and the statistics show that you could sell it for $12, this could be $10 in your pocket, minus the fees, of course.  Do this 100 times over and you’re $1,000 richer essentially.

Whether it’s finding items on the clearance rack, at Goodwill, a nearby garage sale, or heck, a dumpster, there are a ton of places that you can frequent to find some low-cost or even free goods.

Yes, there’s a lot more to it than I describe, and yes, it does take work, but if you don’t mind sitting down and learning something new, there’s room for everyone to make money in this field.

While it would be very tough to turn this into a full-time job, many do it for fun, making anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars a month.  It really depends on where you live, how good you get at doing it and how much time you invest.  Heck, you can make hundreds of dollars flipping cars, even if you don’t have much knowledge.

As with a lot of these options I list, I could write a 10,000-word guide if I wanted to, but for now, I recommend these extremely low priced eBooks on Amazon or courses on Udemy.  Honestly, for a $10 investment, you can learn how to make three or even four figures in as little as a month.

Focus Groups

If you don’t mind leaving the house for an hour or so or even turning on your webcam to help a research company out, then you may want to consider looking into focus group studies.

In short, these focus group studies work a lot like the surveys, but they pay a lot more.  The only downfall is that you do need to visit a particular location, however, you always get to decide what you want or don’t want to do.

Like surveys again, these focus group studies are looking for particular demographics, but there are always hundreds of options available, with some paying as much as $250+ per study.

I have actually done quite a few of these, with some even in the comfort of my own home and I always made more than $50.

Here’s an example of my dashboard from one company I used, for instance:

As you can see, if you were willing to test out an application, you could earn $60 for the hour and you could do it in the comfort of your own home.

There are a ton of focus group companies, but again, I will make this easy and list some of my all-time favorites below:

All of these focus group companies are 100% free to join.

Just make sure you fill your profile out in depth so that they can contact you in case an opportunity arises.  To learn more about these companies in depth, I do recommend you at least check out my $100 per survey case study.

Download a Gig App

Whether it’s delivering food, groceries or even transporting people from point A to point B, if you have a car and don’t mind driving, you can make a pretty decent amount, all on your own time.

And, yes, while it is possible to do these apps full-time, the demand and how much you make will really depend on where you live, so it’s hard to offer an estimate as to how much you make.

Personally, I work with a few of these apps and can easily make $20+ per hour gross during the peak dinner times.  Again, it will vary.

As long as you have a clean background check, decent driving record and at least 18-21+ years old, then you may want to consider signing up with one of the following companies:

These apps are a great way to work on your own time, all while making a decent paycheck.

By far, it’s one my favorite ways to make money without a 9-5 job.

Become a Freelance Writer

I was actually a freelance writer in the past with a platform known as Textbroker.  I was able to log in whenever I pleased and pick up work that I wanted to write.

Now, the pay wasn’t too great.  I’m talking $0.01 per word, but if you wanted to start in the writing field and make connections, I felt it was an awesome way to start.

If you like writing, and, no, you don’t have to be perfect, there are so many great ways to earn some decent cash, all while writing about virtually everything.  Once you get good enough and make your connections with the clients on these platforms, this is when the money can soon take off, maybe even turning into a full-time income.

If interested, here are a few free options you should consider joining if you like the idea of writing online:

I could talk a lot about freelance writing, but I’m trying to keep these sections short.

In the meantime, be sure to check out these great free eBooks teaching you how to succeed on Amazon and these courses on Udemy.  You can also check out my 11+ content mills that hire rookie writers post.

Making money as a writer is possible.  Just keep in mind that it will take work.



Publish a Book

Kind of like freelance writing, publishing a book could be a consideration, but it could take some time as you do need to market yourself.

And, no, you don’t need a publisher nor do you need thousands of dollars to get started.

Simply write and format your book in a Word document and publish it to the Kindle Direct Publishing platform for the world to see.

There’s much more to it, but I may take some of the posts I created here and create a book myself.

In the meantime, these eBooks and Udemy courses can teach you how to become successful with your book publishing.

Start a Blog

This one will take some time.

In fact, it could take up to a year before you even see any cash, but if you want unlimited income potential and want to do it from the comfort of your own home, it can be done.   Again, it can be so frustrating in the beginning to see no income for your work, but please trust me that patience does pay off.

In short, create posts people want to read, slap on some ads and/or promote what’s known as affiliate marketing offers.

I mean, look at where you are now.  On my blog, right?

I don’t make a ton, but I do make some money.   Enough to live without a 9-5 job.

In the future, I do want to write more in depth about this topic, but for now, these websites/resources that I list below can get you started on the road to blogging and making some great cash.

Unlike a lot of bloggers who want to charge you $100, $200 or even $400 a course, you can learn it all online for free, please trust me on this.

If you really want to spend money, you can get just as good of an education, either via these very low-cost Udemy courses, Amazon books or these free websites:

With the exception of the Ahrefs premium tools, use all of the websites above for free information as you can readily find 99% of it online.  Do not invest your money in these programs as, again, you will learn it all online for free.  I can’t stress this enough.

Become a Mystery Shopper

As the name implies, a mystery shopper requires that you visit some sort of public establishment and grade your experience.

Usually, the company will supply you with a checklist and will ask you to answer the questions as you secretly shop as a “shopper.”  For example, they may want you to visit a grocery store deli and will then ask you how your interaction was.  Was the employee nice? etc.

Like a lot of the opportunities I list here, the great thing about a mystery shopper is that you can work at your own pace, choosing any of the jobs that come your way.

With the average job paying anywhere from $5 to more than $100+, plus a lot of freebies, such as a free dinner, it’s a great way to make hundreds of dollars in a month once you get good at it.

I dabbled with mystery shopping in the past, and I can say it is a very fun way to earn cash while exploring your town.

Explaining this whole process could take a whole another blog post, but for now, I do recommend Cathy Stucker’s The Mystery Shopper’s Manualan very inexpensive book that teaches you everything that you need to know about the industry.

And, to get you started, here are some of the most reputable mystery shopping companies out there today:

These are just a few of the many companies.  Be sure to check out these 75+ mystery shopping companies if you want to sign up for even more.

Sign up with as many as you can and start watching the job offers roll in.

After a while, with a bit of testing, you will find the companies and jobs you like, I promise.

Sell Your Photos

If you’re a fan of taking photos, whether it’s a hobby or even professionally, did you know that a few companies online will actually pay you for your photos?

Now, it isn’t as easy as submitting your photo and making cash.

Instead, most of these websites I’m about to list work in a similar manner.  Post your photo, wait for a buyer and then make some cash.

It could take some time to build a following and start making some good money, but regardless, it’s a wonderful way to make a few bucks doing something you enjoy.

If it’s something of interest, I do recommend the following legitimate companies:

Aside from these companies, I also recommend these extremely low-priced courses that teach you how to make money with your photos.

I personally have never sold photos for cash, but I have read some great things about those who have.   Participating in those courses or even reading a free Kindle book on the topic could teach you much more than I can!

Craigslist Gigs Section

The Craigslist “gigs” section is an awesome way to make money for the day, all while not having to commit to a 9-5.

From holding a sign on the side of the road to maybe helping somebody move a dresser, it’s not that hard to make $100 for the day if you hustle enough.

For example, as I was writing this, here were a few of the gigs posted in my area (Phoenix, AZ)

A lot of these gigs will be only temporary, but you may find full/part-time opportunities.

Regardless, if you’re looking for a temporary way to make money on your own terms, definitely check out your local gigs section to see what’s available.

Test Websites

As you probably know, the internet is filled with billions of websites.  While a lot of these websites are created as a hobby, some are taken seriously.

The ones that do take their projects seriously often turn to the public, hiring somebody like you, to help test their website/app and provide your feedback.  Then, with all of the feedback they receive, they can tweak everything as necessary to create the best user experience.

And, since these companies know you won’t test their projects for free, they turn to third-party companies with a database filled with testers who are willing to test projects for a small fee.

If you like the idea of testing new projects and offering your feedback, it is an easy way to make $5, $10 or even $20+, all depending on the company and project size.

With a lot of companies out there, I have done some research and can recommend the following options if interested:

All of these websites work in a similar way, but you may find one is busier than the other.  Regardless, plan on being contacted if a job does arise and they feel your profile fits the project’s demographic.

Babysitting

Babysitting opportunities have been around for an eternity and still exist to this day of course.

And, yes, while some parents may need you to commit to a schedule, some may only need you on an as-needed basis.

Not really considered a job, unless you become a full-time nanny, it can be a nice way to supplement your income.

To find parents who may need a babysitter like you, I recommend the following options:

Once you prove yourself, you really don’t need to market yourself as these parents will slowly start spreading the word, keeping you busier than ever.

Pet Sitting

Much like a babysitter, pet sitting works in the same way, only that you’re watching fur babies, of course!

From stopping by for a few minutes to replenish the food and let Fido out for a potty break, to staying overnight, pet owners are always looking for somebody responsible to watch their beloved pets.

As long as you love pets and don’t mind driving to a client’s home, one visit can pay upwards of $20+.  Add in a few stops throughout the week and it really adds up.

Like babysitting, there are a lot of great resources you could consider today if you want to create a profile and see if pet owners contact you, all of which I list below:

Once you find a few clients, prove yourself and hope for the repeat business and the word about your services spreading.

Rent Out Your House or Simply a Room

Do you have a spare room available?

If you don’t mind renting your room to strangers for the night, week or even for a few months, then renting out your spare room or even your entire home could prove to be quite lucrative, seeing you don’t have to do much of anything.

With nightly fees starting in the low $20s and greatly increasing from there, finding somebody who wants to rent your home is easier than ever.

AirBNB, VRBO and HomeAway are all great resources to start using.

List your room, take some pictures and make some easy cash for the night.

Don’t have a room or home to rent out?

That’s fine, too, as there are strategies to apparently make six figures without owning property.

Rent Out Your Car

Like renting out your home, did you know you could rent out your car to strangers as well?

I know the idea sounds ludicrous but hear me out for a second.

Most of the reputable websites that connect you with renters, such as Turo, provide you with a one million dollar policy and they let you collect fees in the case the car comes back dirty and/or without a full tank of gas.

I know rental cars often have a bad name to them, simply due to people riding them hard.  But, honestly, at least to me, I really believe people will treat a car much nicer if they know they are renting from an individual rather than a faceless corporation.

Depending on the car you drive and where you live, you could make upwards of $20+ a day renting out your car for the day.



Design and Sell T-shirts

The t-shirt market online is huge and you can take advantage of it if you feel you can either design an in-demand design or successfully outsource it.

While it’s going to be more than just slapping a design on a shirt and hoping for the best, there is more to it than this, of course.

As with most of these sections, I will just forward you to these highly-rated books and Udemy courses for now if you want to learn how to sell t-shirts online.

With a ton of platforms online, I have written about them in the past, particularly my 550+ ways to make money post, but I will include them below as well:

Again, don’t expect to get rich selling t-shirts right away as some work is involved such as market research, etc.  As long as you have the mindset to learn the industry, your income potential is unlimited!

Sign up for Paribus

This isn’t really a job, per se, but it’s an awesome way to make money on almost any purchases you made in the past, including Amazon.

Here’s how it works.

When you sign up for a free Paribus account and let it link to your email, it will automatically scan your email to see if there any receipts in your inbox.  It will continue to do so as long as you give it access.

Then, once Paribus finds a receipt from one of its monitored retailers, it will track that price and immediately get you a refund whenever there’s a price drop.

As you may or may not know, companies will often refund you the difference if an item’s price were to drop within 30 days of purchase, etc.  So, instead of keeping track of the many purchases you may have made, Paribus does it for you.

Hey, it’s 100% free to sign up for and makes you money virtually doing nothing as long as you’re making purchases.

Invest Your Change

Like Paribus, this strategy works in the same way, kind of.

You won’t be making money, but as long as you stick to a plan, you can make money via your spare change investments.

Known as Acorns, this app will first ask you to securely link your bank account.

Then, as you go about your day and make any purchases, Acorns will round up your purchase up and take that rounded number and invest it for you.  You can also make money shopping with one of their connected partners.

Even though it doesn’t sound like much, the spare change the app invests and the interest allocation adds up quickly.  So much so that some people have taken a vacation every year or simply let it pile up for retirement.

It’s really up to you what you would want to do with this newfound money.

Sell Crafts on Etsy

For the crafty types, Etsy is a great platform in which you can sell anything that’s homemade.

From a homemade scarf to personalized stickers, at least take a look at the website and see what’s for sale.  Everything you do see is created by someone like you.

While I personally haven’t dabbled much with it, some people do quite well with it, sometimes making as much as $100,000 a year.  Yes, it is totally possible if you find the right product and you create something of quality.

Again, I won’t act like I know the platform, but I do know people do succeed.

For now, I do recommend you at least read Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies and/or checking out some of these very low-cost video courses on Udemy.

Tutor Online

No, you don’t need an advanced degree to start tutoring online as there are a variety of topics you can teach, aside from school-related work.

From virtually teaching the piano to even teaching English, there are so many ways to help others, all while working on your own time.

Now, of course, you need to be skilled in what you’re teaching and you need to find people who are willing to hire you, but like most of these options, after you build your client base, things will really take off.

With a lot of online tutoring options to consider, here are some of my favorites:

Yes, you will do the best with school-related work, such as math, reading, and English, again, there are many other options.

To learn more about the industry and how to succeed, Amazon actually has a few very low-priced eBooks, some of which are free, that can help you succeed in the tutoring world.

Teach English Online

Like tutoring, this kind of works in the same way, only that you will teach English to younger Chinese students.

As you’re considered an independent contractor with all of these companies, you can work whenever you want, making it a great flexible gig that pays up to $20+ an hour.

While most companies do have requirements before you apply, as long as you have an undergraduate degree and any sort of teaching experience, you already considered a prime candidate to almost all of these companies.

With a handful of companies online willing to hire you, I recommend you at least check out the following reputable companies for more information:

If you like the idea of teaching younger students via webcam, this could be one of the most flexible gigs on this list that allows you to work virtually from anywhere.

Work as a Translator

Know more than one language?

If so, you may want to consider becoming a translator online, whether it be translating a Word document or an audio file, if you’re fluent in any language, you could have more work than you can handle.

And, the great thing is that you often don’t have to seek out your clients as the companies below often hiring various translators:

Be sure to check out some of these websites to see if you meet any of the guidelines.  Yes, they do vary.

If it sounds of interest, go ahead and apply to see where it takes you!

Enter a Contest

Not really a guaranteed winner here, but hey, you never know if you don’t at least try.

Create a separate email, enter as many contests as you can and see if you win anything good.

And, finding these contests are easier than ever as there are a lot of aggregators online that do all of the dirty work for you, including:

If you plan on entering a contest, just be sure you never pay a fee nor do you enter any sensitive information.

Generally, your email and contact information is all you need to enter.

Record Your Voice

You probably have heard a radio commercial or even listened to an audiobook, I’m sure.

Well, a lot of these companies need somebody to read a script, whether it be a two-hour eBook or a 30-second commercial, and this is where you can come in if you feel you have the voice to get hired.

If interested, a lot of these jobs require that you create a profile and then ask you to bid on jobs, usually by submitting a quick 30-second sample reading a demo script.

And, if the provider likes you, you could find yourself reading a script and getting paid for your time, sometimes as much as $1,000+.

There are a few providers I recommend if you want to start bidding on voiceover work and make some cash on your own time, all included below:

All of these companies have different requirements and/or fees, so be sure to at least check out the terms and conditions before applying.

Start a YouTube Channel

Easier said than done, I know.

But, much like starting a blog, a YouTube channel could be a choice consider if you don’t like writing and don’t mind editing film.

Like websites, what you can put on YouTube can be anything.

Find a passion, start creating unique content and market yourself in a way that brings in subscribers.

It will take some time to grow your channel, much like a website, but even the lesser-known YouTubers can make four to five figures a month.

I tell it as it is here, so I don’t have much experience with the platform, but I have read some of these books on Amazon, particularly YouTube Secrets, and took a few courses on Udemy to learn the ropes.  I may start a channel in the future, but for now, I will stick to writing!



Donate Plasma

If you don’t mind the thought of needles and even helping others, donating plasma is a pretty quick way to earn at least $20 to $50+ per trip.  This fee will depend on the location you choose, but plan on making at least $20.

For example, at my local plasma donation center, here were the fees posted on their board:

As long as you’re in good health, have a healthy vein and are at least 18+ years old, then you could be considered a great candidate.

To find a plasma center near you, DonatingPlasma.org has a free donor center search tool you can use.

Sell Your Art

Like to draw?

Consider listing your artwork on a variety of online storefronts, such as:

You may not make money right away, like some of these options, but hey, it’s yet another way to potentially make some cash without the need for a job.

Join a Medical Study

This could be seen as a focus group in a way, however, a focus group usually won’t ask you to inject medication into your body and/or ask you to visit the doctor.

Since there’s a lot more risk involved with these studies, I wanted to include this option as a separate subheading, only due to the risk.  However, since you are putting more on the line, such as testing new drugs, clinical trials are willing to pay you more for your participation.

If you don’t mind helping the medical community and testing a new medicine doesn’t even cross your mind, then you could make for a good candidate.

To find a legitimate medical study online, I highly recommend ClinicalTrials.gov to find a study that you may qualify for.  You can also check out these 7+ high-paying companies as well.

Get Paid to Lose Weight

This is kind of a unique one and could earn you a few extra bucks only if you need to lose weight and you lose the weight.

Known as HealthyWage, the company allows you to place a bet on your weight loss goals.

If you meet your goals, a cash prize is all yours at the end of your journey.  The top prize, at least according to the FAQ, is $10,000, a hefty sum for most of us!

As long as you think you need to lose weight and know you can stick to a long-term plan, why not?  Be sure to check out my review to see how it works in detail.

Get Paid to Watch Videos

As always, I try to create the most in-depth guides as possible, but some of these options may not pay as much as you want them too.

This is one of them.

Yes, you can make money watching videos, and, yes, it is easy.  However, you won’t make a ton.  In fact, plan on making a few dollars a week.

Again, I just want to throw it out there and recommend a few of my favorites:

These are just a few of the many options, but don’t worry.  I did write about 28+ companies that will pay you to watch entertaining videos. if you want to learn more.

Answer Questions

Websites, such as JustAnswer.com, are always looking for qualified experts to help answer questions from their visitors.

Whether you’re a medical professional or a mechanic, there could be an opportunity awaiting you here.

Take a look at the website and if you feel you have the credentials to answer questions, then it could be a great way to make $10, $20 or even more for every question thrown your way.

Class Action Lawsuits

There’s a good chance you have purchased something in the past, right?

If so, there’s another good chance that you qualify for a class action settlement from one of the products and/or services you purchased in the past.

Every day, there seem to be hundreds of settlements, wherein companies agree to pay their customers a certain amount due to some illegal action.

And, since there are so many settlements, it can be hard to keep track of, one of the reasons I recommend you check out TopClassActions.com or ClassAction.org.  Both of these websites keep you up to date with which companies are offering settlements and how you can take full advantage of the situation.

Rate Music

Similar to the apps I mentioned above, you won’t make much rating music, but it can be a fun way to earn a few dollars.

The concept is as simple as it sounds.

Listen to some music clips, judge it and the company will reward you with cash.

If of interest, there aren’t too many companies online that offer this opportunity, but I will include the most popular choices below:

Again, don’t expect to get rich!

Sell Your Lesson Plans

This one is kind of designed for the teachers out there, even though there’s no restriction requiring you to be one.

You can be a retired teacher or even non-certified preschool teacher, for example.

If you have some lesson plans laying around, consider selling them on the following websites to make a few dollars.

The great thing about this option is that you can continue to sell your lesson plan over and over again, making for a great passive income opportunity.

Sell Your Junk

A great way to make a few hundred, maybe even a few thousand, is simply be getting rid of all the junk in your home.

From old CDs to clothing, there’s a price tag on almost everything.

And, if you don’t want to sell it on your own, there are some awesome companies online that will offer you an instant quote, such as Decluttr and SecondSpin.com.

I have written quite a few guides as to how to sell items, particularly CDs, clothes, and DVDs, but in short, here are some of my favorite platforms to sell on:

  • eBay
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Offerup
  • letgo
  • 5miles

Depending on what you want to sell, some platforms will work better than others.  It all depends on what you’re selling.

But, regardless of where you sell, there’s a good chance that junk sitting around could net you a good chunk of cash!



Download Apps That Earn You Cash

Much like watching videos, a lot of the apps I’m about to mention won’t make you a ton of money, unfortunately.

However, if you have access to the Google Play Store and/or iTunes, it could be a great way to make a few bucks while on the go with your phone.

Like the research companies I mentioned prior, these apps will work in the same way, but they may offer even more opportunities to earn, such as completing offers, downloading apps and even simply checking into a store.

I won’t write about them in depth here, but maybe in the future.

For now, here are a few I highly recommend you at least check out:

All of these apps are 100% free to join and could earn you a few dollars on your own time.  Just take a look at the short description, and if it’s something of interest, go ahead and download it to see if it’s worth working with.

Become a Transcriptionist

In the past, I created a very detailed post, talking about the 100+ companies that are hiring transcriptionists, with a lot of these companies requiring no experience.

As long as you feel you can type at least 50+ words per minute and you consider your spelling and grammar is be top notch, then you could be a potential candidate.

In short, a transcriptionist is required to listen to an audio file and basically type what they hear.  And, the great thing is that most of these companies pay $10+ an hour, making for an okay side salary.

Most of the companies on the guide I provided above hire on an independent contractor basis, meaning you can work when you want, but there are some opportunities in there that are treated like a 9-5 job.  Take a look at the list and see if any of these companies are of interest.

Mow Lawns

Need I say more?

People always need their lawn cuts and the startup costs are very minimal, only requiring a lawnmower and gas.

Hit up your neighborhood and you will probably be amazed as to how many people need your services.

At $30+ per lawn, it adds up quick!

Shovel Snow

During the winter months, shoveling snow can be just as lucrative as mowing lawns.

While your income will be limited due to the fact that you can only shovel when it snows, it’s still an opportunity to consider.

Unclaimed Money

This could be a one and done, but hey, if you want to earn money without doing anything, this could be your best bet.

Not everyone will have funds waiting for them, but it doesn’t hurt to at least check to see if any unclaimed money is waiting for you.

It only takes a minute, and best of all, it’s 100% free to do as long as you use free search engines such as USA.gov or Unclaimed.org.  Never pay to use an unclaimed money database as you always find this information readily available online for nothing.

If you luck out and see your name on the list, click it and simply follow your state’s instructions to receive your funds.

Invest in Dividend Stocks

This is what I do, and yet again, it would take me an eternity to explain, but I will give you the short version in this section.

In essence, you’re looking for solid stocks, usually from companies that have been raising their dividend rate for at least 10 years straight.

And, if you’re wondering what the heck a dividend is, it’s basically a payment a publicly traded company will pay you every quarter just for having their stock.  That’s it.  You can see this yield on the stocks information page.

Again, there’s much more to this, but it’s not complex.  You just need to know what to look for.

Let me give you a quick example.

Let’s say you invest $183 in a McDonald’s stock.  This was the price when I was writing this guide.

If I look at the current dividend, it’s 2.53% of the price or $4.64 for every share you own.  This means that every quarter or three months, McDonald’s will pay you $4.64 just for having the stock!

Yes, you can lose your money and the dividend can disappear, I know that, but there’s no better way to earn money while just holding a stock.   It’s great.

I could ramble on, but for now, if you want to learn more, I recommend you check out this book, The Little Book of Big Dividends: A Safe Formula for Guaranteed Returns, for a lot more information.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to make money without having a job.  And, when I say job, I mean the 9-5.

And, yes, while it will take some work, a lot of these options are so great if you don’t want a boss breathing over your shoulder or that pesky 9-5 schedule.

As you can see, some may pay pennies while other options pay an okay salary.  It’s really up to you to figure out what works best for your schedule as everyone is different.

Aside from this guide, be sure to check out my making money section as I have quite a few guides there as to ways you can make money online and offline as well.

Since there are so many ways to make money without a job, I know I’m missing some options.  So, if you know of any, I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

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