How to Make Money Without a Job: 23 Fresh Ideas (2026)

If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, there are many ways you can earn money in today’s interconnected world, without the obligations and routine of a traditional job. In fact, 27% of Americans already work a side hustle to generate extra income.

Ahead, learn how to make money without a job, whether it’s via freelance projects, odd jobs, content creation, or starting an online business. Establish passive income streams or take an active role in increasing your cash flow. Whether online or IRL, you’ll find plenty of options here.

23 ways to make money without a job

• Launch an ecommerce store
• Start dropshipping
• Sell stuff you already own
• Start a blog
• Pick up odd jobs
• Produce online courses
• Sell print-on-demand products
• Offer tutoring services
• Create a webinar
• Write an ebook
• Start a YouTube channel
• Start affiliate marketing
• Engage with content
• Manage social media accounts
• Take online surveys
• Test websites
• Take part in online focus groups
• Rent out unused space
• Flip secondhand finds
• Pet sit
• Babysit
• Sell handmade crafts
• Grow and sell plants

From blogging to taking paid online surveys to establishing an online store, here are some ideas for how you can make money without a job.

1. Launch an ecommerce store

Make money online by starting a business selling products or services. Create a list of product ideas that play to your strengths as an entrepreneur. Then, create a business plan, launch your own website, and start selling online.

Starting an ecommerce business is one of the best ways to generate income outside of a traditional job. Use an ecommerce platform like Shopify that offers customizable themes, secure payment portals, easy inventory management, and helpful analytics tools. With an all-in-one platform, you can launch an online store that you easily can scale as your business grows.

What you need

• An ecommerce platform like Shopify
• Physical or digital products to sell
• A business model (manufacture yourself, find a supplier, dropshipping)

Initial investment: Low to medium, depending on your manufacturing process

2. Start dropshipping

Dropshipping generates passive income with minimal upfront investment. With a dropshipping model, you don’t have to store inventory or invest upfront. 

Here’s how it works: You choose a dropshipping supplier and set up an ecommerce store. Once a customer places an order, you send the details to your supplier (or, better yet, automate this step). The dropshipper will handle fulfillment.

Starting a dropshipping business is simple. Pick a supplier, carve out a niche, and select the products you’ll sell. Then, decide on a business structure and start marketing.

What you need

• A reputable dropshipping supplier like Collective, Syncee, or DropCommerce
• A computer or smartphone and an online store
• A compelling marketing strategy

Initial investment: Low

3. Sell stuff you already own

Put money back into your bank account by selling your belongings, like furniture, jewelry, and electronics. Make extra income through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, or Depop, or in person at garage sales and flea markets.

Popular resale categories include furniture, home décor, and clothing. 

Interested in art? Consider making crafts and prints to sell online or at local fairs.

What you need

• A list of items to sell and a place in your house to store them 
• A smartphone or camera to photograph the items, and access to an online marketplace to list 

Initial investment: Low 

Further reading 📚 18 Best Secret Websites to Make Money Online

4. Start a blog

Show off your writing skills and set your own hours by starting a blog about a topic you’re passionate about. Blogs can include educational articles, tutorials, infographics, interviews, lists, and first-person essays. 

If you run an ecommerce business, a blog can be a lead-generation tool, reaching potential customers who are searching for information online. Remember to use search engine optimization (SEO) strategies such as keyword research, link building, and technical SEO to improve mobile responsiveness and site speed.

Starting a blog, developing the content, and getting it to rank in search engines takes time and effort. Expect around three to six months for your SEO efforts to take effect. “It was really helpful to have this blog for three years before I started my business,” says Bento&co’s Thomas Bertrand on an episode of Shopify Masters, noting that selling is a more challenging job when you don’t have an established audience.

When creating content, put your audience first—not the search engine. Google prioritizes depth, quality, and uniqueness over heavily optimized content.

What you need

• A platform for posting blog articles, like Shopify (if you plan to also open an online store), WordPress, Webflow, or Substack 
• A niche or topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about 
• A basic understanding of SEO and enough time to write articles and wait for them to rank 

Initial investment: Low to no financial investment; significant time investment 

5. Pick up odd jobs

Another option for making money without a job is to pick up odd jobs through apps like TaskRabbit, Fiverr, and Fancy Hands. These services connect paying clients with freelancers who are willing to help with tasks such as grocery shopping, furniture moving, and house cleaning. 

If you enjoy administrative tasks, search for a part-time gig as a virtual assistant and help clients with meeting scheduling, email account management, and data entry.

Odd jobs are ideal for filling income gaps between projects or supplementing other revenue streams.

What you need

• You don’t need much to pick up odd jobs; consider focusing on a specific niche, such as handyperson services or grocery shopping 
• Some odd jobs require your own method of transportation or a computer 

Initial investment: Low 

6. Produce online courses

Another way to make money online is to use your expertise to create a series of educational courses. 

Online courses—written, video, and podcast—can generate passive income over time. You can upload your courses to platforms such as Skillshare or YouTube, which offer revenue sharing, or sell online courses independently on your own website.

Earnings from online courses vary widely—from zero to six figures. 

What you need

• Unique or extensive expertise in a specific area
• A studio or quiet space to record, and access to a high-quality video camera and microphone
• A platform or website to host your course on, like Skillshare or YouTube

Initial investment: Moderate cost and effort upfront, with decreasing effort over time

7. Sell print-on-demand products

You can earn cash by using print-on-demand (POD) services that make it easy to customize products like phone cases, water bottles, t-shirts, hats, and stickers.

Start a print-on-demand business by finding a POD service that produces only upon order. This way, you can start selling with little upfront investment. 

Top print-on-demand platforms include Printful and Printify, both of which integrate seamlessly with Shopify.

What you need

• An all-in-one ecommerce platform like Shopify
• A print-on-demand service to work with that integrates with your ecommerce platform
• Unique designs (you can create these yourself or work with a designer) 

Initial investment: Low 

8. Offer tutoring services

Make extra income in-person or online by tutoring. You can set your own rates and leverage the knowledge you already have. 

Focus on teaching a specific topic and tutor students online in subjects like math or science. Or choose to specialize in subjects such as standardized test preparation or English as a second language (ESL).

Common platforms include Wyzant, Preply, and Outschool.

What you need

• Knowledge in a particular field and the patience to instruct and guide students to success 
• A way to obtain clients, such as a social media marketing plan or joining a tutoring platform 
• A method of transportation or a computer for online sessions 

Initial investment: Low 

9. Create a webinar

There are several ways to monetize webinars. Charge attendees a fee to join live classes or access recorded webinars, or create a subscription program. 

Establishing a webinar requires little to no upfront investment. Popular webinar platforms include Zoom, Livestorm, and Adobe Connect.

What you need

• In-depth knowledge of a particular topic
• A landing page that includes a call to action (CTA) and a sign-up form
• A tool to run and record the webinar

Initial investment: Low 

10. Write an ebook

If you enjoy creative writing, consider publishing an ebook online. You can earn extra money without a job through royalties on ebook publishing platforms like IngramSpark, Lulu, and Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. 

Keep in mind that writing a book takes time and effort. Depending on the genre, subject matter, and your experience level, you could spend hours to years writing and editing.

If your book finds an audience, then you can eventually earn passive income, but selling digital products like ebooks requires a strong marketing strategy. Shopify can help you build, run, and grow your ebook business with free training, intuitive tools, and dedicated support.

What you need

• A strong perspective, unique idea, or expertise in a field 
• An ebook publishing platform, an editor, and an ISBN number
• A robust marketing strategy 

Initial investment: Medium monetary investment; a very high time commitment

11. Start a YouTube channel

Consider launching a YouTube channel to make money. You could start a channel focused on product reviews, educational materials, personal vlogs, or branded content.

With a solid content strategy and a consistent release schedule, you can cultivate a subscriber base and monetize it through advertising and affiliate marketing links promoting other brands. 

Best practices for starting a YouTube channel include producing high-quality, compelling content; posting consistently; promoting your channel; practicing good SEO hygiene on every post; analyzing performance; and collaborating with other creators.

What you need

• A quiet place to record content 
• Audio and video equipment that produces high-quality results 
• A clever idea, unique approach, or a captivating on-camera personality 

Initial investment: Medium monetary investment; high time commitment 

12. Start affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the best passive income ideas for earning extra money, with brands investing around $12 billion in creator partnerships in 2025. 

Affiliate marketing programs all function slightly differently, but in general, affiliates earn a commission for promoting products. 

You can start affiliate marketing without an upfront investment, and it’s easy to get started, even if you’re a beginner.

What you need

• A partnership with one of the best affiliate programs
• An engaged audience on a social media platform, blog, or YouTube channel 

Initial investment: Low 

13. Engage with content

Companies like Mistplay and Swagbucks reward users for playing games and watching videos from paying brands that want attention for their content. 

Engaging with content is a creative way to make money. Although these apps do not provide substantial income, they can offer a few extra dollars each week to users with free time who enjoy playing games and watching videos. 

What you need

• Membership on a platform like Mistplay or Swagbucks to get rewards for playing games, completing surveys, or shopping to get cash back 
• A mobile device or a computer 

Initial investment: Low 

14. Manage social media accounts

If you understand which types of content perform well on different social media platforms, consider making money by offering your expertise to paying brands that need help with their social media accounts.

You can start by offering social media management services to local businesses and build your reputation and skill set. Create a steady income stream by creating social media strategies, crafting content, engaging with comments and direct messages, and analyzing and acting on results.

What you need

• Experience working with different social media platforms and management tools 
• A creative approach that sets you apart 
• An understanding of social performance metrics and how to increase reach and engagement 

Initial investment: Low financial investment; high time commitment 

15. Take online surveys

You can earn money online by taking surveys through sites that pay users to provide information on products and services. There are several survey sites to consider, including KashKick and Survey Junkie.

You can also participate in in-person paid market research, including focus groups and interviews.

What you need

• A smartphone or computer 
• A profile on a paid survey platform 

Initial investment: Low

16. Test websites

Another flexible side hustle is website testing. You can work with companies like UserTesting, Test IO, Clickworker, and Mindful QA. 

You’ll be responsible for completing tests or surveys online and providing feedback. On some platforms, you’ll record your experience or speak to clients in real time. 

Testing websites is a low-effort, low-stakes way to make extra money on the side.

What you need

• A computer or smartphone 
• Membership to a website testing platform 

Initial investment: Low 

17. Take part in online focus groups 

Work with companies like Respondent, User Interviews, and FocusGroups.org to participate in focus groups and get paid for your time. 

Average compensation ranges from $50 to $200 per session, depending on requirements.

You can participate in online focus groups using a computer and webcam. Others require you to attend in person. 

What you need

• A computer or smartphone 
• Membership in an online focus group platform 
• A method of transportation to attend in-person focus groups 

Initial investment: Low 

Methods requiring space

18. Rent out unused space

Another way to earn a passive income is to rent out unused spaces that you own. For example, you could rent out a spare room or garage to a tenant who needs space for living, storage, or working. 

Renting out space can bring in extra cash while helping you save money and reducing your cost of living.

Legal considerations include complying with landlord-tenant laws, upholding health and safety standards, understanding zoning requirements, drafting a rental lease agreement, obtaining insurance, and properly paying taxes.

What you need

• Spare space that you own or have the legal right to rent out
• A rental lease agreement and insurance 
• Zoning that allows you to rent out space residentially or commercially 

Initial investment: Low

19. Flip secondhand finds

If you love combing thrift stores for great deals and unique scores, consider earning extra cash in the growing resale market by selling your secondhand finds. 

You could promote your small business on social media with “thrifted versus styled” reels, videos that show the furniture refinishing process, or videos that showcase your favorite pieces.

What you need

• An eye for high-quality pieces, sought-after brand names, or items that you can refinish
• A means of transportation to secondhand stores in your area 
• The funds to purchase inventory upfront, and the ability to fix up anything that might need repair

Initial investment: Medium

20. Pet sit

Start a pet-sitting business and enjoy flexible hours, animal companionship, and the chance to build lasting relationships with pet owners. 

With average earnings at $26 per hour, pet sitting can earn you a few hundred dollars with only a couple of clients. 

Responsibilities vary by species. Generally, pet sitting involves playing with the animal, feeding them, and giving them attention. 

You can pet sit from your own home, or visit/stay at your clients’ homes. If you’d rather work through a platform than obtain clients on your own, there are several you can look into. Wag and Rover are common options.

What you need

• To offer pet sitting, you may need specific licensing or certifications, depending on your jurisdiction
• You must comply with animal welfare laws 
• Experience with animals 

Initial investment: Medium 

21. Babysit 

The babysitting services market is projected to exceed $44 billion by 2030. Capitalize on this growing, high-demand industry and start a babysitting business.

The average pay for babysitters and nannies is $28 per hour, and there are always families in need of skilled child care providers. You can earn more with certifications such as First Aid and CPR, or with credentials as a licensed teacher. 

You can offer child care from your home or travel to your clients’ homes. Look into services like Care.com, Bambino, and Sittercity to be matched with families near you.

What you need

• Positive references and a clean background report
• Experience in childcare 
• Licensing and/or safety certifications like first aid and CPR 

Initial investment: Low 

22. Sell handmade crafts

The handmade crafts, or handicrafts market, is projected to exceed $983 billion by 2030. What might start as a simple DIY hobby could turn into a full-time job. 

That was the case for P.F. Candle Co. founder Kristen Pumphrey, who started pouring candles with wax heated on her kitchen stovetop. But it wasn’t just a great product that landed P.F. Candle Co. in homes across the globe. 

“You have to figure out what’s not being fulfilled in the market,” Kristen told Shopify Masters. “For us, that was creating a unisex candle.” 

What you need

• An ecommerce platform that enables you to make money online
• The materials to make your crafts 
• Shipping and packaging materials, or a way to sell your wares at local fairs or markets 

Initial investment: Medium to high

23. Grow and sell plants

If you have a green thumb and enjoy growing, tending, and propagating plants, then plant-preneurship might be for you. April and Daryk Mall turned a love for plant care into Unsolicited Plant Talks, a business born of their need to offset the cost of purchasing new varieties for their home. 

“We went from shipping 30 to 100 plants a month as a side hobby to shipping 600 to 1,200 plants a month,” Daryk told Shopify Masters.

The indoor plant market size alone was estimated at more than $13 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to almost $16 billion by 2030. 

What you need

• Nursery space, natural sunlight, and starter plants to propagate
• An online store where you can list and sell your plants
• Items like soil, fertilizer, shears, pesticide, and fungicide 
• Shipping and packaging materials, or a way to sell your plants at local fairs or markets 

Initial investment: Medium to high 

Understanding income timelines

The best way to make money without a job will depend on your skills, interests, availability, resources, location, and needs. Here, find out which gigs can lead to a quick cash infusion, and which to cultivate over the long term.

Immediate income

These side gigs allow for immediate earnings. For most, you can sign up via third-party platforms and start earning immediately. Side hustles where you can make quick cash within a week include: 

• Selling stuff you already own
• Picking up odd jobs
• Offering tutoring services
• Engaging with content
• Taking online surveys
• Testing websites
• Taking part in online focus groups
• Pet sitting
• Babysitting

Quick-building income

While you might need to wait longer to see results from these money-making ideas, they can lead to higher overall take-home pay in the long run. Side businesses where you can get your first earnings within approximately three months include:

• Affiliate marketing
• Webinar creation
• Renting out unused space
• Managing social media accounts
• Flipping secondhand finds 

Long-term business building

If you’re building a long-term side revenue stream, consider a business with staying power. These business ideas require at least three months to generate meaningful income: 

• Launching an ecommerce store
• Dropshipping
• Blogging
• Producing online courses
• Selling print-on-demand products
• Writing an ebook
• Producing a YouTube channel
• Selling handmade crafts
• Growing and selling plants