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How to Make Money Online and Offline in 2025

Here are some realistic ways to get ahead (and possibly a new lease on life) with a side hustle.

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Side hustles are popular, and possible.

According to a recent NerdWallet survey, 10% of Americans started a side business or second job in 2025 because their primary job doesn't financially cover their necessities.

But some side gigs are more realistic than others. We like practicality here at NerdWallet, so we stuck with ways that will actually work.

Peep these 17 ideas for some extra coin inspiration.

For sections with input from Redditors: We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about certain side hustles. We used an AI tool to help analyze the feedback and then summarized insight. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

How to make money online

Who wouldn’t want to make money while sitting at their home computer? Ideas with long-term potential — like freelance work — may take time to ramp up, while surveys-for-money apps let you make microearnings fairly quickly. 

1. Pick up freelance work online

Make money online through freelance websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities reach client through various freelance jobs, like writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant.

While it might feel like AI will eat up all the freelancing roles, that shouldn’t be the case. Data from Upwork released in early 2025 indicates an increasing demand for people with advanced technical skills (like understanding AI), but also those with human-centric skills. For example, personal coaching, career coaching, and training and development are three of the fastest-growing skills.

No matter what freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know what to charge. Some freelancers are charging $100 an hour or more for their freelance writing services.

Expert take: Soraya Ivette offers marketing services on Fiverr. She started freelancing part time when she was home with her young children, and has done well.

"Once I set up my profile on Fiverr, I started getting job requests within a couple of weeks and I started taking on more jobs and making regular money consistently every month," she said in an email interview.

  • Sites like Fiverr and Upwork open access to tons of potential customers, but you still have to be good at what you do and willing to hustle.

  • Setup is fast, but it may take time to land your first gig, and payment varies by site.

  • Upwork and Fiverr require users to be at least 18 to sell work.

  • Freelancer.com requires users to be at least 16.

  • Fiverr allows users age 13 and older to use a parent or guardian’s account, with permission.

2. Take legit surveys for money

Survey apps are good for microearnings and that’s about it. These apps and sites don’t offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash, but you can make a little.

Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Read about how little we made with survey sites to find out which one might be best suited for you.

  • It’s easy to register for these apps, but the time it takes to earn and get paid depends on the survey site and how much time you have to waste (err, spend rather).

  • Some sites let you cash out only after you earn a minimum amount.

  • Other survey sites issue points, which can be redeemed for cash (via PayPal) or gift cards.

  • Individual surveys may have specific requirements you don’t meet. (Don't be surprised if you are disqualified from a survey without much explanation.)

  • Age requirements for these apps and sites range from 13 to 18, depending on the site.

3. Make money from your blog or site with affiliate links

If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by featuring affiliate links. As an affiliate, you partner with a company like Amazon, for example. Affiliates get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there.

The hard part is building and audience. Success will highly depend on your ability to attract a steady stream of visitors, which may come from your social media following or email list.

  • Website building platforms like Squarespace, Wix and WordPress make it easy to get a blog up and running.

  • Then, you need to apply for and be approved by an affiliate marketing network.

    • CJ, ShareASale, FlexOffers, Rakuten Advertising or Amazon Associates are a few examples.

  • Drive clicks and sales, then get paid! Getting paid by these networks may take a month or two.

4. Sell your wares on Etsy

Have a penchant for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery or pottery? Sell your crafts on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art and knickknacks. According to Etsy, the company has more than 95 million active buyers.

Opening an Etsy shop is easy, but you need merchandise to sell and the ambition to market it well amongst vast competition. Research what other sellers are doing to spark inspiration before you dive in.

  • Etsy is about selling your creations (with some exceptions), so you need to have all necessary intellectual property rights to the merchandise sold in your shop.

  • Payment is deposited into your Etsy Payments account first, then to your bank account when you sell.

  • If you’re over 13 but under 18, you can sell on Etsy but would be considered a minor and must follow extra policies.

5. Sell digital products on Gumroad

Do you write, design, code and/or have expertise in a specialized area (like nutrition or parenting). If so, try turning your passion into a digital creation. People pay for quality downloadable products like online courses, e-books (see below), cookbooks, weekly planners and even self-help guides.

You can use a site like Canva to make designs for free, and then a platform like Gumroad (or Etsy) to upload and sell your product.

Product example: There are lots of digital cookbooks available on Gumroad. One that stood out to us was a 280 page PDF with tons of techniques and recipes to “optimize your nutrition.” It had 47 positive ratings and a $39 price at the time of writing.

  • This is not a path to quick cash, but payouts could be passive down the road.

  • You’ll need to figure out what sells well, come up with a profitable idea and then sweat the details.

  • You’ll also need to make your product(s) stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.

  • Earn enough to be paid four times, and you can set your payment schedule with Gumroad.

  • You can get on Gumroad as early as age 13, use common design tools to create a product, then sell it directly on Gumroad.

6. Self-publish an e-book for Kindle readers

Writing a good book is tough, but the internet makes it easy to bring it to market. If you’re a writer who can churn out pages, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to sell your books(s) on the Kindle store. It’s free to publish a book, and you can earn up to 70% of each sale in royalties.

Write your book, enter a clear description and the details to be displayed and upload your manuscript. Set the price and see if it sells.

  • Competition is high with millions of e-book titles on the Kindle store.

  • Choose one of two royalty options: 70% or 35%. You’ll have to price your book between $2.99 and $9.99 if you select the 70% option. You have more pricing flexibility when you pick 35%.

  • Make your first $100 and you’ll be eligible for your first check.

  • You need to create a Kindle Direct Publishing account to get started, and proper formatting is important for a good final product.

    • Amazon says most Microsoft Word documents convert to e-books easily, but other formats are also supported.

7. Get advertising revenue from your YouTube channel

If your YouTube channel draws an audience, you may be able to make money from advertising. The biggest hurdle is the need to build an audience first. YouTube requires 1,000 subscribers to apply for the YouTube Partner Program, and you need to be a partner to earn from ads that run on your channel.

You can apply for for other monetizing features like channel memberships with just 500 subscribers, though.

  • In addition to the 1,000 subscribers, you'll need to meet requirements related to views or watch hours to be a Partner.

  • Focus on making good videos that resonate with a growing audience.

  • When you’re in, you can easily create and link an AdSense account, which is Google’s service for ads.

  • YouTube will pay you monthly when you start earning from ads.

  • You have to be 18 to create an AdSense account.

8. Monetize your Twitch channel

Live-streaming video game play could be a way to make money from home if you have a steady following on Twitch, the go-to site for gamers.

Streamers can receive money from viewers’ virtual cheers, called “Bits,” and even get a share of subscription and ad revenue if they reach Affiliate or Partner status. Learn more about how to make money on Twitch.

  • Signing up for Twitch is simple, but it takes consistent streaming to build a following.

  • You need to hit certain viewership and broadcast milestones to become a Twitch Affiliate or Partner and thus qualify for a share of ads and subscription revenue.

  • Subscription and ad revenue earned as a Twitch Partner or Affiliate is paid out monthly, once you have a balance of $50.

  • The age minimum is 13 for Twitch.

» MORE: How to make money as a kid

How to make money offline

How about “offline” earnings? This version of the gig economy may require more effort, but the upside can be substantial. Since there’s no escaping the internet (or your cell phone) in 2025, some of these offline methods do have online components.

9. Deliver with DoorDash, Instacart or Amazon

Take advantage of the growing delivery trend and sign up for a service like Instacart, DoorDash or Amazon Flex. You get paid per delivery, in most cases, and can even earn tips. A car isn’t always required — DoorDash lets you use a bike or scooter to make deliveries in some cities. However, a background check is almost always part of the deal.

Video preview image

  • The background check can take a few days, and timing can vary. 

  • Payments are generally issued weekly or quicker.

  • A smartphone is necessary to accept and process jobs. 

  • Each delivery service has a minimum age requirement, but it varies by service.

10. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag

Apps like Wag and Rover offer on-demand dog walking, so you can pick up walks when your schedule allows. If you have space (and your landlord’s permission, if you rent), you could offer overnight dog boarding. Read the fine print if you sign up for these services.

What Redditors say: There's potential to earn an extra $300+ per month with a gig service like Rover when you have regular clientele, but success can depend heavily on location and market. Are dogs trending in your town?

  • It takes about 5 to 10 business days for your Rover profile to be reviewed and approved.

  • The application process for Wag takes about two weeks, and you must pass a background check and pet care quiz.

  • Get paid within two days to a week after jobs.

  • For Rover or Wag, you’ll need to live in an area where the service operates.

11. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb

Renting out your home or spare bedroom on vacation rental sites is another way to make extra money. Be prepared to spend some money to clean and keep up the property, replace home goods and pay toward service fees. And scrutinize your rental agreement, HOA rules and zoning or other restrictions before you get started.

  • Have a space to rent? You can create a listing and start accepting reservations on the same day. 

  • Payment is typically disbursed about 24 hours after your guest’s scheduled check-in time.

  • You’ll need to comply with any rules governing short-term or vacation rentals in your property, including city ordinances, and rules issued by your landlord, condo board or homeowners association.

12. Sell your gently used clothes

A woman makes extra money by selling her clothes.

Selling clothes you no longer wear is a quick way to make some money. Start with local consignment shops to make money quicker or use sites to sell clothing like ThredUp and Poshmark. When listing items online, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces and research similar items to set competitive prices.

  • You can sell used clothing and accessories at a brick-and-mortar consignment store like Plato's Closet for cash on the spot. 

  • Other in-person and online consignment shops pay you when your items sell, or when they receive and inspect your items. Either way, allow at least a month for your payout.

  • Selling online? Items may go through various inspections before being accepted. 

    • For example, ThredUp checks items for pilling, fading, shrinkage, missing parts (like buttons) and stains.

13. Get a babysitting gig

Everyone from college students to recent retirees can make money by watching other people’s children. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family are still a great way to get started, but you can also create a profile for free on Care.com or Sittercity to expand your reach. Note any specialized skills, such as CPR certifications, to make yourself more marketable.

  • With online services, you typically get paid when you complete your gig, whether by the service or directly from the customer.

  • You need to be at least 18 to list as a caregiver on Care.com and Sittercity. 

  • Clients may request a background check.

14. Rent out your car with Turo

City-dwellers often don’t use their cars for days or weeks at a time. Idle time can translate to extra money with services like Getaround and Turo, which let you rent out your car by the hour or day. You take home the majority of those earnings, while Getaround or Turo takes a cut for protecting your car while it’s being rented.

You can create a listing on Turo or Getaround in under 30 minutes.

  • You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a car to rent (obvi). 

  • Your car must meet certain model, age and mileage requirements and satisfy maintenance and safety standards. 

  • If you lease your car, check the terms of your agreement and financing documents to make sure you’re allowed to share it.

  • Turo initiates payment within three hours of the end of the rental. 

  • Getaround rental earnings accrue daily or monthly. 

  • Payments are made via direct deposit.

  • Turo requires you to be at least 21, while Getaround has no age requirement. 

15. Sign up for TaskRabbit

If you actually enjoy putting together Ikea furniture or helping people move, you may be cut out for doing tasks for others. TaskRabbit can connect you with customers who need help with a variety of things, such as moving, cleaning, delivery and handyman services. The site also offers several virtual and online tasks, such as helping with a research project or data entry.

What Redditors say: This is a flexible side hustle that can be good for a couple hundred bucks of supplemental income per month. But, like with other gig service sites, your success is dependent on location and demand.

  • It may take a few days for TaskRabbit to approve your profile and you'll need to pass a background check. 

  • Once approved, you need to pay a $25 fee, so keep that in mind before you commit. 

  • You're paid through direct deposit to a checking account after the task is completed. 

  • You need to be at least 18 to start working with TaskRabbit.

16. Become a private tutor

Parlay your math, science, foreign-language or test-prep expertise into a lucrative side gig by becoming a private tutor. You can tutor people online or in-person.

What you charge can depend on your experience, expertise and what’s in demand. To get started, see what types of tutors are needed on Craigslist, or create a profile on sites like Tutor.com or Care.com. You can also advertise your services at local schools and community centers.

  • You'll need deep knowledge in an area that people need help understanding, like mathematics, a foreign language or test prep. 

  • Startup time depends on demand in your area. 

  • How quickly you get paid depends on whether you tutor via a platform or in-person; either way, it likely won't take long.

  • Some companies might require a minimum availability per week (e.g., Tutor.com requires 5 hours).

  • Educational requirements might apply as well.

17. Drive for Uber, Lyft

Join Uber or Lyft (or both) and make money by driving passengers around. Just don’t forget to factor in gas and maintenance costs. You need an eligible car in good condition and must agree to a background check and a review of your driving history. Factors like location, time of day and how often you drive will impact how much you make.

Learn how to become an Uber driver or how to make money as a Lyft driver.

Video preview image

  • Allow some time for the application process, background check and car inspection.

  • Uber requires at least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S., as is the case for Lyft in some states.  

  • Once you get going, Lyft and Uber can pay you instantly through a debit card or transfer earnings to your bank account pretty quickly.

  • Let your car insurance company know of your plans before you start driving.

  • Age restrictions vary by region, from 21-25. 

Watch out for making money scams

The internet is full of opportunities to make money online or from home, but many are questionable, if not outright scams. Be wary of any “opportunity” that asks for an upfront fee, wants you to pay for certification, or requests your Social Security number or any financial information, such as your credit card number.

Have your tried one of these hustles? Email us to let us know how it's going. Seriously, we want to know.

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