Tax Day 2023 is closing in, and the burden for gig workers is a little heavier because you’re considered independent contractors — not employees — of the popular app-based companies you work for.
After years of filing extensions because of the pandemic, last year marked the return to a more familiar April deadline. Similarly, this year’s deadline to file your federal taxes is April 18.
While seasoned freelancers and gig workers likely know the drill when it comes to the process of filing your own taxes, it can be a daunting task for anyone new to the industry. The key thing to remember is that you’re responsible for reporting your gig work income for every client or company that paid you more than $600 in 2022.
One reason for all the confusion? Your tax documents may not have arrived via snail mail (the way they typically would with a full-time employer) — especially as more and more companies start offering digital copies of tax filing documents.
Regardless, you should have received everything you need (on paper, digitally, or both) from any companies you contracted with by Jan. 31. In any year, if you haven’t gotten anything by late February, reach out ASAP.
Here’s a rundown of the tax forms you’ll need to use as a gig worker – plus a look at the tax policies of five of the most popular gig app companies: Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub, Lyft and Uber.
Common Tax Forms for Gig Workers
In the eyes of the IRS, you’re a self-employed worker. That means it’s up to you to compile the appropriate tax forms and accurately report your income.
Common Income Forms Sent to You
Companies that paid you more than $600 in a calendar year should send you a 1099 (either digitally or in the mail), as required by law. If you work across multiple apps, it’s possible you will receive a 1099 from each company. And depending on what companies you work for, you may receive up to three different types of 1099 per company.
The 1099-NEC was introduced in 2020 and is the main tax form that’s now used to report nonemployee compensation of $600 or more. Many companies previously used the 1099 MISC (Box 7) to report this income, and if you’re an independent contractor who used to receive that form, you’ll likely now receive this one instead. On this new form, you’ll use the amount in Box 1 to report your self-employment income.
Line 1 of the 1099-NEC form is where you should see your compensation. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
The 1099-K form is another common form sent to gig workers. Previously, workers had to meet certain thresholds to receive this form (ie. offer a certain number of rides via Lyft or Uber or earn a certain amount in a calendar year). Beginning in 2022, anyone receiving payments exceeding $600 via a third party network or debit/credit card transactions will get this form, regardless of the number of transactions they completed.
Line 1a on the 1099-K form is where you will find the gross amount made from card and third party transactions. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
NOTE: On December 23, 2022 the IRS announced it would treat the 2022 tax year as a transition year for this new policy. Translation? You may or may not get this form from any company you worked for depending on how much you earned and whether or not they followed the initially proposed 2022 guidelines.
If you own a business that accepts credit or debit card payments, drive for a rideshare company, or sell stuff on various online platforms— you may receive this form. Self-employed workers should use this form (along with the NEC) to report gross income earnings for the year. Pay special attention to Box 1a (your net income) as well as Boxes 5a-5l (your net income month-by-month) to understand how much money you received via third party networks.
The 1099-MISC, short for miscellaneous income, has undergone a lot of changes over the past years in order to accommodate the creation of the new 1099 NEC tax form. Like we mentioned up top, this form used to be the number one tax form for gig workers and independent contractors. But in 2023? Not so much.
While you may still receive this form as a gig worker, it won’t necessarily be because of your job. Those receiving the 1099-MISC nowadays are often getting it for reasons like collecting at least $600 or more in rent, medical payments, or prizes and awards. If you do happen to get one of these forms, just remember that the amounts listed on it will need to be reported as income.
Tax Return Forms You Send to the IRS
After you’ve tracked down all your 1099s and tallied up your net income, your next step is to get that number as low as possible by subtracting any and all applicable business expenses and deductions.
Pro Tip
Most Uber and Lyft drivers don’t meet the 1099-K threshold and won’t receive this form. Again, even if they don’t send you the form, you are still responsible for reporting your earnings.
As a gig worker, you may need to file the following tax forms with the IRS:
Form 1040: This is now the main form used by all U.S. taxpayers to file an annual income tax return. (Forms 1040S and 1040EZ are no longer available.)
Schedule C: is a sub-form of the 1040 used to tally up your profit and loss as an independent contractor. Line No. 1 is where you report gross income from all 1099s or from the income summary provided in your gig app. The subsequent boxes are examples of business expenses you may use to lower your taxable income. Line No. 31 is your net profit, a number you’ll need for the Schedule SE.
Schedule SE: This is another 1040 sub-form for self-employed (gig) workers. Use it to calculate your self-employment tax.
Schedule 2: is an “additional tax form,” i.e. where you provide the amount you owe in self-employment taxes from the SE form above. Put that figure on line No. 4 and the grand total on line No. 21.
Form 1040-ES: Use this form, instead of the standard 1040 if you need to file quarterly taxes.
You must file a tax return if you have net earnings from self-employment of $600 or more from gig work, even if it’s a side job, part-time or temporary.
Tax Policies and Resources of 5 Popular Apps
What forms you receive and what tax service you choose to file with depends on the company you’re working for. Each company has slightly different tax policies and may offer discounts for different tax-filing software services. Here’s how they stack up.
Pro Tip
Feeling overwhelmed? If you’re worried about making mistakes, we recommend using tax software like H&R Block, TurboTax or TaxAct.
DoorDash
DoorDash partners with Stripe. According to the company, you have received a 1099-NEC via Stripe e-delivery by December 31, 2022. The company no longer sends contractors details on their mileage, but instead recommends signing up with a mileage tracking app like Everlance to track your miles throughout the tax year and see if you qualify for any exemptions. Review DoorDash’s tax FAQ for more information. If you haven’t received your 1099-NEC or your mileage information, contact DoorDash customer support.
Primary tax form: 1099-NEC.
Who: Dashers who earned more than $600 the previous calendar year.
How: Electronic form (unless you opted for paper delivery instead).
Instacart
Much like DoorDash, Instacart has partnered with Stripe to provide tax forms to its contractors. If you earned $600 or more with the company in 2022, you should expect to receive an email containing tax information from Stripe or Instacart by early January 2023—at which point you will be able to download your forms from Stripe Express. If you have any issues receiving your forms, or have questions, you can reach out to the company by logging into the Shopper Helping Center.
Primary tax form: 1099-NEC.
Who: Instacart shoppers who earned more than $600 the previous calendar year.
How: Electronic form.
Grubhub
If you’re a Grubhub driver who earned more than $600 in 2022, and are enrolled in electronic communications, then you should have received your 1099-NEC via email by the end of January 2023. If you opted out of electronic tax communications, then you likely received a mailed copy of the form around the same time.
Visit Grubhub’s taxes FAQ for more information. If you haven’t received your form by Feb. 15, Grubhub recommends contacting the driver care team at [email protected] or at 866-834-3963.
Primary tax form: 1099-NEC.
Who: Grubhub drivers who earned more than $600 the previous calendar year.
How: Electronic and paper form.
Lyft
According to Lyft’s tax site for drivers, the company partners with TurboTax to provide discounted self-employed tax-filing services. All Lyft drivers receive 25% off TurboTax Self-Employed and TurboTax Self-Employed Live Federal filing.
Platinum drivers receive 50% off. To access your tax documents online (which may include the 1099-K as well as the 1099-NET), log in to your driver dashboard and click the “Tax Information” tab. There, you’ll be able to view your 1099-NEC, 1099-K and an unofficial tax summary document compiled by Lyft. The tax summary displays your net earnings and is especially useful if you don’t meet the earning threshold for either 1099 form. All tax documents will be available in your dashboard by January 31, 2022.
Primary tax forms: 1099-K and 1099-NET.
Who: Lyft drivers who earned more than $600 the previous calendar year.
How: Electronic and paper form.
Uber
Like Lyft, Uber partners with TurboTax to provide free self-employed tax-filing services – plus a 50% discount for live chats with TurboTax’s CPAs.
You can view your tax summary on or after Jan. 31 (which may include the 1099-K as well as the 1099-NET), via the tax information tab of your partner dashboard. You should have access to Uber’s tax summary even if you haven’t met the income thresholds for either 1099 forms. For more information on tax documents provided by Uber, visit their Tax Support page.
Primary tax forms: 1099-NET and 1099-K.
Who: Uber drivers who earned more than $600 the previous calendar year.
How: Electronic and paper form.
Contributor Larissa Runkle specializes in finance, real estate and lifestyle topics. She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Contributor Matt Mastasci contributed to this report.
Over its nearly 30-year run, Audible has become a household name for online audiobooks. It’s nearly impossible to listen to a podcast these days without the host advertising an Audible subscription.
There is a good reason why all your favorite online services seem to advertise Audible: They can make good money doing so, and so can you. We’ll dive into how to make money on Audible and why it can be a solid side gig for extra cash.
What Is Audible?
Audible is an online audiobook service where book lovers can purchase their favorite published works in audio form. The service launched in 1995 and today offers its vast library to individuals either a la carte or via a variable subscription model. Audible has also expanded into the world of podcasts.
For those who subscribe to Audible, the service offers multiple subscription tiers, each providing you with a specific number of credits. The credits either replenish monthly or annually and can be exchanged for audiobooks.
Listeners can then enjoy their selected spoken word entertainment via Audible apps on smartphones and other smart devices.
3 Simple Ways to Make Money on Audible
While not always the first thought of those looking to pick up a side gig, Audible can be a lucrative offering for those willing to put in the work. Whether you want to dig into your creative side, write and narrate a book, or become an Audible affiliate, we’ll showcase a few ways to increase your bank balance with the service.
Join the Audible Affiliate Program
One of the easiest ways to earn money with the Audible platform is to engage in affiliate marketing using the company’s tools. Your favorite podcasts and YouTubers have done it, and now you can, too, with some work. Affiliate marketing is a perfect option for influencers looking to monetize their reach on social media.
To get started, all you need to do is become a member of the Audible Creator Program (Audible Affiliate Program). Once signed up, you’ll be able to promote a custom URL to others in hopes that they sign up for an Audible 30-day free trial. Not only will your listeners get a free trial to Audible with a free audiobook, but you’ll receive a $15 commission for each trial you generate.
If you’re already a member of the Amazon Associate Program, you can choose to promote Audible within your existing agreement with Amazon. For an Audible free trial sign-up, you’ll earn $5, while a Gold Digital Membership will net you $10. You can also earn money for a la carte purchases, with each audiobook worth 50 cents.
Create Your Own Audiobook
Ready to get your creative juices flowing? Consider creating your own audiobook for Audible. If you’ve got a story that you’ve been working on or even a book that you’ve already independently created, you may want to sell audio versions of it.
Turning your written word into an audiobook is easier than you think, thanks to the ACX platform. Brought to you by Audible and Amazon, ACX, also known as the Audiobook Creation Exchange, is a marketplace that enables professional narrators, authors and publishers to work together to create audiobooks.
Pro Tip
If you aren’t up to writing your own book to be converted into an audio masterpiece, consider hiring a freelance writer to craft the book for you — all you need is an intriguing subject matter.
If you already have an audio version of your book (audio files), ACX helps you easily upload your content to multiple retail channels, including Audible, Amazon and iTunes. ACX offers numerous production earnings and cost models, so you can select what fits you best. Resources are also provided for those who want assistance promoting their books once available.
Become an Audiobook Narrator
Do you have the golden voice? Then you should consider narrating audiobooks to make some extra income on the side. All you need to get started with your audiobook narrator side gig is a good-quality microphone, a working computer and a quiet place to record. There are plenty of places where you can get started with voice work, one being the ACX platform.
In addition to offering a way for writers and publishers to have their written works turned into audiobooks, ACX provides a platform for voice artists to further their careers. ACX currently has nearly 800 titles open for voice auditions. Of course, other websites exist for selling your voice, including Voices.com and platforms such as Fiverr.
If you aren’t having any luck with voice auditions, you can consider voicing a public domain book, even though it likely won’t net you any money. But the process will allow you to familiarize yourself with the steps involved in producing a free audiobook and give you voice material to provide in future auditions. LibriVox is an excellent platform to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Actually Make Money From Audible?
Yes, you can make money using the Audible platform. There are three primary methods: becoming an affiliate, producing your audiobook or narrating audiobooks via the ACX platform.
How Much Do Audible Narrators Get Paid?
Not all Audible narrators get paid the same. If you are starting out, you may make only about $10 an hour for your time. However, a more experienced narrator may drive hundreds of dollars per hour.
How Do I Start Making Money on Audible?
Suppose you’re looking at how to make money on Audible. In that case, we suggest you either begin by signing up for the Audible Creator Program, in which you can earn commissions on 30-day trial sign-ups, or using the Audible ACX platform to make money narrating titles.
How Do I Get Paid to Read Audiobooks?
We recommend that you start with the ACX platform. Designed by Audible and Amazon, ACX enables voice narrators (such as yourself) to connect with authors and publishers. You can try out for audiobook auditions and, if selected, earn money reading books for the platform.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
Break out the leashes and the poop bags! There’s never been a better time to be a dog walker.
Who says so? Well, The New York Times says so. It just ran an article about professional dog walkers in Manhattan who are making more than $100,000 a year.
And, sure, most of us don’t live in Manhattan, and most dog walkers don’t really earn six-figure salaries. But this is still a lucrative time to walk dogs for a living, either full time or as a side gig. And it’s all because of the pandemic puppies.
That’s nearly 1 in 5 households! That’s tens of millions of new pets that need tending to, every single day. “With many Americans back in the office, somebody has to walk all those pandemic puppies,” the Times pointed out.
You spend a lot of money on your pets. Maybe it’s time they return the favor. PetSmart is seeking a dog or cat to be its “chief toy tester.” The gig pays $10,000.
How to Get Started as a Dog Walker
Sounds great, right? Lots of fresh air and exercise and dogs, what could be better? But how can you set yourself up for success?
You could get started the old-fashioned way: Tell all your friends and neighbors, then put up some handmade leaflets in strategic spots around your town. Post it on Craigslist and announce it on all your social media profiles, too.
These days, though, most beginning dog walkers are finding work on apps.
The rise in dog walking as a job or side gig can be partly attributed to the rise of dog-walking and pet-sitting apps that have hit the market in recent years, modernizing this whole process. The most popular ones are Rover and Wag, which were founded in 2011 and 2015, respectively.
These apps are sort of like Uber for dog walking in that you take requests in your area. Depending on where you live, you can accept dog walks that are ASAP, meaning you need to arrive for the walk within a certain period of time, or you can accept a walk that’s scheduled for a later time.
You also post your availability for dog walking gigs in your area. Dog owners near you can look at your profile, your prices and your availability, then book a walk with you through the app. So you’ll want to make sure your profile looks inviting and features photos of you interacting with pets.
If you hit it off with a pup and its owner, you can schedule ongoing walks with the same client.
You have to be 18. Both apps do a basic criminal background check.
And if you’re finding dog walking appointments hard to come by, you might branch out into pet sitting or even pet boarding. Both apps offer that.
These are the 29 best side hustles to help you make more money. (And, yes, pet sitting made our list.)
How Much Does a Dog Walker Make?
There’s not a simple answer to this question. Pay rates are all over the map, and your total earnings will depend on how aggressive you are about seeking out work and what kind of services you offer.
According to Rover, here are the average prices for each service:
Dog walking: $20 a walk
Drop-in visits: $20 a day
Doggy day care: $35 a visit
Overnight boarding or sitting: $40 a night
A search on Rover in our city found dog walkers charging $15 to $25 per walk.
“Many sitters on Rover use the platform as a traditional side gig, taking care of pets for extra income,” Rover trends expert Kate Jaffe told The Penny Hoarder. “We make it easy to manage their business, whether they work full time and want to dog sit on the side, or they’re a student looking for flexible work, or a retiree who wants to stay active and avoid dipping into their retirement savings.”
Not sure how much to charge? Look at what other people in your area are charging. If you’re just starting out, set your rates on the low end while you work to build up your clientele.
For example, Wag allows you to set rates for 20-, 30- and 60-minute walks, and it shows you a range of what the average walker in your area is charging.
Once you set your rates, your clients pay your rate plus a 20% fee to Rover or a 40% fee to Wag.
Pet sitting and pet boarding gigs typically pay more than dog walking because they require more than a brief commitment of your time.
“Given the duration of most overnight care (boarding and sitting) requests, these tend to be the most lucrative,” said Kaitie Edel, senior marketing manager for Wag. “Becoming a pet parent’s preferred caregiver or accepting a recurring request can also be very lucrative, given the long-term relationship it creates.”
In short, you’re probably not going to earn more than $100,000 a year like a professional Manhattan dog walker who caters exclusively to the rich elite.
But all those pandemic puppies need to be walked, and someone has to walk them.
If you’re looking for extra cash, it could be you.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Are you the person always recommending new finds to your friends? Do you find yourself scouring types of tools to find the absolute best one? And do you love to share what you’ve learned with others online?
Here’s the good news: you can actually get paid for that. Yes, it’s called product testing and companies will actually pay you—or at least reward you—to find out what you think about their latest items. Think of it like mystery shopping without leaving the house. Just read below to find out how you can join the ranks of product testers everywhere.
How to Become a Product Tester
If you’ve written a review on Amazon or sites like it, then you probably know how product testing works. Consumers are generally chosen based on their demographic fit — like their age or where they live.
That’s part of the reason why you’ll be asked in advance to fill out some personal information so companies know where to place you. You may also have to connect your social media accounts or PayPal for payment.
After your account is set up, you’ll complete surveys so the companies know what relevant products and opportunities will fit your lifestyle.
If you fit their criteria, companies could send free samples to your home. The length of tests vary between each company and their products. Do the test, submit your honest feedback, tell your friends and get paid.
Now for the fun part: here are 19 product testing companies that want your valued feedback. Will you be able to make it to the end of the article without signing up?
1. McCormick
Do you like to experiment in the kitchen? You can become a product tester for McCormick and put those taste buds to work.
Although this might sound like the dream job, don’t expect an unlimited number of tests. The company only allows testers to join up to four times a year and once every three months. Testing is paid, but that varies by test and the company doesn’t give an exact range. In the past, at-home testers were paid between $10 and $15 for each test.
Aside from at-home tests, McCormick’s also offers tests at their Hunt Valley, Maryland location. Rates could be higher for in-person sessions—past reports put them at between $30 to $100 for participating. The same limits apply.
2. PINCHme
If you’ve ever wanted a collection of free samples, then PINCHme is the right site for you. The company wants your opinion on products from brands like Kraft, Hallmark and Mars—if you’re lucky, you’ll get American cheese, a greeting card and a bar of chocolate.
After answering a survey of your household and shopping habits, the site will match you with the right samples for you. Once a month, PINCHme hosts a Sample Tuesday Facebook event that allows you to choose your favorite samples to get shipped to you for free. You’ll have to RSVP for the event in advance. Once you’ve used your products, fill out a survey indicating what you thought. The best part? Once you’ve finished, you can earn prizes and qualify for special discounts. But testers do not get paid in the traditional sense for their work.
3. Parent Tested Parent Approved
Product tester jobs at Parent Tested Parent Approved are meant to be a public service for parents looking for products. We’re not just talking about baby products—this could include appliances, electronics, toys, games, travel destinations and more. Start by filling out your profile—all for free—and you could be asked to test a product and leave a review. The added bonus: once you’re sent the product, it’s yours. The loyalty rewards program also offers testers points for reviewing products and participating in contests—these can eventually be redeemed for more products. But be warned: the group has more than 130,000 testers, so there’s a lot of competition.
4. Ipsos iSay
Ipsos’ iSay is the perfect site for someone who doesn’t want to test a product but wants to test the world. Market research firm Ipsos created the site for, yes, market research surveys. With iSay, the reward takes a long time to achieve, but the gain comes later: with cold, hard cash.
Each survey you complete earns you points—anywhere from 45 to 200, generally. Once you have enough points, knowing that 100 points is equivalent to $1, you can redeem them for cash through PayPal or as gift cards for retailers like Starbucks, Target and more. All that just for taking a survey—we’re in.
5. Crowdtap
When it comes to market research, Crowdtap falls in the same category as iSay—market research. When you sign up, you’ll have to answer questions about how you shop, your household size and your hobbies. These answers will help representatives determine what surveys to show you. The site also allows users to test products.
Points are earned by answering surveys on a regular basis. But they don’t last forever, as they do expire on the last day of the month they were earned the year prior. Once you hit a certain rate, likely 1,000 points, you can redeem your points for a gift card. Crowdtap, unfortunately, does not offer cash.
6. NetGalley
Love to read? If you’re a teacher, librarian, book reviewer or another influential reader, you can join NetGalley to receive free ebooks and audiobooks before they’re published.
To qualify for the most free ebooks, NetGalley recommends that you provide meaningful reviews and link your social media accounts or blogs. The site also recommends thinking of your bio like a resume and keeping it professional, since publishers will be looking at your profile.
7. Product Report Card
The panelist program at Product Report Card utilizes online surveys, product tests, clinical trials, phone consultations and more to get your feedback for companies.
To receive study invitations, you’ll want to complete your profile as completely as possible so you’ll qualify. Unlike some of its counterparts, Product Report Card offers $5 just for filling out its survey. Subsequent activities like watching a TV show or offering a consumer opinion can net you as much as $2 or $4, respectively. While that doesn’t sound like much on the front end, it certainly adds up.
Product Report Card has a good track record itself: almost 2.3 million people have used the site to make more than $14 million.
for completing opportunities. Once you hit $25, you can redeem it for Amazon gift card codes.
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8. Philips
Much like McCormick, testing products for Philips is a way to engage directly with the brand. Like with all the sites, start by registering with the site and selecting a product you’d like to test.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a product sent to you for free. If not, you might be able to buy the product at a reduced price. Once you write a meaningful evaluation and review, Philips will let you keep the product to enjoy. Popular Philips products include electric toothbrushes, espresso machines and headphones.
9. BzzAgent
To use BzzAgent, first things first: you’ll have to create a profile. Once the company determines you to be a fit for a campaign, they’ll reach out via email. You’ll be prompted to send an application and, hopefully, be chosen for the campaign.
Once that happens, expect to receive a sample in one to three weeks. Try the product, write a review and wait for your posting instructions to arrive. The reward here is the product itself and not any kind of monetary payment.
10. Influenster
Like most product testing sites, Influenster wants to get to know you with an online survey before sending you free products. But they do offer something that’s a little bit different: a VoxBox, a box filled with product samples and goodies that you can use for free and review. This can include everything from beauty products and snacks to home improvement products and wellness products. (And sometimes, they’re even full-size.)
To ensure you get a VoxBox, download Influenster’s app and stay active, according to the site. This is once again a company that won’t pay you in money but will pay you in free items.
11. Johnson & Johnson Friends and Neighbors
You’ve smelled Johnson & Johnson’s personal care items in the store aisle, so why not get paid to do it in your home?
The company has several avenues for product testing opportunities with their Friends and Neighbors program. You could be asked to test an item at home or at one of their facilities. There are also online surveys, online discussion groups, focus groups or consumer panels. You’ll be sent emails with study invitations.
The compensation isn’t disclosed, but J&J says you may receive an honorarium at the close of a study.
12. MomSelect
Are you a mom with a social media following? MomSelect connects influencers with leading brands. You’ll be asked to post on your blog or social media, host MommyParties based around specific products, participate in conferences and research. The idea is to use your platform to talk about a product. According to their website, MomSelect has paid over $35 million to mom influencers through compensation, products, trips and experiences. Brands include Walt Disney World, Fisher-Price, Entenmann’s and HP.
13. UserTesting
Let’s start with the good news: UserTesting will allow you to actually make money. But are you comfortable voicing your thoughts out loud? The site is unique on this list for requiring their product testers to have microphones.
Your UserTesting experience could happen in a variety of ways, including a one-on-one Zoom call with businesses. They may want to know what you love about the product and what could be improved. Possible products to test include websites, mobile apps, prototypes and real world experiences. Testers do get paid with USD through PayPal, but the range depends on what you’re doing. That will be reported to you before you start.
14. Smiley360
Smiley360 is another product testing website for social butterflies. You’ll want to connect your social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to participate. Facebook and Twitter are required for most of the company’s missions.
Some of the missions will involve receiving Smiley kits. You’ll receive a kit with a free product or sample two to four weeks after it ships. Standard Smiley missions have a testing period of 10 weeks.
Smiley users earn points, but the points don’t lead to compensation. Smiley360 points are used to show how active members are. The more points you have, the more offers you get. You’ll also get points for completing surveys, which are used to tailor the products sent to you.
15. L’Oreal
Who isn’t interested in free beauty products? L’Oreal uses product testers for their skincare, hair care and cosmetics. L’Oreal is more than simply the brand name: it comprises brands like Urban Decay, Lancome and Garnier. If you want to test in person, New Jersey locals (as well as those in Ohio and Illinois) can participate in their testing center location, but they have in-home tests and online surveys available for others. You get to test the products and might even make some money off of it.
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16. thePinkPanel
Another great product testing job for fans of beauty and personal care products is thePinkPanel. It’s meant for women’s consumer testing, and members receive opportunities to test products via email and Facebook. Testing periods can be as short as one day or as long as eight weeks.
You’ll get to keep the product and you’ll receive $25 to $100 in gift cards or beauty products. Members can also apply to be part of focus groups, both online and in-person, and receive $100 for those opportunities.
The downside? Members are restricted to one beauty product test every six months. However, the online surveys are unlimited. You also have to apply to be accepted into tests.
17. Social Nature
If you’re interested in natural products, you can be a product tester for Social Nature.
The product testing website features food products, baby supplies, pet supplies, household items and health and beauty items. You can select items that are vegetarian, non-GMO, dairy-free, fragrance-free and more.
When you fill out your profile, you’ll list any dietary requirements and where you shop. The company will match you with products they think you’ll like. If you accept, you can order a free sample online or a free product voucher to redeem at a store. Shipping fees could apply in the latter. Once the voucher arrives, you have two weeks to redeem it, try the product and share your honest review with the company.
The catch? You “apply to try.” You’re not guaranteed to be selected for the product testing jobs. Chosen participants are notified by email.
18. Home Tester Club
Home Tester Club is an online community for product testers. You’ll see what items other members are reviewing and you can leave your own reviews on those products, even if you haven’t been sent them by Home Tester Club.
To test products, you’ll have to register as a tester rather than just a user of the site. Your demographic details will have to match up with the item you’re wanting to test—for example, if you want to test a baby product but you don’t have a baby, that could be a problem. If you’re selected to participate, you’ll be sent an email within one to two weeks, and the product will be shipped to you within one to three weeks.
Members will receive points for leaving reviews, completing surveys, leaving comments, participating in home product tests and more. Points aren’t worth anything, but users with more points get more opportunities.
19. National Consumer Panel
This last one isn’t primarily product testing, but it deserves a mention.
If you register with the National Consumer Panel, you’ll be given access to their app. You’ll use the app to scan the barcodes of your purchases. You’ll share the details of your purchase to receive points, then you can redeem those points for gift cards and merchandise.
You’ll also be given the chance to do surveys and participate in occasional studies.
Regular participation with the National Consumer Panel also automatically enters you in their sweepstakes that have prizes of gift cards, merchandise or cash.
Contributor Jenna Limbach writes on financial literacy and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder from her home base in Nevada. Writer Elizabeth Djinis is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder, often writing about selling goods online through social platforms. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Smithsonian Magazine and the Tampa Bay Times.
Getting paid to write may sound easy, but the reality is a little more complicated. Freelance writing can be hard to break into, and the pay can be low (or nonexistent) for beginners.
The trick is to get your first few articles or creative pieces published and then use them to score bigger clients and better pay. And even if long-term freelancing isn’t your goal, building a portfolio that showcases your published work can bolster your career as a writer or subject-matter expert.
However, publishing those first few pieces is typically the hardest part of your writing journey. To help, we’ve compiled several places where you can get paid to write now. We’ve also included tried-and-true techniques to allow you to grow as a writer and, ideally, make more money writing in the long-term.
Get Paid to Write for Flat-Rate Websites, Blogs and More
If you’re new to freelance writing, one of the first things you may notice is how opaque the whole process is. Websites, blogs and publications often rely on armies of freelancers, but their contributor guidelines and pay are often nowhere to be found.
Instead of diving straight into negotiations with editors about assignments and pay, first try to find a site or publication that has a straightforward process for contributors so that you know exactly what they’re looking for and how much they’re paying. (We’ll cover pitching and negotiating further below.)
Ready to make money writing online? Here are 20 sites to try pitching:
1. Copyhackers
Copyhackers is a content company based in Canada. It provides educational materials to help new copywriters as well as paid opportunities for writers to publish lengthy articles on Copyhackers’ blog.
Its submission guidelines are clear: You should be well versed in the topic that you’re pitching. And you should expect to be writing blog posts that are 2,000 words or more “unless it’s extremely wonderfully amazingly readable reading.”
Pay: $300 to $1,000 per blog post
Categories/Topics: Advertising, branding, UX (User Experience) or marketing concepts; freelance lifestyle or advice; entrepreneurship
2. Listverse
As its name implies, Listverse specializes in listicles aka list posts. These are highly clickable posts where each main point is part of a numbered list (sort of like the article you’re reading right now!).
The contributor guidelines mention that you can write articles related to “any topic you like” — sports, self-help, personal stories, or gaming excluded — so long as it’s interesting, well-researched and in the form of a list of at least 10 with two paragraphs per listing.
To narrow that down ever so slightly, the website is broken into several topics: bizarre, entertainment, general knowledge, lifestyle, science, society and more. Your articles should roughly pertain to those areas.
Note: Listverse will only pay freelance writers via PayPal.
Pay: $100 per list post
Categories/Topics: Bizarre, entertainment, general knowledge, lifestyle, science, society and more
Need a banking service that’s built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It’s free!)
3. Narratively
To understand what type of articles Narratively publishes, look no further than its tagline: “Human stories, boldly told.” All sections of the website are open to submissions. Just be sure that your story is longform, gripping and has strong narrative elements.
For an in-depth breakdown of the different sections and story types, read Narratively’s submission guidelines. You’ll need a Submittable account to send in your draft.
Pay: $300 to $400 per article
Categories/Topics: Personal essays, extraordinary high school sports stories, unexpected family businesses, hidden history, and reported articles with a narrative, human-interest approach
4. Reader’s Digest
Reader’s Digest needs no introduction. But what you probably didn’t know is that it offers one of the funnest and low-risk ways to get paid to write.
But instead of swinging straight for the big leagues with a front-cover feature story, you can submit jokes and micro-stories to Reader’s Digest, which will publish them online and in the print magazine. If your submission is selected, you’ll get $100 a pop. (That’s among the highest per-word rates in the industry.)
Categories/Topics: Jokes or true personal stories (100 words or fewer)
5. Unemploymentville
According to its website, Unemploymentville is “a place for anyone who has felt the sting of being out of work.”
It also happens to be a place you can write guest blog posts if you have interesting small-business ideas, helpful job-searching techniques or personal stories about dealing with job loss.
Unemploymentville accepts submissions every other month. You can only submit stories in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Pay: $25 to $75 per blog post
Categories/Topics: Unemployment, job hunting, side hustles, personal essays related to finding work
6. Writer’s Digest
Writer’s Digest is a century-old magazine dedicated to publishing “everything writers need to stay inspired, to improve their craft, to understand the unique challenges of publishing today, and to get their work noticed.”
According to the submission guidelines, Writer’s Digest accepts submissions for a variety of sections of the magazine, and it occasionally accepts cold pitches for guest posts online.
Pay: 30 to 50 cents per word (print); or $50 to $100 (online)
Categories/Topics: Personal essays, memoirs manuscripts and feature stories of interest to the writing community
7. RankPay
RankPay specializes in providing business solutions with services like PPC, content marketing, and website design.
According to the Blogger Program submission guidelines, RankPay accepts article submissions that are useful, well-written, actionable, and of course 100% original content. It takes about 2 weeks for a response once you submit an article; not all submissions will receive a response.
Pay: $50 per blog post
Categories/Topics: SEO, content marketing, small business
8. B. Michelle Pippin
Michelle Pippin is the founder and CEO of Women Who WOW, an organization of women entrepreneurs. Writers with first-hand business experience can earn money by being published on the company blog or through a private newsletter.
Pippin requires hires writers with actual first-hand business experience, particularly on topics relating to women entrepreneurs. You’ll earn more money if your article is published in the members-only print newsletter, though it can never be republished elsewhere.
Pay: $50-$150 per blog post
Categories/Topics: First-hand business experience, marketing and profit “hacks”
Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Get Paid to Write Using Freelance Websites
To diversify your income as a freelance writer, you can also sign up for freelance marketplaces, sometimes referred to as content mills. For these types of freelance websites, there’s typically some kind of screening process involved before you start working with clients.
Sometimes the companies will feed freelance gigs to you, and you can accept or decline them. Other times clients will reach out to you personally through the marketplace’s messaging system. Payment varies by marketplace, but it is always funneled through the marketplace instead of coming directly from the client.
Pro Tip
Freelance marketplaces are a low-risk way to test the waters as a freelance writer, but they aren’t the most lucrative long-term option.
9. CopyPress
CopyPress is a content-marketing agency that provides its own content management system that freelancers can use to connect with projects from CopyPress’ clients.
While it offers some freelance gigs for designers, developers and influencers, content writing and editing is CopyPress’ bread and butter.
Pay: About 6 to 10 cents per word (writer); 1 to 2 cents per word (editor)
Categories/Topics: Varies by project
10. Fiverr
Started in 2010, Fiverr is a freelance-service marketplace that has grown to become almost synonymous with freelancing. You can offer almost any professional service imaginable on the site, but freelance writing services are especially popular.
And contrary to its name, you are allowed to charge whatever amount you want — not just $5. However, Fiverr takes 20% of the cut.
Pay: Your rate minus 20%
Categories/Topics: Varies by project
11. iWriter
With iWriter, you can earn a fixed rate for every article. The rate largely depends on your star rating, which you receive based on a trial article and subsequent projects with clients.
According to the site’s FAQ section, you earn 65% of the price that clients pay for typical assignments, which will translate into very low rates as you’re starting out.
For example, the lowest tier of assignment is 150 words and would earn you 91 cents. Becoming an “elite plus” writer (4.85 rating or higher) will drastically increase your earnings. Complete a writer application to get started.
Pay: 91 cents to $282.75 per project
Categories/Topics: Varies by project
12. nDash
Founded in 2014 as a one-person operation, nDash now boasts a network of more than 10,000 freelance writers, which it connects with its clients, some of whom are household brand names.
To get started with nDash, you need to sign up, create a free profile that highlights your expertise and past experience, and set up an account with Stripe so that you can get paid.
You’ll be able to set your rates based on project type (blog, whitepaper, email, article, etc.). nDash does not take a cut of pay like other marketplaces. It charges its clients instead.
Pay: 100% of your set rate ($150 to $450 on average, according to nDash)
Categories/Topics: Varies by project
13. Upwork
Upwork is another massive online freelance marketplace. It caters to all kinds of industries, including and especially writing services.
Before you accept gigs, you’ll need to register for free and set up a freelancer profile. With Upwork, you set your own rates and find work by pitching clients directly, accepting work from clients who reached out to you or by bidding on projects that clients posted.
Get Paid to Write Poetry, Fiction and Other Creative Works
To get paid to write creative work, forget almost everything you know about freelance writing. Getting your creative writing published is an entirely different beast, and very few people make a living writing poetry or fiction alone.
Still, seeing your name in a literary journal can be a gratifying experience, and that experience is only heightened when you get paid for your creative masterpiece.
Not all creative writing publishers pay. In fact, it’s common to see “submission fees,” meaning you are paying them to review your work. In those cases, publication isn’t guaranteed. You want to avoid those scenarios entirely when you’re just getting started.
Below, we’ve included several publications that do not charge any such fees and will pay you a modest sum to boot.
14. Blue Mountain Arts
If your poetry has a more lyrical, feel-good vibe, consider writing for greeting cards. (Literary journals are notoriously snobbish toward this type of writing.)
First place receives $350. Second place receives $200. And third place receives $100. Winning poems are published in greeting cards and online. Outside of the poetry contest, you may also submit seasonal poems that follow these guidelines.
Pay: $100 to $350 per poem
Categories/Topics: Feel-good poetry related to special occasions
15. Rattle
Rattle is an online and print journal that publishes only poetry, and it offers poets weekly opportunities to get paid to write.
While the print magazine publishes quarterly, Rattle also holds a weekly “Poets Respond” contest online that asks poets to write about a current event that has happened within the past week.
Pay for acceptance into the print issue is $200 per poem, and online publication pays $100 per poem. Reference the appropriate submission guidelines before sending in your work.
Pay: $100 to $200 per poem
Categories/Topics: Poetry
16. The Threepenny Review
A quarterly literary magazine, The Threepenny Review publishes nonfiction essays, memoirs and reviews, fiction stories and poetry in print.
Depending on the type of piece, you can expect between $200 and $400 per published work.
According to the writer guidelines, The Threepenny Review doesn’t accept email submissions and doesn’t accept any submissions between May 1 and Dec. 31.
Pay: $200 to $400
Categories/Topics: Reviews, criticisms, memoirs and other nonfiction works; poetry and fiction
17. Poetry Nook
Poetry Nook is a website and forum for poets and poetry lovers. It’s operated by the literary magazine Plum White Press.
Each week, Poetry Nook holds a free-entry poetry contest (for 350 weeks and counting). Multiple winners and honorable mentions may be chosen. Winners receive a $20 payment via PayPal, and honorable mentions receive $10.
Poetry Nook’s competition is a great way for budding poets to get paid to write. There are no theme or length requirements for the poems, it’s “organic impression and memorability that matters,” according to the entry guidelines.
Ensure you’re entering the correct contest, as the link changes each week. You can find the latest contest on Poetry Nook’s homepage.
Pay: $10 to $20 per poem
Categories/Topics: Poetry
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Other Strategies to Get Paid to Write
There’s much more to writing than freelance websites and open-calls for submissions. Once you feel comfortable (and perhaps after you have a few successful projects under your belt), you can start to implement some longer-term strategies to build your reputation as a successful writer.
They might not be as clear cut as the options above, but they’re nonetheless important.
Pitch to Your Favorite Publications
Pitching unsolicited article ideas is a tricky and vague process. But pitching is a crucial skill for freelance writers, especially freelance journalists and content writers. There are untold opportunities to get published by your favorite alt-weekly, local newspaper, magazine or online publication, and they’re rarely (if ever) advertised.
Pitch the correct editor or your email will never get read.
Have a deep understanding of what the publication has already published on the topic.
Craft a short and sweet email that shows a busy editor that No. 1, your pitch is a good idea and No. 2 that you are the best person to write it.
Pro Tip
Finding an editor’s email can be difficult. Scour the publication’s masthead or staff page and use tools like Hunter.io to guess and verify specific editors’ email addresses.
Even if the editor likes your idea, the work doesn’t stop there. You then need to be ready to negotiate your pay — another vague and informal process. Our guide will help you figure exactly out how much to charge for your freelance work.
Start Your Own Blog
If you’re interested in freelance writing or launching a freelance writing business, chances are you either already created a blog or you’re considering it. Blogging is incredibly popular among writing hobbyists, and it’s one of the first steps many new freelance writers take when they want to get paid to write.
The truth is, blogging is tough to monetize. It’s certainly not a quick way to get paid to write, but it’s not obsolete either. It will take sustained effort to become a successful blogger. Luckily, we have a plethora of resources to help you.
Selecting a catchy domain name and finding a web host for your site
Building a user-friendly blog
Once the basics are set up, you’ll want to make a dedicated plan to monetize your blog. Successful monetization strategies often include:
Writing informative and authoritative blog posts that are optimized for search engines
Writing for other blogs and publications that allow you to link back to your own site
Signing up for affiliate partnerships with brands related to the topic you cover, so that you can earn a commission on sponsored links in your blog posts
Allowing advertisements on your pages, usually via Google AdSense, so that you can get paid when people visit your page and interact with the ads
Due to the time investment of blogging, we recommend that you simultaneously write for some of the publications mentioned above so that you get some money coming in while you build your website. And don’t fret if it doesn’t take off. At the very least, your blog can double as a portfolio site to help you land other clients and gigs.
Launch a Career as a Writer
The freelance writing business isn’t for everyone. There are a lot of unpaid hours and late nights involved in getting things set up. (And that’s not mentioning additional tax burdens and lack of benefits.)
The good news is that you can break into a career in writing by temporarily freelancing to build up a portfolio. Then you can use that portfolio to land a full-time job with health bennies and paid time off.
What writing jobs are out there? Plenty — and aside from the obvious journalist and author jobs, too.
Everywhere you look, there are words. Words on book covers. Words in your vehicle’s manual that teach you what that dang squiggly exclamation point symbol on your dashboard means. Words that entice you to buy stuff.
You get the idea. There’s a person (or maybe even a team of people) behind all of those words, and they’re getting paid. Their titles include copywriter, UX writer, product writer, technical writer, content marketing writer and more.
Even more good news: These types of jobs were already remote friendly before the pandemic. In fact, writing jobs are among the most commonly listed openings in The Penny Hoarder’s Work-From-Home Jobs Portal.
So whether or not freelancing was your end goal, the published clips you rack up along the way can help you build an impressive portfolio, establish yourself as an expert on a certain topic and even launch your career as a full-time writer. The options are endless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Writing for Money
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about getting paid to write.
Who Will Pay Me to Write?
Plenty of people and publications will pay you to write articles, blog posts and more. If you’re freelancing, it all depends on how you find your client. Many companies hire writers as employees. Advertising agencies, online publications and marketing firms are among the most popular types of companies that directly hire writers.
If you’re using a freelance website like Upwork, the pay will come from Upwork — not directly from the client, since Upwork operates like a matchmaker.
If you’re submitting your article or creative writing directly to a publication, it will pay you usually by direct deposit, check, PayPal or some other established payment method.
Where Can I Submit Writing for Money?
The easiest places to submit writing for money are publications that have clearly stated submission guidelines. Some websites, including content mills, online magazines and literary journals may accept submissions year-round and have their rates publicly displayed. We cover several such places to submit your writing in this article.
Alternatively, you can cold pitch magazines, newspapers and some blogs with your story idea and then negotiate your pay if they like your idea.
How Can I Make Money Writing Online?
Blogging and freelance websites like Fiverr and Upwork are among the most popular options for making money online by writing. But they’re not always the fastest and most lucrative options.
In addition to those popular methods, you should also consider writing articles for blogs as well as more traditional types of publications like magazines, newspapers and literary journals — all of which are very likely to publish online.
No one method is a cash cow, but if you combine them, it’s possible to make a living writing.
Where Do I Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Finding freelance writing gigs is much easier if you diversify your sources. In addition to pitching publications directly and signing up for freelance websites, you should set up email alerts for a job board or two.
Mediabistro, The Penny Hoarder Work-From-Home jobs portal, FlexJobs and sometimes even the standard job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor can be useful tools in hunting down quality writing jobs.
And instead of waiting for the gig to be posted on a job board, you can go directly to the source. Big online publishers such as DotDash (which owns Verywell, Investopedia, The Spruce and several other online publications) and Vox Media (which owns The Verge, Vox, Eater, Polygon and others) post freelance writer openings on their own job boards all the time.
How Do I Start a Writing Career?
Writing careers don’t always start by getting a degree in journalism or English, either (though a related degree certainly helps). Lots of writers find success by falling in love with writing later in life, choosing to freelance and slowly building up expertise and a portfolio before finally applying for a full-time job as a bonafide writer or journalist.
One thing is for sure, whether by credentials or previously published work, you must be able to demonstrate your writing skills to land a job.
Matt Matasci is a Southern California freelance writer who writes on technology and business, plus travel and lifestyle topics.
If you’re like most people, you enjoy watching TV. But what if you also made money doing it?
Yeah, that would make it even better.
You can actually make a living watching TV and entertaining videos. Those positions are difficult to get, but may be worth the effort.
Then there are the other opportunities to make a little cash for tuning in to your favorite shows and videos. Here are some examples of both ways to get paid to watch TV.
10 Ways to Get Paid to Watch TV and Videos
Whether you’re looking for a whole new career or just want to make a few bucks on the side, we found ways to get paid to watch TV and other videos.
1. Become a Tagger for Netflix
Yes, Netflix will pay you to watch their shows.
Becoming a Netflix “tagger” isn’t an easy-to-get job, but they are out there.
Netflix pays “taggers” to watch movies and TV shows and properly categorize them. Simply put, you’ll watch a series, then determine what category it falls into – such as comedy, drama, action, plus many other potential categories on Netflix.
The hours are long, but the work is remote – so you can even do it from the comfort of your own bed!
It might sound like a dream job, and it kind of is since the competition for them is fierce, according to Netflix Junkie. And the only place to find them is through Netflix’s job site, so you’ll need to visit often.
2. Watch Videos on Swagbucks
If your screen time is mostly gobbled up by following the news, you could add up to $225 a month to your pocket by signing up for a free account with Swagbucks.
They’ll present you with short news clips to choose from every day, then ask you a few questions about them.
You just have to answer honestly, and Swagbucks will continue to pay you every month. This might sound too good to be true, but it’s already paid its users more than $429 million.
Nielsen is famous for tracking viewing and listening habits to provide ratings for television and radio programs. Along with surveys, the company uses small digital boxes that transmit to Nielsen what your family is watching every night.
If you are one of the random households chosen for the Nielsen sample, you not only get paid, but you get to help determine what is put on TV.
If the web is more your thing, Nielsen will pay you up to $50 a year to surf the web while it collects information from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
And,you’ll automatically be entered into its $10,000 monthly sweepstakes — where over 500 people win part of the $10,000 pot… Every. Single. Month.
All you need to do is sign up and download Nielsen’s secure app or software onto any of your qualified devices.
Nielsen actually takes a limited number of participants per device type, so sign up now to get started before all the spots fill up.
4. Watch TV with Elderly People
Sometimes, it’s not about what you watch, but who you watch it with. And there are people out there that could simply use someone by their side watching a favorite show.
A search for “watching TV jobs” on ZipRecruiter produced several caregiving related job opportunities that simply involved watching television with elderly people.
Often, watching TV is just one responsibility for these caregiving jobs. Check the job listing for additional qualifications and duties.
5. Watch Videos on Earnably
You’re not going to get rich using Earnably, but you can make some extra spending cash. All it requires is to sign up, then you can earn money watching videos, completing simple tasks, taking surveys, and referring friends.
Earnably partners with video companies like Hideout.TV, which provide original videos like cooking demos, esports highlights and music videos. You’ll make a small amount of cash for watching each one.
Then, as you build up points on Earnably, you can redeem them for instant cash or gift cards at popular retailers like Amazon, Dominos, Best Buy, AirBnB, Whole Foods, and many more.
6. Review Videos on Slicethepie
Instead of just watching random videos, Slicethepie lets you contribute to people’s careers by offering feedback through reviews of new songs, fashion items, accessories and commercials before they are released. The reviews are delivered directly to the artist/designer/producer.
Your earnings are based on your star rating and the quality of your review. More detailed, constructive, well-written reviews will make more money.
7. Write Captions or Subtitles for TV Shows
Closed captioning involves watching a video and transcribing the audio into a text version that someone can read on screen. It may involve translating dialogue into a different language or transcribing live for events like sports.
This job isn’t passive income, so you’ll need to be engaged in whatever show, movie or video you are watching. You’ll also need to format the transcription and verify its timing against the original video.
This is a particularly good job option if you are bilingual. Plenty of transcription jobs are available through companies like Rev and Scribie.
Jobs typically pay either per video minute or per hour — often between $15 and $25 per hour.
8. Join Focus Groups
You can make a couple of hundred dollars an hour watching TV shows as part of a focus group. The trick is to know where to look for paid focus groups and check in often, as spots can fill up fast.
Sites like focusgroup.org and Focus Groups USA have TV watching opportunities but also routinely offer focus groups in other areas. You’ll need to create an account and list your interests, then they will contact you when the right opportunities come up.
9. Visit CableTV.com
Our friends at CableTV.com (they’re owned by Clearlink, who also owns The Penny Hoarder) often come up with interesting ways to pay people to watch TV shows or movies.
In 2022, they paid two people $250 per week to watch one show from a list of options. And just last Christmas, they paid one lucky winner $2,500 to watch 25 holiday movies in 25 days. If you’re serious about making cash to watch TV, visit this site frequently for additional opportunities.
10. Become a Pet Sitter
While your primary responsibility, of course, will be to take care of your client’s pet, you will most certainly have downtime – especially if the pet is a sleepy cat. You can use that time to catch up on the latest binge-worthy Netflix or HBO shows, all while making sure the fluffy friend is safe and sound.
Pet sitters can make anywhere between $20 to $30 an hour, and you could turn this side gig into a full-fledged business.
Robert Bruce is a senior staff writer at The Penny Hoarder covering earning, saving and managing money. He has written about personal finance for more than a decade.
Does your dog love to play tug of war? Is he really into chasing a ball? Does he always go after the squeakers in his chew toys?
If you have a dog or cat that loves toys, we’ve found a lucrative job opportunity for your pet.
PetSmart is looking for one dog and one cat to take on the job of “chief toy tester” for its 1,660-store chain of pet supply shops. Each pet — and its human parents — will get paid $10,000 for a year of testing out toys and treats.
(It’s about time Fido and Simba started carrying their weight financially, don’t you think?)
Specifically, PetSmart is looking for a photogenic, friendly, sociable dog and cat to serve as brand ambassadors on social media.
During their year on the job, the canine and feline chief toy testers will be expected to participate in product unboxing videos for pet toys and treats — once per quarter, for a total of four videos. They’ll also appear at a variety of PetSmart events as a celebrity VIP (Very Important Pet).
They’ll also get quarterly salon treatments, or “spaw days,” at their local PetSmart.
Meanwhile, the pet’s human parents will be expected to capture compelling video footage of all this for social media. They’ll also need to commit to a yearlong contract on behalf of Rover or Fluffy.
How to Apply
To apply on behalf of your pet, go to AnythingForPets.com to fill out an application by Feb. 17. You’ll be required to submit a 10- to 30-second video of your dog or cat, showcasing your furry friend’s winning personality.
“Pet parents are encouraged to think creatively with their submission — whether it’s their cat strutting the catwalk in the latest fashion, pups having a ball with their new toys, or pets showing off their skills when the zoomies hit,” PetSmart says.
You’re required to have public Instagram and TikTok accounts, and you’re encouraged to have accounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
You’ll also upload a photo of your pet, and you’ll write a review of your pet’s favorite toy in 200 words or fewer. Because with this gig, it’s all about the pet toys.
“We are recruiting two playful and eager team members to bring into our PetSmart pack as the first-ever chief toy testers,” said Will Smith, the company’s chief marketing officer. “These C-suite pets will let pet parents know they are getting the best tried-and-true products for their beloved furry family members.”
You spend a lot on Sparky and Muffin. Let’s see if they can earn you some money for a change!
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
As we start a new year and consider how to bring in extra cash, it’s time once more to look at weird ways to make money.
Some of the following ideas might be worth trying if you’re looking for another source of income. Others, well, let’s just say they make for interesting reading.
So for entertainment or entrepreneurial inspiration, here are some weird ways to make money you might want to consider.
41 Weird Ways to Make Money
1. Sell Your Breast Milk
Given the recent baby formula shortage, breast milk is in serious demand. Only The Breast provides an online classified forum and community for moms looking to sell breast milk. Standard prices start at $1 an ounce, so get pumping.
2. Get Paid to Stand in Line
You’ve heard the adage: Time is money. And you don’t have to waste hours of your life in line at the DMV or post office. Enter one of the weird ways to make money: minding someone’s spot in a physical or virtual queue.
TaskRabbit is a great site to find odd jobs like this, including one-time gigs like furniture assembly or hanging pictures.
3. Win Cash as a Professional Eater
If you’ve seen eating contests on TV, you may have wondered if you could make a living with this “sport.”
Boil 50 eggs or hot dogs and start practicing (on second thought, that sounds too dangerous).
4. Become a Professional Weight Loser
After you end your competitive eating career, you can win big money betting on your weight loss and losing a few pounds with Healthy Wage.
Your potential prize money depends on how much you bet and your personal data. Healthy Wage explains, “We give bigger prizes to people who statistically have a harder time losing weight.” At the moment, the maximum prize to lose weight is $10,000.
5. Sell Your Plasma
You see ads everywhere imploring you to sell plasma. Is it really as easy as rolling up your sleeve for an hour?
The short answer is yes, provided you’re in good health and have iron levels above a certain threshold. Read our guide to selling plasma, and if you’re not a good candidate, consider donating blood instead through the Red Cross.
6. Become a Personal Ad Consultant
If you think keeping your dating profile updated and attractive to potential love interests is a full-time job, you’re not wrong. Enter e-Cyrano, where they’ve made a virtual business of crafting dating profiles that’ll get you noticed.
Becoming a dating profile wordsmith seems like one of those crazy life stories ripped right out of a rom-com, but profile makeovers start at $99 so don’t swipe left on this opportunity.
7. Become a Lice Removal Technician
As a lice removal technician, you can make $30 per hour plus travel expenses, according to a posting by LiceDoctors.
You’ll be an independent contractor, but LiceDoctors will train you in how to use its “all-natural 100-percent-effective” methods. You’ll need to make house calls, and you’ll spend up to five hours on each one.
8. Get Paid for Your Sperm
In the last 30 years, an estimated 120,000 to 150,000 babies were born by anonymous donor insemination, so this is one weird way to make money that’s especially meaningful.
Most sperm banks, which pay anywhere from $25 to $140 per ejaculation sample, have the following requirements:
At least 5-foot-7 and up to 6-foot-6
Between 18 and 40 years old (none accept donations from minors)
Height and weight proportional
In good overall health, based on general physical health screenings and fertility tests
College graduates, enrolled in college or military veterans. Some banks pay more if you have a doctorate or attended an Ivy League school (because recipients pay more for those donor qualities).
A nonsmoker and non-drug user
Able to provide a biological family medical history
See our step-by-step guide to becoming a sperm donor, including how to screen sperm banks and what you should consider before you donate.
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9. Sell Your Feet Pics
Cultivating a side hustle to sell pictures of your feet may seem a little creepy, but it’s a relatively painless gig TikTok swears by.
Riley, a 21-year-old college student who has been selling feet pics online for years, told Business Insider it’s a lucrative way to make extra cash and can be safe as long as you take steps to protect your anonymity.
10. Trade Your Way to Riches
Everything old is new again. You’ve seen those TV shows where someone barters their way from a paperclip to a house. As odd jobs go, bartering can be slow, but being persistent pays off.
Check out our guide to bartering, featuring tips on trading effectively and how to avoid getting swindled.
11. Become an ASMR creator
That weird tingling sensation in your brain when someone speaks softly can turn out to be the key to making money on YouTube. The highest-earning ASMRtist, Jane ASMR, from South Korea, has 9 million followers and banks $500,000 a month.
While you won’t garner an overnight following, Adobe has a tutorial on how to make ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos that excel on YouTube.
RentAFriend.com claims you can make up to $50 per hour on its platform, plus get free meals, concert tickets and more.
And don’t worry: RentAFriend.com says it’s “solely a platonic friendship website only.”
13. Be a Virtual Babysitter
Will parents pay money for you to entertain their children online with puppets? Yes, they absolutely will. The Virtual Babysitters Club has online performers available for individual sessions and parties that do everything from juggling and snakes to trivia games.
The rate for virtual babysitting is around $15 an hour, although those with special skills make much more. Indeed offers a guide for virtual babysitters detailing what skills you’ll need and how to get started.
14. Get Paid to Fly Drones
If you already fly drones as a hobby, you can turn that passion into profit. You need a certification to fly unmanned aircraft professionally, but it’s not as difficult or rigorous as obtaining a traditional pilot’s license.
You do have to be 16 years old to become a drone pilot, and the average pilot makes $33 an hour.
15. Sell Weird Toilet Paper
Perhaps one of the weirdest ways to make money on this list is customized toilet paper. Etsy abounds with rolls printed with games, camouflage designs and bright colors.
You can just buy rolls and customize them or make your own toilet paper from scratch, which, in retrospect, would have been a handy skill during the pandemic.
16. Become a Bridesmaid for Hire
It sounds like the plot from the movie “27 Dresses,” but you can become a professional bridesmaid. Hiring a professional creates a drama-free big day for the bride, but be warned, it’s serious work.
Jen Glantz of Bridesmaid for Hire walks down the aisle with complete strangers to the tune of glowing reviews.
“Being a Maid-of-Honor feels like you just adopted a second full-time job, but not when you hire Jen to help,” reads her testimonial section.
17. Sell Your Poop
You can sell plasma and breast milk for profit, so why not poop? Medical companies look for donors of healthy stools to treat patients with colon infections. They pay anywhere from $25 to $500 per donation.
Pro Tip
Before you rush to the bathroom, get the lowdown on how to sell your poop, who’s buying and how to ship samples.
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18. Rent Your Shed
Tiny homes are trendy, but can you honestly house someone in your shed for cash? The answer depends on where you live and what your shed provides. The Tiny Life has discussed living in a shed as a housing alternative.
Of course, you can also rent out your shed as storage space.
19. Be a Human Guinea Pig
The Penny Hoarder has reported on how to make money as a test subject more than once. Most of the time the pay is low, but at one time you could get paid $5,000 per month to stay in bed. Let’s hope that opportunity comes up again.
Pro Tip
You don’t have to undergo experiments to earn money as a test subject. See the companies that pay money for toy testers or market research and surveys.
20. Join a Mock Jury
Real jury duty certainly isn’t the best gig, but lawyers pay big bucks to practice with mock juries. Mock jury services provide in-person and virtual jurors who fit certain demographics for all kinds of cases.
Keep in mind there are a few qualifications for mock jurors. You’ll have to be 18, a U.S. citizen and have a clean criminal record to be considered.
21. Be a Train Pusher
If you have the job of “oshiya,” or “train pusher,” in Tokyo, you use brute force to push people into the subway and train cars, to squeeze in as many as possible. But watching oshiya in action is a bit disturbing to those of us who don’t like crowds.
Don’t live in Japan? There are plenty of ways you can profit from public crowds — like these authors who took notes from a public typewriter and turned them into an award-winning book.
22. Sell Your Hair
Although it seems a bit Victorian, you really can sell your hair, and sometimes for big money.
Depending on the length and color of your hair, those gleaming locks could fetch anywhere from $300 to $1,000.
However, professionals suggest you do some things to encourage growth of healthy hair before chopping it off for extra money.
23. Become a Beekeeper
Being a beekeeper can be a pretty sweet side hustle if you’re not allergic. Backyard beekeepers are usually amateurs with a passion for winged pollinators and an affinity for all things honey.
Before embarking on beekeeping, connect with The Honey Bee Society to learn more about what you’ll need to get started and how to help your hive thrive.
24. Play Video Games for Prizes
The best way to turn playing video games into cold hard cash is to become a content creator and stream your play. If you’re really talented, you could make money playing games on the highly competitive esports circuit.
A look at a list of games that award prize money shows that there are still millions to be made. Plus, professional gamers often enjoy perks like free accommodation and gaming systems.
25. Collect Dog Poop
Yeah, nobody really wants the work, but numerous businesses come to people’s homes to clean up dog poop in the yard.
If you aren’t sure you’re ready for a business, Doody Calls is looking for workers at the moment.
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26. Be a Professional Sleeper
Get paid to sleep on the job? Yep, it’s a thing. There are research companies that will pay sleep study participants thousands, but these studies require you to sleep in a laboratory setting. If that feels a bit weird, there are some at-home sleep studies, but those opportunities pay less.
Interested in making money in your sleep? We’ve got the details on your dream job, including the different types of sleep studies available and how much you could get paid.
27. Become a Living Statue
You might be surprised how much you can make standing still. Living statues are the latest craze in street performers, and they make a lot in their spare time standing around in parks and at festivals.
Maggie Karlin, who has been a living statue for nine years, makes as much as $100 a day during the summer. She says that, like poker players, the hardest part is keeping a straight face for hours at a time.
28. Be a Professional Whistler
If you can whistle well, you might make money with your skill. After a 2005 documentary called “Pucker Up,” Molly Lewis decided to take a deep dive into the world of competitive whistling.
Now she’s a regular in the LA music scene and even has her own recording career. So pucker up for a few hours and see if you can’t whistle while you work your way into financial freedom.
29. Clean IMAX Screens
Working on a large-format movie screen is not your typical cleaning assignment. In fact, not many cleaning companies can handle an IMAX dome.
That’s why Michael Quaranto and Andrew Brown started 1570 Cleaning Services. As Quaranto explains, cleaning an eight-story screen involves special patented equipment and can take up to eight hours. You also have to travel quite a bit if you do this work.
30. Sing Strange Songs
Matt Farley has produced 23,000 songs, according to Paste Magazine, singing about anything from news headlines to songs about going to the bathroom. He fills Spotify and iTunes with songs containing popular keywords, and makes money when people listen.
While certainly a weird way to make money, Farley has also leveraged his fame to start a low-budget film career that’s starting to get him noticed in Hollywood circles.
31. Be an Ice Sculptor
You’ve seen those fancy ice sculptures at events, and maybe you’ve wondered if you could make them too. There’s actually good money in this craft, especially as part of a culinary or catering business.
But how much can you sell them for?
Most ice sculptors don’t publish prices online because each job is different. But the price list for Sculpted Ice Works starts at $425 to $475 for a single block sculpture and goes up from there.
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32. Test Ice Cream
Professional ice-cream-tasting jobs are not an urban myth. In fact, Dreyer’s official ice cream taster, John Harrison, samples 60 packages of ice cream daily and has taste buds that are insured for $1 million.
He grew up in a family that worked in the ice cream industry, though; it’s not clear how an outsider would go about getting hired for one of these jobs.
33. Provide Strange Subscriptions
No matter how strange, if you’re into it, there’s probably a subscription for it. For example, the Dive Bar Shirt Club sends members a limited-edition T-shirt “from the best of America’s most interesting and unusual dive bars” each month. The subscription costs $24 monthly.
Think of some other odd thing people will subscribe to (apples?, underwear?) and you might have your own business!
34. Be a Restaurant Cliff Diver
Casa Bonita is a real restaurant, not just an invention of “South Park,” and yes, there are people diving off cliffs inside. The famous Colorado restaurant was saved from bankruptcy by the “South Park” creators and is reopening this year.
And in case you don’t live in Colorado, there are other restaurants that hire cliff divers, although you might have to suffer through a summer in Jamaica or Mexico to snag the job. Such a hardship.
35. Provide Doggy Day Care
The Penny Hoarder has reported on the business of pet sitting, and most of the work involves visiting animals in their homes.
But there is also a demand for drop-off pet day care. Even PetSmart has doggy day camp, so owners can leave their pets somewhere safe while at work.
If your dog or cat is as cute as you think, it may be time to cash in. Winning competitions is one way to make money with Kitty or Fido, but making your pet a YouTube or Instagram influencer may be an easier route.
Some pet influencers make $1 million or more per year, making this paws-down one of the cutest ways to make money online.
Cuddlist’s code of conduct specifies each cuddler gets to set their boundaries with clients. “Sometimes we feel lively and playful, sometimes we feel quiet and introspective. There are a gazillion right ways to cuddle! As long as you are following the code of conduct and respecting your Cuddlist practitioner’s boundaries, you are doing it right.”
38. Sell Deer Pee
Sam Collora is a pee farmer. He has a herd of more than 100 deer (and a few elk), from which he collects urine. He sells the urine for $15.50 for a 2-ounce bottle. It’s bought by hunters to attract deer.
Not sure you have room for a herd of deer? You could sell other animals’ urine. For example, Predator Pee sells everything from bear to coyote urine. If your dog is part wolf, you might be ready to go.
39. Sell Your Coffee Mugs
This weird way to make extra cash involves saving your vintage coffee cups from the trash heap. Experts say some vintage mugs in high demand could fetch big bucks.
A coffee mug from Disney World can sell for $50 or more, and some collectors pay more than $250 for specific mugs. Check those cupboards!
But Rent a Mourner, in the U.K., currently supplies “professional, discreet people to attend funerals and wakes,” and it’s still a common practice in many parts of the world. So maybe it’s time to start crying a river of dividends.
41. Be a Clown
This is not a joke. Dressing up as a clown or a princess for birthday parties is big business. And while putting on clown shoes might not be your dream gig, you’ll be the one laughing all the way to the bank. The average clown salary is about $63,000 a year.
You also don’t have to join the circus to live that clown life. Lots of performers make quick cash doing weekend work for event planners and local entertainment companies.
Your Turn: What’s the weirdest way you’ve made money?
Kaz Weida is a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder. Steve Gillman, author of “100 Weird Ways to Make Money,” contributed.
Ready to join the ranks of the gig economy and start your own freelance business? Being your own boss has a lot of advantages, but there are some pitfalls. From concerns about cash management to worries about being personally liable, a freelancing business is a bit more complicated than grabbing a listing off a job board.
Whether you’re looking to start a freelancing career or you want to create your own business as a side hustle, here’s a step-by-step guide to freelancing for beginners.
What Is a Freelance Business?
One way freelance businesses are a bit different from a traditional business entity is that you’re usually selling services and not physical products. Most start their freelance journey as independent contractors hired for a specific project or paid an hourly rate.
According to the Gig Economy Data Hub, nearly a quarter of all global workers and as much as 11% of the American workforce do some freelancing either as their full-time job or as a side hustle.
Many freelancers may have one or two long-term clients that provide the equivalent of a full-time job, while other freelancers pick up a patchwork of short-term gigs. Some common freelance jobs include being a web designer or freelance writer or illustrator. Unlike other professionals or full-time workers, a full-time freelancer scouts out their own potential clients and usually works remotely.
Looking to start working as a freelance writer? Here are 19 sites that pay contributors.
What Are the Advantages of Starting a Freelance Business?
Before you run out to start a freelance business, it’s worth considering some of the pros and cons.
Pros
Set your own hours
Work from home or remotely
Determine your own rates
Choose your own clients
Cons
Paying taxes quarterly
Higher tax rate
Finding your own clients
No employer benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings plans and paid time off
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of freelance work will also depend on different factors, such as whether you’re freelancing full time or just taking on projects to make extra income on the side.
How to Start a Freelance Business in 9 Easy Steps
Before onboarding your first client, these are the critical steps you should take to ensure your freelance career will be a successful one.
Step 1: Decide what services you’ll offer.
Often, prospective clients are interested in hiring freelancers because the company lacks the skills or doesn’t have the bandwidth to tackle some projects in-house. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2020 report indicates 41% of companies are expected to expand their use of independent contractors in the coming years.
Think about what you are qualified to do, but also other niche interests and insights you might bring to the virtual table and what companies are expecting others in your industry to provide.
Step 2: Determine your rate.
What should you charge for freelancing? For many freelance newbies, this is the hardest part. And what you’ll charge depends on your industry, demand, skill level and experience.
There are two basic schools of thought on freelance rates. One method is to take the annual salary you want to earn and work backward from there to determine your monthly, weekly and hourly rate. The other method, referred to as value pricing, is a little more nuanced and relies on doing some market research.
Step 3: Build a website or portfolio.
As a freelancer, you’re not usually selling a product. You’re selling yourself. And the first step to generating a customer base is to establish a virtual presence. Secure a domain under your name or look to create a freelance site with a name that reflects your focus.
Pro Tip
Don’t have the skills to build your own website? No problem. Lots of sites like Wix, Squarespace and others offer templates and website builders for beginners.
Step 4: Decide whether to start an LLC or an S-corp.
As a freelancer or sole proprietor, the most common way to establish your business is as a limited liability company (LLC). This provides basic protection from personal liability or asset seizure if your business incurs debts or runs into legal trouble.
However, there are some advantages to taking the extra steps to make your freelance business an S corporation. Although the process is more complicated, this business structure can save a bundle on taxes in the long run.
Still unsure whether you want to do an LLC or S-corp for your freelance business? Learn more about the pros and cons in our guide.
Step 5: File for an employer identification number.
You may be wondering if it’s really necessary to go to the extra trouble of securing a federal employer identification number (EIN). And the short answer for most freelance businesses is yes. While you won’t use it every day, an EIN will let you do a few essential tasks like opening a business bank account to keep your personal finances separate.
Pro Tip
Find out more about whether you should get an EIN and how to file for one with the IRS on the Small Business Association website.
Step 6: Get your business licensed.
Even if the extent of your business operations is to pop open the computer every morning and roll up the sleeves of your pajamas, you’ll still be required to register your business in most states. This often means paying a small annual fee for a state business license.
Many municipalities and counties also require businesses, even LLCs operating from home-based offices, to hold licenses or permits. Check with your city, county and state officials to determine what the rules are in your area.
Step 7: Consider opening a business bank account.
Before you start making bank as a freelancer, you’ll have to decide how to manage your finances. While some business structures don’t require it, the IRS recommends having a separate business checking account for tax purposes if you’re an independent contractor.
Step 8: Figure out how to track income and expenses.
Tracking your income, invoices and business expenses can seem like a full-time job, especially if you have more clients than the average freelancer. In the beginning, you may do fine with a well-managed spreadsheet, then find it necessary to graduate to more advanced bookkeeping.
There are also several budgeting apps that specifically offer tools for freelancers, such as You Need a Budget (YNAB) or QuickBooks Self-Employed. The best part is you can write off budgeting app subscriptions as well as software like TurboTax or a project management tool as a business expense.
Step 9: Set up quarterly estimated tax payments.
One of the big adjustments to starting your freelance career is making quarterly estimated tax payments. The federal government and some states require self-employed contractors, LLCs and other small businesses to pay estimated taxes quarterly.
“Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when their return is filed,” the IRS website specifies.
Calendar the following estimated tax payment deadlines to ensure you won’t forget.
April 18
June 15
Sept. 15
Jan. 16, 2024
If you take the appropriate steps to start your freelance business off on the right foot, being your own boss, working from home and setting your own schedule can be incredibly rewarding.
Looking for new clients for your business? Here are nine freelancing websites to try, including platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder and owns her own freelance business.
Want to become a mystery shopper? If so, we’ve found the five best mystery shopper companies to work for.
Mystery shoppers go by a couple different names – evaluators, secret shoppers — but, regardless of the name, the job’s the same: mystery shoppers document their experiences to help businesses who deal with the public a lot.
Workers can score everything from free food to extra money when they work for a mystery shopping company.
Mystery shopping jobs are pretty plentiful, too. The mystery shopping industry has been around since the 1940s and is a nearly $2-billion-dollar-a-year industry.
Ready to learn how to get paid to shop? This post includes information about the best mystery shopping firms around (and what makes a reputable company), average pay, how to avoid mystery shopping scams and more.
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping is a job where a company pays you to pose like a regular customer. You’ll provide valuable feedback to the company — from how clean the store was to how the employees interacted with you. In exchange for your feedback, they pay you a fee, and in most cases, you’ll be asked to buy something and then be reimbursed up to a set amount. You will know that amount before you buy.
Many mystery shopping trips entail visits to retail stores, food markets or phone shops. However, for some gigs, you might visit local restaurants (free food!) or even theme parks. There are also phone mystery shopping companies where you interact with call centers and gauge the setup.
Typically, you’ll write up a report on your experience from the customer’s point of view and submit it to the client by a deadline. From there, you’ll get paid.
How Do You Get Started as a Mystery Shopper?
You can look up mystery shopping gigs on dedicated company websites (we’ll get to that soon) or via a job board, like Indeed.com.
After you apply and your application is approved, you simply log in to the company’s website and select the jobs you want to do. These firms will provide you with all the instructions, and after you’ve completed the shop, you’ll need to enter your feedback into their websites. Some pay via direct deposit, but most will mail you a check at the end of the month.
It varies by company, but you typically need to be 18 or older to be hired by a mystery shopping company. For assignments around liquor or alcohol, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. Some gigs also have ranges. For example, a company might request someone between the ages of 18 and 30 so they can appear to be a college student. Some mystery shopping jobs also require you to have reliable transportation.
Qualities of a Good Mystery Shopper
To be a successful mystery shopper, you’ll need to:
Read thoroughly. Make sure you read the job description completely and understand the requirements.
Be detail-oriented. Watch and listen closely when mystery shopping plus take notes and photos. Successful secret shoppers are meticulous with their data.
Stay organized. Hold on to any receipts, business cards and other items you need to submit to get reimbursed and paid for the gig. Adhere to deadlines, too (put a reminder on your calendar!).
Mystery shopping can be a great way to earn pocket cash, but you’ll want to treat this gig like any other job. Especially since not following the rules means you won’t get paid.
How Much Money Can You Get Paid for a Mystery Shopping Job?
It varies based on the company and assignment. Across the U.S., mystery shoppers make approximately $970 a week. Gigs run the gamut, from $12 and a free meal to $100 as a flat rate and beyond.
It’s important to note that, as a mystery shopper, you’ll be an independent contractor. That means you’re responsible for paying your own taxes. You can keep tabs on deductions (like paying for gas to get to a gig) to help with your tax burden at the end of the year. Many companies require shoppers to sign an independent contractor agreement (versus signing them on as a W2 worker), so keep that in mind if you’re looking for a full-time situation that offers health insurance and other benefits.
On the plus side — since you’re not an employee — you should be able to mystery-shop for multiple companies at one time.
How Do You Get Paid?
Similarly, it depends on the company hiring for the assignment — each one has its own rules surrounding payment, from how it’s issued to how often you’ll see your money.
Many mystery shopping companies pay via PayPal, though some do direct debit and physical checks, too. Some offer gift cards in lieu of cash payment, as well.
5 of the Best Mystery Shopping Companies
Sinclair Customer Metrics
Market Force Information
IntelliShop
Elite CXS
Mystery Shopping Service
Here are some of the companies where you can find mystery shopper jobs. Also, all of them are free to join:
1. Sinclair Customer Metrics
Sinclair Customer Metrics has been in the mystery shopping game since 1987. It specializes in the banking, retail, grocery store, (quick-service) restaurant and convenience store spaces. And on top of in-person gigs, Sinclair offers video mystery shopping to clients, too, complete with a hidden camera.
People looking for a mystery shopping assignment can sign up here.
Better Business Bureau rating: A+.
How payment is distributed: Check.
When payment is sent: You’ll be paid once a month, the last week of the following month after your last completed assignment.
What you need to get paid: Submit completed assignments on time and adhere to all specifications.
2. Market Force Information
Market Force Information works with clients in a variety of industries, from health and wellness and movie studios to specialty retail and alcohol and tobacco. The firm has offices in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, and provides gigs in thousands of locations. Market Force also has an app, Eyes:On, which allows mystery shoppers to complete assignments on the go.
People looking for mystery shopping gigs can sign up here.
Better Business Bureau rating: A+.
How payment is distributed: Direct deposit.
When payment is sent: Monthly, on the 15th.
What you need to get paid: Submit completed assignments on time and adhere to all specifications.
3. IntelliShop
IntelliShop is a customer experience research and improvement firm. The firm’s specialties are in the customer experience, online reputation management, and loss prevention and compliance sectors. IntelliShop provides coverage in more than 18K cities in the U.S. and Canada and 180 countries.
Prospective shoppers seeking a mystery shopping assignment can sign up here.
Better Business Bureau rating: A+.
How payment is distributed: PayPal.
When payment is sent: Approximately 30 days after the last day of the month in which your mystery shopping trips were completed.
What you need to get paid: All shop documentation (a business card, receipt, etc. — anything required for a particular task) must be submitted to receive payment for the shopper challenge.
4.Elite CXS
Elite CXS is a veteran-owned, award-winning mystery-shopping operation based in Hudson, Florida. The company has partnered with major brands, such as Porsche, T-Mobile and Gold’s Gym. Jobs vary by region across the U.S, but Elite CXS places evaluators in video, phone and in-person shopping gigs in a variety of industries.
What you need to get paid: Submit completed assignments on time.
5. Mystery Shopping Service
Mystery Shopping Service has been around for more than 20 years. The company serves the real estate, senior living and healthcare, retail, and hospitality industries across the U.S. Mystery shoppers could be tasked with calling a business and reporting on the conversation or touring an apartment building under the guise of a potential renter.
Prospective mystery shoppers can get more information on available gigs and apply here.
Better Business Bureau rating: A+.
How payment is distributed: PayPal or check.
When payment is sent: End of the month.
What you need to get paid: Submit completed assignments on time as outlined in the assignment instructions.
What’s Life Like for a Secret Shopper?
You can become a mystery shopper in a number of ways. In fact, our CEO started mystery shopping as a teenager. (He’s also completed more than 5,000 mystery shops to date!)
He got his start mystery shopping at local grocery stores, an Ikea, fast-food establishments, restaurants and liquor stores. On another assignment, he was asked to pretend he was shopping for a car — he took a test drive and everything — and earned a cool $60 for each dealership he went to that day.
He’s since hung up his mystery-shopping boots. But back in the day, he was usually paid between $8 and $25 per secret-shopping trip. There were months where he earned more than $5,000, but most months, he earned $400-$500 in extra money for mystery shopping.
Your mileage may vary, of course. But it can be a semi-lucrative and fun gig for the right person.
Warning: Be Careful of Mystery Shopper Scams
Unfortunately, if you’ve looked into mystery shopping before, you know there are a lot of scammers trying to take advantage of this industry’s growing popularity.
A few rules of thumb:
Never pay to join a mystery shopping company. The real ones never ask for a payment from you.
Never pay money to a company to see their list of jobs. Legitimate mystery shopping companies are always short of shoppers, so they never ask for you to pay to see a list of their jobs.
Also, legit mystery shopping companies shouldn’t force you to take a certain number of jobs.
Still confused about an opportunity? The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is a trade organization that offers resources for secret shopping companies and guidelines for individuals who are interested in this type of work. Also, check out online reviews for any company before you work for them.
There are a ton of real mystery shopping companies, so do your due diligence to stay away from the scams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mystery Shopping
Here are some FAQs when it comes to mystery shopping companies and gigs.
Which Mystery Shopping Company Pays the Best?
BestMark is one of the largest mystery shopping companies, so you’ll have a wide variety of jobs to pick through and choose based on pay.
Overall, though, it’s worthwhile to sign up for a couple different companies and see what’s out there. Also, consider that the types of gigs you go after (visiting three grocery stores in one day vs. answering a 10-minute survey, for example) will have an effect on your pay. If you choose more involved tasks, the pay tends to go up with the workload.
Which Mystery Shopping Companies Are Legitimate?
The five companies listed in this article are all legitimate mystery shopping companies. However, it’s worth looking at recent online reviews so you can learn from other evaluators’ experiences. (Also, note that BBB ratings do not necessarily mean that a business is BBB accredited.)
Always do some research before taking a gig and revisit the section on scams so you know what to avoid.
How Much do Professional Mystery Shoppers Make?
Mystery shoppers can make anywhere from a few bucks to several hundred a week. Depending on your availability and the job pay, you have some control over how much you can make. Remember, though, that it will typically take a couple of weeks (minimum) before you will receive the pay for your work.
Contributor Kathleen Garvin (@itskgarvin) is a personal finance writer based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and former editor and marketer at The Penny Hoarder. She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.
Odd jobs are as old as time. There have always been folks hiring people to perform tasks they don’t have the time or skills to do themselves.
The gig app TaskRabbit makes it easier than ever for service providers to make extra money and for clients to buy some free time.
Want to know how it works? In this TaskRabbit review, we cover what it takes to get to work on the platform, and what it’s like to hire through the platform to help everyone make the most of it.
What Is TaskRabbit and How Does It Work?
TaskRabbit connects gig workers with people who need help with jobs like cleaning houses, making deliveries or completing household tasks, such as installing a new faucet or putting together a bookshelf.
The app lets clients post the work they need help with. Service providers, called “Taskers,” use it to find jobs, contact potential clients and get paid for the work. Jobs are paid at an hourly rate, which Taskers set, and clients pay right through the app with a connected credit card or account.
Using TaskRabbit, instead of a classifieds site like Craigslist or other job-listing site, helps make sure service providers actually get paid for their work, and reassures clients that they are who they say they are and they’ve been vetted by the platform.
How does TaskRabbit work? Here are the basics.
Working for TaskRabbit
Here’s everything you need to know about making money through TaskRabbit.
Who Can Work for TaskRabbit?
To become a Tasker, you have to be at least 18 years old and live in one of 61 cities in the U.S. or those in seven other countries where the platform is active.
You can provide services across more than 35 categories in the app. Some require previous experience or expertise, but many don’t. You should be able to become a Tasker without any specific background or experience. Just choose tasks from the categories that fit your skills.
When Do You Work on TaskRabbit?
Like with any gig app, you make your own hours on TaskRabbit. Unlike some gig options, though, you have to keep an updated schedule on your profile in the app so clients see you in search results and you can avoid scheduling conflicts.
The client handles the entire booking process through the app.
When a client needs to book a service, they select from a list of chores in the app to search for available Taskers in their area. They read through your profile to make sure it matches their needs, then book an appointment based on your availability. You’ll receive notifications when clients request your services.
Once they’ve confirmed the appointment through the final booking page, you can communicate with each other through messages in the app to make sure you have all the information you need.
Clients can book same-day or future appointments, based on your settings, and the appointments will show up on your work schedule. Once you have the task completed, they’ll pay you your hourly rate through the app. You keep 100% of your rate plus any tips clients offer.
What Kind of Services Do You Provide on TaskRabbit?
Tasks on the platform range from the mundane to the creative across more than 50 categories. Some require experience or expertise in a certain field, but you can perform many tasks without any background.
Some gigs we’ve seen for Taskers include:
This is not at all exhaustive. You can pretty much get paid to do anything (legal) that a client doesn’t have the time or resources to do on their own.
Note that TaskRabbit uses separate apps for clients and Taskers — to offer services, download the “Tasker by TaskRabbit” app.
During the registration process, you’ll have to:
Consent to an ID check.
Provide a Social Security number (in the U.S.).
Connect your bank account to get paid.
Submit to a criminal background check (using your name, SSN and birth date).
In some cities, you’ll have to pay a non-refundable $25 registration fee when you sign up. Paying the fee doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved as a Tasker, so if you have any concern you won’t pass the screening process, you probably want to save your money and try other gigs.
Once your profile is approved, you can begin tasking!
You’ll build your profile, listing the tasks you want to offer and your related experience and background, if necessary. You’ll also set your schedule, which determines your availability, and your service area, as a radius from where you live.
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How Much Money Do You Make on TaskRabbit?
On Taskrabbit, you set your own rates, and the average hourly pay for Taskers in the U.S. is $48, according to TaskRabbit’s April 2022 fact sheet.
The rates you can earn through TaskRabbit gigs vary based on the types of tasks you take on and what clients are willing to pay. If you set your hourly rates higher than average, they might sift past you in their search, for example.
TaskRabbit no longer charges a support fee, so you keep 100% of what you earn plus any tips.
(Instead of taking a cut from you, TaskRabbit makes money from the service fee clients pay on top of your hourly rates. So the total cost to clients is a little higher, but you don’t have to fork over a share of your earnings.)
Don’t Forget About Taxes
Like all workers in the gig economy, Taskers are independent contractors in the eyes of the IRS and most state income tax authorities.
As an independent contractor, you’re completely responsible for paying income taxes on the money you earn through TaskRabbit. The company doesn’t withhold taxes the way an employer would.
To keep up with what you owe throughout the year, you’ll want to pay estimated quarterly taxes four times each year. If a substantial amount of your income comes from TaskRabbit or other gig work or self-employment, you’ll want to do the paperwork and stay on top of that quarterly tax bill.
If you’re just picking up an occasional gig here and there on the side of employment, your payroll taxes might cover anything you’d owe from tasking. Don’t count on it, though — do the math to estimate your tax obligation and make sure you’re not surprised with a bill in April.
Need a banking service that’s built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It’s free!)
8 Tips to Make More Money on TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit and other gig sites that match eager workers with people who need odd jobs performed are often criticized as a difficult way for people to earn a decent living. Many of the independent contractors who complete tasks through these sites end up racing between different low-paying gigs, with long, unpaid commutes in between.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. If you’re strategic, you can use gig economy apps to make a serious side income or even to make a full-time living.
To make more money as a Tasker, follow these strategies.
1. Be Flexible
Set an hourly rate that makes any task worth your time, and be willing to take on a variety of tasks to fill out our schedule. We’ve learned from experts that flexibility is key to high earnings on the app.
Being willing to work on call is extremely helpful, too. That availability could give you a leg up on other Taskers and win you more gigs.
2. Be Versatile
You might have preferences for some types of tasks, but your best bet to earning good money through the platform is to be open to a variety of gigs.
If that’s not your bag, no worries; TaskRabbit just might not be the best platform for you. On this platform, it’s all about fulfilling client’s unexpected needs.
One day, you could find yourself walking dogs, and the next week, you’ll be parking strollers outside of preschool. The app connects you with an array of odd jobs, and the more open you are — they’re called “odd” for a reason — the more money you could earn.
3. Capitalize on Your Skills
Top-dollar Taskers earn their cash by having top-notch skills. You can be willing to take on the occasional stroller-parking gig, but you can command the highest rates doing things like carpentry, construction and other handyman tasks clients hire out because they don’t have the skills themselves.
Having top-notch, in-demand skills help you rise to the top of the pack.
Figure out your strengths: Maybe you have a big truck for moving jobs, you’re a neat freak, you’re an expert at IKEA furniture assembly or you run a handyman business. Keep an eye out for gigs that require those skills to get the most for your time.
4. Invest in Your Business
If you want to take this tasking thing full-time, it could be worth some investment. Maybe you see a lot of gigs for moving help, so you buy a truck or a van to stand out against the competition. Or maybe you invest on a smaller scale, like a set of cleaning supplies or tools.
5. Build an Appealing Profile
A strong profile that highlights your skills and abilities will help you stand out to clients as they scan through bids.
Choose a quality, fun photo of yourself and take the time to write an informative bio. Link to your social media profiles, especially LinkedIn, to highlight your background and expertise. If your profile shows you’re experienced, approachable and intelligent, you’ll have a much higher chance of landing gigs — even if you don’t have the lowest rate.
6. Work With Your Busy Schedule, Not Against It
Run lots of errands already? Choose tasks that fit with your own to-do list to get paid for the running around you have to do all day.
Figure out which types of services to focus on by considering what works with your life. Maybe you can plan your grocery shopping or donation drop-offs to coincide with tasks, for example.
7. Set Your Prices Well
Choosing a fair and accurate price for a job can keep you from being passed over or worrying about being paid less than your work is worth.
Set prices that make the work worth your time, and use your profile to let clients know why you’re worth it. In the long run, that’ll help you build a much stronger business or side hustle than simply trying to be the lowest bidder.
Don’t be afraid to experiment as you get started to figure out the best balance for getting the most tasks and earning fair wages.
8. Use the TaskRabbit App to Check Tasks on the Go
Increase your productivity by checking the app while you’re out and about. Does anyone need anything from your area, whether it’s groceries or a lunch delivery? Have you had any task requests?
Being able to check on available tasks while you’re away from your computer adds a little extra productivity to your work.
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FAQs About Working for TaskRabbit
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about working as a Tasker.
Is TaskRabbit legitimate?
Yes. TaskRabbit has been around since 2008 and has a reputation as a safe marketplace for gig work. The company is owned by the multinational company that owns IKEA, and it has more than 1.5 million users, more than 140,000 of whom are Taskers who earn money through the platform, according to its 2019 fact sheet. Over the past decade, more than nine million tasks have been completed on the platform, with furniture assembly being the most popular task in 2021.
Is TaskRabbit a good way to make money?
Whether TaskRabbit is a good gig for you depends on your financial goals and lifestyle. At an average of $48 per hour in the U.S., the earnings are well above minimum wage — even when you cut them in half to account for self-employment costs and taxes. Your total earnings depend on how many hours you’re available and where you live, which could determine how much commuting you have to do between gigs and how many clients are around.
Do you pay taxes on TaskRabbit?
In the U.S., Taskers are classified as independent contractors for tax purposes, which means you’re responsible to pay all of your taxes owed, including a self-employment tax. Money you earn through TaskRabbit counts as earned income (just like any work income). You have to file an income tax return if your earnings from self-employment are $600 or more.
Do you need a license for TaskRabbit?
In California only, you need a business license to operate as an independent contractor in any capacity, including as a gig worker. This license confirms you’re a service provider and not an employee of the company (which keeps TaskRabbit out of legal hot water). You can get a license as a sole proprietor (i.e. a solo person), so you don’t have to form a business entity like an LLC. No other states require a business license to work for TaskRabbit.
Can an LLC work for TaskRabbit?
Yes. If you do run a business that’s registered as an LLC (or any other entity, including a partnership, you can sign up for TaskRabbit under your business.
Hiring on TaskRabbit
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of hiring contractors through TaskRabbit.
What Kinds of Services Can You Pay for on TaskRabbit?
TaskRabbit connects you with any kind of help you need, as soon as the same day. To find what you’re looking for, just browse the task categories, and choose one to pull up Taskers who do that kind of work.
TaskRabbit offers a range of services across more than 35 categories, from virtual assistance to furniture assembly to cleaning to moving to yard work to… well, you get the picture.
If it needs to get done and you don’t want to do it, you can probably hire a Tasker to handle it for you.
Who Are You Hiring Through TaskRabbit?
You’re often letting Taskers into your home — maybe even while you’re not there — so you probably want some assurance that they’re legit. For this reason, TaskRabbit runs an identity check and criminal background check on all Taskers.
Also, Taskers tend to be folks from your local community, so you may already have some trust and rapport just from being in the same neighborhood.
Taskers create profiles that list the kinds of work they do and their experience and expertise. So you can make sure you’re hiring someone fit to do the job, especially for more complex tasks that require a very particular set of skills.
If you liked the service you got from a Tasker, you can rehire them through the app by adding them to your favorites or pursuing your completed tasks. Note that Taskers might not be available for all kinds of tasks, so you might not be able to rehire a previous Tasker who, say, delivered your groceries, to be your virtual assistant.
How to Hire a Tasker
You can hire a Tasker through the app for iOS or Android through this simple process:
Search the list of chores in the app. They span 35+ categories and include hundreds of tasks. Select the type of task you need completed.
TaskRabbit matches you with fitting service providers in your area, and you choose someone and put in the request, including details about the task and a date and time that fits the Tasker’s availability. You can schedule a task as soon as the same day or as much as 14 days in advance.
Once the Tasker accepts your request, you’ll manage the booking through the app, including communicating and payment.
Pro Tip
To use TaskRabbit to hire someone to do your odd jobs, download the client app: TaskRabbit: Handyman, Errands.
How Much Does TaskRabbit Cost?
When you book a task, you’ll pay a Tasker’s hourly rate (“Tasker Rate”) plus a service fee and a “Trust & Support Fee” paid to TaskRabbit, plus any reimbursements you agree to with the Tasker.
Taskers set their own hourly rates, and you’ll be able to see those in their profile before you put in your request. Rates should generally be commensurate with the work and competitive for the area, because that’s the best way for Taskers to get work.
Both the service fee and the Trust & Support Fee are billed as a percentage of the total Tasker Rate. TaskRabbit is a little opaque about the exact percentage, but some users have reported seeing fees as much as 35%. You’ll be notified of the fee percentage before you book, so keep an eye out for that detail to avoid surprise charges!
After you receive your invoice, you can also add a tip of any amount for the Tasker. They receive 100% of their hourly rate and tips; TaskRabbit doesn’t keep a cut.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) has been writing and editing for online audiences since 2011, covering personal finance, careers and digital media. She is a former staffer at The Penny Hoarder. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, CNBC, The Motley Fool, Inc. and more. Freelancer Larissa Runkle contributed to this report.
These days, everyone and their ex-boyfriend has a podcast. But do they actually make money with it?
There are plenty of ways to make money podcasting, from placing ads to selling merch. The most popular podcasters make millions, but even hobbyists can make some extra cash.
Take David Weinberger co-host of Shonen Flop, for example.
“We take a look at a lesser-known manga that ran in the popular Japanese magazine Shonen Jump,” he said. “There’s a lot of really big hits in that magazine, but what happens to… the ones that don’t last so long?”
The podcast’s funny, and in-depth reviews have earned it hundreds of five-star ratings – and a few hundred bucks a month for Weinberger.
Not every podcast is going to be as popular – or profitable – as Serial. But plenty of podcasters make a little extra money doing what they love. We asked Weinberger to walk us through the steps.
1. Get Real
Making money with podcasting is a totally realistic goal. But how much money? Spotify reportedly paid $200 million for exclusive rights to The Joe Rogan Experience. Amazon spent $100 million on Exactly Right Media’s podcast portfolio (read: My Favorite Murder). But for every uber-successful megahit podcast, there are a hundred others that never make a cent.
Most podcasts fall somewhere in between. Shonen Flop is one of them. As of this writing, the podcast makes $286 per month on Patreon: not enough for the creators to quit their day jobs, but enough to cover the cost of their hobby.
When setting goals for podcasting income, be realistic. You probably won’t make a million in your first year. Focus on putting out the best show you can in the meantime.
2. Get Professional
Listeners (and potential advertisers) tune out when sound quality is low. Make audio a priority from day one.
Think you can get away with phoning it in? Think again.
“Your first episode will always be your first episode,” Weinberger said. If it’s full of static, road noise and “um”s, no one will listen to episode two.
There are a few simple things you can do to sound great from the beginning. First, acquire a decent microphone.
“I honestly think if me and my co-host had just bought $50 mics we would be … in a better spot,” Weinberger said.
Second, learn how to use audio editing software – Audacity is a popular (and free!) option. Weinberger has an excellent, thorough guide available right here.
Finally, be ruthless. Filler words, misspeaks, and unfunny tangents have got to go. “We record for about an hour and ten minutes and we get that down to about fifty five minutes,” Weinberger said. “If you’re cutting fifteen minutes, you’re cutting the worst fifteen minutes of your show.”
3. Get Promoted
If you want to make money with podcasting, you need listeners. How do you find them?
Start small. “Those initial hundred listens a month are all going to be people that know you,” Weinberger said.
After that, make connections with other podcasters in your wheelhouse. Host a show about Barbies? Make friends with the American Girl podcast host. You can work together to make great episodes and boost your profile.
Here’s a real-life example of how this works. When Shonen Flop invited Red from Overly Sarcastic Productions to guest star, the show got a big jump in listenership. That makes sense – Overly Sarcastic Productions has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
4. Get Sponsored
Businesses big and small are always on the lookout for places to advertise. Why not your podcast?
There are three main ways you can connect with sponsors. One, you can approach them. There’s nothing wrong with cold-emailing a business and asking them if they’d like to team up.
Two, you can connect with a middle man who pitches advertisers for you. If you’ve chosen to host your podcast with a service like Libsyn or Anchor, getting paired with brands is part of the deal.
Three, you can wait for advertisers to come to you. Once your numbers hit about 1,000 downloads per episode, you might get a knock on the proverbial door.
Note: just because a business offers to sponsor you doesn’t mean you have to say yes. Shonen Flop has been approached by advertisers. So far, they’ve said no. Why leave money on the table? For now, explains Weinberger, “the additional overhead and hassle on the arrangements to get people to advertise on our show … isn’t worth it.”
5. Get Fans
Another major revenue stream for podcasters is their audience. Many fans will throw in a few bucks a month for early, ad-free, and bonus content.
The most popular way to do this is Patreon. Hit podcasts net hundreds of thousands of dollars per year on the platform. You’re Wrong About has over 23,000 subscribers who pay between $2 and $25 a month for extra content and community. While YWA’s exact revenue isn’t public, some back of the napkin math tells you they’re making a tidy sum.
Fans of the show might also shell out for merchandise. Printed t-shirts are an old stand-by – and relatively easy to produce.
Don’t Want to Monetize? It Can Just Be Fun
Is all this talk of monetization starting to kill your joy for podcasting? Hit the brakes.
“There’s definitely been temptation to say: can we make a career out of this?” Weinberger said. “But then, if it’s your job, it adds a lot more stress for you. You really have to care about your listenership.”
It’s OK for podcasting to be fun. It’s OK for it to be a hobby.
And who knows? Maybe someday Ira Glass will Tweet out your podcast, gaining you thousands of subscribers and a Casper Mattress ad deal.
Ciara McLaren is a freelance writer with work in HuffPost, MoneyGeek, and The Penny Hoarder. You can find her on Substack (@camclaren).
Employers of a certain size, by law, have to offer health insurance to full-time workers. But some employers extend coverage to part-timers, too.
The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, defines “full time” as 30 hours or more per week. That’s right — 30, not 40.
“That definitely doesn’t sync up with common usage,” David Frazzini, a partner and health benefits expert at the HR consulting firm Mercer.
If you regularly clock 30 hours a week, and if your employer is large enough, they should be providing health insurance, according to the ACA.
Some employers market this as a perk but, really, they’re obligated to give it to you. Or they may offer some health benefits to part-timers, but the perks aren’t robust enough to qualify as health insurance.
Other companies really do go above and beyond what is required by law. Here are 11 big employers that offer part-time jobs with health insurance.
11 Places to Find Part-Time Jobs With Health Insurance
These employers offer health insurance to part-timers working less than 30 hours per week.
Chipotle
Costco
The federal government
Lowe’s
REI
Starbucks
UPS
JP Morgan Chase
Amazon
Walmart
National Guard
More details about each of the 11 employers and their health care offerings for part-time workers:
1. Chipotle
All hourly workers at Chipotle restaurants are eligible for a suite of health insurance plans. The fast-casual burrito chain provides medical, dental and vision insurance with dependent coverage.
Medical plans are available through Anthem, according to the company’s latest benefits handbook. The vision plan is through EyeMed, and dental is through Delta Dental. Through a separate employee assistance plan, you can also receive mental health counseling for you and your dependents for free — face-to-face, over the phone or through teleconferencing.
Health plans are just some of the perks available to part-timers. The company has been beefing up its benefits package for years. Chipotle also offers accrued paid time off, sick leave, stock options, a 401(k) plan and tuition reimbursement to part-time staff.
Chipotle operates in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Find a job near you on Chipotle’s career page.
2. Costco
Costco, the membership-based wholesale retail chain, is known for providing comprehensive benefits and fair wages. If you work as a permanent, hourly part-timer in the contiguous U.S. for an average of at least 23 hours per week, you qualify for health insurance and other benefits. In Hawaii, you’ll qualify for benefits as long as you’re logging at least 20 hours per week.
The Aetna health plan for part-timers has a $550 individual deductible, and you’ll be charged a copay for most doctor’s visits and prescription drugs. The company shares its health-care benefits summary publically.
According to Costco’s benefits website, the benefits begin the “first day of the month following 60 continuous days of service” in the contiguous U.S. For example, if you started working at least 23 hours per week on December 1, it the earliest you would be eligible for health insurance would be February 1.
If you’re in Hawaii, you only need to work at Costco for four weeks. Then, the benefits will start on the first day of the next month.
Costco stores are located in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Look for jobs near you on the company’s career page.
3. The Federal Government
No matter how few hours you work for the federal government, you’ll be eligible for the same health insurance benefits as full-time employees — as long as your position is permanent.
What varies is how much comes out of your paycheck, according to the Office of Personnel Management, the agency that manages the federal government’s civilian workforce.
“Part-time employees… receive the same coverage as full-time employees but pay a greater percentage of the premium,” the website states. “For example, an employee on a 20-hour-per-week schedule receives one-half the Government contribution towards the premium.”
You can find federal government jobs at agencies such as the Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Department of Veterans Affairs on the USA Jobs website.
4. Lowe’s
The home-improvement retailer offers regular, part-time workers a variety of benefits at most locations. You can enroll in medical, dental, vision and pharmacy plans upon hiring, and benefits will kick in after a full month of employment.
Depending on your area, you may have several tiers of coverage options. Most of these plans have a $0 deductible.
Lowe’s operates in all 50 states. Check its career webpage to find jobs nearby.
5. REI
REI, which stands for Recreational Equipment, Inc., is a membership cooperative that provides outdoors equipment and apparel for sale and for rent. Co-ops aren’t like traditional businesses. They’re run more democratically and are focused on the needs of their members and workers rather than consumers or investors.
So it makes sense that they offer a generous benefits package. Several health care plans are available to part-time employees. There is an HSA that’s open to everyone, regardless of number of hours worked or amount of time employed by the co-op.
If you work at least 20 hours per week, you gain access to plans with lower deductibles (and no HSA option,) including a PPO and in select states, Kaiser Healthcare Plans. If you want one of these plans, you’ll have to wait until a year after your hire date as a part-time worker.
The company operates in 42 states and in Washington, D.C.. Use REI’s job board to see if they’re hiring near you.
6. Starbucks
In addition to health insurance for part-timers, Starbucks also pays toward their college education costs. Photo courtesy of Starbucks
In addition to health insurance for part-timers, Starbucks also pays toward their college education costs. Photo courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks provides five tiers of medical plans for eligible hourly workers, and eligibility is based on a work week of about 20 hours. The exact number is a little more complex and is based on 240 hours worked over a three month period.
“For example, if you are hired on May 2, we would measure for 240 paid hours in June, July and August. If you meet the requirement over that time, you would receive your enrollment kit in September and become benefits eligible effective October 1,” according to an employee benefits packet.
Starbucks’ latest medical insurance package includes Bronze, Bronze Plus, Silver, Gold and Platinum coverage options. Depending on the plan, individual deductibles range from zero to $3,300. And copays run from $25 to $50 for doctor’s visits.
Starbucks operates about 15,000 stores across all states in the U.S. Find a gig nearby through its online career board.
7. UPS
UPS has one of the most comprehensive benefits packages for part-time employees. It includes medical, dental, vision and pharmacy programs.
Plans may vary by location. According to the TeamstersCare benefits page, you’ll need to work at least 225 hours over any three month period to qualify. That’s roughly 18 hours per week. If you work 400 hours over three months, you’ll gain access to full-time benefits over that time period.
UPS operates more than 5,400 stores nationwide. You can look for jobs online using UPS’s career portal.
8. JP Morgan Chase
If you work at JPMorgan Chase for at least 20 hours per week, you qualify for health insurance benefits. After working for at least 60 days, you will be eligible on the first day of the last month.
So let’s say you got hired on June 15. In August, you would have logged 60 days. You’d be eligible for coverage Sept. 1.
There are a variety of different plans offered through Aetna or Cigna. If you live in California, you’ll also have the choice of a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.
To see if there are part-time jobs available near you through JPMorgan Chase, checkout their career site.
9. Amazon
Work 20-29 hours per week at Amazon? Then you’re eligible for health insurance, unless you live in one of the following states:
Connecticut
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Utah
Wisconsin
There are multiple plans available in the rest of the states, all of which provide 100% coverage of preventative care. Deductibles range from $0 to $1,500 for individuals, and $0 to $4,500 if you want coverage for your entire family.
Amazon employs over 1.5 million people in America. If you’re interested in becoming one of them, you can check out current openings here.
Photo courtesy of Walmart
10. Walmart
Walmart labels people who work 30 hours/week as part-timers – even though they’re considered full-time workers under the ACA.
However, certain jobs at Walmart will provide health insurance if you are truly part-time, as long as you work at least 24 hours per week over a two-month period. Those jobs include:
Pharmacists
Nurse practitioners
Supply chain associates
You become eligible for benefits after you work 60 days at part-time status in one of these positions, but they won’t kick in until the month where you’ve worked for 89 days.
Here’s how Walmart explains it: “For example, let’s say your hire date is May 11, 2022. Your 60th day is July 9, and on that day you’ve worked enough hours to meet the requirement. Your 89th day is Aug. 7, so benefits become effective on Aug. 1.”
You can find open positions here if you’re interested in being one of their 2.2 million US-based store associates.
11. National Guard
Age 35 or under and think you’ve got what it takes to be a reservist? If so, the National Guard offers coverage through TRICARE Reserve Select.
Costs depend on your rank. If you’re E1-E4, deductibles are $60/individual or $121/family, while ranks of E5+ — who are paid more — have deductibles of $182/individual or $365/family. If you only need coverage for yourself, it’ll run you about $48/month in premiums. If you want family coverage, premiums are $91.33/month.
TRICARE doesn’t necessarily mean everything’s covered. In fact, there’s a significant list of exclusions; plans offered by Starbucks provide more coverage in some instances.
Joining the military even as a “part-time” reservist is a serious commitment. Be sure to fully understand the obligations before signing your name on the dotted line. If you do decide that service is right for you, here’s where you can learn more.
When an ACA Plan Is Cheaper and Smarter for Part-timers
Many circumstances may drive you to look for health insurance through a part-time job. Maybe your partner has a full-time job and you don’t need to work as much. You might have child or elder care responsibilities. Or perhaps you’re looking to “retire” early as part of the FIRE movement.
“For low-income people, the subsidies on the ACA exchanges are pretty generous,” he said, noting that subsidized health plans through the exchange may be cheaper than ones provided by an employer if you’re a part-timer.
In some cases, being eligible for an employer-sponsored plan as a part-time worker might not be a good thing.
“If you are offered coverage by your employer, you actually become ineligible for those subsidies — regardless of whether you take it,” he said.
Also be aware that some employers offer health benefits but not health insurance. For example, in 2021, Target started offering its part-timers a certain number of free telehealth visits with doctors and therapists. And some companies offer cost-share perks for hospitalizations.
Pittsburgh-based writer Brynne Conroy is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and the author of “The Feminist Financial Handbook.” She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Adam Hardy is a former staff writer.
These people were the 2022 Hotdoggers. Photo courtesy of Oscar Mayer
Do you wish you were an Oscar Mayer wiener?
Bad news first. You can’t morph into a mechanically separated meat link. (2023’s tech just isn’t there yet.) But the century-old cold-cut meat company is dishing out the next best thing: paid opportunities to drive a 27-foot long Wienermobile across the nation.
“The Wienermobile is an American icon and one of our brand’s most prized assets, making the Hotdogger role an extremely important job,” said Ed Roland, senior brand communications manager for Oscar Mayer. “From traveling to events across the U.S. to regularly speaking with consumers and media on behalf of the brand, Hotdoggers operate as a marketing firm on wheels, providing invaluable experience to recent graduates, while continuing our mission of uniting millions around a love of meat.”
The Oscar Mayer HotDogger job is an extremely coveted role — only 12 out of the average 2,000 applicants are accepted to drive the six Wienermobiles. Each one of the lucky 12 will drive an average of 20,000 miles through an average of 20 states during the paid, yearlong gig.
They’ll work as brand ambassadors, making radio and TV appearances, doing newspaper interviews and appearing at grocery, retail and charity functions. Hotdoggers also pick a nickname — check out “Ketchup Kaitlyn” and “Chaddar Cheese” — to share their travels on Instagram and hand out more than 250,000 Wiener Whistles during the year.
Think you can cut the mustard? Oscar Mayer is looking for:
Recent college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in public relations, journalism, communications or marketing
Outgoing, friendly, creative and compassionate people with strong communication skills; a love of hot dog puns preferred
A valid driver’s license, including a good driving record
If your stars align, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] or mail by Jan. 31 to:
Oscar Mayer
Attn: Hotdogger position
560 E Verona Ave
Verona, WI 53593
So if you think you’re up for a year-long ride on the Wienermobile, head over to Oscar Mayer and apply!
Robert Bruce is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
Ah, gift cards: The go-to present from someone who has good intentions, but doesn’t know you well enough to get you something you’d actually like.
This holiday season, you’re likely to end up with a stack of them — some of which you probably can’t use or don’t want.
Maybe your boss gave you a Starbucks gift card, but you aren’t a coffee drinker. Or your Aunt Rita gave you a generous $75 for a steakhouse, but you’re a vegetarian.
There is no reason for the gift to go to waste. Instead of letting them languish in a junk drawer or unopened email somewhere, sell those gift cards for cash.
5 Best Places to Sell Gift Cards for Cash and Discounts
Ready to start selling gift cards? Start with these five sites.
1. CardCash
Founded in 2009, CardCash is a no-frills marketplace to buy and sell gift cards. It accepts cards from more than 1,100 different retailers — all types of popular department stores, restaurants, grocers and more. While the website states that you can earn up to 92% of a gift card’s value, each card is given a unique quote that could be lower. CardCash pays you directly if your card is accepted.
Use CardCash’s quote tool to see how much cash your gift card is worth and to find out if you need to physically mail it in. You also have the option to swap the gift card for one at another store, possibly exceeding the value of your current gift card. Gift cards must have a balance of at least $10.
According to its website, ClipKard accepts physical gift cards from more than 100 retailers – including partially used ones. Fast food restaurants and department stores are especially popular.
ClipKard’s quote tool will let you know if your card is currently being accepted and, if so, how much it’s worth in cash. If you like the quote, you can ship your gift card to ClipKard using the prepaid USPS shipping label provided to you. If you’re in a rush, you can choose to upgrade to priority shipping, and the price will be deducted from your payout.
If you don’t see your gift card brand on the list, you can email [email protected] for an evaluation. All cards must have a value of at least $15.
Gameflip is a unique way to get rid of your unwanted digital gift cards and other items. The e-commerce site is a blend of eBay and Upwork for gamers. When selling gift cards, like any other product or service on the site, you’ll have to make a listing, which requires you to first make a Gameflip profile.
You can sell any unused prepaid and non-reloadable gift card for gaming platforms or other retailers. Popular gift cards include Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, iTunes, Google Play and more. With Gameflip, you have full control over the price, though it’s recommended you list your card at a discount of 2% to 15% of its value.
When someone buys your gift card, Gameflip transfers the funds into your Gameflip wallet, which you can withdraw from using Wise, Payoneer, Skrill or Bitcoin. (PayPal is no longer supported.) Gameflip takes an 8% cut of all listings and a further 2% cut of digital-only listings. Each wallet withdrawal method has its own associated fees.
GiftCash is a straightforward way to sell digital and physical gift cards from more than 150 accepted brands. And you can earn up to 92% of the value for in-demand brands.
As with other gift card exchange sites, you can get a quote from GiftCash before you choose to sell it. However, GiftCash does not allow gift-card swapping.
All gift cards must have a value of at least $25. Some brands require a higher minimum value, such as $100 for Air Canada, Apple, iTunes and Petco. Maximum value for all gift cards is $2,000.
Raise is a mobile payment app and e-commerce platform launched in 2013. Among many things, Raise allows you to sell your unwanted gift cards with a balance of at least $5 on its marketplace. That means you’ll need to create a Raise account and a listing for your gift card.
As with any product, the more demand, the more you can ask for it. Gift cards for major retailers like Walmart, Target and Best Buy tend to sell on the marketplace for about 95% of their value.
You also maintain control over your listing. If your card doesn’t sell in the first couple of days, you can always adjust the price to attract more buyers. Or you can unlist it if you change your mind. Once it sells, Raise charges a 15% seller fee, and for physical cards, it charges an additional $2.75 or 1% fee for shipping — whichever is greater.
If you lost track, that means the maximum you can earn on a digital gift card is 85% of its value, if it sells for 100% of its value.
To help you determine the best place to sell your unwanted gift cards, we’ve compared several price estimates from popular stores in fall 2022. Here’s how the five gift-card sites stack up.
*Note: Estimated exchange prices for Gameflip were based on the rates of digital gift cards currently listed and selling on their marketplace, minus the applicable 10% seller fee.
Tips to Sell Gift Cards Online
There are plenty of websites to sell your gift cards, and each one is a little different. Some will let users bid on your gift card, while others will purchase it from you and then sell it themselves.
Here’s what to keep in mind as you find a buyer for that unwanted present.
Consider Ways to Get Paid
Depending on the service you choose, when you sell a gift card, you can receive a check in the mail, a PayPal or other digital payment, or a more useful gift card.
Payment apps might be quick, but keep those pesky transaction fees in mind if you want to maximize your payout. Checks may take a little longer, but they’re as good as cold, hard cash. And depending on your spending habits, another gift card might be the best choice, as the conversion rate is going to be the highest.
Each selection has its own perks, so choose whichever best fits your needs.
Don’t Sell Gift Cards on eBay
EBay has always been a popular place for buying and selling things online — but it might be the worst way to sell gift cards.
First, an eBay buyer isn’t likely to buy your gift card for more than 80% to 90% of its value. For a $100 gift card, you can count on a loss of between $10 and $20 right off the bat.
On top of that, you may be responsible for eBay’s insertion fees, a final value fee and a performance fee if your eBay seller account isn’t in good shape. These fees eat further into your earnings.
You may be thinking, hey, don’t Raise and Gameflip also have seller fees? They do. But these marketplaces specialize in selling gift cards, so the base value of your gift card is likely to be higher on Raise or Gameflip than on eBay. Also with eBay, there’s no built-in way to verify your gift card’s code or balance — making the selling and shipment process much more of a hassle.
In short, stick with one of the five gift-card selling websites above to get the most money for that well-meaning Applebee’s gift card that will fuse together with your wallet before you ever use it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Selling Gift Cards Online
Here are our answers to some common questions about selling gift cards online.
How Can I Exchange Gift Cards for Cash?
You can exchange gift cards for cash easily by selling the unused card directly to a gift card site like CardCash, CardKlip or GiftCash. They will buy the card from you directly. Or you could list your gift card on marketplaces like Gameflip or Raise, where people can bid on your card and buy it from you. You’ll give up a little bit of the gift card’s value, but you’ll have money you can use anywhere.
How Can I Get Cash for Gift Cards Immediately?
When you sell your gift cards online, it’s possible to get a quote immediately. That is, you can easily and quickly check how much your gift card is worth. But the entire process of selling the gift card online will take much longer, especially if you have to mail a physical card. One option for faster cash is through GiftCardBin, which partners with more than 600 businesses nationwide to buy gift cards — in person. Use its store locator tool to see if a partner is nearby. Then you can sell your gift cards for fast cash. However, you should expect a quote much lower than the online exchanges.
Where Can I Sell Unused Gift Cards?
You can sell gift cards for cash online and in person. Selling your gift card in person is the fastest way to get cash, but it’s not the most lucrative. GiftCardBin has hundreds of partners around the U.S. that offer cash for gift cards at a steep discount. The slower and more lucrative way to sell gift cards is online, and you can earn up to 95% of the gift card’s value in cash by using one of the gift card exchanges mentioned above.
How Much Do You Get for Gift Cards at Coinstar?
Coinstar discontinued its gift-card-buying services at all Coinstar terminals. However, if you’re using Coinstar to count your change, you can maximize your payout by choosing to accept payment by gift card. This option allows you to skirt the fees associated with cash payout.
Adam Hardy is a former staff writer for The Penny Hoarder. Freelancers Dana Miranda and Cassidy Alexander contributed to this report.
The minimum wage just went up in about half the states in the U.S., giving more than 8 million workers an instant raise.
You don’t want to be one of them, though. You shouldn’t have to settle for making minimum wage — not even in your side gig.
And increasingly, workers don’t have to. With today’s labor shortages, an increasing number of employers say they have to pay more than minimum wage to recruit and hold on to restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers, retail store clerks and other employees, according to reports like this one in The Wall Street Journal.
This affects side gigs, too. It’s important to choose a side gig that’ll pay you properly for your time. Sure, you could fold T-shirts at a local shop to earn a few bucks. But how can you find a part-time job that will really take a bite out of your bills?
Here are 11 flexible side gigs that pay more than $20 per hour.
11 Side Gigs That Can Pay Over $20 Per Hour
One of these side gigs could be your ticket to earning money outside your daily job.
1. Landscaping
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and putting in some physical work, landscaping can pay quite well. If you can operate heavy machinery, you can earn even more.
In some areas, landscaping jobs often start at $20 or more per hour. But many of these opportunities are offered through word-of-mouth, so be sure to ask around.
Check Craigslist and local online bulletin boards for one-off gigs, or contact a local landscaping company to see if it needs an extra hand on weekends during its busy season.
Be sure you have all the licenses and insurance you need, and always be careful connecting with unknown clients.
Having a portfolio of your work or a website and having recommendations from others are the best ways to get hired. You can brush up on your skills with this tutorial.
3. Interpreter
If you’re bilingual or multilingual, consider offering your language skills as a translator. You can be an on-call translator for legal and medical services or set up steady gigs ahead of time.
Interpreters and translators earn a mean hourly wage of $28, according to the BLS.
4. Sign Language Interpreter
Many events provide interpreters for their hard-of-hearing clientele. If you know sign language, look into opportunities translating on stage at events, in courtrooms and in classrooms.
If standing on stage isn’t your thing, look into opportunities to translate at mediation hearings and other smaller meetings. The average hourly pay is $31, but you can earn up to $52 per hour with this job, according to Payscale.
5. Tutor
Tutors can make well over $20 an hour. If you know your math, science and other subjects well, consider sharing your skills with students.
The more advanced and specialized the subjects, the more money you’re likely to earn. Advanced math and science courses (such as Advanced Placement calculus, Advanced Placement physics, etc.) typically earn the highest rates, which can be up to $100 per hour, according to Care.com.
6. Test Prep Instructor
Kaplan and other companies look for skilled test-takers to teach students how to succeed at important exams, including the SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT, GRE and GMAT.
Generally, you’ll need to take a sample test to prove your testing prowess and perhaps even do a sample lecture to prove you can communicate well.
Instructors can earn $29 per hour for an SAT course, according to Glassdoor.
7. Personal Chef
Cook up a storm and fill your pockets with cash by working as a personal chef. Set up a weekly gig at someone’s house, cook a series of freezer meals for a client or work special events, crafting creations for individual tastes and needs.
Personal referrals are a great way to get these gigs, which pay an average of over $23 per hour (up to $46 per hour or more), according to Payscale.
8. Personal Assistant
Drop off dry cleaning for your client, get their car’s oil changed, take their dog for a walk and pick up a birthday gift for their friend — these are just a few things you may do as a personal assistant.
Running these errands can pay off, with top-earning personal assistants making $26.75 per hour, according to Payscale.
The best way to get the highest-paying gigs is generally through word-of-mouth. Posting an ad or answering ads on Craigslist and other job forums can also help connect you with people in need of assistance.
9. Yoga Instructor
Teaching yoga can bring in an average of $25 an hour, which can go up to nearly $55 per hour, according to Payscale.
To get started as a yoga instructor, you’ll need to take a teacher training class. The most basic is typically 200 hours and includes training, instruction and a final exam. You can then advance your skills with higher-level courses.
You can work for yourself or for a dog-walking company. You should have plenty of experience handling all different types of dogs. You should also be physically fit and able to confidently control the dogs when you’re out walking.
If you work for yourself, you can make the most at this gig. If you can handle a few dogs at once, you’ll be able to earn even more. But be sure to have all the insurance you may need.
A good way to start is to advertise your services at local pet-related businesses, such as groomers, boarding facilities, doggy day cares and pet supply stores.
11. Makeup Artist
Style bridal parties’ makeup, prepare theatrical stars for their big performances and get people ready for special events as a part-time makeup artist.
Turning to a freelancing website is an excellent option when you need extra money. Whether you are looking to supplement your primary source of income for more stability or so you can treat yourself to a bit of luxury, we can help you out.
You wouldn’t be the only person hoping on the freelancing bandwagon, as nearly 5% of U.S. workers have two or more jobs. Freelancing is an excellent way to bridge the gap between your primary source of income and the land of financial security.
No matter your skillset, there’s likely someone who’s willing to pay for your services. Usually, the hardest part is making sure the freelance work is legit.
There are plenty of freelance websites out there, but plenty of those job sites are scams.
So we did the hard part for you and vetted some of the top freelance websites. They’re not freelance job aggregators that leave you to fend for yourself with clients. All the work and pay is funneled through, and moderated by, the freelancing websites themselves.
The best part? They don’t charge you money to sign up.
Each freelance website also has user reviews through Glassdoor, a jobs search engine that aggregates anonymous reviews and salaries from employees and rates companies on a scale of five stars. Each site below lists the Glassdoor rating at the bottom and links to what employees have to say about the company.
Here are nine of the best sites that can help you find freelance jobs, whether you’re looking for a one-time project or a longtime client.
(Note: The sites are listed alphabetically, not by order of importance.)
CopyPress
For budding copywriters, editors, designers and developers, CopyPress is a solid content mill to get your bearings.
The media company has in-house agencies in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Tampa, Florida. But it’s mostly used nationwide by outside contractors who collaborate on an internal content management system (CMS).
In CopyPress’ CMS, users don’t have to bid on freelance jobs. They can accept or decline tailored projects as they flow in.
CopyPress does make freelance applicants pass two tests before they get jobs. The first test is a multiple choice test that gets graded instantly. The second is a practical assessment (such as a sample article for writers) that can take up to three weeks for grading.
Don’t worry too much though―CopyPress’s training materials are more than enough to get you started on the right freelancing foot.
To get started as a CopyPress contractor, register here.
Who Can Freelance: Copywriters, editors, software developers or graphic designers. Glassdoor Rating:2.9 (out of 5) stars.
Need a banking service that’s built for freelancers? Check out Lili. (It’s free!)
Fiverr
You can find (and list) just about any service on Fiverr, a freelance marketplace through which giant brands and individuals alike can search for services they need on an internal search engine.
As a freelancer, you can list your services and prices (don’t worry, you can charge more than $5) and over time get ratings that help you rank higher in the search results.
It’s completely free to sign up as a “seller.” So is creating a listing. The service fees come in when sales are made. For each sale, Fiverr takes 20% of the purchase amount, according to the company’s terms of service. The good news is that Fiverr has a deal with PayPal to waive withdrawal fees for any project completed on the site.
Who Can Freelance: Almost anyone, including pianists, translators and mathematicians. Glassdoor Rating: 4.5 (out of 5) stars.
Freelancer
Want to deliver packages? Design websites? Write articles? Post it on Freelancer. It’s another solid freelance site for projects big and small.
On Freelancer, both employers and freelancers can create listings and specify rates per project or per hour. If you’re interested in a project an employer posted, you can bid on it. That alerts the employer that you’re interested.
The standard free membership includes eight free bids per month. You can add extra bids if you cough up some dough.
Freelancer’s fee system is somewhat complicated but lower than similar freelancer websites overall.
“The fee for fixed-price projects is 10% or $5.00 USD, whichever is greater, and 10% for hourly projects,” the website states. For services, Freelancer takes 20% from the payment amount. There are a ton of ways to promote your services, get fee exemptions and more, according to the fee breakdown.
Who Can Freelance: Almost anyone — ghostwriters and game developers alike. Glassdoor Rating: 4.2 (out of 5) stars.
Gigster
This one is for the techies.
Gigster is an on-demand software development website. Since its founding in 2013, the site has garnered the attention of well-known venture capitalists, including Michael Bloomberg and Michael Jordan. The website has received more than $32 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
While Gigster does have a core software engineering team, it offers freelance work for designers, developers and product managers through its talent network. Projects range from wireframes and mockups to full designs. Compensation is based on the complexity of the project.
Gigster uses traditional job postings, unlike other popular freelance websites. So instead of making freelancers bid on job opportunities, Gigster has them submit resumes. That may sound like more work, but keep in mind that Gigster tends to deal more in long-term contracts than one-off odd jobs.
The talent network accepts applications from a wide range of candidates, from self taught to Ph.D.s. To get started, you can apply to the appropriate role here.
Who Can Freelance: Designers, developers and product managers. Glassdoor Rating: 3.0 (out of 5) stars.
Guru
Guru runs on a bidding system. An employer needs a document translated into French? Bid on it. Someone needs a logo for their cooking blog? Bid on it. An entrepreneur needs a ghostwriter for her new thought leadership book? You get the idea… bid on it.
Alternatively, potential clients can reach out to you directly if they search your listed area of expertise.
Profiles are free to create. They include a basic membership, which comes with 10 bids per month.
There are varying levels of paid memberships that give you extra bids each month, or you can purchase more bids directly if you don’t want to pay a recurring membership fee. It’s $10 for every 20 bids, or you can get discounts for bulk — $50 for 125 bids and $100 for 250 bids.
Similar to other freelance marketplaces, Guru takes a percentage from the selling price of the service, and it varies based on what kind of membership you have.
Who Can Freelance: Almost anyone — customer service reps, legal experts, photographers and more. Glassdoor Rating: 3.8 (out of 5) stars.
nDash
Looking for writing jobs? While you can offer writing services on almost all freelance websites, nDash is tailored specifically for freelance writers looking for gigs in digital marketing.
Unlike most content mills, you can set your price expectations for projects based on the platform: blogs, in-depth articles, website copy and more. Plus, nDash lets you pitch ideas to clients–meaning you can create your own freelance opportunities.
NDash is refreshing in that it encourages freelance writers to not undersell themselves. $30 blog post? Not here. The site has helpful career advice, like guides on how to set your prices if you’re new to freelance writing as well as several videos to help you create your portfolio.
NDash’s clients include some pretty heavy hitters, including LinkedIn and HubSpot. The icing on the cake is that the NDash freelance platform doesn’t take payment fees from your earnings.
Who Can Freelance: Copywriters, marketers and journalists. Glassdoor Rating: 4.9 (out of 5) stars.
PeoplePerHour
Founded in 2007, PeoplePerHour is one of the oldest freelancing sites on the list. It’s based in the U.K. but available worldwide and to freelancers in most professional fields.
The company focuses on the quality of its freelancers. To get started at PeoplePerHour, you must apply initially to create your account. After you’re screened and approved for relevant topics or industries, you’ll have free rein to bid (or “quote”) on projects in your wheelhouse.
Basic accounts come with 15 free quotes per month. Once you burn through those, you can wait for them to renew or purchase more.
Number of Quotes
5
10
25
50
Cost
$8.95
$13.95
$21.95
$29.95
Based on the payout from the project, fees vary at marginal rates:
For the first $500 dollars with a new client, the fee is 20%.
Income between $501 and $4,999 is charged 7.5%.
Fees for payments of $5,000 or more are 3.5%.
The scale starts over with each new client, so it incentivizes recurring business.
Who Can Freelance: Experts in almost any field, from tax pros to tutors. Glassdoor Rating: 3.7 (out of 5) stars.
TopTal
Toptal is for expert software developers and designers, financial experts, project managers and product managers.
Unlike most freelancing websites, Toptal has an intense screening process that can take upwards of three weeks. Before freelancers can see job listings, they have to complete a communication assessment (that requires English comprehension), an in depth skill review, a live screening and test projects.
This process helps Toptal find the most highly skilled professionals. In fact, it boasts that when all is said and done, only 3% of applicants pass. If you make it through, you’ll have access to Toptal’s clients, some of which are top tier — Airbnb, Artsy, Pfizer and Zendesk to name a few.
According to Toptal’s website and Frequently Asked Questions, the company doesn’t take service fees from its freelancers. Rather, it charges its clients for access to its freelance talent pool. Freelancers can be hired by clients per project, part time or full time.
To create a freelancer account and begin the vetting process, start here.
Who Can Freelance: Experienced developers, designers, finance experts, project managers and product managers. Glassdoor Rating: 4.0 (out of 5) stars.
Upwork
Upwork, aka the baby of Elance and oDesk, claims to have more than 14 million users from 180 different countries, which would make it the largest freelancing platform in the world.
It’s a marketplace format, meaning gigs in just about every professional field are up for grabs. Businesses can reach out directly to you, or you can bid on a business’ job listing. With so many users, the competition is hot. Making a good profile and crafting the perfect pitch are crucial to landing a gig.
Under new Upwork fees that go into effect in Summer 2019, freelancers must pay between 15 cents and 90 cents to bid on a gig.
Once a project is completed, Upwork charges marginal fees depending on how much you’ve earned with that client.
A 20% fee for the first $500 with a client.
For $500.01 to $10,000, the fee drops to 10%.
Anything over $10,000 is charged 5%.
Again, the idea is to encourage recurring work with the client. The more they pay you, the lower the fees.
Shopping usually means spending money — but what if you could use your passion for shopping to make some money?
That’s a real possibility, thanks to the booming world of online clothing reselling.
With platforms like Mercari, Poshmark and eBay, it’s easy to launch your own online clothing resale business. These six steps will help you get started.
1. Select a Platform
Your first step? Pick a platform.
Several online marketplaces are available for you to resell your clothing. Here’s a breakdown of three of the most popular options.
eBay
Everyone knows about eBay. It’s been around since the ‘90s, and you can buy and sell nearly everything, from car parts to cribs to new and used clothing.
What’s good about selling on eBay:
You can promote your items with eBay advertising, which is a simple and affordable way to get more eyes on your item.
You can sell your products around the world.
Once you list your items, you don’t have to do much with your store to make sales
What’s not so good about eBay:
Listing items can be time-consuming due to the amount of detail required.
Your buyers have up to 180 days to make returns, which means you could be required to provide a refund up to six months after making the sale.
Buyers have two days to pay for an item after purchasing it, so you may have to wait a bit to get paid.
Shipping
You can charge a flat shipping rate or let eBay calculate it based on distance, packaging and item’s size. When you purchase your shipping label through PayPal, you’ll pay commercial shipping rates which are less expensive than purchasing a shipping label using another method.
Fees
Ebay’s fees can be a bit confusing. Your final fees will ultimately depend on the final sale price. Learn more about their selling fees.
Poshmark
Poshmark is best known as a marketplace that combines shopping with the interactivity of social media.
What’s good about selling on Poshmark:
The social aspect is great If you like being part of a community.
It’s simple to list your items.
Poshmark calculates exactly how much you’ll receive after your fees are taken out.
What’s not so good about Poshmark:
It can be time-consuming as you have to build followers, share your items, follow other sellers, list regularly and do even more to keep your store relevant.
The shipping fees can be off-putting.
There seems to be more emphasis placed on selling over buying, so there’s more competition.
Shipping
There’s a flat-rate fee of $7.11 for packages weighing 5 lbs. or less.
Fees
You pay a $2.95 fee for sales under $15 and a 20% fee for transactions over $15.
Pro Tip
Want to get started with Poshmark? These five expert tips will set you up for success.
Mercari
Mercari is a simple resale platform that gives users the ability to sell everything, including technology, handmade items, home goods — and clothing.
What’s good about selling on Mercari:
It’s easy to list your items.
The commission you have to pay is lower than some other platforms.
What’s not so good about Mercari:
Shipping
You have three options:
Buy shipping labels through Mercari at up to 60% off retail.
Purchase separate shipping.
Use Mercari’s pack and ship service.
Fees
Mercari requires that you pay a flat 10% commission on each sale. No listing fees or varying percentages.
2. Choose Your Inventory Wisely
After choosing a platform, it’s time for the fun part — shopping!
You have a few different ways to build inventory for your reselling store:
Retail arbitrage: This is when you go to buy items that are on sale at a deep discount and resell them for a profit.
Resell pallets: Retailers like Amazon and ThredUp sell resell pallets featuring customer returns in bulk. This allows you to buy a lot of inventory at a discount. You can purchase a ThredUp Rescue Box on their website. You’ll have to do some research to track down resell pallets from other retailers.
Thrifting: Thrifting is a common way to find inventory. Just visit your local thrift store and look for quality items to resell online.
When looking for inventory, you’ll want to avoid:
Items with damage, stains or holes.
Items with strong odors.
Luxury goods that aren’t authenticated. If an item doesn’t state that it’s authenticated, you’ll want to inquire about whether it is and request an authentication card or certificate.
Items missing brand or size tags.
Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder
3. Set Your Price
The price you set for your inventory can be the difference between making money and breaking even — or losing money — as a reseller.
When pricing your items, you’ll need to keep the following things in mind:
What prices similar items have sold for.
What you’ll have to pay if you offer free shipping.
The fees charged by your platform.
The costs of packaging.
Don’t forget to include the cost of your time and your overall income goals.
4. Take Pictures That Sell
Pictures are worth a thousand words — so think about what you want your items to say.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Lighting: Use natural light when possible or invest in artificial lighting that will accurately showcase your items.
Camera: Most smartphones can take high-quality pictures. Just be sure you use the right settings and angles.
Styling: Decide whether you want to use a mannequin for your items, create a flat lay, or hang them. There’s no right or wrong answer; it often comes down to preference.
Here are some more general tips to help you make the best of your visuals:
Keep your background free of clutter and distractions.
Stage your photos.
Don’t use flash.
Enhance your images with light editing.
Zoom in on the details.
Clearly show any imperfections.
5. List the Details
Your listing information — like your pictures — can make or break a sale.
It’s essential to include both basic information and any additional info to help your potential buyer make a decision.
Here are some things to include in your descriptions
Item measurements.
Color.
What occasion or activity it’s best suited for.
Anything that makes it special.
The material.
Size, including special sizes like petite, wide or big & tall.
Condition of the clothing item.
6. Promote Your Listings
Once your listings are live, you can set it and forget it, or you can promote them to try to sell your items quicker.
Here are a few ways you can promote your listings.
Social media: Set up a social media profile for your reselling business. Add images of new items to your profile listing where they can be purchased and the price. You can also consider sharing behind the scenes of your reselling business to drive traffic to your selling platforms.
Paid advertising: Some platforms like eBay and Mercari allow you to promote your listings, which helps them get seen by more people. They have a simple advertising system, so it’s easy, and you only pay if you sell the item.
Facebook groups: There’s a Facebook group for everything. Connect with other resellers and thrifting lovers to get more eyes on your store and the items you have for sale.
Quiana Darden is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Freelancer Kent McDill contributed to this report.
Think you need to work long hours to qualify for company-backed retirement plans, tuition reimbursements and affordable health insurance?
Actually, you don’t have to have to be a full-time employee to get those perks. There are many companies that offer generous benefit packages for their hourly part-time employees.
These 14 companies lead the way in offering part-time jobs with benefits. You could land a flexible role that also allows you to attend school, take care of family or do whatever you please.
14 Companies That Offer Part-Time Jobs With Benefits
If you’re looking for part-time work, start your job hunt with these employers.
1. Costco
Hourly part-time employees, who work at least 24 hours per week, can receive benefits from Costco once they’ve accumulated 450 hours. Healthcare coverage includes medical, vision, prescription drugs and core dental coverage.
All hourly employees working at least 10 hours per week can enroll in voluntary short-term disability insurance, which provides tax-free income replacement in the event of a non-work related accident or illness that prevents work.
2. Lowe’s
Part-time employees at Lowe’s are immediately eligible for medical benefits, including prescription drugs, short-term disability, life insurance and dental and vision coverage..
After one year, Lowe’s offers an employee stock purchase option to its part-time workers, as well as a 401(k) after 180 days. Eligible family members can also opt-in for group medical, dental and vision coverage and dependent life insurance.
3. REI
Part-time employees at REI become eligible for a benefits package if they work an average of 20 hours per week over a 12-month evaluation period.
The company pays the majority of employees’ medical and dental coverage and the full cost for basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), employee assistance program, business travel accident insurance and long-term disability insurance.
REI also provides a generous PTO package, a wide variety of leave options, and “Yay Days” twice a year – a program that allows employees to take part in their favorite outdoor activity, take on something new or participate in a stewardship project.
They also offer a unique public transit benefit which provides a 50% pre-tax subsidy on public transit expenses up to the current IRS limit through payroll deduction.
4. Staples
Staples offers its part-time associates access to dental and vision coverage, life, dependent life, accidental death and short-term disability insurance coverage. They’re also eligible for the company’s 401(k) plan after one year and 1,000 hours of service.
Stick with the company for a year and average 30 hours per week, and you’ll be eligible to enroll in a full-time medical plan. Staples also offers 10% employee discounts on online or retail items, adoption assistance and its own confidential employee counseling program.
Photo courtesy of Starbucks
5. Starbucks
Starbucks is well-known for its benefits program for part-time employees. All you have to do to be eligible is work at least 240 hours over three consecutive months, then continue to average 20 hours per week.
Health coverage offered by Starbucks includes routine visits, hospitalization and more, along with dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Alternative care options, like acupuncture or chiropractic treatment, are covered too. After 90 days, employees can opt-in to Starbucks’ 401(k) plan.
Other employee benefits include up to a $4,000 reimbursement for adoption expenses, confidential counseling, full tuition reimbursement, and one pound of Starbucks coffee or Teavana tea every week!
6. UPS
Part-time employees who work between 225 and 400 hours at UPS within a three month period are eligible for medical and dental coverage, vision insurance, hearing, prescription drugs and an employee assistance program.
Part-time employees who exceed 400 hours over three months are eligible for the same benefits as full-time employees.
Part-time employees can also take advantage of the Earn and Learn tuition assistance program that provides up to $5,250 in assistance per calendar year (with a lifetime maximum of $25,000). Eligibility begins on the day of hire.
7. Trader Joe’s
After three months and working an average of 30 hours per week, Trader Joe’s “crew members” are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage at a cost as low as $25 per month.
The company also offers a matching 401(k) plan and contributes 10% of a crew member’s salary annually to the plan, according to an employee.
Other employee benefits include a 20% store discount, scholarship programs, store tastings, employee assistance programs and paid relocation and transfers.
8. Aerotek
Aerotek is one of the world’s leading staffing agencies. Part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible for contributory medical, dental and vision insurance.
The company also offers a 401(k) and 529 plan, a tuition reimbursement after six months, dependent care flex spending accounts, a free counseling service and an employee discount program with Aerotek’s many retail partners.
9. Chipotle
All hourly crew members at Chipotle are eligible for its robust benefits package that includes medical, vision and dental insurance, as well as a 401(k) match after one year of employment.
Part-time employees also receive a salary percentage-based annual bonus, mental health assistance, education assistance up to $5,250 annually, stock purchase plan, gym membership discounts and one free meal per shift. Free burritos on Chipotle!
10. JPMorgan Chase
The global banking institution offers benefits to its part-time employees, after 90 days, who work between 20 and 40 hours per week.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and accident, disability, before-tax flexible spending accounts and group legal services. JPMorgan Chase also offers a 401(k) match starting at 3% annually and increasing by 1% every year up to a maximum of 5%.
Other offered benefits are an employee stock purchase plan, a comprehensive health and wellness program, parental leave, backup child care options and discounts on banking services.
Letter carriers load mail trucks for deliveries at a U.S. Postal Service facility in McLean, Va., Friday, July 31, 2020. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo
11. USPS
The United States Postal Service hires career and non-career (temporary/seasonal) workers. Part-time career workers are eligible for its benefits package which includes the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program – a plan in which the federal government pays two-thirds of the health insurance premiums for employees and retirees.
They also offer federal group life insurance (FGLI), and federally-backed long-term care, dental and vision and a flex spending account.
The USPS retirement system, also available for part-time career workers, offers a fixed annuity based on years of service, a defined contribution 401(k) THRIFT Savings Plan with a 5% employer match and Social Security.
12. Wal-Mart
Part-time and temporary associates at Wal-Mart who work an average of at least 30 hours per week over a 60-day period are eligible for benefits.
After the initial 60 days, associates must wait another 60 days to enroll. Once you enroll you’re eligible for the remainder of the calendar year as well as the year after. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, AD&D, critical illness insurance and accident insurance, as well as a 6% 401(k) match after one year and a 10% in-store discount.
Wal-Mart also offers Resources for Living – a free counseling service that offers unlimited phone support anytime and up to 10 no-cost counseling sessions or 10 free weeks of no-cost, chat-based therapy.
13. American Red Cross
Employees at this major nonprofit are eligible for part-time health benefits if they work 20 hours per week Those who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for full-time benefits.
The American Red Cross also offers a 401(k) plan with a match up to 4%.
14. Home Depot
Part-time employees at the home improvement retailer are eligible for dental, vision, short-term disability and life insurance.
Robert Bruce is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Former staff writer Lisa Rowan contributed to this post.
The rapid changes we experienced worldwide to slow the spread of the coronavirus were, to put it lightly, tough on the wallet.
Whether your work hours have been reduced, you’ve been laid off from a full-time job, or you need a break from gigs that don’t allow social distancing (like rideshare or grocery delivery), finding a new source of income without leaving home can be daunting.
Side gigs are a great way to bolster your bank account, and you can find a ton of online gigs that never require you to leave the house.
Side Gigs You Can Do From Home
Here are some completely-at-home gigs for a variety of skill levels and interests.
1. Find Freelance Creative Work
As businesses cut costs in anticipation of a recession, many are outsourcing work to freelancers. If you’ve wanted to break into freelancing, the increased demand makes this a good time to do it.
Here are some common creative tasks companies hire freelancers for:
CopyPress is a good, low-paid place to start if you’re new to freelancing in copywriting, design and development.
Fiverr moved beyond quirky $5 services long ago, and is a legitimate freelance marketplace to list your services.
Freelancer lets you browse online gigs in writing, editing, design, development and more.
Gigster is an on-demand software development site that hires freelance designers, developers and product managers to supplement its in-house team.
Guru lets you bid on gigs based on a wide range of expertise — think, translation to editing to graphic design to ghostwriting.
Need a banking service that’s built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It’s free!)
2. Be a Virtual Assistant
Don’t have creative experience? You could instead find freelance work as a virtual assistant. These tend to be entry-level jobs offering support for businesses or individuals in things like:
Data entry
Scheduling
Event coordination
Social media and writing
Website or blog production
Client communications
Lots of online business owners employ freelance, part-time virtual assistants. It can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a new business, see the inner workings of a startup or just earn extra cash when you need it.
Look for people or companies hiring virtual assistants via these gig sites:
For very short-term work, you might even be able to contact companies going remote for the first time and offer some assistance. If you’re comfortable with remote-work technology, like messaging apps and video conferencing tools, pitch a training or offer yourself as a consultant to help teams adjust.
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3. Teach English Online
Online English teachers for non-native speakers are in high demand around the world, and requirements to get started are relatively simple.
You’ll teach English to pupils around the world, most often elementary-age kids in China, through companies that facilitate scheduling, video conferencing, lesson planning and payment. Like any tutoring gig, you decide what happens in each session.
You’ll set your own schedule, but some companies require a minimum number of teaching hours per week (usually less than 10), and working with China-based students means you have to be available on U.S. time in early-morning or late-evening hours.
These companies offer online classes where you’ll tutor individuals or groups of kids in English:
Boxfish: Earn $10 per 25-minute class with one to four students. Pre-schedule or offer on-demand classes with individual students as you’re available.
Cambly: Earn 17 cents per minute to teach children and adults around the world. No degree or onboarding process required.
Italki: Set your hourly rate between $4 and $80, and work as many or as few hours as you want.
QKids: Earn $16 to $22 per hour with a minimum commitment of 12 half-hour lessons per week for six months.
Rosetta Stone: Work part-time eight to 15 hours per week, and earn benefits including holiday pay and a 401(k) plan.
VIPKid: Earn $14 to $22 per hour teaching Chinese grade-schoolers with one of the most well-known companies in the space.
English fluency (Some, but not all, require native speakers.)
Interest in working with young children or teenagers
A tablet, smartphone or computer with a web camera
High-speed internet that can facilitate video conferencing
Props for young learners, such as a whiteboard, puppets, posters and musical instruments
Some companies require you to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, and some only hire residents of the United States or Canada.
With most companies, you’ll fill out an online application, schedule a video interview and possibly teach a practice session before you’re onboarded as a teacher. Cambly and Italki let you simply create a profile and schedule sessions, so you could make money faster with those.
4. Teach Music, Art, Cooking or Anything You Love
As people have picked up forgotten hobbies, lessons are in demand. If you’ve got skills, make money teaching.
You can teach live lessons over Skype in just about any subject. Get some lessons on the calendar quickly by promoting the service to your friends and community on social media.
To grow the business in the long term, start a blog on your subject to attract new customers. Or put your class on a site that can connect you with students looking for your skill, such as:
TakeLessons: Create a free profile to list your skill and let students find you to book live online lessons in things like teaching music, art, language, acting or dance.
Playing video games in all your stay-at-home free time? Online video game tournaments could help you earn money for the skills you’ve honed — as long as it’s allowed in your state.
Professional gamers can win tens of thousands of dollars per tournament and make a living playing video games. For everyday gamers, tons of tournament websites give you the opportunity to win between $1 and $10,000 per match. Check out these sites:
GamerSaloon: Compete for prizes between $9 and $10,000 in games including Apex Legends, Call of Duty, FIFA, Fortnite, NBA, NFL and UFC.
MLG GameBattles: Some tournaments pay in non-cash prizes, like achievements. Cash tournaments pay out well, though, between $100 and $400. Trending games include Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Fortnite and Gears of War.
Players’ Lounge: Challenge other players, and make a wager between $2.50 and $500 in games including Apex Legends, Fortnite, Madden and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
World Gaming: Cash prizes in weekly tournaments for games including Apex Legends, FIFA, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Madden and Super Smash Bros range from $100 to $200.
XY Gaming: Join tournaments in games including Dota 2, League of Legends and Smite to win virtual coins or cash prizes.
Most sites offer both free-to-enter and pay-to-enter tournaments. Paying to enter could be worth your money for a big payout, but keep an eye on your spending to keep this potential money-maker from turning into an expensive new hobby.
7. Work for a Political or Advocacy Campaign
Virtual campaigning and phone banking has grown in popularity in recent election cycles, anyway, but social isolation will make it more important this year than ever. Put your political, social media, marketing or organizing skills to work for a campaign or advocacy group.
Search for political jobs through any job site, such as Indeed, and check out these niche campaign job boards:
Political Job Hunt: This nonpartisan job board by the creator of the Political Wire blog lists jobs in politics and government.
Work For Progress: Find jobs with progressive organizations in The Public Interest Network working on issues including environment and health.
RNC jobs: Work for the Republican National Committee.
DNC jobs: Work for the Democratic National Committee.
Idealist: This site lists jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities with progressive nonprofit organizations.
8. Perform Online
Anyone who makes a living performing — like a musician or comedian — has taken a hit as shows were canceled to keep people at home. But if you’ve got a fan base, you could move your shows online and collect money directly from viewers.
Here are some ideas:
Let fans subscribe through Patreon to receive periodic updates from you, such as recorded videos or live virtual performances.
Stream your performance through Instagram Live, and ask for donations through Venmo or PayPal.
Post videos on YouTube and collect advertising revenue.
9. Help With Bookkeeping, Accounting or Tax Prep
Learning to be a bookkeeper or earning a financial certification to pick up gig work could take some time. But if you already know how to do the work — especially if you have some experience — you can perform any of these jobs online.
You can find virtual bookkeeping or accounting jobs on the same job boards that list their in-person counterparts. Just add “virtual” or “remote” to narrow your search. And don’t be afraid to ask whether remote work is an option, even if it’s not mentioned in the listing.
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10. Get Paid for Online Research
A company called Wonder offers a unique work-from-home gig anyone can do: online researcher.
Companies and individuals tell Wonder what they’re working on — a marketing campaign, business plan or research paper, for example — and Wonder assigns questions to its community of researchers. That’d be you!
Common questions researchers answer are related to business or marketing, such as:
Determining the size of a market for an industry or product.
Explaining a trend.
Competitor analysis.
You’ll accept an assignment, gather information and write an easy-to-digest report. Researchers are paid per project. Wonder says top researchers can earn $15 to $25 per hour, but a former Wonder researcher told The Penny Hoarder you should expect closer to $13.
11. Be a Transcriptionist
Transcription involves listening to audio or video files and typing what you hear. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
You have to have pristine attention to detail and be a pretty adept typist. The work can become repetitive, because you may have to listen to parts of the audio several times to make sure you get the words right. Most companies require a typing test, and some require a grammar quiz or a sample transcription before you can join their roster.
But it’s a flexible gig you can do from home with nothing but a computer, internet connection and probably a good pair of headphones. Many online transcription companies let you claim work as you want, so you can work as much or little as you want.
Here are a few companies that hire inexperienced transcriptionists to help you get your start:
You could also strike out on your own and offer transcription services directly to earn more money. Transcribe Anywhere offers courses to teach you transcription and how to start a freelance transcription business.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) has been writing and editing since 2011, covering personal finance, careers and digital media. Freelancer Larissa Runkle contributed to this report.
