Let’s be real, we could all use a little more money to help pay the bills and enjoy our lives, especially with everything we’re going through during the pandemic! If you’re in need of some extra cash but don’t have the ability or opportunity to earn it at your 9-5, a work-from-home side hustle could be the answer you’ve been searching for.

While pursuing a side hustle isn’t always as easy as it seems, this avenue can definitely open up new doors and opportunities. First, you’ll need to determine early on if you plan to invest any money into this new endeavour and what that budget may look like. You’ll need to ensure you aren’t pursuing anything that could be deemed a conflict of interest with your day job, and that you’re able to schedule the time needed to commit to another venture. If this sounds like something you can manage, you’ll want to consider these top work-from-home side hustles to help you bring in some extra coin.

Blogging

If you enjoy writing and you’ve always wanted to build a personal brand for yourself, pursuing blogging as a side hustle may be the right fit for you. Choose a niche you know well and commit to creating a blog and generating content on a regular basis. Whether you’re adding affiliate links to your blogs or pursue paid ad opportunities, it’s important to note that this is not a get-rich-quick scheme and will likely take time to build/grow into something that can earn you a regular salary. If you’re passionate about blogging, you could even start an online store or drop-shipping business and create a blog to promote it. This way you can monetize your asset while you continue to build your blog audience and online clout.

Taking Online Paid Surveys

Chances are you know at least one person who’s actively involved in taking online paid surveys. This little side hustle can earn you a few hundred dollars each month if you choose the right survey platforms and stay active on them regularly. It’s important to note that this side hustle isn’t going to make you rich, but it will put some extra money in your pocket each month to help you pay off debt or save for that well-deserved vacation you’ve been dreaming of. Some options you may want to check out include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie and DailyRewards.

Proofreading

If you’re the type of person who cringes when someone uses the wrong verb tense or if they don’t know the difference between your and you’re, proofreading may be a great opportunity for you to earn extra cash from home. As a proofreader, you’d be responsible for looking over and polishing up written content for website owners, bloggers, content writers and more. This option offers flexible work hours and allows you to take on as much or as little work as you want.

Shopping Online With Cash-Back Websites

If you’re looking for an easy way to make extra cash that doesn’t require setting aside extra time or pursuing a part-time job, getting paid to shop is the perfect fit for you! Using apps that give you cash back every time you shop will help you pad your pockets with extra money by doing what you already love doing … shopping online. Look into options like Koho, TopCashback or Caddle that pay you in cash or gift cards when you shop through their apps at retailers you already love.

Walking Dogs Or Pet Sitting

With more and more people returning to the office, the need for dog walkers and pet sitters is increasing. If you’re good with animals, this is a great opportunity to earn some cash on the side while doing something you love. You can sign up with a service like Rover to create a pet sitting profile or create your own small business and advertise your services to friends, family and neighbours on social media.

Teaching Online

Teaching abroad has long been a popular way for Canadians to earn a living while teaching their native language to children in faraway countries. In many countries like China, parents place a high value on English education so online tutors/teachers can earn anywhere from roughly $14-$26 per hour without even leaving home. If you have a bachelor’s degree, a computer and a stable internet connection, you can join sites like VIPKID, Skooli, TeachPartTime, Cambly or TutorMe to become an English tutor and start making the extra money you need. Just be sure you’re aware in advance of what the requirements are for being an online tutor.

Driving For DoorDash Or Skip The Dishes

You’ve probably ordered from food delivery services like DoorDash or Skip The Dishes more times than you can count, but have you ever considered working for them? The delivery market is growing exponentially, especially amidst the pandemic, and there’s money to be made for anyone who wants to get in on the action.

As a part-time driver, you set your schedule and pick up hours when/if you need them. Your job is to pick up prepaid orders from restaurants (or sometimes place the order and wait) and then deliver directly to the customer’s door.

DoorDash is an especially good opportunity in this industry, offering drivers a competitive hourly rate and generous vacation/sick days. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a vehicle, flexible schedule and good insurance to pursue this side hustle.

Virtual Assistant

As more and more services move into the digital realm, the value of a virtual assistant continues to grow exponentially. Whether you’re in charge of handling billing, responding to emails, scheduling meetings or keeping your client on-task and organized, being a virtual assistant is a great way to get paid to showcase your time management and communication skills.

Transcription Services

This job involves converting audio into written words. If you’re patient, a good listener, good with grammar and a fast/accurate typist, being a transcriptionist may be a good fit for a side hustle. Depending on your skill level and educational background, you can work as a general transcriptionist or a specialized one who focuses on certain niches like medical or legal. You’ll likely make around $15 – $25 per hour or more depending on which industry you’re transcribing for.

Freelance Writing

If you enjoy writing and are quite good at creating written content, you may want to consider pursuing freelance writing as a side hustle. You can work within your own schedule and contract your services out to companies or startups that need assistance with writing things like job descriptions, grants, blogs, digital campaign content, resumes, email newsletters, print articles, press releases and more. Keep in mind that you’ll need to invest some time into creating a brand for yourself to seek out different clients.

Selling On Etsy Or Amazon

If you collect vintage items or make your own handmade products, you should consider selling things online via Etsy, Amazon or even your own Shopify store.

Pursuing a side hustle from home puts you in control of your schedule, helps you save more money and control your workflow so you can achieve your ideal work-life balance without sacrificing your sleep or free time. Whether you pursue options based on your skillset/current career or decide to step out of your comfort zone and try something totally new, there are plenty of side hustle options that can help you earn the extra money you’re looking for.