27 Ways to Make Extra Money From Home

There’s never been a better time to make a little extra cash—especially from the comfort of your home. We’ve all heard stories about a business owner who made it big by working hard, risking it all, and turning a tiny side hustle into a thriving business . . . all from their kitchen table.  

If you’ve been bit by the entrepreneurial bug and want to know how to make money from home, look no further.

How to Make Money From Home

Maybe you want to get gazelle intense to pay off your debt even faster (woo-hoo!). Or maybe you’re ready to see if this hobby you’ve been tinkering with can actually make you some money. Either way, making extra money from home has never been easier.

So, if you’re wondering how to make money from home, start thinking about your passions and hobbies, as well as what you have to work with. Then you can dream up ideas!

Need some inspiration? Here are 27 ideas to help get your side-hustle-from-home wheels turning:  

Products You Can Make and Sell

Let’s start our list by going over 15 items you can make yourself and sell for a profit.

1. Custom Jewelry

Jewelry is a great place to start because simple, dainty necklaces are currently on trend. All you need is string, some beads and a tassel or pendant to start. Did you know Kendra Scott began her now-multimillion-dollar jewelry business with just $500 for supplies? (Now you do!)

If you want to dip your toes in the water before buying expensive gems, try ordering wholesale beads online or picking up an inexpensive box at your local craft store using coupons. Don’t forget to price your jewelry based on the cost of your materials and the time it took you to make it.

2. Scented Candles

This one has so much potential because it’s cost-efficient and people love candles. You can start out with a simple glass jar and a just few dollars’ worth of supplies. And think creatively! There’s a guy in Nashville who cuts the top off empty local craft beer bottles, fills them with wax and a wooden wick, and sells them for $15 apiece. He gets to enjoy the beer on the front end and support another local business through his inventory. Cheers to that! Think of other unique pieces you could use like mason jars, small flower pots, wine bottles and more.

3. Organic Dog Treats

Everything organic is in high demand right now, and that means you can make it in your own home! A homemade dog treat free from artificial ingredients will have dog lovers loving your product.

There are endless recipes and sweet designs you can pull up for inspiration. All you have to do is Google “organic dog treats.” Bonus tip: If you have a dog of your own, they’ll enjoy taste testing and “cleaning up” any burnt batches.

4. Baby Blankets

Ask any mom out there, and they’ll all agree: You can never have too many baby blankets.

If you know how to knit or sew, or if you simply have an eye for fabric prints, making baby blankets could be your money-maker. You don’t even need a fancy, expensive sewing machine to get started. You can make adorable and soft no-sew fleece tie blankets, and then use your profit to sign up for a sewing or knitting class to expand your product line.

5. Barnwood Signs

Everyone loves barnwood decor. So, if you’re great with a table saw (or any saw), this idea might be up your alley. And if not, pull out your best paintbrush and get to painting.

Check Craigslist and flea markets for cheap wood and pallets, and then get creative. And you’d be surprised at the number of newspapers, construction companies and hardware stores that just give away their wooden pallets for free. Their loss is your gain. Score!

6. Upcycled Furniture

Remember the shabby chic phase? While chalk paint may not be as “in” as it used to be, upcycling furniture is still here to stay. Search your local flea markets, yard sales, estate sales and even Facebook Marketplace for old (and really cheap) furniture. With some elbow grease, sanding, reupholstering, and maybe a fresh coat of paint, that old dresser will be as good as new. And now you can sell it for double what you paid for it.

7. Cards and Invitations

Three words: custom holiday cards! This is a great way to make extra money from home if you have design skills, because if you do good work, people will want to come back every year! Think of all those holidays, birthdays, wedding shower invitations, baby shower invitations and more that you could be a part of creating!  

8. Christmas Ornaments

People love to celebrate milestones and life experiences with ornaments! Whether it’s Christmastime or the middle of June, opening a “Baby’s First Christmas” or “Our First Christmas” ornament is guaranteed to get the most heartfelt reaction.

Get creative with glass, wood and knickknacks, or make your own using clay! You never know—you could end up with repeat clients for years to come!

9. Gift Baskets

This idea may not be groundbreaking, but it’s sure to give you a return on your investment. Why? Because everyone loves a good gift basket. And the possibilities are endless. You could make themed baskets depending on the celebration: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, housewarming . . . or even one for the college student pulling an all-nighter.

10. Door Wreaths

Door wreaths are one of those things that add just the right amount of welcoming touch to your home. Plus, they’re fairly easy to make! If you’re not the crafty type, this may not be the best money-making move for you. But if you’re handy with a hot glue gun, roll up your sleeves and grab some ribbon.

Just like with gift baskets, wreaths are the perfect way to keep yourself in business for years to come. They’re so easy to personalize! Sure, you could go with the traditional, seasonal wreaths. Or you could create a line of college football wreaths and market them during football season! If you’ve never made a wreath before, ask your local craft store for a lesson (or search YouTube for a tutorial).

11. Soaps, Lotions and Beauty Products

It’s time to dust off your high school chemistry skills! If you want to try your hand at making beauty products, there’s a ton of recipes online. With a little research, some beta testers, and trial and error, you could create a thriving business. Plus, everyone is always on the lookout for the next best product. Why shouldn’t it be yours?

Just think about what your unique position can be within this space—what will your soap or beauty product do for your customer? That’s the angle you want to lead with in your marketing.

12. Halloween Costumes

Every mom on the planet has the best intentions for their child at Halloween. They spend weeks trying to put together the perfect costume for their kiddos only to end up buying one from Target that looks like every other kid’s. Why not step into the space and provide handmade, unique costumes that no one else will have? All the moms of the world will thank you. Now . . . get to work!

13. Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Let’s talk ugly Christmas sweaters. It might seem like a crazy idea, but it’s something everybody wants at Christmas but no one can find. Everyone has a story about searching every Goodwill store within a 10-mile radius and coming up short. And that’s where you come in.

You could start by purchasing some mediocre sweaters or thrifting (that’s where the deals are). After you have a few sweaters, it’s time to let your inner kindergartner run wild!

14. Baby Clothes

One thing is certain: There won’t be a shortage of kids anytime soon. And growing kids means more clothes. If you have the gift of sewing (or want to learn), this idea may be your next business. Parents (especially moms-to-be and every grandma on the planet) go wild for cute kid’s clothes. Search online for basic patterns, or design them yourself. Then order some fun fabric and get to work!

15. Sensory Bins for Kids

Want an easy business idea that’s sure to put smiles on parents’ and kids’ faces everywhere? It’s called a sensory bin. The idea is to create a bin of objects with different textures, shapes and sizes to help kids play in ways that help them explore their senses. These bins are a great way to keep kids engaged, growing and even learning as they play.

You could create seasonal boxes or customize them to the child’s interests. This idea is a win-win for both the parent and the kid. Plus, it’s easy to assemble!

Services You Can Provide

Next, we’ll dive into services you can provide to others as a side hustle. To get a good idea which options could be the best fit, take our free side hustle quiz.

16. Private or Online Tutor

Do you have the heart of a teacher? Are you knowledgeable on a certain subject? If so, you could make a lasting impact on students (of any age) by becoming a tutor! Not only would you help a student excel and grow in a subject, but it’s something you can easily do from home (thanks to Zoom!).

17. Party Rentals

Turns out, the party rental business can be a great way to make money! With 365 days in a year, there’s sure to be a party happening on any given day of the week. With a little bit of investment up front, you could purchase some party tents, string lights, Bluetooth speakers, furniture and decor. As you make more money, you could add to your party package! Market yourself to wedding planners, schools, neighborhoods (did someone say block party?) and more.

For this business to skyrocket, you’ll need to keep some good photos of the events, get good reviews, and ask people to spread the love through word of mouth!

18. Pet Photographer

Want to be a photographer but not sure how to set yourself apart? Maybe pets can be your niche! When you take a skill like photography and focus on a market that isn’t served as often (like pet owners), you may just see your business take off!

Plus, you can market your services at your local veterinarian’s office and pet stores—and you can even partner with the humane society for events!

19. Music Teacher

Some people are born with a natural talent for music. And others . . . are not. That’s where you come in. If you can read music, have a passion for sharing the gift of music with others, and are gifted with the ability to teach, this might be your jam. Are you a singer? Maybe you play the keys . . . or even the keytar. The best part is, you don’t have to leave your house! And if you’re up for it, you could even offer virtual lessons too.

20. Florist

If you have a love of flowers (and a greater love for making things beautiful), this might be your gig. If you want a tutorial, spend time learning with a MasterClass, on YouTube, or take some classes at your local art center.

And who says you need a storefront to be a florist? Clear out a space in your home for your tools, flowers and everything else you might need to create beautiful bouquets.

21. Professional Editor

Are you a gifted proofreader? Are you able to catch misspelled words, wrong comma placement, and help make others’ words shine? If so, becoming a freelance editor might be your next gig. Not only can you do it from the comfort of your home office, but you’ll find that there’s a huge need for your work. And if you want to make it official, you can take an editing course to keep yourself sharp.

22. Calligrapher

Love hand-lettering? Try dipping your pen into calligraphy! Calligraphers can charge anywhere from $2–5 per envelope. This means if you made 200 envelopes at $5 a piece, you just made $1,000! Even if you simply have neat handwriting, you could still offer a lower price for your naturally beautiful font.

23. House Sitter

This idea is very underrated and such an easy way to make money from home (well, someone else’s home). If you’re single or even in college, this might be the perfect side gig for you. Plus, you get to stay in some pretty cool houses and get paid for it in exchange for the homeowner’s peace of mind. And if they have pets, you can charge even more!

24. Freelance Writer

You may have heard that every business is in the content business, and it’s true! There’s a growing need for freelance writers to write on virtually any topic you can think of! Whether you’re telling a story, reviewing a restaurant, or writing a how-to guide, businesses need that valuable content you can provide.

Get started by writing on subjects that you’re already familiar with, then pitch your ideas or articles to websites, businesses and newsletters in that line of work. Keep in mind you will likely experience rejection—a lot—early on. But once you’re published, even for just one or two recognizable names or websites, the doors will start to open.

25. Makeup Artist

If you enjoy making people look and feel good, this is a great way to make extra money. You can start small by doing makeup from your living room. High schoolers are always in need of makeup for senior pictures, prom, homecoming and more. And you can even host bridal parties too!

While becoming a makeup artist can be a sizable investment on the front end—you’ll need quality brushes, a carrying case, and of course, the makeup—you’ll be able to make a lot of money in a short amount of time once you get started!

26. Social Media Manager

Do you know the ins and outs of Instagram stories? Have you mastered targeted ads on Facebook? Do you love engaging on social media, taking pictures, and connecting with others? You might be the missing piece to a local business’s marketing plan!

Being on social media is no longer optional for businesses. It’s critical for them to have some form of social media presence. But not everyone wants to take the time and energy it requires to build their brand on different platforms. That’s where you come in.

27. Virtual Assistant

Are you left-brained, detail-oriented and super organized? Becoming a virtual assistant might be the side hustle of your dreams! Most entrepreneurs would pay big bucks to someone like you to help them get and stay organized so they can focus on the bigger picture.

Start reaching out to your social network and let them know you’re open for business. You can also reach out to local small-business owners to see if they’re in need of the help.

Win With Money (and Your Future Business)

Well . . . hopefully that kicked your creative mojo into high gear so you can make money from home. So, what now? If you want to turn your side hustle into a full-out business, pick up a copy of Business Boutique to learn how you can make money doing what you love. It’ll be your instruction manual as you navigate your side hustle from home. 

Now, let’s talk about finances. One of the best things you can do is to get your personal finances in order. And that all starts with a budget. When you do a budget every month—before the month begins—you’d be surprised at how much it sets you up for success.

A budget will help you learn your money habits, track your spending, and help you save more money. That’s where EveryDollar (our free budgeting app) comes in. It will teach you how to do a zero-based budget (where your expenses minus your income equals zero) leaving you in the driver’s seat of your finances (and your business).