How to Make Money Without a Job

Let’s be honest, times have gotten hard for many. And with rising inflation, constant layoffs, and having to jump through a bunch of different hoops just to get an interview, many people are worried about money.

But what happens when you’re unemployed and still need to pay your bills? Or maybe you’re unable to work a regular job due to other reasons outside of your control but still need to earn some money.

Here’s what you need to know about how to make money without a job.

Tips on How to Make Money Without a Job

Before we dive into things you can do to earn money, let’s first discuss how to get prepared to make do without a job.

Make a Bare Bones Budget

You need to know how much you can realistically spend when you’re not bringing in a consistent income. To do this, create a bare bones budget so you know your expenses.

Keep in mind that a bare bones budget doesn’t include items like clothing, extras, or entertainment. A bare bones budget is just that — what it takes to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly.

So remember to only write down what you truly need to pay for, and then focus on making money to pay those bills.

Related: How to Come Up With a Bare Bones Budget

Talk to Your Creditors

Next up, you may need to talk to creditors, especially if you have various debts or a lot of debt that needs to be paid month to month. While there is no guarantee that your creditors will give you extensions on what you owe, it’s worth a shot!

Some may cancel or lower interest rates, give you an extension, or may be able to lower your minimum payments for a certain amount of time while you get back on your feet. It never hurts to ask, just be polite!

Update Your Resume/Portfolio

Of course, if you’re trying to find a job, now is the perfect time to update your resume, portfolio, or both. You can usually do this yourself using tools like ChatGPT and Canva.

If you want professional help, look into lower-cost options like resume builder sites. Also, don’t forget to submit a cover letter, you’d be surprised at how they catch the eyes of recruiters and HR!

Don’t Lose Hope

Last but not least, don’t lose hope if you can’t find a job right away. Times are hard for lots of Americans, and you’re not alone. As long as you’re trying and working towards a goal, you shouldn’t feel guilt or shame.

Ways to Make Money Without A Job

Now, let’s talk about how you can bring in an income without a job!

Donate Plasma

Selling plasma can be a simple way to supplement your income without working a job or even putting in much effort. Plasma donation facilities pay quite a bit for plasma donations, and many also offer childcare so you can do so while your kid(s) being watched.

While you’ll need to reach certain requirements (be over a certain weight, not be iron deficient, etc.), donating is easy. You’ll sit in a chair for 90-120 minutes while donating plasma.

During that time, you can do other work or relax and get paid as soon as you’re done! You may be able to earn $1,000 in your first month as a new donor, depending on where you donate.

Rent out Your Home, Space, or Car

Do you have a space that you can rent out? This can be a shed, basement, extra room, RV, or even your car. If you have the space, you can rent it out for a certain fee.

For example, sites like Turo allow you to rent out your car to drivers who need a rental. Airbnb is a great place to rent out a room, separate space, or even your RV. You can even rent out unfurnished spaces like your driveway with sites like ParkingForMe or Neighbor. You can set your own rates and times, making it easy to earn money with what you already have.

Offer Care

Are you good with kids, pets, or cleaning? If so, you can be a babysitter, dog sitter, or even a house sitter. And the best part about these side hustle options is that you don’t have to do it in your own home, so no chance of messing it up!

You could even travel around the US if you wanted to, especially with a gig like housesitting. Sites like Care.com, TrustedHousesitters, and Rover are great places to start based on what you enjoy doing.

Sell Your Clutter

Do you have items lying around the house that you don’t use or need? To generate some fast money, sell them. You can sell things you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, local consignment stores, and even online retailers like Decluttr.

This also translates to more money in your pocket and less clutter in your house.

Start a Blog

If you enjoy writing and want an eventual passive income opportunity, you can always start a blog! First, it’s crucial to mention that a blog won’t make you rich overnight. It does take work and dedication.

However, there are numerous ways to make money, such as through affiliate marketing, your own products, or even site advertisements. And, you can earn more money by writing sponsored posts for other sites or providing services of some kind, like consulting, freelance writing, and more.

Related: How to Start a Blog With Bluehost

Take Surveys

Let’s be honest, you’re not going to make millions from taking surveys online. But taking online surveys is an easy and well-liked way to earn a little extra cash without a job. There are multiple sites you can do this on, including Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, and Survey Junkie, just to name a few.

You can accumulate reward points, which you can then redeem for money, coupons, or gift cards. These can then pay for things like groceries, small bills, and other items.

Related: 8 Best Apps For Surveys That Pay Real Money

2023 Branded Surveys Review: Is It Legit?

Survey Junkie Review: Make Extra Money with Survey Sites That Are Worth Your Time

Participate in Focus Groups

Want to be paid a little more for your time? Try a site like UserTesting or User Interviews. These sites have you test websites or products, or simply share experiences for cash or gift cards.

Both pay significantly more than surveys but keep in mind that you won’t always qualify for the tests. If you do qualify and finish the tasks, you can earn anywhere from $10 to $125 for your time.

Related: How to Make Money With Focus Groups

10 Legitimate Best Paying Focus Group Websites

Start a Side Hustle

Almost everyone has a skill that they can use to earn money. If you’re organized and love decluttering, maybe you can offer to clean or organize people’s homes for money. Having a degree in a skill like data or project management means you can offer your skills on sites like Upwork or Fiverr.

If you’re a teacher, you can teach or tutor online with sites like Outschool. And if you’re a handyman, you can always offer repairs or building on sites like TaskRabbit.

Whatever your skills, don’t be afraid to do some research on what you can offer and any legalities for your city and state so you can start and earn money.

Related: 20 Ways to Make Extra Money Today

Pick Up Gig Work

If you have a car (or even a bike in some cases!) you can try gig work for some extra cash. You could shop for groceries using apps like Instacart, or deliver food with apps like GrubHub or DoorDash. If you have it available in your area, you could also deliver packages with Amazon as a gig worker.

And if you’re willing to get a certification, you could even be a medical courier! There are so many ways to make money working as a gig worker.

Summary: How to Make Money Without a Job

As you can see, there are so many different ways that you can make money, even if you don’t have a job. While some of these gigs take more time and effort than others, they can all help you pay your bills until you find a new opportunity!