This post has been updated for 2021

Dreaming about what it would be like to make money from home?  You’re not alone.  A survey from Owl Labs showed that 23% of workers would consider a 10% cut in pay if they could work from home.  Whether you want the extra income to pay down debt or save for a vacation, having extra cash on hand is always nice.  The great thing about today’s marketplace is that you have many opportunities to put extra money in your pocket from the comfort of your home.  With that being said, you need to know which job opportunities are legit and not a scam.  Lucky for you, we have done the legwork for you.

What’s New in Ways To Make Money From Home for 2021

Considering Being a Virtual Assistant

If you are super organized and great at time management, consider a job as a virtual assistant.  This job can be performed from anywhere and is quickly becoming the hot new side hustle or even full time gig.  Check out sites like Remote.co, Upwork, FlexsJobs, and Indeed.com for legitimate work. Keep in mind, you need to speak fluent English, have excellent time management skills and be able to communicate effectively.

Websites like Tutor.com,  Skooli, and Tutor Me are great resources for trying out the online tutoring space. You can also check out freelancer job sites like Freelancer.com, Upwork, and Fiverr.  If you speak more than one language, are proficient in math or can play an instrument, this is a great option to start earning some money with your talents!

Below are 10 legitimate ways to make money from home

1. Ebates

This is a cash-back shopping site that will give you a $10 gift card just for signing up and earning your first cash-back rebate.  You do need to make a minimum purchase of $25 within 90 days on the site.  Your account will then get credited with points that you can redeem for a gift card.   Now, you do want to be careful with this one because the whole premise is you need to spend money to get money.  You don’t want to be tempted to go on a shopping spree.  Try to stick to the $10 gift card!

 2. Get Paid for Your Opinion

Taking surveys are not going to replace your day job but they are easy to get started with.  They don’t require much effort and if you do them enough, you can rack up some money.  Check out legitimate paying survey sites like SurveyJunkie and Paidviewpoint to get started.  Here you can find a list of the top 11 sites for taking online surveys.

3.  Invest Your Spare Change

The Acorns app offers a simple way to save and invest spare change.  It takes your credit or debit card purchases and rounds them up to the nearest dollar and then invests the change.  You can start with as little as $5 and watch it grow from there.  This app is great because you don’t need to have any knowledge about investing.  It takes care of if for you.

4.  Get Cash Back

Ibotta is another free and popular cash-back app that has more than 50 retailers in its program. Before going to the store, do a search for the items you plan on buying and add them to your list in the app.  When you get home, upload your receipt and scan the barcode on your purchased items.  As an example, you can get 25 cents back for strawberries or $2 back for L’Oreal hair color, among other cash-back opportunities.  This app also gives you a $10 sign-up bonus after you upload your first receipt.

5. Sell Items You Don’t Use

We are all guilty of holding on to things we could get rid of.  Whether it is clothing you no longer wear or a nice camera you no longer use, consider selling it on an app like LetGo or on Facebook Marketplace   You just might be able to make a few extra bucks to put towards that vacation you’ve been wanting to take.

6. Look for Hourly Jobs

If you have a flexible schedule, Snagajob could be a good option for you.  It connects workers with jobs in various industries like retail, customer service, food service, and hospitality.  All you have to do is download the app and apply.  They will review your application and do a background check.  If you are approved, you can start looking for available shifts in your area.

7. Sell Your Electronics

If you have any old-school technology laying around like DVDs, video games, tablets, or cell phones, consider selling them for cash with an app like Decluttr.   All you have to do is scan the barcode on your item to receive a quote. It is free to use and they provide free shipping.  Another plus is that they pay quickly.

8.  Become an Uber driver

Sharing car rides are extremely popular today so if you need a flexible option to earn some extra cash, Uber is a great option.  They allow you to make your schedule and you can work however much you want. You do need to be 21, pass a background check, and have at least one year of driving experience.  You must have a 4-door vehicle that seats a minimum of 4 people (including yourself).  In addition, your vehicle needs to be registered within your state of residence and you need to have insurance coverage.

9. Get Rewarded for Paying Your Bills

MoneyLion is a popular app for managing your finances.  You earn points by paying your bills on time, adding your bank account, or even downloading the mobile app.   The points you accumulate can then be redeemed for gift cards from retailers like Walmart and Amazon.  You also have the option to connect the app with your bank account, credit cards, student loans, and any other financial accounts. The app will then take a look at both your income and spending and come up with personalized financial advice.

10. Start Investing

If you are looking to get started with investing, Stash is a great app for beginner investors. Today in age, investing is not just for the rich.  This app allows you to start investing with as little as $5 and if you carry a balance under $5k, there is a $1 monthly fee.  The other great part about this app is you do not need to have any investing knowledge.  They have professional investors and fund managers who take care of the investing for you.

You Can Easily Make Money From Home

As the cost of living continues to rise, many Americans could benefit from a few extra dollars in their pocket.  With so many options to make money on the side, there is no time like the present to take advantage of one or all of them.