In this day and age of the “gig economy” having one or several sources for a side income can come in handy. Even if you have a  job that allows you to pay the bills, you should have at least a few of these in your back pocket for rainy days, setting aside a retirement fund, or a slush fund for vacations and other treats.

So, I thought I’d pass along the love. I’ve pieced together this huge list of ways to earn a side income. Each listing will link directly to the site so that you can check it out.

If you’re wondering about how legitimate they are, I’ve either used or researched each of these sites to the best of my knowledge.

And, rather than listing them all out in random order, I’ve put them all in categories so you can pick and choose what you think would work best for you.

Shopping

If you haven’t heard of these sites, you’re really missing out on earning cash back for stuff you buy every day! Some of the sites listed below will pay you a percentage of the amount you spend at their stores, and others will pay you a flat rate for purchasing certain items.

I’ve also included two apps that will reward you with gift cards for uploading photos of your shopping receipts. If you remember to use these on a regular basis, they can really add up!

1. Rakuten
2. Ibotta
3. ReceiptHog
4. ReceiptPal
5. Shop at Home
6. Fetch Rewards

Rewards Sites

This is one of my favorite ways to earn a side income. You can earn money many different ways including surfing the web, watching videos, answering surveys, playing games, printing coupons, short tasks, and more. Some sites pay in points that you can redeem for gift cards, and others pay in cash. There are more rewards sites than I can count, but the ones I’ve listed below have been around the longest, some paying people for 10 years or more.

1. SwagBucks
2. FusionCash
3. Inbox Dollars
4. InstaGC
5. Quick Rewards
6. MyPoints
7. Cash Crate

Survey Panels

This list of survey panels is short but sweet. Just sign up with these services via email, and they will send you surveys to take for points you can exchange for gift cards or cash rewards, anywhere from $1 to $5.

1. Opinion Outpost
2. Springboard
3. iPoll
4. You Gov
5. Pinecone Research

Want the rest? Sign up for free!

Mystery Shopping (Smartphone Style)

This is the latest thing in mystery shopping, using your smartphone to complete tasks in stores that have signed up to use these apps. It’s a great way to earn extra cash while you are out and about.

1. Field Agent
2. GigWalk
3. Mobee
4. Easy Shift

Usability Testing

If you’ve never heard of it, usability testing involves testing out websites, apps, software, etc. and sharing your feedback. Sometimes, you are helping developers find bugs and problems. Almost anyone can do them, and there is no special equipment required. Each site listed below pays differently, but most pay in cash — not redeemable points.

1. User Testing
2. Enroll
3. Beta Testing
4. uTest
5. Userlytics
6. TryMyUI
7. Userfeel

Browser Extensions

By using this Chrome browser extension called Qmee, you can earn extra cash. It pays you for clicking on sponsored links or ads.

Qmee

Micro Tasks

These are sites that post short tasks that pay per piece. They involve an infinite number of tasks including data entry, writing, tagging, surveys, and more. Most don’t pay much per piece, but if you get fast enough at the tasks and know where to find the best paying tasks, you can earn a decent side income. Below are a few sites to consider trying that pay for short tasks:

1. Amazon mTurk
2. ClickWorker
3. OneSpace
4. Rapidworkers

Smartphone Photography

Now that smartphones come with amazing cameras, it was only a matter of time before companies popped up that pay for amazing smartphone photography. Below are a few sites that are interested in purchasing smartphone photos.

1. Foap
2. SnapWire

Exercising/Fitness

Have a hard time sticking to your fitness goals? These apps and websites may help. What’s better than earning cash and feeling great about yourself at the same time?

1. Healthy Wage
2. DietBet

Here's a great review of HealthyWage from Real Ways to Earn:

Get Paid To Lose Weight Using Healthy Wage

In this HealthyWage review, learn how one woman lost 100 pounds and earned $5,000 in the process! They prove money is a motivator when it comes to weight.

Real Ways to Earnrealwaystoearn

Running Errands and Delivery

Note these are not online, but it’s flexible work you can do at your convenience to earn extra money. There are people everywhere who need people to do things like pick up their groceries, go check things out for them (WeGoLook, listed below), pick up fast food for them, and the like. Please note that these are location-specific, and may not be available in your area as of yet.

1. Task Rabbit
2. We Go Look
3. DoorDash: Read a review.
4. Postmates
5. Instacart
6. Amazon Flex

Reviewing Music

Love listening to music? These websites will pay you either in cash or points toward gift cards for listening and providing feedback for short clips of music.

1. Slice the Pie
2. Music Xray
3. Hit Predictor

Driving Your Car

Here are companies that will pay you either to drive or rent out your car.

1. Uber
2. Lyft
3. Sidecar
4. Getaround
5. Turo

Designing & Selling Products Online

These are websites where you can sell things like t-shirts, mugs, calendars, etc. with your designs on them. Most of these sites will pay you a certain amount of royalties when your item(s) sell.

1. Zazzle
2. CafePress
3. Tee Spring

Writing

If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, you need a portfolio and some writing experience under your belt in order to get better-paying clients. That’s where content sites (also known as content mills) come into play.

These sites will post writing assignments for any of their approved writers to take on.  While the pay isn’t stellar, it is a great way to get your feet wet, or even as a source for established writers when they hit dry spells. These each pay at least a penny or word, usually more.

1. Textbroker
2. Domainite
3. BKA Content
4. Crowd Content
5. Writer’s Domain
6. Verblio

Check out more companies that hire freelance writers.

50+ Companies that Hire Freelance Writers

Here’s a list of over 50 companies that hire freelance writers. You’ll find alittle bit of everything, from parenting, to travel, to resume writing, toacademia. Please note that the vast majority of these companies may not always be hiring,could have a wait list, or the pay rate may have changed…

Leave the Cube BehindLeave the Cube Behind

Sell Your Used Stuff

This is something I enjoy doing, because it kills two birds with one stone. I get to earn money off of any gently used stuff, and clean out my house while I’m at it! Or, you can also use these sites to sell items you find at thrift stores and garage sales:

1. eBay
2. Facebook Marketplace
3. Decluttr
4. Gone!
5. LetGo
6. 5miles
7. Thredup
8. Tradesy
9. Swap
10. Mercari

Sell Your Crafts & Handmade Items

1. Etsy
2. Artfire
3. Craftsy
4. Amazon Handmade

Transcription

Some people make a full-time living off of transcription, but I like to use it for a side income because I can only do it in short bursts (thanks, carpal tunnel syndrome!).

That’s where these sites come in. They are great for beginners because they don’t require much experience, but they can definitely come in handy when you’re in need of some extra cash.

1. Quicktate
2. Rev
3. Scribie
4. TranscribeMe

Disclosure

Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.

Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases.

The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.