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There can be any number of reasons you are confined to your home. Perhaps it’s an epic snowstorm. Maybe it’s an illness. While some people may be perfectly content binging on Netflix, others need to feel they are doing something “productive.” I’m one of those people!
There’s a sense of satisfaction in feeling that how you are spending your time is doing something to move you forward in life. “Busy” activities can also help keep your mind occupied and less focused on the anxiety that comes with these unexpected events.
Today, I wanted to share a few great ways to make money when you’re stuck at home. These won’t be your traditional work-at-home job opportunities that require going through a hiring process and training. You probably aren’t going to have time for that. You just want something to keep you busy now.
1. Complete Small Tasks
There are a number of companies that contract people to complete small tasks. These are often little tasks that are needed by other companies. They usually only take a few minutes to complete and don’t require much, if any, training.
Tasks can range from transcribing a phone message into text, typing in information from a scanned business card, categorizing a photo and beyond. These little jobs don’t require a lot of brainpower, and as a result, they usually don’t pay a lot either. But, you may be able to make $5 or $10 per hour depending on the site.
Read More:
Get Paid to Complete Short Tasks
2. Take Some Surveys
There are several opportunities out there to take surveys for cash. These surveys won’t necessarily be plentiful, but a few may pop into your inbox while you’re stuck at home.
A few of my favorites:
3. Watch Some Videos
Did you know you could get paid to watch videos? Not any video, of course, but some companies are willing to pay you in exchange for feedback or simply watching their online ads.
Legit companies offering these opportunities:
4. Write a Book
I know so many people who have always said, “Someday, I’m going to write a book.” If you are going to be held up at home for a while, maybe today is that day.
You have so many avenues you can take:
- Illustrated books
- Educational books
- Children’s books
- Planners
- Romance novels
- Memoirs
- Fiction
- Non-fiction
You can choose to self-publish or get an agent.
Publish it in print or sell it as an eBook or audiobook.
If your main concern right now is staying busy and distracted, just start writing. You can figure out the details later.
5. Design T-Shirts & Merch
If your creative talent is design as opposed to literary, sites like Spreadshop and Teespring will help you sell t-shirts and other merchandise online. There is no upfront cost to you, in most cases. Merchandise is only printed when orders are placed. Many of these online platforms will take their fees out of those proceeds.
6. Sell Unused Gift Cards
Do you have a few unused gift cards lying around collecting dust? Maybe you have a few partial-used gift cards that you don’t anticipate maxing out.
There are several sites like Cardpool or Gift Card Granny that will give you cash for your gift cards, even if they only have a little bit of credit remaining.
7. Start a Blog
There are so many reasons to start a blog. For me, it was a way to share my story and resources and relieve some of the isolation that comes with working from home. I started working remotely full-time back in 2007. In 2009, I started my first blog. Today, it’s my primary source of income.
Maybe becoming a professional blogger isn’t your dream. Maybe right now, you just want an easy way to get your thoughts, feelings and knowledge out there so you can connect with others and stay busy – like an online journal.
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8. Get Ready for a Garage Sale
While you may not be up for selling at this time, you can get a jump start on cleaning out those closets, the basement and garage. You likely still remember the KonMari Method. If it isn’t bringing you joy, get rid of it.
Once you have what you want to get rid of rounded up, list them online, send them into thredUp, or just put them aside until garage sale season comes back around. You can also take them to a local buy/sell/trade store like Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange when you’re able to leave home. Or, if you don’t care about the cash, drop off those unwanted items at the thrift store the next time you’re able to get out.
9. Start a YouTube Channel
Maybe you love to cook or craft. Perhaps you have a skill that others would love to learn. Maybe you just have some interesting stories to tell. A lot of people are making money with YouTube today.
It doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment to open a YouTube account and put up your first video. A lot of people start with just their smartphones. Once you learn the ropes and start building up a following, you can start monetizing your videos.
It won’t happen overnight, and it will take time and dedication, but you can get started today.
10. Get Started on Your Home Business Dream
This activity may not put money into your pocket now, but what better way to spend some free time than working towards your dream? If you have always wanted to start a home business, learn a new freelance skill or implement a passive income idea, maybe now is the time to do it.
Here are a few fan-favorite business ideas from my community and where you can learn more:
- Passive Income Ideas
- Become an Online Bookkeeper
- Become a Social Media Manager
- Become a Virtual Assistant
- Become an Online Proofreader
- Become a Freelance Writer
- Become a Podcast Assistant
- Learn to Narrate Audiobooks
- Become an Online English Teacher
- My Favorite Work-at-Home Courses
- My Favorite Blogging Courses
Need a few ideas to keep the kids busy at home?
- Free, easy remote learning science lessons – Mystery Science
- Homeschooling resources – Suddenly Homeschooling
- Free Printables & Worksheets – Homeschool.com
- 100+ Homeschool Activities – Rock Your Homeschool
- 42 Ways to Keep Kids Busy – A Grande Life
- 50 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained – Inner Child Fun
- 25 Creative Ways to Keep Kids Busy – Redbook
- 7 Indoor Activities to Keep Toddlers Busy – Mommy’s Bundle
- Keep Kids Busy When Mom’s Sick – Live About
- National Geographic for Kids
- Into the Book
- Seussville
- PBS Kids
- Highlights Kids
Want to Stock Up on “Busy” Activities?
Here are a few books on my bookshelf right now (I’m a mystery thriller junkie) and a few other fun activities to keep your mind busy:
Additional Resources
- 8 Ways to Thrive While Working at Home
- Working from Home with Kids During an Emergency
- Living Well Spending Less Blog
