When I first launched my blog, I wanted to make an extra $700 a month, so that I could continue to participate in my weekly exercise classes, pay for my daughter’s baby and me classes, and enjoy my weekly Starbuck’s habit.
Even though I was working 10 hours a week as a social media manager, the money I made from that job covered bills, food, and my blogging expenses. To cover my extracurricular activities, I sold things online and at thrift stores, I participated in paid focus groups and even worked an occasional weekend shift at my old nursing job.
Fortunately, my blog gained traction quickly, and within three months I started earning money from it. Today my blog is my primary source of income. The point of my story is, if there is a will there is a way. If you need to make $500 a month – you can do it. If you need to make $1,000 a month — you can do it.
Here are some ideas, stories, and ways for you to get started bringing in the cash!
1. Teacher Document Creator – $500 – $1,500 a month
I am a teacher turned stay-at-home mom. When I first left the classroom, I discovered a website called Teachers Pay Teachers. It is an open marketplace where teachers create resources that they sell to other teachers. I joined the site and opened my own store on the site called Sara J Creations. I create and design digital activities that other teachers, parents, tutors, etc. can purchase and download. It is an awesome way to use the creative teacher part of my brain while getting to stay at home and raise my family. It helps keep me up to date on best practices and connect with other teachers and moms. I started out slow only earning a few dollars a month but I now earn anywhere from $500-$1,500 a month. – Sara Jonckheere
If you’d like to find out more about making money with Teachers Pay Teachers, check out this post.
2. Astrologer – $1,000 a month
I’m Astrologer and do phone readings and appear at parties doing readings. I make over $1,000 a month from working my business from my home. – Suzan Hayden
3. Pet Blogger – $1,000 a month
I currently earn $1,000 through my dog nutrition blog Keep the Tail Wagging. I write about raw feeding and dog nutrition and I make money through freelance writing, affiliate marketing, blog sponsorship and I’m now beginning to create products for sale and will be adding a membership feature to my site next month. I got started as a pet blogger because I was so crazy about my dogs and needed an outlet other than friends and co-workers. I transitioned to writing about raw feeding in 2014 and my traffic and revenue spiked and I realized I was on to something. On average, I make $1,000 a month. – Kimberly Gauthier
4. Complete Short Tasks – $1,200 a month
Fiverr is an online platform where you post tasks that you’re willing to complete for $5.00. People sell everything from writing services, design services, voice over services, to making phone calls, and videos. Once you make a sale, Fiverr will keep of fee of $1.00 and payments will be made via PayPal. Doesn’t sound like much money? Connie Brentford is making good money on Fiverr, she even wrote an e-book about it, How I Made An Extra $1,200 Per Month At Home Using One Free Website.
Note: Connie’s book is currently unavailable. However, there is a Fiver Mastermind Group that contains six successful Fiverr sellers that each earns $100K per year — they too have an e-book worth checking out: The Fiverr Master Class: The Fiverr Secrets Of Six Power Sellers That Enable You To Work From Home.
5. eBay and Amazon FBA Seller – $1,200+ a month
When I first started my stay-at-home business pursuits, I began in stock trading, then added reselling on eBay, and then Amazon FBA. As I continued to add income streams, Amazon FBA stayed #1 as my personal favorite and as my most profitable income source. In the first month, I made $400, then $600, then $800. I worked it up to $1,200 a month working part-time, the first year. When I added Amazon FBA, I instantly doubled my income. When I went full-time, I then doubled my income again. – Tracy Smith
6. Haircare Creator – $1,000 – $2,000 a month
I’ve always had a big entrepreneurial spirit. However, as any mom knows, having young ones at home does not allow for much free time to pursue those passions. Many of my ideas were also very large in scope. That is, until I came up with an idea for a hair product about 18 months ago. This product concept would absorb oil and cover roots, allowing busy women more time between shampooing and salon visits. Slowly, during nap time and after the little ones were asleep, I worked on my idea, stalked beauty counters, and consulted a chemist. In 2014, I launched Saving Grace Beauty, LLC. My average monthly income is $1,000-2,000.- Erica Harriss
7. Cloth Diapering Blogger and Marketer – $1,300 a month
I started ChangeDiapers.com in 2009 as a blog about cloth diapering. Over the years I have picked up clients via word of mouth doing social media management and other marketing tasks for cloth diaper companies and D.C. area businesses. I net about $1,300 a month after expenses and taxes. – Maria Moser
8. Graphic Designer – $1,600 a month
I work from home as a graphic designer. I originally worked for the company when it was based in my hometown. The company relocated and I was laid off. Later I was offered a freelance position with them. I make roughly $1,600 a month from home. – Randi Sparkman
Make sure to check out this article, some really interesting ways to make an extra $1,000 a month – including face painting, parking lot trash pick up and selling worms!
9. Home Referral Consultant – $3,000 a month
I make more than $3,000 a month pre-screening and referring home improvement contractors. I came up with the idea for this type of service after my husband and I purchased our first home and realized how difficult it was to find reliable home improvement contractors. My business is like an outsourced sales and marketing force for local contractors and personal concierge-type services for local homeowners. Contractors pay me a pre-negotiated commission for work secured and my service is free my clients. I’ve also recently launched Aging In Place Referrals as a resource for aging Baby Boomers looking for reliable contractors. – Debra Cohen
10. Freelance Writer and Blogger – $3,500 a month
I started blogging a little over two years ago about my personal financial journey. As a full-time actress, money had always been tight and I was tired of working as a waitress or babysitter just to scrape by in between gigs. As I shared my stories, I found they were resonating with people and I became increasingly involved in the personal finance world guest posting for other bloggers and pitching to media. A few months later I was offered a weekly contributor spot on US News & World Report. The position was unpaid, but my articles got picked up by major media outlets, giving me exposure and credibility. Within a few months, I was making over $1,000 each month of freelance writing. Now I work for bigger corporate clients and collect proceeds from my recently released book. My income in 2015 has averaged around $3,500 a month. – Stefanie O’Connell
11. Marketing and PR – $6,800 a month
My business is Famous in Your Field. It’s a marketing and PR consulting business that I run from my home office. My clients are small business owners and professionals, based all across the U.S. I typically work from 9am to 4pm, while my two children are in school. Last year’s revenues were $82,000, which works out to a monthly income of about $6,800. – Lori Nash Byron
12. Affiliate Marketing and Blogging – $7,000 – $9,000 a month
Blogging was at first a hobby to me and a way to express my opinions. During my blogging journey which started in 2008, I learned that I could make an income from my blog through affiliate programs so I started to include affiliate links in my posts and it has become a way for me to make money from my blog. I am now making $7,000-$9,000 a month with my blog through affiliate marketing. – Louida Martin
13. Certified Online Business Manager – $8,000 a month
I started my business in 2011 working as a VA. I learned everything I possibly could and found out I had a real passion for online business systems and technology. Shortly, my business was fully booked and I hung up my bookkeeping hat. Knowing I wanted to learn more, I went from being a VA to a Certified Online Business Manager where I helped busy entrepreneurs organize, run and grow their online business. I currently make about $8,000 a month, but when I first started part-time it was around $1,000 a month. – Sara Wagners
14. Virtual Assistant – $8,300+ a month
I started my VA business on December 1, 2008, and it’s been quite the journey. My hope was to replace my income (I was earning $82,000) within three years. By year two I had grossed over $60K, and by year three I had grossed more than $100K. – Michelle Mangen
15. Direct Sales Consultant – $8,300 a month
In the fall of 2000, I signed up with the direct sales company, Tastefully Simple. I have made a six-figure income for years, but the intangible that is given to me through my job is more significant than the dollars. I have more friends, in more places than I ever could have imagined. I have traveled to over twenty places I would have never seen or afforded otherwise (many with my husband and totally free)!
We moved to our dream home on the water a few years ago while the kids are still home to enjoy it instead of after we retire. My three boys can not only go to college but choose where they want to go. I can’t put a price tag on financial freedom, but it is certainly an incredible deal for partying for a living – don’t you think? – Karen Huntley
16. Entrepreneurial Coach – $15,000 – $20,000+ a month
I run a business that provides training, support, and strategy consulting to doctors, therapists, coaches, thought leaders, and other idea-driven business owners. I work completely from home, although I travel regularly to speak and teach. I got started working from home after my daughter was born. My first website launched in January 2009 and I’ve been working on this iteration of my business for about five years. Most months, revenue for my business is about $15-$20k dollars. But it also pushes to $30-100k several times throughout the year. – Tara Gentile
17. Virtual Assistant – $30,000 a month
My company now turns over around $30,000 a month; I love to inspire other virtual assistants to go out there and really push the limits of their business which is why I have now posted two income reports, one in January this year and one from 3 years ago showing the company’s progress. – Michelle Dale
18. Blogger and Course Creator – $90,000+ a month
I run a blog and coaching business. I make an average of $70,000 a month, and in July of 2016, I made over $112,000. I started my business on the side of my full-time job. It all started as just a blog, and then it quickly grew from there. – Michelle Schroeder
How are you making money from home?
Whichever of these practical ideas you choose, you’ll be well on your way to earning extra money in any given month.
Originally published June 3, 2015. Content updated June 12, 2017.
This page includes affiliate links. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.
These are great options to earn an income from home. My favorite has been freelance writing and blogging… I have been earning a constant income through those two ways for some time now.
Thank you for the post and I am definitely sharing this with my readers
Thanks for sharing — it’s appreciated!
How do I get the job, and do you pay cash by mail?
Hi Angel,
The Work at Home Woman is geared for U.S. residents.
Take a look at FlexJobs for international work-at-home jobs:
http://flexjobsrocks.go2cloud.org/SHPF (affiliate link)
Good luck!
This isn’t exactly working from home, but if you have a musical talent try offering your services to local long-term facilities for an hourly fee. Residents love when talented people come in and sing for them.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for sharing a detailed post on Ways to make money at home ,
In my opinion Joining an affiliate network is one of the simplest way to earn more from our website/Blog by working at home.Mobile advertising solutions gives us the opportunity to place banner ads in a significant manner. By Joining a Publisher ad Network we allow them a space in our website to advertise and in return we get paid.So,Affiliate marketing is highly recommended.
Glad you enjoyed the list! I agree, affiliate marketing is great for publishers and bloggers!
hi i need a job just help me please thank you
Hi Sharice, These articles will give you a great place to start your WAH job search:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/best-work-from-home-jobs/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/right-job/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/work-home-jobs-location/
Goodness, these are all amazing stories. Im in DESPERATE need though. Am I able to make $1,000 in a month starting today ? If I start a blog I know it will atleast take a couple of years. Im desperate right now or else bills wont get paid.. Help anyone ? Please :(
Hi Tatiana, Honestly, it depends on how much you want to hustle. There are some bloggers who have earned six-figures in their first year, but they are HIGHLY motivated. When I started blogging, I took on a freelance marketing gig so I knew I would have enough money for bills and to run my blogging business. If you need money now, this is something you may consider. I will say, though, having the freelance gig slowed my blog’s growth. Had I dropped it sooner I could have focused more time and energy on my blog. You should check out Sarah’s story, she is a single mom who was able to make six-figures in her first year: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/single-mom-six-figures/ Also, if you decide you want to start a blog, BlueHost has a special going for the next 48 hours where you can get started for $2.95 a month http://bit.ly/2cy11yq (affiliate link). If you have more specific questions let me know. Good luck!
I do dogsitting and dogwalking to make extra money. I work for neighbors and also am listed on dogvacay.com. We call it pet therapy but get paid for it.
That’s great, Diana! Thanks for sharing your story.
Yes it is really easy to make $1000 through Google AdSense. I am making good money from Google AdSense from past ten years. How Do I Make $1000 / Month from Google AdSense?
Read more: http://www.unoburg.com/make-dollar-1000-per-month-google-adsense.html#ixzz4HmzyQMaD
This was a very helpful article and is helping me earn some money for college next year, thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Want to learn how to blog can someone help i would love to blog but dont know how
Please help me learn how
This post will give you a good place to start your blogging journey: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/blogging/
Have you signed up for a copy of my free blogging e-book? You can do so at the bottom of this post.
I haven’t made it to $1,000 a month just yet but I am working towards it. I am a blogger and get paid mostly through sponsored posts and product reviews. I was recently offered a writing gig as well (thanks to my blogging background) – at the moment I bring in about an extra $500 a month and I hope to double that in the next 6 months.
Writing and social media services are great ways to add extra revenue to your blogging efforts. Wishing you all the best in 2016, Rose!
Hello! Thanks for this article, it is truly inspiring. I very much enjoy writing and editing and have often wondered about making extra income from that. Where would I start? Any advice would be great. Thanks so much.
Hi LLona, These articles will give you a great place to start your WAH job search:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/paid-writing-gigs/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/caitlin-pyle/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/best-work-from-home-jobs/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/right-job/
Check out the video below. It’s the reason why I joined Jeunesse. Also, you can click on “Find out more” for additional info about the company and its products.
http://lookathereyes.com/warm/?u=960
Thanks, Holly & The Work At Home Women for the great tips!
You’re welcome, Erica.
Thanks for the mention :)
You’re welcome, Michelle.
Hi There
Thank you for your valuable information.
I have completed bachelor of science in electrical and electronic engineering. I am good at math and English. I also have a passion for sports like football and cricket. I understand them well. I can write football and cricket comments.
Could you please suggest me what sort of work I can do form home to earn some extra money?
I will be very glad to hear from you.