8 Ways to Make Money from Home if You Lose Your Job or Hours

Job changes can cause financial uncertainty. Whether your hours were cut, your wages reduced, or your position eliminated entirely, it likely has you worried about how you’ll pay your bills and support your family. 

Fortunately, thanks to technology, there are actually quite a few ways to earn cash from home. 

Want to make sure your bills are paid while you look for a new job? Here are eight ways to do it:

1. Work for an errands or food delivery app.

There are countless apps that offer food delivery, errand-running, and other various services, and they’re always in need of new workers. Usually, you just need a car, a phone, and a little time on your hands to participate.

Here are a few options:

• Grocery shopping: Shipt and InstaCart
• Errand running: Favor and TaskRabbit
• Food delivery: Uber Eats, Postmates, Door Dash, Grub Hub, Seamless

The best part? These are on-demand apps, so there’s usually a pretty consistent opportunity for earning — especially if you work for several different platforms at once. You can also make your own schedule, which is a huge perk if you’ve got kiddos to care for or job interviews to work around.

2. Get into thrifting.

Do some spring cleaning and gather up all the items you and your family members no longer use or need. Then, list them online on Facebook Marketplace, LetGo, OfferUp, eBay, Craiglist, or NextDoor for resale. You could even consider a full-on garage sale if your family has a lot to sell. If you have clothing or accessories available, Poshmark, and thredUp are good options. 

3. Rent out your home (or even just the closets).

If you’re a homeowner, there are lots of ways to use your home for additional income. 

You can rent out:

• A room, garage apartment, or the whole place. List it on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway.
• Your storage space. Have space in a closet or in the garage? Rent it out using tools like Neighbor and StoreWithMe.
• Extra parking space. Live in an area where parking is scarce? Make money off spots in your driveway, garage, or even in front of your house. SpotHero and Pavemint are just a few of the ways to do it.

4. Teach online.

If you’re good at explaining things — or are some type of subject-matter expert — then teaching and tutoring online is an easy option. With VIPKid, you can teach English to children across the world (you don’t need teaching experience or other language skills, either). You can also tutor on Chegg.com if there’s something you specialize in. 

5. Take part in online surveys and focus groups.

It won’t make you rich, but online surveys will get you some steady income. You can find opportunities through American Consumer Opinion, Opinion Outpost, and Swagbucks. 

If you’re willing to get more detailed, online focus groups can be a good option, too. These usually pay more, but the opportunities are more scarce. Look to First Insights and Liveminds to see if you qualify.

6. Rent out your car

Driving for apps like Uber and Lyft are certainly an option, but they’re not the only ways you can make cash using your car these days. With apps like Getaround and Turo, you can actually let people rent your entire car.

It’s a great option if you live in an urban area where most people don’t own cars. If your city attracts a lot of tourists, it can be a good way to make cash as well. Just make sure you have plenty of liability insurance before getting started.

7. Sell your talents and services.

If you’re great a making something (crafts, baked goods, clothes, graphics, etc.), then there’s a way to sell it online. Websites like Etsy are great for handmade items and clothing/accessories, and Fiverr is good for creative stuff like graphic design. If you’re selling food, think about offering it up to neighbors via Facebook or the NextDoor app.

Have professional acumen to share? Become a consultant or freelance on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer.com.

8. Transcribe audio.

If you have good hearing, a little patience, and a set of headphones, then transcribing audio can be a great way to earn some extra cash. Sites like Rev and Transcribe Me are popular options for these services, and applying for gigs on either is as simple as a quick online application. 

Don’t Forget About Your Home Equity, Too

If you’re facing financial difficulties and you own a home, tapping your home equity with a cash-out refinance could be a smart option. This would allow you to keep your mortgage payment the same (or maybe even lower it), while also getting a lump-sum payment in the process. Use it to pay your bills or just stay afloat while you look for new employment.

Want to learn more about your options as a homeowner? Get in touch with an Embrace Home Loans expert today.