How To Make An Extra $500 A Month: 15 Real Side Hustles

Want to learn how to make an extra $500 a month from home?

These are 15 legitimate ways you can earn more pocket money and build your wealth.

Whether you want to make an extra $100 or $500 a day, these side hustles are legit.

Imagine having extra income to relieve some financial stress. You could use that extra $500 to pay off student loans, grocery expenses, or invest in your side projects.

Honestly, the reality of having more money can create more financial freedom and experiences.

In this post, I’ll be sharing how to actually earn an extra $500 a month.

These are tried and true ways to make extra income from the comfort of your home.

Some of these side hustles I’ve personally tried and will show you how it’s possible to get started.

These side hustles have changed my life, and I’m so grateful I took the plunge to get started.

Let’s get into it!

How to Make An Extra $500 A Month

1. Start your own money-making blog

This is a venture I started in 2021. I’ve heard of many bloggers making money (I mean, A LOT) and I wanted to see if I could do it, too.

If you really want to learn how to make an extra $500 a month, then I totally advocate for you to start a blog.

And if you’re wondering if you can blog anonymously, the answer is YES. I own an anonymous blog and am making over $500 a month.

Check out this blog post on how to start an anonymous blog.

Keep in mind, blogging is NOT a “get rich quick” scheme.

When I first started blogging, I was making ZERO dollars for the first year. I also had no idea what I was doing, haha.

But after 2 years of putting in hard work and time into blogging, I am now making well over $500 a month.

But I wouldn’t have known the possibility of making extra income if I didn’t start my blog.

So how can you make money through a blog? These are the most common ways:

affiliate marketing
sponsored posts
display advertising
selling your own products (courses, ebooks, printables)

This free course teaches you the foundations of a money-making blog. You will learn step-by-step how to build a profitable blog as a beginner.

Enroll in this free course to start building a PROFITABLE blog today!

2. Start an etsy shop

As an Etsy seller of 3 shops, I can assure that this was one of the best real work from home jobs I’ve ever delved into.

Since I’ve started my Etsy shop, I’ve made $20,000 selling printables and my income continues to grow today.

Benefits of an Etsy seller:

Work from anywhere
Build a business that earns $500 extra a month.
Diversify your income streams

When I started my Etsy shop, I took this free Etsy workshop that really helped me build a strong foundation for my store.

Here are my top blog posts to help you get started on your Etsy journey:

3. BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

Interested in a job that allows you to work from the comfort of your own home? Look no further than becoming a virtual assistant.

Here are some perks of being a VA:

Enjoy the convenience of working remotely
All you need is a laptop
Set your own schedule
Make an additional $500 a month

However, the trickiest part is often knowing how to get started, wouldn’t you agree?

That’s why I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Abbey Ashley.

When it comes to providing you with the best resources for growing your business, I always have your back. Today is no exception.

Abbey’s has released a new FREE training, all about how to Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant.

In this exclusive training, you’ll learn how to:

Discover if virtual assistance is right for YOU
How to find thousands of clients who are waiting to hear about your services
How you can earn EXTRA side income outside of your 9-5 job

Click here to claim your seat for free.

4. make money with paid surveys

Looking to supplement your income with an additional $500 each month?

Relying solely on surveys won’t get you there, but combining this side hustle with others from the following list can pave the way to achieving that goal.

You can pay off some expenses like student loans, groceries, and food expenses by taking paid surveys.

Survey companies compensate you for sharing your opinions and testing products, sometimes even providing free items for evaluation.

Here are my top recommendations for paid online survey platforms:

Check out this blog post for MORE information on how to get paid with surveys.

5. BECOME A UGC CREATOR

Let me tell you, the trend of UGC (User-Generated Content) creation is skyrocketing.

With social media’s exponential growth, UGC creator opportunities show no signs of slowing down.

I’ve been noticing a surge in stay-at-home moms becoming UGC creators on Instagram, earning over $15,000 a month just by filming content from home!

And the best part? You don’t even have to reveal your face!

Here are some perks of being a UGC creator:

No need to show your face (you’re representing the brand)
Potential to earn anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000+ per month
Opportunity to replace your full-time job
Flexibility to work from any location

Excited to jump in? Take a look at this ultimate guide to get started.

Save yourself the hassle of scripting your own UGC content. Click here to access pre-made UGC scripts, ready for you to use!

5. Become a freelancer

Freelancing gives you an excellent opportunity to add an extra $500 to your monthly income.

What’s even better is that many freelance gigs can be pursued alongside your regular full-time job.

Freelancing involves operating your own business and offering services to various clients.

If you’re ready to sell your skills and services, sign up to become a Fiverr seller!

Here are some additional freelance job ideas worth exploring:

Graphic design
Web design
Social media management
Consulting
Podcast editing

6. WORK AS A PROOFREADER

Attention to detail can land you a job as a proofreader.

Working as a proofreader is perfect for those with a good grasp of grammar and spelling. This job involves reviewing written content to ensure error-free work.

Proofreading can be a side hustle or a full-time job for you if you want it to be.

If you want to learn how to make an extra $500 a month, definitely give proofreading a try!

As a proofreader, you might proofread blog posts, articles, ads, emails, books, and more.

If you’re interested in becoming a proofreader, this Proofread Anywhere course teaches you how to start your own proofreading business from scratch.

7. BE A BOOKKEEPER

Are you looking to boost your income by an extra $500 per month with bookkeeping?

Many small businesses are in dire need of assistance in managing their finances, and you can fill that gap by offering bookkeeping services remotely.

Why become a bookkeeper?

High Demand: Bookkeeping is a highly sought-after skill, making it a lucrative real work-from-home job opportunity.
Flexible Schedule: As a remote bookkeeper, you have the freedom to create your own schedule, allowing for a better work-life balance.
Competitive Rates: On average, bookkeepers can earn around $40 per hour, providing a solid income stream.
QuickBooks Expertise: Employers often prefer bookkeepers with proficient knowledge of QuickBooks, a popular accounting software.

If you’re serious about pursuing this work-from-home opportunity, I highly recommend enrolling in a comprehensive Bookkeeping Course like this highly-rated one.

8. Deliver food

Currently, food delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Instacart are experiencing a surge in popularity.

If you’re considering joining the ranks of delivery drivers to earn an extra $500 per month, you’ll need to meet certain requirements:

Be a minimum of 18 years old
Maintain a clean driving record and clear criminal history
Possess a dependable vehicle for deliveries
Hold valid car insurance and driver’s license

Many drivers maximize their earnings by signing up and working for multiple food delivery services simultaneously.

This approach allows them to capitalize on various opportunities and increase their income potential.

9. Sell stuff that you already own

Looking to add an extra $500 to your monthly income? Look no further than your own home for potential items to sell.

Virtually everyone has something of value they can part with. If you’re eager to start earning extra cash quickly, consider selling items today.

You can sell a variety of items including clothing, old cell phones, books, unused gift cards, CDs, DVDs, and more.

When it comes to selling your belongings, there are several avenues to explore:

Facebook Groups: Join local selling groups on Facebook to connect with buyers in your area.
eBay: Utilize eBay to reach a larger audience, potentially increasing your earnings for each item sold.
Garage Sale: Hosting a garage sale allows you to sell multiple items at once, all from the comfort of your home.
Thrift Stores: Thrift stores often offer consignment, immediate cash, or store credit for your items. This can be one of the quickest ways to sell as they typically pay cash upfront for items they can resell.

10. TEACH ENGLISH ONLINE

I’ve been an English tutor for about 4 years now. It’s one of the most popular and lucrative side hustles you can start.

I’ve made over $10,000 just from tutoring online with only a few students over the course of my tutoring side hustle.

It really is good money and doesn’t take up much of your time.

Benefits of English tutoring:

Work from anywhere
Earn up to $20-$100 an hour (based on your expertise)
Create your own set of hours

Some companies do require a TEFL certification, if you don’t have a degree. Trust me, it makes your resume stand out a lot more! You can get a 120-hour TEFL certificate which can be entirely done online.

11. SELL your clothes online

If you have any unique clothing items or pieces that rarely see the light of day, consider selling them online.

This not only allows you to declutter your closet but also presents an opportunity to turn a profit.

I personally embarked on this journey years ago when I found myself drowning in clutter in my bedroom.

Let me tell you, it was incredibly effective!

I made an extra $100 selling clothes just from selling 5 articles of clothing.

I think if I actually turned it into a side hustle, I would’ve made more.

12. Rent out a room in your home

Rent out your spare room, whether it’s on a full-time basis or occasionally through platforms like Airbnb.

This could definitely make you an additional $500 each month.

There are numerous avenues to advertise your rental space.

You can leverage online platforms like Craigslist to reach a wider audience.

13. DO AFFILIATE MARKETING

Want to learn how to make an extra $500 a month online?

Try affiliate marketing!

Here’s a breakdown of how affiliate marketing works:

You sign up to an affiliate program
Promote the affiliate link/program in a social media or blog post
Someone clicks on the link and buys the product
You earn a commission

Ta-da! I know it seems way simpler, but in reality, it does take effort. I’ve made over $1000 in affiliate marketing after getting serious about it.

Best part is you can work ANYWHERE. All you need is your laptop!

If you’re looking to uplevel your affiliate marketing skills, I highly recommend checking out Ana from The She Approach’s FREE affiliate course.

In her FREE 5-day course, she teaches you how to make your FIRST affiliate sale and how to find profitable affiliate programs that you can promote without feeling “salesy.”

14. rent out your things

Believe it or not, so many people would rather save $$ than buy things. Especially if you own those things, why not rent them out?

You can put your items on Facebook groups or Craiglist to rent them out.

Spare Room: Rent out an unused room in your home either on a full-time basis to a long-term tenant or occasionally through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
Parking Space: If you have an extra parking spot or garage space, consider renting it out to individuals in need of parking, especially in urban areas where parking is limited and expensive.
Storage Space: If you have unused space in your home or a storage shed, you can rent it out to individuals looking for storage solutions for their belongings.
Vehicle: Rent out your car or other vehicles such as a camper van, motorcycle, or boat through peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms like Turo or Getaround when you’re not using them.
Equipment or Tools: If you own equipment or tools that are not in constant use, consider renting them out to individuals or businesses in need through platforms like Toolfetch or Fat Llama.
Specialty Items: Rent out specialty items such as photography or videography equipment, party supplies, or outdoor gear to individuals planning events or outings.
Time: Offer your time and expertise as a consultant, tutor, or coach on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Tutor.com.

15. Do dropshipping

You’ve probably seen an abundance of Youtube videos talking about dropshipping.

So what is dropshipping? You basically order inventory from a supplier that directly ships the product to your customers.

TLDR: You never come in contact with the customer’s products. The whole shipping process is basically automated.

Through dropshipping, you can earn an additional $500 per month.

If you’re wondering where to get supplies:

Alibaba
AliExpress
TikTok (use hashtags in the search to find your niche for suppliers)

Want to make the process of dropshipping smooth?

Create your own website with Shopify to easily integrate your supplier with your customer’s buying journey.

Trust me, a good customer experience really goes a long way.

Did you like this post? Don’t forget to pin it!

This post was all about how to make an extra $500 a month.

How To Make An Extra $500 A Month: 15 Real Side Hustles