I don’t know many people who would be against making some extra money. In fact, 1 of every 3 Americans currently have a side hustle. If you’re looking to make an extra $500 a month doing something practical and realistic, there are plenty of options.
Offering freelance services or starting a small online side business to earn extra money are great options. Plus, you can often work these gigs on your own time and set your rates. Earning an extra $500 per month with flexible side hustles is certainly possible, adding up to only $125 per week.
Whether you want to pay off credit card debt or student loans, save for a vacation, or make a large purchase, here are 10 realistic ways to make an extra $500 a month, along with tips to get started.
1. Virtual Assistant
Freelancing as a virtual assistant is a flexible and high-demand option for earning an extra $500 per month. Virtual assistants (VAs) help business owners with tasks such as managing emails, scheduling appointments, handling customer support, and updating websites. Platforms like Upwork and BELAY can help you land your first client.
Even as a beginner, you can charge $15 to $25 per hour and work 5 to 10 hours per week to help you quickly hit your $500 target. This is one of the easiest ways to make extra money online, so start by narrowing down your niche and deciding which services you want to provide and which clients you want to serve. Then, work on improving your skill set in that area to make it your expertise.
For example, this may mean focusing heavily on blog management or creating systems for managing your client’s email inbox.
2. Sell Items on eBay
Do you have a closet full of unused items? You can turn your clutter into cash by selling items on eBay. Whether it’s pre-loved clothing, antiques, or collectibles, eBay has lots of active buyers looking for bargains. Just set up a seller account, take clear photos, and write detailed product descriptions to increase the chances of making a sale.
Each month, you can list up to 250 items without a listing fee, but eBay charges a small fee for each item you sell. You’ll pay a percentage of the sale amount plus a flat fee of $0.30 for orders less than $10 and $0.40 for orders over $10.
You can also browse thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales to find items you can flip for profit. You can also find and sell gently-used items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, which allows you to find and sell items locally. You can also ship items with Facebook Marketplace to widen your customer reach.
3. Create Printables to Sell Online
If you enjoy using printables or have a fun digital product idea, you can create printables like planners, budgeting sheets, or stickers to sell on marketplaces like Etsy. With the growing interest in self-organization and productivity tools, this market is expanding.
Plus, this can be a great way to earn passive income because you only need to create your digital products once, and then you can resell them over and over again. Canva is a user-friendly tool for beginners that can help you come up with unique design ideas. Canva also has templates you can customize to develop your own original designs.
Another option is Adobe Illustrator, which provides even more design options and capabilities. Both of these tools are easy to master with time and effort.
Designing and uploading your printables is a one-time effort, but with marketing, you can make consistent sales and generate passive income.
4. Proofreader
If you have a keen eye for detail and grammar, proofreading could be your perfect side hustle to make an extra $500 a month or more. From editing blog posts to academic papers, the demand for proofreaders is also strong.
Sign up on platforms like Upwork and ProofreadingServices.com. You can also create a portfolio showcasing polished examples of your work. Don’t underestimate your professional network, either.
Be sure to let others know you are offering proofreading services and ask for referrals. You can attend local writing events and conferences to connect with potential clients as well.
If you need to brush up on your proofreading and editing skills, check out the online course from Proofread Anywhere that teaches you the skills and business knowledge to begin your freelance career!
5. Sell Digital Services on Fiverr
If you have graphic design, writing, or video editing skills, Fiverr is the perfect platform for monetizing those abilities. Set up a profile highlighting your skills and services and start bidding on projects posted by businesses and individuals looking for freelance help.
Optimize your Fiverr profile with examples of your work and clear descriptions to attract more clients. Start with competitive pricing ($10–$20 per gig) and scale up as you gain positive reviews. You can also upsell additional services to increase your earnings to make $500 per month or more.
Some Fiverr sellers upcharge for add-ons, like a quicker turnaround or more rounds of revisions, so it’s completely up to you.
6. Web Design Work
If you have experience in web design—or are willing to learn—you can make good money by designing or updating websites for small businesses or individuals. Many business owners look for affordable services that don’t require hiring a massive agency.
I used to work at a small web design company that charged $800 to $1,000 per website, and our team would easily produce 40 to 60 new websites per month. Some entrepreneurs and businesses are willing to pay even more— $2,000 to $3,000 for a website project and additional services like branding and copywriting.
To become a web designer, you need to learn graphic design skills by taking either an in-person or online class. Practice making different designs. You can even offer to design a friend’s website for free or at an introductory rate to gain experience.
7. Social Media Manager
Using social media can be more than just a hobby. If you are often scrolling on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, you may want to learn more about how these platforms work for businesses and influencers.
Businesses often require social media experts to create and post content, respond to comments, and run ad campaigns. If you’re savvy with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, this could be the perfect opportunity to boost your monthly income on the side.
By charging $200–$500 per month per client for basic services, you could manage accounts for 1–2 clients to reach your financial goals. You can also create a portfolio to showcase your social media expertise and start by offering your services to local businesses.
8. Content Creation
Whether written, audio, video, or images, content creation opens doors to multiple revenue streams, including affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and display ads. Choose a niche you’re passionate about—travel, food, or personal finance—and share valuable content online.
First, you’ll need to set up your platforms, which, depending on the medium you’re working with, can be done through WordPress, Medium, Substack, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest. All you need is a laptop, a solid internet connection, some creative ideas, a strategy plan to treat your content creation like a business, and some time in your schedule to work on it consistently.
Many content creators, whether bloggers, influencers, or podcasters, use email marketing to engage with their audience on a deeper level, and some even sell online courses as a popular way to monetize their skills and expertise. Others may sell services like freelance writing, consulting, or coaching! Content creation can be a great side hustle to do in your spare time or turn into a thriving full-time business.
9. Start a YouTube Channel
Video content continues to dominate, and starting a YouTube channel can help you reach a broad audience. Whether it’s vlogging, tutorials, or product reviews, find a niche that resonates with you and your target audience.
Similar to blogging, making YouTube videos and connecting with a growing audience can help you monetize your channel to start making money from ads. YouTubers can also make money with affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.
If you’re not interested in having your face on camera, ‘faceless YouTube channels’ are becoming more popular. You can do voice-overs and show video clips about a particular topic or use AI to come up with scripts and be the voice of your channel as well. There are so many possibilities these days.
10. Online Tutor
If you’re skilled in a subject or language, consider becoming an online tutor. Platforms like Kaplan, Outschool, and Studypool are great options to get started. You can also earn extra income with this side gig by reaching out to your local library or community college campuses to advertise your tutoring sessions.
You can tutor virtually using Zoom and charge anywhere from $15 to $40 per hour, depending on the subject and type of assignments you’ll be providing help with.
How to Make an Extra $500 a Month Wrapup
Whether you already have a full-time job, kids, or other responsibilities that require your time, you can still make extra money on your own terms. These are the most practical options to get started with right away. Keep in mind that earning $500 per month adds up to $6,000 per year, which could be a nice annual bonus.
The key is to choose opportunities that align with your skills and interests, start small, stay consistent, and refine your approach over time.