If the traditional nine-to-five grind doesn’t excite you anymore, there are countless creative ways to make money in 2026 – many of them online, flexible, and built for your lifestyle.
Whether you want to make money on the side or start an entirely new career, we’ve curated a diverse list of creative ideas to inspire you.From digital platforms that let you make money online to creative and local ideas that bring in extra cash, we’ve grouped these 24 ways to make money into online, creative, and service-based categories – so you can jump straight to what fits you best.
Disclaimer
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1. Print on Demand
With Print on Demand (POD), making money with an online business has never been easier. And the best part? It requires minimal startup costs.
POD lets you design, create, and sell a wide range of products, including t-shirts, home decor, games, and even custom-printed pint glasses. Everything is produced only after a customer orders, which means no leftover inventory or wasted cash.
Success doesn’t happen by chance. You need to set up a polished, professional store, design eye-catching products, and plan out your best marketing strategies.
But when you nail it, POD is an excellent source of semi-passive income and extra cash – especially for online content creators looking for creative ways to make money from home.
Once a customer orders, your POD provider handles all the rest – printing, packaging, and shipping. That means you can focus on scaling your business instead of managing inventory.
Want to get inspired? Explore Printify Success Stories to see how others have unlocked financial freedom with POD.Learn how to design your own hoodie, launch custom tote bags, or create themed collections with Printify’s Product Creator – a free tool that helps you turn ideas into sellable designs.
Start your own business today with Printify
2. Affiliate marketing: Earn passive income by promoting brands
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting products and services online. If you’re already a social media influencer or have a popular online presence, becoming an affiliate is an excellent way to earn passive income.
Affiliates get unique tracking links that record every sale. When someone clicks and makes a purchase, you earn a set percentage of the sale price – no inventory, no shipping, just commission.
The key is choosing products or services relevant to your audience and promoting them through various channels – websites, social media accounts, newsletters, or blogs. The most successful affiliates focus on building trust, sharing honest reviews, and creating content that solves real problems for their audience.For example, the Printify Affiliate Program pays a 5% commission on every order your referrals make for 12 months.
3. Start an eCommerce business: Build a brand that earns while you sleep
Industry experts predict that the global retail eCommerce market will reach $83.26 trillion in revenue in 2030, providing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.
While online businesses require hard work and dedication to get up and running, they can bring in good money.
Here are a few great business models:
- Print on Demand: With POD, anyone can start an online business with minimal startup costs and no inventory. Design, create, and sell various products – after someone buys from you, the POD company does the rest.
- Dropshipping: A low-cost way to test what sells without holding inventory. You promote and price products, and your supplier ships them straight to customers. Explore the top dropshipping websites to find a supplier.
Private-label dropshipping: Invest more upfront than with regular dropshipping, but earn higher margins by branding and customizing your own line – great for building long-term brand value.r those who want the freedom to choose their own clients and set their own rates.
Quick tip
Explore the top 25 things to sell on Etsy and check out our market research on what to sell on Shopify to gain inspiration for your own online shop.
4. Freelancing: Get paid for the skills you already have
Freelancing keeps climbing as more businesses hire independent talent in 2026. Upwork reports that freelancers generated $1.5 trillion in 2024 earnings. Individually, American freelancers make an average of $99,230 a year.
Start with the best freelance platforms in 2026:
- Fiverr: Great for beginners who want to earn extra cash on quick, one-off gigs. You list your services, set your price, and get discovered by clients worldwide.
- Upwork: Best for experienced freelancers seeking high-value, long-term projects. You can pitch for jobs, build repeat clients, and grow your income steadily.
Whether you want to make money online as a freelance graphic designer or social media manager, both of these online platforms provide various opportunities.In short, freelancing gives you freedom – you choose your projects, set your rates, and work from anywhere. That flexibility makes it a profitable venture for creative professionals who want control over how theyearn money.milarly to previous ones, the supplier takes care of manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.
5. Sell online courses: Turn expertise into passive income
Teaching online is seeing major growth. The global eLearning market is on track to surpass $1 trillion by 2032. As more people look for flexible, skills-based education, creators who turn their knowledge into online courses claim a meaningful share of that growth.
Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare streamline the process of creating and selling courses to a wide audience. These online platforms handle payments and video delivery, so you can teach andmake money instead of managing tech.
Quick tip
Explore Udemy’s featured topics to find the most popular courses.
6. Online tutoring: Teach skills people actually pay to learn
Online tutoring is one of the easiest creative ways to make money online. Here are a few popular online platforms to get you started:
- Wyzant: A tutoring platform that provides an easy way to tutor one-on-one and make money online.
- Skillshare: A beginner-friendly platform that allows you to create and publish courses on various subjects.
- Teachable: A great platform for creating and selling learning materials and hosting online classes.
- Pear Deck: One of the best online communities for tutors. The platform helps tutors connect with students and share their knowledge and skills.
Building your tutoring schedule takes effort, but it can bring in good money and still fit around a full-time job. As you gain students, your extra income grows fast – and you can raise your rates once you build reviews and momentum.
Quick tip
Try Skillshare as a student – get one month free and explore what it offers. You’ll learn how top tutors structure their online classes and what keeps students returning.
7. Sell stock photos, videos, and files: Get paid for every download
If you’re a visual artist looking for creative ways to make money with your talent, consider the following options.
Upload your photos on stock photography sites, like Shutterstock (great for stock videos, too), Getty Images, or iStock, to advertise your work and find clients.
Make money by opening a store on Creative Fabrica and selling stock files, like templates, illustrations, and, of course, photos.
8. Start a YouTube channel: Turn views into income
If you know a thing or two about geopolitics, mysteries of nature, secrets of science, or any other interesting subject, consider starting a YouTube channel.
While it’s a great way to make money online, YouTube channels require careful preparation and some startup costs. You need equipment, video editing skills, and the ability to create content that attracts followers.
Additionally, you can monetize a channel only after becoming eligible for the YouTube Partner Program. It means you need at least 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months (or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days).
On average, a YouTuber earns around $0.018 per view or $18 for every 1,000 views.
9. Become a streamer: Earn while you play or connect live
If you enjoy gaming and interacting with people, it’s an excellent option to pursue in your free time.
After you build a loyal following, earn money via donations, brand partnerships, and selling merchandise for your fans.
Quick tip
Playing games and streaming are demanding tasks for a PC – consider investing in a powerful computer setup.
10. Start a blog: Publish once, earn again and again
Blogging lets you make money from what you know. Write about anything – from your daily life experiences to your passion for a particular hobby or interest.
Yes, you can make money blogging – if people can find you. Promote the blog via your social media accounts or using Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok ads.
To grow faster, learn basic SEO. Use keywords people search for, write clear titles, and add links between related posts. It’s how your blog shows up on Google – and how you get steady traffic that earns long after you publish.
Once you have readers, earn money from ads, affiliate links, and sponsorships – three proven ways to make money blogging.A few good platforms for blogging are Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.
11. Answer online surveys: Quick cash, low effort
Paid online surveys are a simple, low-effort way to earn extra cash in your spare time. They won’t replace a job, but they’re an easy way to turn downtime into a small, steady income.
Sign up on sites like Swagbucks or LifePoints. Then, select topics and start making money by answering questions.
Additionally, consider joining local in-person or online focus groups on sites like User Interviews or Ipsos iSay.
Quick tip
Check third-party reviews before signing up. Stick with verified platforms to avoid scams and protect your personal info.
12. Test digital products: Get paid for your opinion
Testing websites, apps, and software is an easy way to make extra money online while helping brands improve their digital products.
As a tester, you’ll share notes about the interface, functionality, or usability errors, and the company will pay you for your feedback.
Try sites like UserTesting or Userlytics to get started on your testing journey.
13. Pet sitting and dog walking: Hang out with pets and earn money
If you love animals, a pet sitting or a dog walking business might be the right side hustle for you.
Join platforms like Rover and Wag! – the biggest online platforms for finding pet-sitting jobs. Or build your own website using Shopify or WooCommerce to start a full-fledged business. Alternatively, offer these services via your social media or local community bulletin boards.
Promote your services via your social media presence and encourage word-of-mouth referrals to grow your client base fast.
14. Renting out realty: Turn spare space into income
If you own a property, starting a side hustle is easy. Rent out an apartment, spare room, or garage to make some extra cash.
Here are two options:
- Airbnb: An online marketplace for rentals, connecting hosts with guests looking for short-term stays worldwide.
- Neighbor: A storage-sharing marketplace that helps rent out spaces like garages, driveways, and unpaved lots.
15. Become a personal trainer: Help others reach their goals
If you love fitness, becoming a personal trainer is one of the most rewarding ways to make money doing what you already enjoy. You’ll need certification from a reputable organization for credibility and attracting clients.
The worldwide health and wellness market is expected to reach almost $9 trillion by 2028 – a promising opportunity for those wanting to build a career in the fitness industry.
Quick tip
Build a strong social media presence with workout clips, nutrition tips, and client transformations. The better your content, the faster word-of-mouth referrals spread.
16. Car washing and detailing: Shine cars, earn steady cash
Car washing and detailing is a simple side hustle for anyone who enjoys hands-on work. Detailing goes beyond a basic wash – it’s about deep-cleaning and polishing every surface for showroom results. You’ll need a few tools and a parking space, but with repeat clients, this can bring steady extra income all year.
17. Mystery shopping: Get paid to review real experiences
Mystery shoppers get paid to evaluate real shopping experiences. You visit stores, check service quality, and share feedback that helps businesses improve.
Start by searching “mystery shopping jobs near me” or joining legitimate online platforms like Market Force or BestMark. They list available shops and handle payments securely.
Quick tip
To avoid scams, stick with verified companies, read reviews, and confirm pay details before you start any job.
18. Flip different items: Buy low, sell high
Flipping items involves buying undervalued items, improving them, and selling them for a profit. This can quickly turn into a profitable side hustle.
Here’s where to find low-cost items worth flipping:
- Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace: Search for products with a profit potential on online marketplaces and then resell them elsewhere.
- Yard sale, flea market, craft fair: Great places to find various items – from clothing and accessories to electronics and furniture.
You can resell as-is, but refinishing, repairing, or repackaging items often raises resale value – and helps your listings stand out.
19. House cleaning: Simple work, steady pay
House cleaning has a low barrier to entry and requires minimal startup costs. Apart from basic cleaning supplies, there are no other expenses.
It’s a relatively easy way to make money, and it’s a flexible job that allows you to set your own hours and work independently.
Try freelancing websites like TIDY and TaskRabbit, offer your services via social media, or check if local companies are hiring.