How to Make Money on the Side or From Home in 2023
What a rollercoaster the past few years have been. You might be feeling drained and as if there is no way you can make enough money in 2023.
The cost of living keeps going up and life is stressful. So what can you do?
Fortunately, despite the state of the world, there are numerous ways to make money on the side.
Be sure to check legalities in your area, insurance and do a little research to know prices.
I have tried all of the below and only recommend things I have done.
You can find 23 ways to make money on the side below.
This post may contain affiliate links to the products and services I personally use.
Check out the full disclosure here if you want.
1. Bank Bonuses
Banks offer sign-up bonuses from $5 instantly through to hundreds if you stay with them a while and spend a certain amount of money etc.
Set up a bank account specifically for your side hustling to make it easier to track.
Get a $100 Bonus from ING
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open an everyday account and put the promo code CNW116 in the promo box (you must use the code to get the $100 bonus) and complete all the steps below in the first month.
- Deposit $1,000 into the account such as your income or Centrelink payments
- Make 5 settled transactions
- Open a Savings Maximiser (current interest rate is 5.5%)
- Make a deposit into the Savings Maximiser
Then you get your $100 the following month when the promotion is running. Promotion periods vary. The current promotion runs until October 31, 2023.
Up Bank offers $8 instantly to new customers. Ubank offers $10 to new customers who join with the code S7VL6WF and use their card 3 times with the first month.
With these bonuses, I am talking about bank accounts, not credit cards.
Opening or applying for credit cards, loans, any financial transaction like this will go on your credit history and impact your borrowing power for loans, mortgages etc.
As such, if you are planning a mortgage, refinance, personal loan or anything along those lines, be careful with what you do.
2. Online Surveys
Time wasted sitting and waiting for something e.g. the doctors or school pick up can now make you money.
They won’t make you rich but can be a way to make money in otherwise wasted time.
Here are my favourites:
Octopus Group: Pays $16.28hr
I’ve been doing surveys with Octopus Group for a few years. Octopus Group are the highest paying in Australia and there are lots of surveys available in my experience.
Read the full review of Octopus Group for more information.
Swagbucks: More Than Just Surveys
The first online survey site I ever tried over a decade ago has so many ways to earn Swagbucks.
Online surveys, daily polls, watching videos, shopping and activating the cashback option, using it as a Google search instead of Google. The list of ways to earn is long.
PrizeRebel
Paying in USD, PrizeRebel converts well for Aussies. I don’t get as many surveys from them but it stills does well.
PureProfile
They changed a lot recently to be much more user-friendly, you can earn more, cash out easier and overall, PureProfile became a much better experience.
3. Buy Things to Resell
I used to do this heaps and at one point was making over $10,000 a month from it.
I did best with rockabilly clothing, travel and camping gear, photography items and a couple of cars.
Reselling has been a fun way for my kids and me to generate money when we feel like it in more recent times too.
Find tips on how to do it here or I have a full eBook including everything here.
Over on Aspiring Millionaire, reselling is one of the ways they’re turning $2 into $1,000,000.
4. Blogging
One of my favourite side gigs which turned into full-time income for me is blogging.
I’ve been blogging for years, have bought and sold sites as well as founded others.
The Thrifty Issue has been by far my favourite.
To make money from blogging you need good content, and an engaged community then use methods such as ads, sponsored posts, affiliate links and your own products.
Check out this post on how to set up a blog and make money blogging.
5. Market Research
$100 per hour is the typical rate for market research I’ve done.
It’s not consistent but I get offers most weeks for a market research gig and the ones I have done were great.
Read how to make $100hr with market research for tips on how to do it and what is involved. Be sure to fill out your profile accurately to get the best offers.
6. Freelance Writing
Another one of my favourites, I have done writing on the side for years.
Initially, I started with financial writing but in the last few years, I did more travel writing.
Travel writing provided some amazing opportunities all over the world and incredible experiences for my kids as well.
Freelance writing isn’t for everyone and now is more competitive but there is still money to be made.
Read how to make money as a freelance writer for more info.
Another option with writing is to create your own eBooks and sell them on Amazon or your own website.
I have both and it means multiple incomes.
7. Virtual Assistant
Most things can be done online so if you have any experience with admin, marketing or similar, this is a good one.
You can make $20 to $50hr in Australia, although other countries charge much less.
This means you will be in competition with overseas workers, however, many companies want native English speakers or someone in Australia.
Remote work means virtual assistants are increasing in demand.
How to become a virtual assistant covers the set up and what is involved.
8. Rent out a Room or Your Space
This is one you will definitely need to check the laws in your area.
I’ve made thousands with Airbnb at different times, $50 a week renting out my garage in different cities and even rented other space in my home.
For long-term, consistent income, getting someone to rent a room works better than Airbnb for most people.
Do a thorough interview, get references and proof of income etc.
Treat it the same as you would a rental property.
Find out how to make money with Airbnb here. Plus this one is about how to sell your stuff or space.
If You Have Land
For anyone who has a decent block of land that would be ideal for camping, you can make good money through HipCamp. It’s an easy process to set up and less risky than Airbnb in my view.
9. Rent Out Your Car
It can be a bit hit and miss because people do not care about your car as much as you do.
So if you rent it out, you could end up with more dings and scratches.
Some people find it worth it, others have not.
In my experience, the customer service is lacking a little and insurance policies have changed so it is not as great as it was.
However, where I currently live is such a huge tourist destination that cars get booked out extremely fast for maximum prices.
You could opt to make your car available only during holiday times to get premium prices.
10. Rent Out A Caravan
You can do this two ways, either rent the caravan for others to pick up and use through Camplify or set it up at your place.
Check council and other regulations in your area to see if you are allowed.
Due to the shortage of rentals and a shift in how people travel, caravans at your place can be rented out for a few nights or longer if you prefer.
11. Airtasker
I experimented with this at various times and am surprised at the options along with how much I made. From delivering flyers to updating a business page on Tripadvisor, I tried everything.
Some were worth it, others were not.
Read how to make money with Airtasker to see what I did, how much I made and my tips. Remember to include their fees when looking at how much you could make.
The fees are quite high and take a chunk of your earnings.
12. Cash Back Sites
While not technically making money, you do get a signup bonus once you make your first purchase. Plus getting cashback on your shopping is great.
I get at least a few hundred each year, depending on what I am buying.
One year, when setting up a new home and selecting new items instead of second hand I got over $1,000 in cashback.
Last year, I saved $400 on one purchase and $200 on another (combining the sales and cashback programs).
They will let you know how much you can get back so you can choose which one to use at which time.
Sometimes they have the same amounts, other times one will have more than the others. Here are my favourite cashback sites.
Recommended Cashback Sites
Your first step needs to be getting the apps and Chrome extensions installed. They can notify you when you are on a site eligible for cash back and how much you will get.
The ones I use are:
CashRewards
By far my favourite as it usually has the highest cashback offer, the payments are processed easily and customer services has been good.
Simply join CashRewards for free, activate it when you see the cashback offer and get a bonus $20 cash back with your first purchase over $20.
Shopback
Works the same as CashRewards. You can only activate and use one so I compare to see which one is offering me a better deal. Join Shopback for free and get a bonus after your first purchase through them too.
Kickback
Similar to the others, Kickback is free to join and offers a variety of discounts and cashback on your purchases. Join Kickback and start saving money.
Honey
Slightly different, Honey offers cash back but also scans for discounts and coupon codes. Join Honey for free here.
Swagbucks
Best known as an online survey site, they also have a cashback program with the cash being awarded in points you accrue and cash out. Join free here.
ReceiptJar
This is for after your purchase is final. Upload your receipt and get points. Once you reach 1,000 points you can get a gift card.
Join free with the code KYLIT3QH2 and get a bonus 200 points when you upload your first receipt.
13. Flip Websites
I was more active with this a few years ago. Flipping websites is where I would buy a website for a few hundred, improve it then resell it for thousands.
It took a little work and sometimes it was a pain with the handover but the income was great.
As soon as I write about how I do this specifically, I’ll add it here. In the meantime, check out how to make money blogging for tips to do this.
14. Deliveries
Ubereats or even your local restaurant, couriers, Australia Post has taken on more delivery drivers or if you have a bike, deliver flyers.
With a car, postie bike or even a pushbike, you can make some decent money.
If you have a large car, delivery-style van or similar you can deliver for Amazon too. From what I have heard though, they load your hours with more deliveries than you can complete in the timeframe given so ended up being the lowest option.
Some of these companies have been offering sign-on bonuses too so do a little research for them before joining. Most of them allow you to be signed up for more than one at a time too.
15. Drive Others e.g. Uber, Shebah, Lyft etc
With a fairly new car, you can make money driving others around. It will cause wear and tear on your car plus there are the expenses of insurance, petrol etc.
But most people I talk to enjoy doing it as a side gig. If you live in a main city you can make a lot of money too.
The pay isn’t huge once you account for the expenses but it’s generally regular as you choose your own hours.
16. Medical Trials
I made $4,050 with one medical trial and have been featured in the news for this. There are a variety of trials and not all involve medication.
You don’t need to have the condition to be involved in the trial either.
I wouldn’t do it again mainly because I have 4 kids now and earn good money. But at the time, I needed the money and it was for something I already had so wasn’t much of a risk.
My top tips and personal experience are outlined here.
17. Voiceover Work
Get paid to read things, do intros for podcasts or other shows, ads and so much more. A few of my friends from different countries make thousands each year with this.
And as different places want different accents, genders etc. There is work for so many people.
18. Pet Sitting/Walking
This can be a great way to enjoy a pet without the cost of owning one. Some people pay to have you house and pet sit, which means free accommodation too.
Others will let you housesit at yours for payment.
As for dog walking, I see a huge need for this in various areas as people lead such busy lives now.
19. Ironing
One of the most commonly requested gigs that I see in Facebook groups is people looking for someone to do their ironing.
Personally, I hate ironing and have paid others to do it. If you choose to do ironing be really clear on your prices e.g. per item or per FLAT basket.
Otherwise, people will try to stuff as much as they can into a basket.
You can also offer to pick up or drop off for an extra fee.
20. Cleaning
Especially in touristy areas, cleaning can be amazing. There is a lot of work and even Airbnb specific gigs you can pick up now where you clean between guests.
Look on Facebook, Airtasker and Gumtree for gigs to get you started. Be sure not to underquote though!
21. Gardening
The more time-poor people are, the more they outsource. Gardening is one more and more people are paying others to do.
You can set up your own business or work for others. Check Facebook groups, Gumtree and similar for people needing work and advertise your services there.
Some will want regular lawn mowing, others require more work. Be sure to quote accurately after checking the prices in your are.
Underquoting will leave you exhausted with no money to show for it.
22. Second Job/Ask for a Raise
Hospitality, delivery driving, nightfill etc. There are numerous jobs with different hours depending on your experience, interest and availability.
Many of these jobs are picked up by uni students, semi-retired people or mothers now and are in high demand as so many have been laid off.
But in terms of regular payment, a second job is more definite than random gigs as you know how much you are making each week usually and it can include superannuation and other benefits.
Alternatively, if you are in a job where you can ask for a raise, do it. Show why you are valuable and worth it. At the same time, check to see the rates in your area for your qualifications and experience.
More often than not, it is easier and more beneficial to change jobs than it is to get a raise.
23. Cash for Cans and Bottles
If this is available in your area it can be an easy way to make a little side money. My eldest collects all our cans plus we collect cans on walks and other activities for them to cash in.
I have been amazed how quickly it adds up and how easy it is to do. There is a machine at our local shopping centre to cash it in so it isn’t out of our way to do.
Extra Ideas
A few extra ideas to make money but we won’t go into as much as the others include:
Investing
There is always a risk with investing, as such, get advice and know what you are comfortable doing. Shares, business, crypto, there are so many options but it can be a lot like gambling if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Matched Betting
Do not do matched betting if you have issues with gambling or an addictive personality. When done correctly, you can make money with matched betting but you need to learn how first.
It is gambling but it is gambling with a guaranteed return. Meaning, you use the bookies bonuses and other tips to bet and with the right education, you don’t really lose.
If you bet outside the guidelines or get addicted then it does not make you money!
Real Estate
Chances are if you are reading this article you probably don’t have the cash to buy a property. You might be surprised though.
Look outside of the area you want to live in, do some research and you might pick up an investment property for less than you thought.
Do not do this without research and advice though. It is an expensive process but there are bargains to be had and as the property market goes down while interest rates go up, there are likely to be more opportunities.
FAQ’s
Due to the popularity of this post and how we all like to make money, I’ve gotten a lot of questions. Here are the most common ones.
Do I have to declare any of these on tax?
Generally speaking, if you earn money you need to declare it but anything classed as a hobby, no.
It can get complicated so it is best to get professional advice if you are unsure or if you are doing any of these as a business.
That said, if you have to declare income, you might also be able to claim some other things related to making that income.
The ATO has great information on their website.
Cash for cans, medical trials, online surveys and cash back don’t need to be declared but others likely do. Get professional advice so you don’t get in trouble.
Will making money on the side affect my Centrelink payments?
As with tax, income needs to be declared to Centrelink. How much you earn, how you earn it and a few other factors determine if it will.
Check with Centrelink, always be honest and make sure you follow whatever advice you receive. In general, online surveys, cash back programs and those things don’t need to be declared.
If you start a business or make something more than a hobby, you will need to declare it and it gets complicated as they need profit and loss statements, accountant statements and more paperwork done.
But there is also extra help available if you are turning something into a business.
Do I need a business bank account for these side gigs?
If you are starting an actual business, which some of these ideas can be, then yes, a separate business bank account for your accounting purposes is needed.
You can start a business for under $100 using these tips.
If it is something such as the online surveys then no, you don’t need a business bank account.
You will want to get proper accounting software, not just a business bank account. With starting a business, get professional advice including legal, insurance, accounting etc.
To ensure you set it up correctly too.
Which ones are the best?
That depends on your personal circumstances, interests and how much effort you put in. My favourites and highest earners are blogging and freelance writing.
In 2023, I am doing more with real estate and business though.
What are you doing to make money in 2023?
Resources Listed:
Books: 99 Side Hustles for Aussies, How to make over $10,000 in a month buying stuff to resell,
Articles:
How I made $33,277 on the side in 12 months
The best online survey sites for Aussies
How to make money blogging
How to make $100hr with market research
How to become a freelance writer
How to become a virtual assistant
How to make money with Airbnb
How to make money with Airtasker
For more ways to make and save money follow us on social media:
The Thrifty Issue Facebook Page
The Thrifty Issue Facebook Group
The Thrifty Issue Instagram
Get a $100 Bonus from ING
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open an everyday account and put the promo code CNW116 in the promo box (you must use the code to get the $100 bonus) and complete all the steps below in the first month.
- Deposit $1,000 into the account such as your income or Centrelink payments
- Make 5 settled transactions
- Open a Savings Maximiser (current interest rate is 5.5%)
- Make a deposit into the Savings Maximiser
Then you get your $100 the following month when the promotion is running. Promotion periods vary. The current promotion runs until October 31, 2023.
