We all know that the economy looks pretty awful due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal guidelines for social distancing forced non-essential businesses to close. That’s resulted in more than 30 million unemployment claims over a six week period. If you do still have a job, you may have been furloughed or received a pay cut — or both.
Depressed yet? Here’s a bright spot. There are actually ways to make money during the pandemic. Here are the best ones that we’ve found…
1. Launch Your Own Business and Earn up to $64/Hour
Have you always dreamed of starting your own business? One where you could work from home and set your own flexible hours? This could be your perfect opportunity.
Not sure where to start? Look into bookkeeping. It’s the No. 1 most profitable business, according to an article in Inc. And you can earn up to $64 an hour.
You don’t have to be an accountant or good at calculus to be successful at bookkeeping, either. As long as you’re motivated, a company called Bookkeeper Launch will teach you everything you need to know. It’s one of the leading training courses in the field, and it’ll even give you the first three classes for free.
It’s helped thousands of people launch their own mini-businesses, including Daniel Honan, a military veteran in his early 30s. He never considered starting his own company, but he signed up for Bookkeeper Launch, and now he’s making around $50,000 a year keeping track of business expenses for his clients.
It only took him three months to get started, taking one class a week. Oh, and he makes his own schedule and is able to spend more time with his wife than ever.
If you’re just a little curious, you just have to submit your email address here to take the first free classes.
2. Make up to $15/Hour to Pick up Milk for Your Neighbors
Not everyone can get to the grocery store these days, but that’s where you can help — and get paid.
With an app called Postmates, you could get paid to pick up a few extra groceries for them.
Even better than getting paid to grocery shop? If you need the money, like, now, you can cash out instantly after each delivery.
Holly Gaston, of San Francisco, California, has tried plenty of side gigs. With Postmates, she made an average of $15 an hour. Plus, she said it was much more enjoyable than any of her previous side gigs.
Signing up shouldn’t take you more than about three minutes.
3. This Research Company Will Pay You up to $225/Month to Watch Videos
What if we told you a research company would pay you to watch cooking videos on your computer?
It’s too good to be true, right?
But we’re serious. InboxDollars will pay you to watch short video clips online. One minute you might watch someone bake brownies and the next you might get the latest updates on Kardashian drama. All you have to do is choose which videos you want to watch and answer a few quick questions about them afterward.
No, InboxDollars won’t replace your full-time job, but it’s something easy you can do while you’re already on the couch tonight wasting time on your phone.
It’s possible to earn up to $225 per month watching these videos, meaning you can rack up $1,500 in about six months.
It’s already paid its users more than $56 million.
It takes about one minute to sign up, and you’ll immediately get a $5 bonus to get you started.
4. Play Free Scratch-off Tickets
Hitting a big jackpot could solve a lot of your problems right now. It’s tempting to buy those scratch-off tickets from the gas station. But that’s not the best use of your money when you’re in a bind.
Instead, try playing for free using an app called Lucktastic. Each day, it releases a new assortment of digital scratch-off tickets. Lucktastic says instant wins range from $1 to $2,500, in cash or gift cards to popular retailers.
We talked to single dad Oneil Campbell, from Boston, who was shocked when he won a $5,000 Lucktastic prize.
The app is supported by advertising, which allows it to keep the payouts high and the games free. It’s not guaranteed money, but at least Lucktastic is free to play. And hey, somebody’s gotta win.
“I didn’t see that one coming,” Campbell says with a laugh. “I really didn’t. This is something good that happened to me at the right time — when I can really use it.”
5. Get Paid up to $600/Week to Drop off Starbucks
Your city is filled with two things: Starbucks, and people who don’t want to leave their house for Starbucks.
An app called Doordash will pay you to pick up and deliver an extra latte when you’re already out and getting your caffeine fix. And it’s not just coffee. You can deliver from Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys and hundreds of other restaurants in your area.
With Doordash, you set your own hours and work as much or little as you want, meaning how much you make is up to you.
You’ll earn money for each delivery, plus tips. Jose Neri, from California, reports earning $500 to $600 a week working just lunches and dinners.
The best part? No passengers — that grande, no-whip macchiato will be the only thing to hear your beautiful singing voice.
If you sign up for Doordash now, it’s possible to get your first paycheck this week.
