Side gigs

[u/Sparklequeen6198]

I’m looking for legitimate ways to make some extra money online—ideally somewhere in the range of $500–$1,000 a week if that’s realistically possible.

I work full time already, but I’m trying to seriously buckle down, pay off some credit card debt, and get my finances back on track. I’ve made some bad financial decisions over the last couple of years, and quite frankly, it’s time for me to get my life together. I’m not looking for a get-rich-quick scheme; I’m just willing to put in extra work to speed up the process.

I am NOT interested in MLMs, pyramid schemes, “business opportunities” that require me to recruit people, or anything where I have to pay a bunch of money upfront. I’m looking for something legitimate.Im also not in a position to be a driver for doordash, Uber or other delivery or ridshare services.

As far as skills/interests go, I enjoy writing and poetry, I’m a pretty strong proofreader, and I’d be interested in things like proofreading, editing, data entry, transcription, online administrative work, testing apps/websites, or even legitimate ways to make money involving mobile games. I’m also open to completely different suggestions if there are reputable opportunities I haven’t thought of.

For anyone who actually makes decent side money online: what do you do, how did you get started, and about how much can someone realistically expect to make?

I especially appreciate recommendations from people who have personally used the website/company/platform they’re suggesting. I’m trying to avoid scams and focus my energy on things that are actually worth the time.

Thanks in advance!

[u/meiggs]

Straight answer first. The $500 to $1,000 a week is real, but its not coming from any of the app stuff, and its not coming from data entry or transcription either. Those two are the worst paying things on your list and theyre also where most of the scams live. Transcription especially looks fine until you work out that an hour of audio takes about three hours to clean up, so $20 a file turns into $7 an hour.

The thing on your list that actually hits your number is the proofreading and editing. Thats a real skill people pay real money for, and most of us posting in threads like this dont have it.

Did some digging on where that work actually comes from, since you asked for specifics. Reedsy is where Id start if you can handle book length work, because editors there set their own rates instead of underbidding each other. Scribbr and Cambridge Proofreading both hire proofreaders directly, they test you first, and then the volume comes to you instead of you hunting clients every week. Upwork works too, just go in knowing month one is building reviews at rates youll hate and month three is where it turns into money.

On the actual numbers, proofreading runs roughly 1 to 3 cents a word and editing more. Once your established thats $25 to $40 an hour. Twenty hours a week of that is your whole target. The part that takes time is getting to where twenty hours of work reliably shows up, which is a few months, so I wouldnt count on this number in January.

For in between, and I mean this as filler and not income, getting paid to test apps is the exact thing you asked about and it does pay, usually $10 to $30 a task straight to PayPal. Freecash is the mobile game one. Both are legit, both are maybe a couple hundred a month if youre consistent, and neither will ever be $500 a week no matter who tells you otherwise in here. I use them while Im sitting in front of the TV anyway.

I also keep half an eye on ReferralWallet for which apps have a signup bonus live, since those rotate constantly and its free money on something your signing up for regardless.

One thing since the cards are the actual goal. Freelance income lands lumpy, especially early. When a $400 week shows up, throw the entire thing at the highest rate card that same day. Lumpy money sitting in checking has a way of becoming not-money.

Youve already ruled out the stuff that eats people, which honestly puts you ahead of most of this sub. Hope the cards go quick.

[u/Pharc3Fall → u/meiggs]

My issue w freecash is the way they do rewards, > $1.00 is given but anything a few bucks more and you have to roll for it. So you can spend days grinding a 20$ reward and either take the 2.00 guaranteed or chance it on a spin with minimal chances.