How to Make a Couple Extra Hundred Dollars a Month

Earning supplemental income can enhance personal finances, offering flexibility and control. This often means generating smaller amounts that complement existing income. Various avenues exist to achieve this.

Online Income Streams

Online activities offer opportunities to earn money with minimal upfront investment. Online surveys provide a straightforward way to earn small amounts by sharing opinions. Micro-task platforms offer discrete tasks like data categorization or image tagging, paying per completed item.

Freelance work also contributes to supplemental income. Data entry tasks often pay between $10 and $30 per hour, depending on complexity. Virtual assistant roles, including administrative support or scheduling, generally range from $10 to $50 per hour. Some online research studies also offer compensation for participation.

Income from these activities is considered self-employment income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Net earnings of $400 or more from self-employment must be reported. This income is subject to self-employment tax at a rate of 15.3% on net earnings for 2025, covering Social Security (12.4% up to $176,100) and Medicare (2.9% on all net earnings). Taxpayers typically report this income on Schedule C (Form 1040) and may need to make estimated tax payments.

Local Service Gigs

Providing services locally offers another path to earning additional income. Pet sitting and dog walking are popular options, with pet sitters often charging $20 to $30 per day or $25 per 30-minute visit. Dog walkers typically charge $20 to $40 per hour, or $20 to $30 for a 30-minute walk. Rates can vary based on location, number of pets, and additional services.

Babysitting is also a common local service, with average hourly rates in the United States ranging from $16 to $28 in 2025. For one child, rates typically fall between $14 and $20 per hour, increasing by $1 to $5 for each additional child. Basic tutoring or yard work, such as lawn mowing, can also be offered, with rates depending on task complexity and local demand.

Local delivery services, including food or grocery delivery, present flexible opportunities. Average hourly pay for food delivery drivers in the United States is around $18.45 per hour. Earnings can fluctuate based on location, time of day, and deliveries completed. Earnings from these gigs are considered self-employment income and are subject to the same tax reporting requirements. Maintaining accurate records of income and related expenses is important for tax purposes.

Leveraging Personal Resources

Utilizing existing personal assets or skills provides a distinct approach to generating supplemental income. Selling unused household items, such as old clothes or furniture, can provide quick cash. If these items are sold for less than their original purchase price, the transaction is generally not taxable. However, if an item is sold for a profit, the gain is considered taxable income.

Reselling items for profit, where items are acquired with the intent to sell for more than their cost, is treated as a business activity. Profits from reselling are subject to income tax and self-employment tax if net earnings reach $400 or more. These earnings and associated expenses, such as the cost of goods sold and platform fees, should be tracked diligently and reported on Schedule C (Form 1040).

Monetizing a hobby, such as selling crafts or baked goods, involves distinguishing between hobby income and business income for tax purposes. Hobby income is taxable and generally reported on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), but related expenses typically cannot be deducted to offset that income. Conversely, if the activity is conducted with a profit motive and in a businesslike manner, it may be considered a business, allowing for the deduction of ordinary and necessary business expenses. The IRS often looks for activities that show a profit in at least three out of five years as an indicator of a business.

Renting out unused space, such as a spare room, can also generate income. Rental income is generally taxable and must be reported to the IRS. An exception exists if the space is rented for 14 days or fewer during the year, in which case the income is not reported, and no expenses can be deducted. For rentals exceeding 14 days, expenses, including a portion of mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, and repairs, can be deducted. These expenses are often prorated based on the percentage of the home used for rental purposes, typically by square footage or number of rooms, and reported on Schedule E (Form 1040).