How to Make Money When You Can’t Get a Job

When faced with the immediate need for income and traditional employment remains elusive, various avenues exist to generate earnings. Exploring alternative strategies can provide financial stability and a sense of empowerment during challenging times. These approaches often leverage existing skills, personal assets, or local opportunities, offering flexible and immediate income solutions.

Generating Income Through Local Gigs

Local gig opportunities offer a direct path to earning money, often requiring minimal upfront investment and providing quick payouts. Many individuals find success through app-based services that connect them with immediate needs in their community. For instance, food and grocery delivery services, such as DoorDash or Uber Eats, offer flexible schedules, with food delivery drivers earning an average hourly pay ranging from $18.45 to $21.38. Some reports indicate annual earnings between $42,926 and $57,815, depending on factors like location and hours worked.

Providing pet care services, like dog walking and pet sitting, also presents a viable income stream. Dog walkers earn around $17.20 per hour, with hourly rates falling between $14.42 and $19.71. Annual earnings for dog walkers can range from approximately $28,491 to $35,770. These services can be advertised through community boards, local social media groups, or specialized apps like Wag and Rover.

Offering handyman services or general yard work can also generate steady income. Handymen charge between $50 and $150 per hour, with many self-employed individuals averaging $50 to $80 per hour. A minimum charge, often $100 or more, covers travel and setup time. Similarly, house cleaning services can be lucrative, with hourly rates ranging from $25 to $80 per cleaner, averaging $50 to $55 per hour. Flat fees for standard house cleaning might range from $100 to $250 per visit, while more extensive deep cleaning can command $40 to $100 per hour.

Income earned from these types of gig work is considered self-employment income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individuals are responsible for self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions. For 2025, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, applied to 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment. This consists of a 12.4% Social Security tax portion and a 2.9% Medicare tax portion. If an individual expects to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, including self-employment tax, they are required to make estimated tax payments quarterly to the IRS.

Earning Money with Online Skills

Leveraging existing skills for online work provides a flexible way to generate income remotely, often with global reach. Platforms dedicated to freelance work connect individuals with clients seeking various services. For example, freelance writing, graphic design, and virtual assistant roles are consistently in demand, allowing individuals to offer their expertise to a wide array of businesses and individuals. Data entry and transcription are other accessible online opportunities. Transcription rates vary, with professional services charging between $0.50 and $3.00 per audio minute, or $90 to $150 per audio hour for high-quality work. When billed per work hour, transcribers might earn $15 to $25.

Online tutoring has also become a significant avenue for income, covering a broad spectrum of subjects and grade levels. Tutors can expect to earn between $25 and $80 per hour on average, with K-12 core subject tutoring ranging from $27 to $55 per hour. More specialized areas, such as test preparation or advanced STEM subjects, can command higher rates, sometimes reaching $80 to $110 per hour. Popular platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are common places to find freelance work, allowing individuals to showcase their portfolios and bid on projects.

Participating in paid online surveys or micro-task platforms can supplement income, though these offer small payments for short tasks or opinions. Income from online freelance work is subject to self-employment tax regulations, including quarterly estimated tax payments if the expected tax liability exceeds $1,000. Accurate records of income and expenses are important for tax calculations.

Selling Personal Belongings

Selling items no longer needed or used can provide an immediate cash influx. Various channels exist for liquidating personal assets, from online marketplaces to local options. Clothing, electronics, furniture, books, and collectibles are common items that hold resale value.

Online platforms such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace offer broad audiences for selling goods. For local transactions on Facebook Marketplace, there are no selling fees. However, if an item is sold with shipping enabled through Facebook Marketplace’s checkout system, a selling fee applies. This fee is 10% of the total sale price, including the item price, shipping, and any applicable tax, with a minimum charge of $0.80 per shipment. Other options include local classifieds, consignment shops, and garage sales. Consignment shops take a percentage of the sale price, which varies by store and item. Pawn shops offer quick cash but at a lower value than an item’s resale potential.

From a tax perspective, selling personal belongings does not result in taxable income unless the item is sold for more than its original purchase price. If an item is sold for more than its cost, the profit is considered a capital gain and may be subject to capital gains tax. It is important to keep records of original purchase prices for valuable items to accurately determine any potential taxable gains.

Finding Short-Term Assignments

Securing short-term assignments provides a more structured approach to earning income, distinct from independent gig work. Temporary staffing agencies are a primary resource for connecting individuals with temporary, contract, or temp-to-hire roles across various industries.

These agencies often specialize in administrative, clerical, light industrial, or customer service positions. They manage the payroll, tax withholdings, and benefits (if any), meaning individuals receive a W-2 form for tax purposes, similar to traditional employment.

Temporary general labor jobs can average around $17.52 per hour. Other roles placed through temporary agencies might see hourly rates ranging from $15 for a laborer to $21 for an electrician. In some major cities, average temporary salaries can reach $25.60 per hour. These assignments can last from a few days to several months, providing immediate income while searching for more permanent employment.

Direct contract roles with companies also fall under short-term assignments. Depending on the company and the nature of the work, these can be W-2 positions or 1099 independent contractor roles. If classified as a 1099 contractor, the individual is considered self-employed, and self-employment tax and estimated tax payment rules apply. Seasonal employment, particularly during peak retail seasons or specific industry cycles, offers another avenue for short-term work. This includes roles in retail, hospitality, or delivery services during holiday periods. Tailoring a resume to highlight flexibility, quick learning, and relevant skills for short-term engagements can increase opportunities in this segment of the job market.