Making Money Online: The Truth About Earning Without a 9-5
Hey Bestie! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for ways to make extra money online, either as a side hustle, because you’re unemployed, or simply out of curiosity. Whatever brought you here, I’m excited for you!
Disclocure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. It wont cost you anything but it helps me run the site. Full Disclosure here.
The Hype vs. The Reality of online jobs
We’ve all seen those flashy headlines: How to Make $20,000 Without a 9-5! How to Quit Your Job and Make $1,000 a Day! Become a Millionaire Overnight!
Phew! Sound familiar? If you’ve been searching for online income ideas, I bet you’ve seen these everywhere. They make it sound so easy—like all you need is a smartphone and zero skills. While there’s truth in some of these claims, they are often exaggerated to grab your attention.
So, let’s set the record straight: Making money online is real, but it’s work; a lot of work. It requires effort, patience, and strategy. If you’re ready for that, let’s dive into what you need to know before getting started.
Misconceptions About Making Money Online
Before we discuss money-making methods, let’s break down some common myths about earning online;
1. The Initial Workload is Heavy
Setting up your online business, finding your niche, learning the necessary skills, and creating content or services takes time. It’s not necessarily hard, but it is time-consuming. You have to be patient and consistent.
2. Market Saturation is Real
If you’re thinking, Isn’t everyone and their mother making money online these days?, the answer is yes—more people than ever are trying.
Platforms are more competitive than they were in 2015 or 2020. But don’t let that discourage you! There’s still room for success if you find your unique approach.
3. Startup Costs Exist
Many social media platforms are free, but supporting tools, software, and courses often aren’t. While there are free resources, investing in quality tools (like website hosting, editing software, or online courses) can help you reach profitability faster.
The cost f entry is not as low or free as in 2017 or 2020 now. Courses are no longer just $50 anymore. When I was starting my blog, I was so discouraged trying to find a an affordable Pinterest Strategy.
Most courses that used to be $20 or $50 are now $200 or more. I dont know about you but as abeginner that’s a lot of money.
However, I was fortunate enough to find Lisa’s Pinterest course called Pinners Club. I think I paid under $50 for it and it honestly was so value packed.
4. Burnout is Real
When I started my blog, I was working day and night, publishing daily Pinterest posts and two blog posts per week. After two months, I was so burnt out that I took a two-month break. Lesson learned: treat online work like a job, not an obsession. Sustainable progress beats short-lived hustle.
3 Ways to Make Money Online (That I’ve Personally Tried!)
Now that we’ve addressed the realities, let’s talk about realistic ways to earn online. These are methods I’ve personally tested and seen results from:
1. Online Teaching
- No qualifications needed
- Set your own price
- Payment methods: PayPal, EFT, Payoneer
- Available worldwide
I applied for iTalki back in 2020 and was accepted within two weeks. Before applying, I researched thoroughly and made sure my profile looked professional. Here are the videos I watched to set up my Profile.
- Intro Video for ONLINE English Tutoring+Tips
- Why Did iTalki Reject My Application?!
- ITALKI: APPLICATION PROCESS
💡 Pro Tip: If your profile isn’t appealing, you might get rejected, so make sure you clearly outline what you teach and how you help students.
While iTalki sounds easy—just talk to people, right?—it’s not that simple. Some students are complete beginners, and if you’re not an experienced teacher, you’ll need a solid lesson plan to structure your classes.
Disavantages
- It is highly satuarated. Some platforms like italki will keep you on the waiting list incase there’s an opening. So you might not get in right away
- You will meet some creeps if you are a woman on italki. Some people are on there for other reasons besides language learning. Make sure to report them so that you can get paid for the lesson even if you exited the before the lesson time ends.
- Payments can take a whole week to arrive to your prefered withdrawal method. But they have an express option which costs $10 to receive your withdrawal in 1-2 days.
How Much Can You Make?
Your earnings depend on your availability and student demand. At my peak, I made $280 in a month, which covered some bills. Some people make way more! The key is being available as much as possible.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your calendar open 24/7 so students can book at any time. Then, reschedule to a more convenient time if needed.
Other Platforms just as good as italki
- Cambly
- Preply
2. Trading (Yes, Really!)
- No qualifications needed
- Payment methods: PayPal, EFT, Bitcoin etc
- Available worldwide (with the exception to a few countries)
- High risk but also highly rewarding
I know, I know—trading has a bad reputation because of fake “mentors” promising instant riches. But let me be real with you: Trading is legit if you take the time to learn it properly.
I’m still a beginner, but I’ve already made as much in one day as I did in a month with iTalki!
💡 Reality Check: Success depends on psychology and strategy, not intelligence. I’ve seen people who struggled in school thrive in trading, while super-smart individuals struggle.
If you’re interested, research thoroughly and find reliable educational resources. I’ve linked some YouTube channels and mentors I recommend below.
💡 Pro Tip: Pick only ONE mentor and strategy and stick with it.
One last crucial thing. Choose a regulated broker, do not be too experimental about this. You don’t want a headache when it’s time to withdraw your money. One broker that has been tried and tested for many many years and have never disappointed me is Pepperstone.
3. Blogging (My First Love!)
I first learnt about blogging in 2023 after discovering Sophia Lee, a six-figure blogger who built her blog called by Sophia Lee (BSL) from scratch. Blogging is perfect if you love writing, community, and helping others but it requirers other skills for it to really work.
💡 Biggest Lesson: People don’t go to Google or Pinterest just to read a beautiful blog post. They’re looking for answers or solutions to their problems. Your content should focus on helping your audience, not just sharing your thoughts.
What You Need to Start a Blog
- Hosting: I use Bluehost—highly recommend! Once you have purchased your hosting which is only $2.95/month you will be redirected to a wordpress.org where you will begin setting up your website.
- Plugins: Security, SEO, image optimization, analytics, and speed boosters. For your blog to work smoothily you will need plugins most of which are free.
- Theme: Studio Mommy (on Etsy) or 17 Avenue (affordable & professional-looking). I can not stress this enough you guys! If you are not a web developer or designer of some sort do not try to design your own theme.
It will look like YOU did it and if you want people to take your work seriously you will need a theme that sells you well. You dont have to spend 100s of dollars on a pretty theme. 17 Avenue has some really high quality themes at affordable prices.
How to Make Money From Blogging
- Digital Products (eBooks, printables, courses)
- Affiliate Marketing (Get commissions for recommending products)
- Sponsorships (Brands pay you to write about their products)
- Ads (Once you get high traffic, apply for Mediavine!)
💡 Traffic Tip: Pinterest is GOLD for blog traffic. Invest in a solid Pinterest strategy and be consistent.
Final Thoughts: Can You Still Make Money Online?
Absolutely! Even though the market is competitive, there’s always an audience for your unique voice and skills.
What It Takes to Succeed
- Hard Work: Online income isn’t passive at first—it takes consistent effort until it is.
- Being Teachable: Learn from experienced creators/online enterpreneurs, especially about SEO and social media.
- Consistency: Stick to a plan for at least 6 months before deciding if something works.
- Tracking Goals: Start small—maybe aim for $50/month, then increase. Monitor your progress and adjust your strategy.
- Keep your 9-5: I can not stress this enough, please don’t quit your job until you start seeing consitent income that’s atleast the same amount as your 9-5 salary.
The stress you get from doing this while broke can be crippling to a point where you start compromising and doing things you never wanted to do, it can cause depression because you can’t exactly predict when your hustle is gonna start making real money.
What Online Hustle Are You Interested In?
Let’s talk in the comments! Which method sounds best to you? Have you tried making money online before? Share your experiences!