Be Your Own Boss: 3 Ways to Make Money on Your Own Time (up to $60/Hour)

Who couldn’t use some extra money? Exactly. We all could. But instead of getting a second job, make extra money on your own time. Yup, be your own boss and set your own schedule.

Plus, a few of these don’t even require you to leave home. Not only is it much more convenient (and comfortable), it’s also perfect for retirees, stay-at-home parents or people with disabilities.

The best part? You could earn up to $60 an hour.

1. Earn an Extra Money This Week Delivering Food

App-based side gigs are all the rage. And they literally let you turn on and off your availability to work. But sometimes we don’t want to drive people around. Or invite them to rent a room in our homes.

Instead, an app called Doordash will pay you to pick up and deliver food whenever you want. All you need to get started is your preferred mode of transportation and your smartphone.

You’ll deliver things like coffee from Starbucks or food from Chipotle, Chik-fil-A or Five Guys. 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.

If you sign up for Doordash now, it’s possible to get your first paycheck this week.

2. Launch Your Own Online Business (This Online Course Will Help)

Interested in starting your own home-based small business? Does earning $60 an hour sound appealing?

Ben Robinson, a certified public accountant and business owner, created Bookkeeper Launch to help folks establish online businesses as bookkeepers.

And guess what? You don’t have to be an accountant or even really be good at math to be successful. You’ll need decent computer skills and a passion for helping business owners tackle real-world problems. The ability to stay moderately organized is helpful, too.

It’s a great opportunity for parents who want a part-time job, recent college grads and anyone who wants to earn good money while setting their own hours.

Robinson shares what it takes to become a virtual bookkeeper in his free starter classes.

3. Get Paid to Jump in on Courtroom Drama

Jury duty isn’t always fun, but what if you could do it from the comfort of home? And get paid? Becoming an online mock juror can be an interesting way to make some extra money.

Here’s how it works: Attorneys present cases to online juries before trial — to find that’s working and what isn’t and craft the best arguments.

You can sign up as an online juror through a site like eJury. When a new case is submitted, you’ll be notified. Jump in to review the case and answer questions. You can earn $5 to $10 per case, depending on its length.

Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.