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Life should be more than just making ends meet, right? I remember when I was in your position—struggling with student loans and living paycheck to paycheck, with hardly any cash for leisure or other activities. It was tough.
However, I’m a firm believer in the saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” I tested many money-making opportunities, and I managed to turn my life around by dabbling into incredible online opportunities that I never even knew existed. Over time, I’ve had some truly mind-blowing achievements, like making $200 in just a few days by refurbishing furniture or even raking in $1,000 in less than a day through my blog. These side gigs eventually paved the way for me to become a full-time blogger and ditch office life for good. Now that those tough times are behind me, I have no doubt that brighter days are ahead for you too!
If you’re curious about how to make five grand a month, you’ve come to the right blog post! I’ll be answering that burning question: “What jobs pay $5,000 a month?” Drawing from my own experience and research, I’ll give you some insights.
In this post, you’ll learn about different jobs that could pay you that much or even more. As you read, I suggest you take note of the jobs that interest you or align with your current skills. I highly suggest you apply for positions that match your skills, which will definitely make the learning curve shorter and increase your chances of success.
So, grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s dive into the article together!
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1. Earn Money On Pinterest
When you’re planning a birthday bash for your best friend, who do you turn to? Pinterest.
When you’re looking for the perfect outfit for your Europe trip, who has your back? Pinterest.
But did you know that beyond the inspiring and beautiful boards, Pinterest can also be your resource to turn those hours of pinning into a stream of income?
I was surprised to find that out myself. I never thought that you could make money from this app. It even changed the course of my blog (and life)! You might be wondering how…
Well, let me fill you in. I used Pinterest to drive traffic to my blog! I took my time to study how the business side of the platform works. I set up a Pinterest account and researched the right keywords. I had to go through a lot of trial and error until I found the strategy that worked for me. Right now, it’s doing wonders for my metrics! Just displaying ads alone generated $100,000 already!
Of course, what I did isn’t the only way to earn cash through Pinterest. I’ve seen many people who made anywhere from $300 to $500 a day (and even more!) through other monetization methods. Sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products are other ways you can make money on the app. You can create pins on Pinterest that will lead people to your sales pages to show off your own products and services or those that you recommend.
Like me, you’ll have to explore and play around until you figure out what works for you! But trust me, once you crack the code, the possibilities are endless!
The best part? You don’t need any degree or years of experience to get started. As long as you’re willing to put in the time, dedication, and creativity, there will be no limit to how much you can earn! I have to say it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever tried!
Pros: It’s a blast and a money-making opportunity, especially when you mix your hobbies with social media.
Cons: The constantly shifting algorithms can be somewhat annoying and make it tricky to foresee what’s around the corner.
2. Starting A Profitable Blog
Starting a blog isn’t a way for you to make instant money. You’re building something more meaningful that can positively impact your readers’ lives.
There’s no doubt that your blogging adventure will demand heaps of effort, which I personally went through, but the outcome is absolutely worth it. Blogs don’t just net you $5,000 per month; if you treat it like a business, you can potentially pull in $20,000 to $30,000 monthly working from home!
As a full-time blogger, I can vouch for its value. It’s worth every sacrifice because a successful blog in your niche can earn you more than many 9-to-5 jobs.
Still skeptical? Take a peek at my documented earnings from years ago. In November 2018, I made $5,500. Fast forward three years, and I managed to multiply that figure by five, earning $27,600 in March 2021.
If I can do it, so can you. There are actually hundreds of bloggers raking in that much or even more, and some have generously shared the steps they took to achieve those numbers.
To kick off your blogging journey, you need to choose a niche you enjoy. Here are some profitable topics to explore:
- Food and Cooking: Recipes, cooking tips, restaurant reviews, food culture, meal planning.
- Travel and Lifestyle: Destination guides, budget travel, travel photography, cultural experiences, solo travel.
- Beauty and Fashion: Makeup and skincare, fashion trends, beauty and fashion hacks, hair care, celebrity style.
- Health and Wellness: Fitness and exercise, mental health, healthy eating, alternative medicine, disease prevention.
- Personal Development: Goal setting, time management, mindfulness, positive thinking, personal anecdotes.
- Technology and Gadgets: Product reviews, tech news, how-to guides, gaming, and information security.
- DIY and Home Improvement: Home renovation and decor, DIY furniture building, gardening, cleaning and organization, home improvement hacks.
If you’re unsure of how to start, you can join my FREE 7-day email blogging course. It’s packed with the strategies and lessons I’ve learned throughout my blogging experience, so beginners can accelerate their growth and make money faster.
Pros: It’s a low-risk opportunity with massive potential rewards. You can launch a blog for under $100 and potentially earn thousands.
Cons: Growing and building an audience takes time. You won’t attract a loyal following with just a few posts. You’ll need to invest lots of time and effort to establish your blog as an authority in your niche.
3. Sell Your Most Valuable Things
In order to make a quick $5,000, chances are you’ll probably need to sell your most valuable things, which can include collectibles, vintage items, upscale furniture, etc.
Once you start selling, you may come to realize there’s potential to make money by dealing in hard-to-find items, and you can even make a real living out of it if you can find a source to snatch these valuable items at way below market value. Think about comics, coins, toys, trading cards, and even exclusive jewelry pieces.
You can find treasures at thrift and secondhand shops, garage and estate sales, online marketplaces, auctions, flea markets, storage unit auctions, wholesale and liquidation stores, antique shops, and more.
This leads to my next point—the possibility of becoming a flipper and earning over $5,000 a month once you learn the ins and outs!
Pros: You can earn money quickly, especially if you price items below market value.
Cons: You might have difficulty parting with items that hold sentimental value or you have cherished for almost your whole life.
4. Become A Flipper
You’d be amazed at the earning potential when it comes to making money online through flipping items. If you know what items to sell and who to sell them to, making north of $5,000 will be something of a regular occurrence for you.
Just take these flippers for example – they’ve made over $1,000 in profit in one weekend by reselling popular items on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Another one would be a kid who resells fidget spinners and other toys and makes £110k, which is around $137,900. If these stories don’t fire you up to look into the flipping game, I don’t know what would!
To begin your flipping journey, many people in this field recommend starting with a niche. However, if you feel confident in your skills, I suggest you try out a variety of items to maximize your profits.
Sticking to a single niche, like kid toys, limits the items you can flip. By branching out, you can flip furniture, collectibles, shoes, sports equipment, and much more, giving you a broader range of items to work with.
Pros: Flipping items is an excellent side hustle to boost your income alongside your regular salary. It’s a fun activity, and nothing beats the thrill of snagging an underpriced item and flipping it for a considerable profit.
Cons: Flipping requires extensive market research to find undervalued items. You’ll also need some initial capital to purchase items before you can list them for sale.
Read more on things to sell as a flipper:
5. Become A Freelance Writer
Do you like to capture a reader’s attention through the words you write? If you’re a natural wordsmith, try out being a freelance writer.
Being a writer doesn’t mean that you’re only writing books – that’s a common misconception nowadays. Writers now help businesses and personal brands with their content and marketing campaigns. This profession is highly sought after because not everyone can craft highly persuasive writing that makes people want to buy a product or read an entire 2,000-word article.
If you have the skills to do those things above, you can work for any industry of your choice—that’s how in-demand writers are.
But what if you don’t have any experience as a writer? Can you still land a job? Absolutely. I recommend taking courses and earning certifications to strengthen your resume.
Get certifications in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Content Marketing, or some basic copywriting. To make your application stand out even more, include sample articles or other written content with your resume. This not only makes you appear more professional, but it also allows potential clients to evaluate your writing skills when you submit an application.
Pros: You can take on multiple clients when you’re a freelance writer. This helps in increasing your monthly earning potential.
Cons: It will take months to years to really get good at writing. Being skillful in this craft doesn’t happen overnight.
6. Affiliate Marketing
I know you’ve read about affiliate marketing before and always wondered if people can make money from it. This article aims to answer that question—spoiler alert, it does.
Affiliate marketing is like a classic ’80s hit song that has remained popular and relevant through the years, much like how this marketing tactic has continued to generate income since 1989 and beyond.
If you’re scratching your head about how this money-making approach works, don’t worry, it’s a straightforward 3-step process:
- Find a brand you’d like to work with, preferably one that’s within your niche. Do your research to make sure they’re a good business to partner with – you’ll see why this matters in a moment. Then, check if they have an affiliate program. You can usually find this info on their homepage or in the footer of their website.
- Apply for the affiliate program. Take note of the requirements, but don’t stress too much; most programs are easy to join. Once you’re approved, they’ll send you an affiliate link. These unique links track sales made through them, earning you a commission for each one.
- Promote the affiliate products to your audience, making sure to include your affiliate link. This is why researching the business is important – you’ll be vouching for their products to your audience, and you don’t want to damage your credibility by supporting a sketchy company.
This three-step process encapsulates the whole affiliate marketing process. Imagine doing this with a large, trusting audience. It could be an amazing source of passive income for you!
That’s why you often see big influencers in a niche promoting products with affiliate links. Take Marques Brownlee, a tech influencer with over 18 million subscribers. Each of his YouTube videos includes affiliate links in the description. He knows that every video he posts will get millions of views, and he’s confident some of his fans will be interested in the products he’s using. So, he includes affiliate links to make it easy for them to buy.
I highly recommend giving affiliate marketing a try. It’s a fantastic way to earn passive income from the audience and influence you’ve built.
Pros: It’s easily scalable and you can earn more than $5,000 if you’ve built a big following around your content.
Cons: To really succeed in affiliate marketing, you’ll need to put in the work to build a solid following. If nobody sees your content, they won’t see your affiliate products or links either.
7. Dropshipping
If you’ve always wanted a business of your own but don’t want the headache of handling inventory, logistics, and storage space, then dropshipping is the answer you’ve been looking for.
Ever since businesses started to shift to an online model, dropshipping has become a popular way for people to get their piece of the cake.
Don’t worry if you think you’ve missed the boat. You didn’t. The dropshipping industry is far from saturated. The market is expected to continue rising in the coming years. With more consumers turning to online shopping than ever before, there’s plenty of room for new players like you to enter the market.
With dropshipping, you get to partner with suppliers who handle the storage, packaging, and shipping of products directly to your customers.
This approach lets you focus on more important things in the business, like marketing and selling products. You can devote your time and energy to building your brand, driving traffic to your store, and providing exceptional customer service. Plus, with the flexibility and scalability of dropshipping, you can run your business from anywhere in the world and scale up as your sales grow.
It’s best to go for niches that have a large market, like kitchenware and clothing. Sure, there’s a lot of competition in these areas, but this is where you can test your creativity and ability to stand out. That’s where the fun is.
You might be scratching your head, though, since dropshipping is known not to have a relatively high-profit margin per sale. But what it lacks in per-sale profit, it makes up for in volume and scalability. Since you don’t worry about storage and inventory, it’s easier to expand your offerings and reach a larger audience.
What I love about this idea is that it’s accessible to almost anyone. Do you have an internet connection and a desire to succeed? Well, that means you can be a dropshipper! You don’t need a large investment to get started. Just take the leap and see your dreams come to life!
Pros: Building a website is a breeze, and there’s no need for extra inventory space. After getting the hang of it, you can launch more websites for various products.
Cons: Quality control can be tricky since you never actually see the products. It’s challenging to guarantee that they meet the desired quality standards.
8. Sell Digital Products
Selling digital products is a fantastic way to make passive income, which is why I always tell my readers to build a personal brand. Your influence can be turned into cash in various ways, giving you more chances to earn money.
There are countless examples of people monetizing their influence and have made good money selling digital products, even while only doing it as a side hustle. An example of this is Rachel, who made $9,500 a month selling printables on Canva. The idea came when she was on maternity leave at work.
This story proves how much you can make even when you don’t do this full-time. You should never rush product creation because some digital products take time to finish, like online courses and in-depth PDFs.
Make sure your products are full of valuable lessons that buyers will want to share with others. When you’re done creating a product, ask yourself if you think it’s worth every penny as a buyer. If not, reevaluate and make improvements. If it’s a big yes, then get that digital product out there!
Let’s say, you’re a social media marketer with a proven record of growing followers and profile views. Your product can be a video course teaching your audience how they can achieve the same result to improve their marketing game.
Keep this in mind: if sharing your secrets doesn’t make you a little nervous, they might not be as valuable as you believe. To ensure you’re offering truly valuable and impactful insights, go the extra mile and share your strategies and knowledge without reservations.
The awesome part about selling digital products is that you can create them while keeping your day job. No need to sacrifice your main income source to make money in this arena.
Pros: You only need to create digital products once, making them a source of passive income. Just post them on your website, and your audience can buy them whenever they want.
Cons: You’ll need to consistently share top-quality content to keep your audience engaged and eager to learn more from you. This means you have to establish credibility in your niche so that your audience trusts your expertise.
9. Start A YouTube Channel
With more than 2 million monthly active users, YouTube has become the go-to platform for entertainment and education worldwide. As a result, creators who produce engaging content are generously rewarded.
When starting your YouTube journey, I recommend focusing on a niche that aligns with your interests. Why? Because when you’re passionate about what you’re doing, your creativity will soar, and creativity is essential on a platform teeming with thousands of other creators.
Start with what you like watching during your free time—are they educational videos, lifestyle vlogs, beauty, and travel?
After identifying what it is, ask yourself if you’re willing to spend countless hours creating videos under that niche. If you answered yes, then go for it! It’s essential that you love what you do because a YouTuber’s journey is a long one. You need to have fun in the creation process because you’re bound to face challenges and creative ruts.
Although YouTube monetization is often associated with ads, seasoned creators say that ad revenue contributes only a small percentage of their total earnings. There are other ways to monetize your YouTube platform, including:
- Sponsorships: Many brands are eager to pay creators in their niche to showcase their products and services to a targeted audience. This can involve product reviews or other sponsored content.
- Merchandise sales: Selling your own merch, like hoodies or caps, signifies that people belong to your community. You can even branch out by offering your own wall art, computer peripherals, or fitness apparel.
- Affiliate marketing: Creators have used affiliate marketing on numerous platforms, and YouTube is no exception. This can be a lucrative way to monetize the influence you have over your audience.
Pros: The influence you’ll build on this platform can be monetized. The earnings you can make here can surpass what you make in regular 9 to 5 jobs.
Cons: Effort is required to make your channel stand out among millions of creators on YouTube. You’ll need to think creatively to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
10. Photography
Photography is both a creative and versatile field that gives opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you’re new to this field, your learning curve won’t be that steep since there are thousands of educational resources to help you.
Free courses for beginners are available everywhere online. There’s YouTube, Udemy, or Skillshare; the courses offered are great since you can learn the fundamentals of photography. It’s going to give you a good foundation as you advance in this craft.
You’ll learn how to tweak the exposure or how a simple natural light can make your shots look aesthetic. Aside from taking great shots, you’ll also learn how to use editing applications and software to enhance and touch up your photos.
When it comes to monetizing this skill, you can do some freelancing work. Be ready to show your portfolio to prospects so they’ll have an idea of what your shots are like. Your portfolio should showcase the best pictures you’ve taken in your career.
Another route is to become an employee at a photography studio, providing remote services for events and special occasions. Working for a studio can also pave the way for starting your own photography business, which is where the real money is. Although you’ll need to invest in gear and studio space, those costs can be quickly recouped once you establish a name for yourself.
Make sure to leverage social media when you have your own photography business. One viral post can fill your calendar with bookings for weeks.
Pros: There are many money-making opportunities for photographers, whether you choose to freelance or work for a company.
Cons: Starting your own photography business will need a high investment cost for gears and lighting equipment.
11. Web Designer
When it comes to online business success, first impressions matter. With so many businesses vying for attention online, a poorly designed website can quickly turn potential customers away and harm a company’s reputation. There’s a ton of competition out there, so a shoddy website can easily send potential customers running and harm a company’s image. I mean, seriously, would you want to buy something from a website that looks like it was thrown together by a teenager?
That’s why web design will always be an in-demand skill across various industries.
Industry experts believe that great web designers possess three key qualities:
- A deep understanding of UI/UX design: Web designers who know how to apply these principles can boost engagement and conversion rates for their clients. For example, online shoppers want a website that makes it easy to search for products, filter options, and complete transactions smoothly.
- A commitment to continuous learning: The web design industry constantly evolves, so great web designers must adapt to new trends and styles to keep their clients’ websites relevant.
- Strong communication skills: Web designers, particularly those in large companies, often collaborate with clients to ensure their creations meet expectations.
Freelancing as a web designer can help you quickly expand your skills, as you’ll work with clients across various niches. This experience will teach you what works best and what drives user engagement.
In addition to a shorter learning curve, freelance web design can be quite lucrative, with earnings ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per project, depending on complexity. As you become more skilled in this niche, you can charge higher rates. With freelancing, you have the freedom to work at your convenience, whether that means starting your day bright and early or taking on late-night jobs that align with your schedule.
While working with different clients, consider selling website templates as well. Big website builders like WordPress and Shopify have marketplaces where you can sell your designs, making it easier for entrepreneurs to bring their shops online quickly.
Pros: Web design gives you the opportunity to showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills to clients.
Cons: Your creations might not always align with clients’ visions, and some clients may have unrealistic expectations given their budget.
12. Real Estate Investing
You know what’s funny? Almost everyone knows someone who’s made a lot of money from real estate. People have been raving about it as a top source of passive income for ages. If you haven’t given real estate investing a shot yet, maybe this info will get you going.
You don’t need a full-blown house or condo to begin. Just having an extra room is enough to kick things off. You can make some sweet cash by renting out that spare space in your home.
Why not list your extra room on Airbnb and earn extra cash? With its massive user base, you’ll find a renter pretty quickly. It’s perfect for folks who only have a bit of extra space, plus you get paid fast. Just make the room cozy and well-equipped so it’s a hit with potential guests.
After you have a taste of managing short-term guests, you can get more serious and become a landlord by investing in a rental property. Yes, it does need more cash upfront and you’ll have to deal with tenants (or get someone else to manage them), but if you find a property that brings in steady money and has a solid cap rate, you’re setting yourself up for a bright future.
But let’s say you’re not keen on fielding tenant calls and handling their concerns. For a more laid-back approach to real estate investing, consider REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). It’s a simple way to dive into the property market – just open an account with an online broker. Deposit some funds, buy stocks in real estate-owning companies, and when those properties generate revenue, you’ll enjoy capital appreciation and dividend payments.
Pros: Real estate investing is a time-tested way for people to grow their wealth over time. For beginners, REITs provide a great opportunity to have some skin in the game without emptying your savings.
Cons: Unloading real estate fast can be tough when you’re in need of cash, which makes it an illiquid asset. While this isn’t as much of an issue with REITs, it’s still a good thing to keep in mind.
FAQs
1. How much a year is $5,000 a month?
Earning $5,000 monthly puts you in a position to be earning above the average annual salary of Americans, which is $55,000 per year. 12 months of having a $5,000 salary means you’re earning $60,000 annually.
From what I’ve seen, people usually have one of two reactions to making this amount. The first type is the one who is content with it. These are the people whose lifestyle is well supported by a $5,000 per month salary. They can save enough and live comfortably.
The other type is the one who wants to earn more. Although they recognize that $5,000 puts them above-average earnings, they still want a higher salary because they want more things in life. They could be paying for a house instead of renting, they could be paying for the educational tuition of their family, or they could be providing food for a bigger family.
2. How can I make $5000 a month?
Focus on becoming an expert in one specific skill. Jacks-of-all-trades usually get paid less since others in their field can do their job, but someone with unique expertise is harder to replace.
So, how can you sharpen your skills? Keep learning! Take advantage of free or paid courses if you’re truly committed to leveling up your abilities. Constantly improving will set you on the path to success and better skills.
For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you can learn copywriting specifically in email newsletters. This also applies to physical work like photography. Aim to be the go-to person in your town for outdoor photography.
By specializing, you’ll feel more confident raising your rates, knowing the unique value you bring to the table.
3. Is $5,000 enough for a month?
Determining if $5,000 a month is enough really depends on a couple of important factors – the way you live and your financial objectives. If you’re solid at managing your budget and keeping tabs on your expenses, then absolutely, $5,000 should be plenty for a cozy lifestyle.
But, if you’ve got your sights set on enjoying some fancy experiences and jetting off on a few vacations each year, just watching your spending isn’t going to be enough. In order to relish those finer things and still set aside some savings, you’ll need to hustle a bit to increase your earnings without drastically altering your daily routine.
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