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While you can be paid to test products at a physical location — providing feedback on products before they hit the shelves — there are also some opportunities you can complete from home. In some cases, you can actually make money testing products, while other times, you just get the perk of keeping whatever device or product you’re testing. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide on product testing opportunities you can do without ever leaving your house:

Where can I find product testing opportunities?

1. Market research companies
2. Product review websites
3. Online panels
4. Social media and influencer platforms 
5. Brand websites
6. Focus groups
7. Local research facilities 
8. Word of mouth

Types of product testing

• Consumer products 
• Electronics
• Beauty and personal care
• Toys and games
• Food and beverage
• Health and wellness
• Pet products

Tips for being selected for product testing

Tips for writing product reviews

Product testing scams

You can make money testing products at home

Where can I find product testing opportunities?

There are a number of ways you can find at-home product testing opportunities. Here are some avenues you can explore:

1. Market research companies

Many market research companies offer product testing opportunities to consumers as part of their studies. Here are some of the most reliable companies you can sign up with to start as a home product tester. 

87 profitable side hustles for single moms

Toluna Influencers

Toluna Influencers is a global community of millions of people sharing their views about the products that resonate with them. This program offers two types of surveys:

• Profile Surveys: Short surveys completed on the Toluna website to collect info and preferences and match you with relevant surveys sent to your inbox. 
• Longer Surveys: These are longer than Profile Surveys and can take 10 to 20 minutes to complete, and they pay more. Longer surveys are sent to your inbox; you must complete them at a third-party site.

Pay: With Toluna Influencers, you not only get paid to share your opinions but also earn rewards. The program typically pays $0.25 to $1, sometimes more, and you can cash out via a check, PayPal, or gift card. Plus, you’ll be included in the $4500 monthly Sweepstakes draw, adding an extra element of excitement to your product testing journey.

Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research focuses on items yet to be introduced to the general public. The process of becoming a product tester is pretty straightforward. Sign up on their website. Next, you’ll be notified by email when a study fits your profile. Take the study and earn points after completion. 

Pay: You can redeem the points you earn via bank transfer, prepaid virtual cards, gift cards, or brand-name merchandise.

Amazon Vine

If you’ve bought stuff on Amazon, chances are you’ve left a few reviews for the items you’ve bought. These reviews could get you free products! Amazon Vine is an invite-only product testing program where participants receive new products that a vendor plans to sell on Amazon. 

Selection is tricky and based on the helpfulness of your other Amazon product reviews. So, as you continue to purchase products on Amazon, keep writing helpful, honest reviews to increase your chances of getting selected. 

Pay: You get to keep the free products you review.

2. Product review websites

Certain websites, like Influenster and BzzAgent, specialize in product reviews and testing. They often send out free products for users to test and review. Here’s how each one works:

Influenster

Influenster is a product review platform for consumers using everyday products. The company sends reviewers a box of free full-size products (VoxBox) to try at home, then share their honest feedback on the Influester website and their social accounts. 

Pay: You get to keep the free products you test.

BzzAgent

BzzAgent is a global platform of product testers who share their opinions and product experiences on various products and services for popular brands like L’Oréal, Gillette, ConAir, Unilever, Nestle, and more.

To get started:

• Sign up here and share your details and interests.
• Receive email invitations to share views on products that suit your interests.
• Try the free product.
• Share your experience on your social media channels.

Pay: Keep all the goods you review.

3. Online panels

Some companies, such as Nielsen and LifePoints (formerly MySurvey), have consumer panels where you can sign up to test products at home.

Nielsen panels measure all media types, such as radio, TV, podcasts, magazines, etc. Panelists join surveys/panels and share information about their media and consumer habits. 

Pay: Nielsen panels and surveys offer gifts to thank you for participating.

LifePoints is an online platform that rewards users worldwide for completing surveys, mini-polls, product testing, and behavior tracking. 

Pay: You earn LifePoints for every survey you complete. You can redeem the points for e-gift cards and PayPal cash or donate them to charity.

Learn more about our $500 single-mom monthly grant

4. Social media and influencer platforms 

Following brands on Instagram or Twitter can sometimes lead to opportunities for product testing, especially if you engage with their content regularly. 

Influencer networks like AspireIQ and Social Native connect influencers and regular consumers with brands looking for product reviews and promotions. 

5. Brand websites

There are some brands with dedicated sections on their websites where you can sign up to be a product tester or join their consumer panel. Check out the websites of famous brands and look for sections like “Product Testers,” “Consumer Panel,” or “Become a Tester.”

6. Focus groups

A focus group consists of random people who test products and discuss what they think about them. Companies usually hold focus groups before they launch a product to determine whether it needs any fixes. 

Dscout is one of the best sites for finding paid focus groups. It features various paid product testing activities, from simple online surveys to long-term testing of entertainment mediums, and pays up to $100 per session.

7. Local research facilities 

In some cases, local research facilities or universities conduct product testing studies. These might require physical attendance but can also provide opportunities. Email local facilities to find out if they have any testing opportunities and inform them of your interest in participating. 

8. Word of mouth

Sometimes, opportunities for product testing come through personal connections or referrals. Letting friends and family know you’re interested can sometimes lead to recommendations.

No background check jobs

Types of product testing

There are different product categories that you can choose from. Here are a few popular ones. 

Consumer products 

Consumer products include kitchen appliances, vacuums, air purifiers, household products, cleaning supplies, etc. You’ll find consumer products to test on most of the sites we’ve mentioned previously, such as BzzAgent, Influenster, Amazon Vine, and Toluna Influencers.

Electronics

Electronics include phones, smart devices, televisions, iPads, computers, headphones, smartwatches, etc. 

On the Philips product tester platform, you can review Philips’ electronic personal hygiene devices, such as shavers and toothbrushes. 

Home Tester Club occasionally offers electronic products, like tablets, to test, which you can keep once you complete your review. 

BzzAgent also features products for various tech brands, including Asus and Yamaha.

Beauty and personal care

The beauty category includes skincare products, makeup, hair products, shampoo, styling products, etc. You can find such products for testing on the Glamour Beauty Club. The company will send you free beauty samples that suit your preferences, and you can keep them after the testing period lapses.

If you’re a fan of Johnson & Johnson products, check out the Kenvue Consumer Research Program, formerly the Johnson & Johnson Friends and Neighbors program. You can sample the company’s products, such as body wash scents, mascara, dental floss, and more. After a survey closes, you may receive a gift card as payment. 

Toys and games

You test children’s toys, gaming systems, puzzles, board games, and books in this category. 

Swagbucks Discover is an excellent resource for this category. Products are updated constantly, so it’s easy to find new opportunities. You can earn 40 to 200 SB points per survey (100 SB = $1). You can redeem your points for gift cards to your favorite retailers, such as Amazon or Walmart, or get cash back from PayPal.

Tester Buddy is the site to earn money for trying out video games.

Food and beverage

Food and beverage product testing is a popular category. However, safety is a primary concern when testing consumable items, so stay cautious. You can test products both at home and on-site, depending on the nature of the test.

McCormick’s Consumer Testing Program is a great place to give feedback on various foods, snacks, and beverages. To be selected to participate, you must meet the demographic requirements for the product’s target market. 

Social Nature is a product review site specializing in natural products. With healthy eating becoming a trend for more and more people, there are lots of paid testing opportunities to exploit on the site.

Health and wellness

If you’re into health and wellness, you can thrive in this category by testing fitness equipment, fitness trackers, blood pressure monitors, and supplements. Find testing opportunities on Toluna Influencers, Influenster, BzzAgent, Home Tester Club, and Pinecone Research.

Pet products

Testing pet products, particularly food and treats, is a popular way for pet owners to help shape the market and provide feedback on new products. But just as with food and beverages, take precautions to safeguard your pet’s safety. 

Brands such as PetSafe often seek feedback on their pet products, including toys, feeding solutions, and training tools. You can also try out Chewy.com for occasional product testing opportunities through their Chewy Influencers program. BarkBox is also known for its monthly subscription boxes for dogs and sometimes looks for testers to try out its new products.

22 jobs you can do from home 

Tips for being selected for product testing

Want to make a lasting impression and land more exciting product testing jobs?  Follow these tips:

• Accept and complete tests and surveys as soon as you receive them and submit high-quality feedback. 
• Don’t just skim through the questions. Focus on specifics, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer actionable tips to help improve the product.
• Don’t get overly emotional. Instead, express your thoughts in an easy-to-understand manner. And focus on providing constructive and helpful feedback.
• Go the extra mile and offer more than basic answers. Provide unique perspectives and suggest alternative solutions.

Moeller started doing paid surveys in 2016 and is the founder of Paid From Surveys, a site dedicated to finding legit online income. 

“The most realistic and easiest way to participate is by signing up to give feedback on electronic products you already have,” he says.

Moeller says that if you qualify for a product test, you will usually get to keep the product, but you should read the details of the test to make sure you know exactly what to expect before you participate. 

Tips for writing product reviews

When writing product reviews, provide specific, insightful feedback. Instead of saying, “This product is great,” explain why it’s great. Mention specific features and how they benefited you. Your responses should demonstrate that you genuinely care about helping improve the product.

Product testing scams

When looking for these opportunities, be cautious of scams. Beware of any product testing opportunity that requires credit card information or makes a promise that sounds too good to be true—such as an offer that promises a free flat-screen TV after filling out a 5-minute survey. 

Moeller says you should carefully read the terms when you sign up for survey sites that offer product tests. 

“Many sites are just an excuse to get your info and share it with hundreds of advertisers, so make sure you do not agree to that and stay away from sites that do this,” he says. “And in general, be critical — if it sounds too good to be true and the effort required from you is minimal in relation to the potential free product you can get, there likely is a catch.”

Moeller advises aspiring product testers to choose sites that make realistic claims and ones where it would make sense for the company to give you a product for the test and feedback you give.

A popular scam that you’re likely to come across is the Amazon product tester job scam¹ that claims you can earn money from Amazon for reviewing products and then sends you to a non-Amazon site with a generic name. While Amazon does have Amazon Vine, its legit product testing program, remember that it is invitation only and does not offer compensation.

Legitimate product testing opportunities should not require you to pay money upfront or provide sensitive personal information beyond what is necessary for the testing process.

Vet the company that is making the offer by checking resources like The Better Business Bureau scam tracker, Trustpilot, and Sitejabber. Check forums like Reddit and Quora to learn if other people have experience with the company.

A legit product testing opportunity is one that:

• Comes from a verifiable company with a good reputation
• Has legitimate reviews from users
• Doesn’t require your credit card information to access the opportunity
• Requests that you deposit a check sent from the product test company into your bank account and use the funds to pay for testing (However, if you register as a product tester that pays you for your time, it’s normal to provide your payment preference, such as PayPal)

Bottom line: You can make money testing products at home

While testing products at home may not instantly make you rich, it’s still one of the most straightforward single mom side hustles to help you earn extra cash and continue building on your family’s financial well-being. 

By following the tips in this guide, you can increase your chances of getting selected for product testing opportunities and ensure that you provide valuable feedback that companies will appreciate. Just remember to be cautious and avoid scams by sticking to legitimate platforms and opportunities. Happy testing!

More on supplementing your income:

• Everything you need to know about mystery shopper jobs
• How to afford being a stay-at-home mom

Where to find free essentials and resources:

• Dozens of ways to get free groceries, food, and meals
• Legit ways for low-income folks to get a free iPad or tablet
• Can’t afford a laptop? Here are 15 ways to get one for free
• How to find free and low-cost care for your pet
• 11 easy ways to get free toys for kids
• Free Fitbit or smartwatch: How to get your insurance to pay for health tech

Sources:

1. “Amazon product tester job – is it a scam?” by Brian Roche, for WGAL, May 2024. https://www.wgal.com/article/amazon-product-tester-job/60439782

Traditional personal finance advice from advisors and bloggers gets repetitive: 

• Follow a budget
• Pay down debt strategically
• Build an emergency fund
• Ask for a raise or get a new job
• Sell items you no longer need

While those are all solid means to improve your financial stability, some people believe in a more spiritual approach: Manifesting money.

Anita Mae Aguilar, host of the Manifesting Money Podcast on Apple Podcasts, says manifesting is when something in your mind comes to the physical reality. 

“It is something that is always ‘working,’ like the law of gravity,” Aguilar says. “​​Consciously manifesting is allowing yourself to have a say in things you want to experience, create and feel.”

However, Aguilar clarifies that manifestation isn’t as simple as wishing for something and getting it. For instance, you can’t just want to win the lottery and win the lottery.

She says there needs to be action behind whatever you want to manifest. That includes letting go of any ego preventing you from talking about money with other people. 

“When you ask for financial help, whether it’s talking about money with your partner for the first time or going to an advisor, you are opening yourself up in a spiritual realm as well, receiving support from all areas of your life,” Aguilar says.

Keep reading to learn more about manifesting and how to manifest financial stability: 

What is manifesting money? What does research say? 

• How do you actually manifest money?
• Does manifestation really work?
• How long does manifestation take?
• What are some blockages to successful manifestation?

Manifesting vs prayer

How do you manifest wealth and abundance?

1. Money mantras
2. Create a vision board
3. Use journaling to manifest your goals

Manifesting money FAQs

What is manifesting money? What does research say? 

Manifesting money means believing through the power of positive thinking — also known as the Law of Attraction — that money will come to you. 

According to the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology,¹ the Law of Attraction is based on the idea that positive thoughts lead to positive experiences in our lives, while negative thoughts result in negative outcomes.

Although the Law of Attraction is a centuries-old concept, U.S. attorney and author William Walker Atkinson is recognized as the first person to write about it in detail in his 1907 book, “Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World.”

According to a New York Times article,² interest in manifestation rose during the pandemic, as part of a general increase in “online spiritualism and self-help philosophy.” Google searches for “manifesting” spiked more than 800% between March and July 2020.³ Today, search volume is listed at a 29 on a scale of 1-100 based on all-time popularity, while it was at a 15 five years ago. 

Aguilar says she has mixed feelings about manifestation becoming a popular trend, which she attributes in part to the 2006 documentary “The Secret,” starring Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas and based on the popular book by the same name. The film consists of a series of interviews with scientists, authors, and philosophers about the Law of Attraction. 

“I’m excited, of course, because more people are becoming aware that they have a say in co-creating their reality, but I’m bummed because there are so many misconceptions about the word ‘manifestation,’” says Aguilar, who also credits TikTok with more people talking about and practicing manifestation.

Aguilar says manifesting isn’t necessarily an “act,” but rather something that is always happening based on the energy you’re putting into the world. However, practices like meditation and daily affirmations can help you maintain a positive mindset and lead to successful money manifestation.

How do you actually manifest money?

Before you can start to manifest money, Aguilar says you need to get to a neutral place, which means being at peace with the worst-case scenario.

“When you accept the worst-case scenario, you release all the resistance you have toward the things you don’t want to happen and truly become at peace with the outcome,” Aguilar says.

When it comes to money manifestation, this means understanding that you may not get the raise or new position you want and accepting that your life will be OK if you don’t. 

This solid neutral foundation allows you to build and dream about what you want to achieve. 

“Your positive thoughts have a higher frequency than your negative thoughts and are more likely to manifest simply because they bring you more joy,” Aguilar says.

Does manifestation really work?

While there are no studies that scientifically prove the concept of manifestation or the Law of Attraction, a study published in the journal of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin⁴ found that people who believed in manifestation have these characteristics: 

1. Perceived themselves as more successful
2. Had stronger aspirations for success
3. Believed they were more likely to achieve future success

However, the same study found that those who believed in manifestation were also more likely to consider risky investments, experience bankruptcy, and to believe they could achieve an unlikely level of success more quickly. 

Some people have also connected manifestation to the study of quantum mechanics in physics, which explains how matter and energy behave on an atomic and subatomic level. In an article published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science,⁵ researchers detail the “observer effect,” which explains how the act of observing or measuring particles at the quantum level can change the way a particle behaves.

Aguilar says to be successful at manifesting, you will almost always need to put action behind your mental efforts. 

“The problem is that most people are acting out of scarcity or unconscious habits, creating the same reality time and time again,” she says. 

In other words, even if you want to manifest something good, you may be subconsciously blocking your success because you don’t truly believe you can achieve it. Likewise, having a scarcity mindset can make you so focused on the things you don’t have — like enough time or money — that you aren’t able to manifest those things you desperately want.

Aguilar shared one of her client’s success stories as an example of a time positive mindset led to financial reward:

On the r/lawofattraction subreddit, people regularly share stories of successfully manifesting money and material items they wanted: 

Manifestation Success Stories – July 2024
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Aguilar says in her experience, manifestations are more likely to come to fruition when you are going after something you truly desire and are not willing to mentally take “no” for an answer.

“I find it’s easier for me to follow through when things get challenging when I am passionate about the manifestation,” Aguilar says. 

How long does manifestation take?

Aguilar says consciously manifesting can take as much or as little time as our subconscious minds believe it is possible.

“There are some of us who don’t believe it’s possible to land a new job at all,” Aguilar says. “Others may think it’s possible but don’t believe it will happen in a certain timeframe.”

What are some blockages to successful manifestation?

“The biggest blockage I see around consciously manifesting money is that we are more scared of something happening than we desire the positive outcome,” Aguilar says.

This means that often the actions we take contradict the outcome we’re hoping to manifest. 

“An example of this is wanting to start your own business but not sharing the price of our services with others because it makes us feel ‘salesy’ or ‘pushy,’” Aguilar says. 

Manifesting vs prayer

Aguilar says manifesting is allowing yourself to have a say in things you want to experience, create and feel. It involves visualization, affirmations and a positive mindset to guide you toward specific outcomes. Prayer involves requesting your desires and giving up the outcome to a higher power, whatever you believe in.

“I had been so wrapped up in learning to co-create my reality for the past few years that I stopped giving things up to a higher power,” Aguilar says. 

She says learning about the Law of Attraction and manifestation was the missing puzzle piece to understanding why some things she prayed for worked out, while others didn’t.

How do you manifest wealth and abundance?

1. Money mantras

One way to manifest wealth and abundance is to recite money mantras aloud, say them in your head or write them down. You can choose to make up your own money mantras or use these if they resonate with what you desire:

• “I create wealth effortlessly and use it to make a positive impact in the world.”
• “Money flows to me easily, bringing me joy and financial freedom.”
• “I am open to receiving all forms of abundance and opportunities for wealth.”
• “I am worthy of financial abundance and success, and I attract it effortlessly.”
• “My wealth and abundance grow every day, in every way.”
• “I am a magnet for money and wealth.”
• “I am grateful for the wealth and prosperity in my life.”
• “I am financially free and empowered to live the life of my dreams.”
• “Money comes to me in unexpected and joyful ways.”

The website/app 17seconds generates mantras for you to recite based on what you’re trying to manifest. 

Check out more mantras from people on Reddit: 

Manifesting money as a stay at home mom.
byu/Trinity788 inlawofattraction

I have been manifesting money the past 7 days using this method
byu/goddess-nonetheless inNevilleGoddard

I manifested a lot of money while broke and I am SHOOK. The LOA is REAL!
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2. Create a vision board

Another way to manifest wealth and abundance is by creating a vision board. Here’s some advice on how to create a vision board that from Cosmopolitan⁶: 

1. Start with a printable poster or foam board to create a physical vision board, or use a design tool like Adobe Express to create a digital version. 
2. Look in magazines or online to find images that represent manifesting money, such as stacks of cash. 
3. Add money-related words, phrases or mantras to your board.
4. Once completed, put the vision board where you will see it each day, such as on the wall near your bed or set it as the wallpaper on your phone. 

3. Use journaling to manifest your goals

A final way to manifest wealth and abundance is through manifestation journaling. Use the journal to write down your thoughts, dreams, goals and plans about money. 

Berkeley Well-Being Institute,⁷ which staffed by wellness experts and researchers who create science-based content, courses and tools to promote well-being, recommends these steps when manifestation journaling: 

1. Freewrite to make yourself aware of your goals and passions. 
2. Write down your specific goals. 
3. Write about your “why,” such as “Why is having more money meaningful to you?” and “How will you feel once you’ve achieved the goal of having more money?”
4. Write about times when you learned new things or built new skills to help you cultivate a positive growth mindset. 

Other suggestions from Berkeley Well-Being Institute include writing down positive affirmations starting with “I am…” and showing gratitude by writing down all of the positive things that occur, which are related to your goals — kind of like a gratitude journal. 

Some people turn to tarot readings as a way to gain insight into financial intentions, overcome blockages, or clarify next steps toward manifesting abundance.

If you’re curious about how a seasoned reader structures the process, what questions are helpful to ask, or simply want to understand what to expect during your first session with an expert, this guide on what to expect from a professional tarot reading offers clarity on the experience and how it may fit alongside your manifestation tools.

Manifesting money FAQs

What do you say when manifesting money?

Aguilar suggested the following money mantras to say when you want to manifest money: 

• “I am so happy and grateful that I have money for everything that I need and everything I desire.”
• “It’s OK for me to be rich and successful. I know it’s allowing me to impact millions of people in a positive way.”
• “Money flows to me more when I am having fun.”

How can I attract money?

Attracting money is a multistep process. According to Andres Pira, author of “Homeless To Billionaire: The 18 Principles of Wealth Attraction and Creating Unlimited Opportunity,” you should take the following steps, which he says complement the law of attraction, to attract money:  

1. Face your fears related to failure or success.
2. Create reminders of your affirmations that you can see, such as on sticky notes.
3. Take action to execute your big ideas.
4. Find a mentor who inspires you.
5. Improve your physical health with regular exercise.
6. Give money to others to bring them happiness.
7. Stay positive and refuse to entertain negativity.

How do you attract sudden wealth?

To attract sudden wealth — say, a lotto winning or other windfall — try using related money manifesting mantras, such as “Money is on its way to me right now” or “Money effortlessly falls into my lap,” in addition to putting action behind whatever you want to manifest. 

That could mean applying to jobs with high salaries, starting a potentially lucrative business, or making wise investments. We also have written articles on finding a side hustle and about earning passive income.

A word of caution, however: Many people who come into sudden wealth just as quickly pilfer it away. There is also a psychological condition called “sudden wealth syndrome,” where the overwhelming pressures of quickly coming into wealth can lead to issues like depression, anxiety and insomnia.

Conclusion: careful what you wish for / manifest! 

SOURCES

1. “The effect of source credibility on bullshit receptivity,” Sandra Ilić and Kaja Damnjanović. The Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology. June 3, 2021. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acp.3852
2. “The Long, Strange History of ‘Manifesting,’” by Tara Isabella Burton for the New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/opinion/manifesting-spirituality-america-reality.html#
3. Google Trends. https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=US&q=manifesting&hl=en
4. “‘The Secret’ to Success? The Psychology of Belief in Manifestation,” by Lucas J Dixon, Matthew J Hornsey and Nicole Hartley for the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. July 8, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37421301/
5. “Quantum mechanics and the consciousness connection,” by Susan Borowski for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. July 6, 2012. https://www.aaas.org/taxonomy/term/10/quantum-mechanics-and-consciousness-connection
6. “How to Use a Vision Board for Manifestation,” by Jessica Estrada for Cosmopolitan. Aug. 27, 2021. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a37417551/how-to-make-a-vision-board/
7. “Manifestation Journaling: A Complete Guide (+ Prompts),” by Tchiki Davis, MA, PhD for the Berkeley Well-Being Institute. https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/manifestation-journaling.html#:~:text=A%20manifestation%20journal%20is%20a,goals%20and%20manifest%20your%20dreams

If you want to make some extra money as a single mom, there are ways to do it without getting a second (or third!) job.

Aja Dileah, a single mom in Chicago, started renting out rooms in her home in 2017 to college students volunteering on the South Side of Chicago. 

What began as a way to bring in some extra money has since become a lucrative passive income stream. Dileah is now a licensed real estate agent in the state of Florida, and she has purchased six properties to rent out as Airbnbs. Depending on the property, she earns anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per month in gross rental income. She and her children relocated to Puerto Rico in 2023.

While her investment properties do require some work upfront, Aja sometimes hires a property manager and pays around 20% to a management company to run her rentals.

“It’s not 100% passive for me since I’ve managed a lot on my own, but I’ve also worked with a property manager at times and it’s been very flexible in terms of the time I put in, so I don’t consider real estate investing 100% active income either,” Dileah says.

Dileah uses her rental income to either save up for new investment properties or to build more equity in her existing properties by paying down the mortgages. She says investing in real estate has been a complete game-changer in her life. 

“It has provided an additional stream of income, which allows me to work less and eventually retire earlier than I would have without it.”

Keep reading for a list of ways to earn passive income for single moms: 

What is passive income?

• Passive income vs active income
• Types of passive income

7 passive income ideas for single mothers

1. Affiliate marketing
2. Car advertising
3. Flipping retail products
4. Investments
5. Real estate
6. Selling printables
7. Selling your stuff

Pros and cons of passive income

• Pros
• Cons

Avoid passive income scams

FAQs about passive income

What is passive income?

Passive income is money you earn without actively working for it. The idea behind passive income is that you put in the work, time, and effort upfront, then continue to earn income over time from that initial work. Passive income often doesn’t require regular effort to keep the money flowing in.

Any income you earn/receive can still be taxed, and you will be responsible for reporting it to the IRS. If you have investments, for example, or a rental property, you will receive tax documents each year that you need to include in your tax return. 

Earning passive income on top of your regular salary or wages, like through a side gig, could also bump you into a higher tax bracket depending on how much you make. 

It’s important to talk to a tax professional if you have questions or concerns about how earning passive income may affect your personal tax situation. 

Learn more about filing for taxes as a single mom and about free help with tax preparation. Also, learn about ways to manifest money.

Passive income vs active income

Active income is any money you earn by actively doing work — either for yourself or someone else — and is typically paid out as a salary, hourly wage, or commission. It’s income that requires you to actively complete work in exchange for payment.

Passive income, on the other hand, is money you earn without active involvement, though you may have to do some work upfront to begin receiving it. An example of passive income is money you earn from an Etsy shop that sells printable downloads. 

While you have to put in the initial work to create the printables, once they’re listed for sale, you don’t have to do regular work to earn money.

Types of passive income

There are different levels of passive income, based on how much regular work you have to do to earn money: 

• Full passive. This is income you bring in without any active effort, such as dividends from investments. Completely passive income can take a long time to earn and often requires money upfront to establish an income stream.
• Semi-passive. Semi-passive income is a common form of passive income that requires some upfront effort and some level of ongoing work and maintenance. However, you can frontload a lot of the work and set up systems to earn money in the future without your direct involvement. This is appealing to people who are looking for a flexible way to make money on their own schedule. Examples of semi-passive income include affiliate marketing and selling items online. Additionally, some semi-passive income streams, like using credit cards or shopping through loyalty programs, can earn you reward points that add up over time, offering discounts or perks without requiring extra effort.
• Residual income. Residual income is a form of passive income where you earn a regular amount of money after you’ve put in the initial time and resources. Residual income can be something like a monthly subscription you charge for people to access certain materials that are valuable to them. Or perhaps you decide to renovate and rent out your garage or outdoor shed to someone for a monthly fee.

7 passive income ideas for single mothers

Here are some great passive income ideas for single moms that can help you make extra money while still being able to spend quality time with your kids:

1. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting someone else’s products and earning a commission on the sales you make. You can promote products through your blog, social media, or through other channels. You can join affiliate programs through retailers like Amazon, ebay, and Walmart or through affiliate networks like Commission Junction and ShareASale. 

One Reddit user pointed out some of the most common mistakes people make with affiliate marketing:

Anyone actually make money doing this
byu/SpecialistCicada3083 inAffiliatemarketing

Learn about more business ideas for single moms. 

2. Car advertising

Companies like Carvertise and Wrapify pay you to wrap your car in advertising decals. Some let you choose the types of advertisements you’re willing to display, and you just drive as you normally would. 

One Reddit user makes $100 per month advertising with Carvertise:

I’m making $100 per month in truly passive income with Carvertise
byu/SyntheticBanking inpassive_income

Drivers who are interested in participating sign up on the Carvertise platform. You usually need to meet certain criteria, such as driving a certain number of miles per day, having a clean driving record, and owning a car that fits the advertiser’s requirements (often a newer model and in good condition).¹

Carvertise matches drivers with advertisers based on their location, driving habits, and the target audience of the ad campaign. If selected, the driver brings their car to a designated location, where professionals install the advertisement wrap. These wraps are vinyl decals that can be easily removed without damaging the car’s paint.

3. Flipping retail products

Flipping retail products involves purchasing items at a discount and reselling them for a profit. You can purchase items at thrift stores, garage sales, and through online marketplaces like ebay and Amazon. You can then sell them through your own website or online marketplaces. 

Many argue that flipping retail products is not entirely passive income, which is true. You still have to do some work upfront and maintain this income stream, so it falls more in the semi-passive category. 

One Reddit user explains it best with their experience:

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4. Investments

You can invest in individual stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, and many online brokerage firms allow you to make regular investments automatically so you don’t have to actively manage anything. You can also set up a dividend reinvestment plan, which allows you to reinvest your dividends automatically. This can compound your earnings and help you build wealth over time.

Investing takes time, and how much you make depends on the amount you’ve invested, as well as the level of growth in the market over time. 

One Reddit user was able to earn more than $300 per month in passive income after investing for five years.

After 5 years of investing, I have achieved a passive income of more than $ 300 per month from dividends
byu/mizinin individends

5. Real estate

You can purchase a rental property and earn rent every month. You can also invest in a real estate investment trust (REIT), which is a company that invests in real estate and passes on the profits to its shareholders. Another option is to participate in real estate crowdfunding, where you can invest in real estate projects with other investors.

Ashley Hamilton, who runs the Instagram page Detroit Investor, is a single mom and serial real estate investor bought her first rental property in 2009 at 22 years-old. 

Hamilton says real estate can be a great option for single moms because you can have a flexible schedule and you can set your own budget in terms of how much you can afford to invest. 

She bought her first investment properties with help from her annual tax refunds and says you need an abundance of either time, money, or knowledge to get started. 

“If money is a struggle, I suggest you learn as much as you can and maybe even work with a mentor to figure out creative finance strategies,” Hamilton says. “If you have a credit score over 700, you have options and can also look to networking and real estate events in your area to get more established.”

Hamilton now owns 35 residential rental properties, and 14 of those properties are owned free and clear with no debt. She gives her followers and coaching students tips on how to afford getting into real estate, such as obtaining a hard money loan, which is a short-term loan usually funded by private investors or companies. 

6. Selling printables

Holly Hanna, a blogger and founder of The Work at Home Woman, has been earning passive income for the past few years by selling printable templates on her blog and marketing her products in blog posts, on social media, and to her email list.

“My assistant is highly skilled in graphic design, so I paid her to create my printables and templates, but I also recommend using Canva to create your own printables as well,” Hanna says. “I originally sold my printables using a popular e-commerce platform, but I didn’t like paying the annual fee, so I created a shop on my website using custom Gutenberg blocks and ThriveCart.”

Hanna makes $1,000 to $2,000 per month selling her printable templates and adds that if you don’t have a website, you can also start selling on Etsy for just $0.20 per listing.

7. Selling your stuff

You can sell your old clothes, furniture, jewelry, and other items that you no longer need for cash. Websites and apps like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace allow you to sell your items online. You can also sell them in person at consignment stores or garage sales. 

While selling items might sound like an easy way to make money, Brittani, founder of the Essential Endeavors YouTube Channel, says it’s really a lot of upfront and ongoing work. 

Brittani became a part-time seller four years ago while she was pursuing a graduate program for Mechanical Engineering. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she used the extra time she had to grow her reselling business and start her YouTube Channel. Brittani has now been selling items primarily through Poshmark live shows full time for the past two years. 

“I earn anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 per month with my reselling business, but I am also working 40 hours per week,” Brittani says. “In my opinion, the only way to bring in passive income is through social media if someone wants to use that as a platform to grow their business and sales organically.”

She says she’s still reaping the fruits of her labor from three to four years ago through ad revenue and affiliate income from her resale business.

Brittani says reselling clothes online has a very low barrier to entry and can be scaled over time.

“Getting to work for yourself is so freeing, and I feel incredibly fulfilled being a work-at-home dog mom while getting to set my own hours and work as much or as little as I may want or need.”

Check out this video where she packs up $2,750 worth of items she sold on Poshmark: 

Pros and cons of passive income

Passive income sounds great on the surface, but there are still some potential drawbacks to consider. It’s best to carefully weigh the pros and cons of generating passive income before you decide if this is the right path for you.

Pros:

• Make more money with little to no effort after a while
• Have more flexibility and control of your time
• Easier to diversify your income and maintain more than one stream of income, setting you up for more financial independence

Cons:

• Requires initial effort and time investment
• Can be unreliable and unpredictable
• It may not work out even after putting in time, money and effort (high risk)

Avoid passive income scams

Passive income has been a hot topic online for a while now. Beware of passive income scams designed to take advantage of people in difficult situations. Some red flags include opportunities that promise to pay a significant amount of cash but don’t require you to do any work. 

Another red flag is an opportunity that requires you to pay money upfront to get started. Some job ads or business opportunities ask applicants to pay for a startup kit, training or marketing materials, but you should always exercise caution with these types of companies. 

If you’re interested in investing as a passive income stream, it’s important to know where your money is going and to confirm you’re working with a legitimate firm. The L.A. Times shared an article² about how a man from Columbus, Ohio, sent $25,800 to a fake cryptocurrency investing website after receiving a WhatsApp message and getting to know a stranger online. 

The Federal Trade Commission³ found that investing scams and job and employment scams were among the top five most common types of fraud committed in 2022. They also found that losses to investment scams totaled $3.8 billion that year.

Always avoid opportunities that promise unrealistic returns or require you to pay a significant upfront investment. Do your research and read third-party reviews to make any opportunity is legit. 

Answers to FAQs about passive income 

Is passive income legit?

Many people are often skeptical about the idea of passive income. They may think it’s too good to be true or that it goes against traditional values of working hard for a living. However, passive income is a legitimate way to earn money and can be a great option for single moms who want to make some extra cash.

At its core, passive income is simply a way to earn money without actively doing work to get it. This can include things like purchasing rental properties, investing in dividend stocks, or creating and selling digital products. The point is that once the initial work is done, you continue to earn money without putting in additional (or much) effort.

What is the easiest way to earn passive income?

There is no one-size-fits-all easiest way to earn passive income. However, we gathered some solid ideas people shared on Reddit about their experiences. 

If you’re looking for the easiest and quickest way to earn passive income, you should start by figuring out how to use your existing skills rather than trying to learn new ones, and market your expertise. 

This could involve writing an ebook about a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about and selling it. Or, you can create a digital product that helps people solve a common problem. Love to organize your home? You can create weekly cleaning schedules or chore charts that people can print out and sell them on Etsy or Shopify.

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Saving and investing your money is one of the most basic ways to earn passive income over time. You just need to start out by having some money to set aside, so you’d be relying on your active income earned from a job to get started.

High-yield savings accounts pay interest each month, and you can also invest in the stock market long-term to receive a return when the market goes up.

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Another option is to create a digital product you can share, such as an ebook, printable worksheet, or templates. How much you make will vary depending on the product, the price you set, and how well you market your digital product:

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Is passive income a lazy way for moms to make money?

Not necessarily. Depending on which passive income stream you choose, earning money may require a lot of time and effort upfront. Sometimes, it may even require a significant investment to get started. Typically, you will need to work consistently to set up your income stream before you start seeing any passive income.

Can you earn passive income on Amazon?

Amazon has become a popular platform for people looking to earn passive income. With millions of products available for sale, it may seem like a great opportunity for single moms to make some extra cash. However, earning passive income on Amazon is not as simple as just listing products and waiting for the money to roll in.

To be successful on Amazon, you need to put in the time and effort to research, source, and market your products. This can involve finding the right niche, competitive pricing, and effective marketing strategies. Once your products are listed, you also need to continuously monitor and update them to stay relevant and competitive in the market.

SOURCES

1. Carvertise. https://carvertise.com/drivers/
2. “Investment scams are everywhere on social media. Here’s how to spot one,” by Cora Lewis for the Associated Press. Aug. 17, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/investment-scams-crypto-fraud-social-media-f9e053a6c555c25c90e5f7330607d90c
3. “New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing Nearly $8.8 Billion to Scams in 2022,” Federal Trade Commission. Feb. 23, 2023. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/02/new-ftc-data-show-consumers-reported-losing-nearly-88-billion-scams-2022