Since the advent of COVID-19, we’ve been living in a new reality, one that requires us to take extra precautions with our health, stay home more than we’re used to, and do everything from attend meetings to buy groceries online. 

Unfortunately, the virus has also created financial insecurity for millions of people, and as a result many are looking for ways to earn income while protecting the health of their family. 

The good news? There are still many opportunities to earn some extra money or work toward an important financial goal—even in the middle of this pandemic. Read on to learn about five great options. 

Be an English tutor

You don’t have to be a professional teacher to help others learn English. For English speakers, there are numerous opportunities to teach English to students of all ages from around the world. 

One of the largest English-learning platforms is VIPKid, which provides one-on-one English instruction to children in China from 4 to 12 years old. Teachers follow a curriculum, so you don’t need to come up with lesson plans. You do, however, need to have a Bachelor’s degree and a TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA certificate (a certificate for teaching English), but VIPKid provides a TESOL program for free. 

Compensation starts at $7 to $9 for 25-minute class. Note that you’ll be teaching students in China, so you’ll have to work on Beijing time. 

Create and sell your own course 

If you have expertise in a subject and would love to share your knowledge with others, consider creating and selling your own course on Teachable. From breadmaking to photography to email marketing, there are countless courses on the platform, and creating a course could be a great way to generate some income while working from home.  

Pick up freelance work on Upwork or Fiverr

Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect freelancers with businesses in need of services. On Upwork, freelancers can find work as writers, virtual assistants, customer service representatives, translators, transcribers, and much more—and all of these freelance jobs can be done from the comfort and safety of your home.  

Fiverr is similar to Upwork, but the projects tend to be smaller and quicker. Businesses use Fiverr to help with design services (including logo, web, visual, and print design), writing and editing, programming and tech, video and animation, and more. Freelancers can even offer online lessons, professional styling, personal training, and relationship advice. 

Give your opinion

Yes, you can get paid for this. Market research firms pay people to provide feedback on products or services or get their perspective on various topics. Many focus groups are conducted in person, but there are also many opportunities to participate virtually. Generally, you can expect to make between $30 and $150 per focus group (for about one to two hours of your time). 

Some of the most popular companies offering online focus groups are User Interviews, Respondent.io, and Recruit and Field. 

Become a surrogate mother

First, we want to be very clear—surrogacy is not a job and it is definitely not something you should do just to make money. In fact, one of the requirements to become a surrogate with Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is financial stability. It’s also important that potential surrogates have a genuine desire to help hopeful parents, enjoy being pregnant (but their family is complete), and want to set a good example for their children. 

When you’re deciding whether surrogacy is right for you, keep in mind that it’s a huge physical and emotional commitment and you’ll be dedicating at least a year of your life to the process. What’s more, with many kids at home engaged in distance learning, parents are already stretched thin. It’s crucial that surrogate mothers have the support they need at home to focus on their surrogacy journey. 

If you meet the requirements of your surrogacy agency, you can look forward to a truly life-changing experience. And one of the many benefits for surrogates in the U.S. is the compensation they receive. 

How much money do surrogates make? Compensation varies by agency and depends on the surrogate mother’s level of experience and her personal situation. At SPS, surrogate compensation packages begin at $58,000. Learn more about the benefits of surrogacy and how much money surrogates make. 

Learn More About Becoming a Surrogate with Surrogate Parenting Services 

Surrogate Parenting Services is proud to celebrate 30 Years of helping to bring dreams to life! Founded in 1990, Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is a full-service surrogacy program that offers both parties an exceptionally supportive environment throughout the surrogacy relationship. We’re passionate about creating ideal matches between surrogates and intended parents, so the journey is fulfilling for both sides and the future child is brought into this world in the best possible circumstances.   

Learn more about our Surrogacy Program online or by calling (949) 363-9525.