Between carpools, lunchboxes, and laundry piles, making extra money might feel out of reach. But with the right tools, you can start bringing in a little extra cash — without rearranging your entire life. These 20 flexible ideas are perfect for moms who want to earn on the side during nap time, after bedtime, or in those rare in-between moments.
1. Get paid to share your opinion (seriously)
If you’ve got a few minutes between errands or while the kids are watching Bluey, you could be getting paid to take surveys. Survey Junkie is one of the top-rated platforms that pays you for sharing your thoughts on products, services, and everyday habits. It’s free to join, and surveys typically take just a few minutes. You’ll earn points for each one, and those can be redeemed for cash via PayPal or popular gift cards — perfect for groceries, gas, or guilt-free treats. Many moms say they earn an extra $40–$50 a month just by doing a few surveys during their downtime. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn your opinions into real money, and you can sign up in under 2 minutes.
2. Get financial insights (and smarter credit offers) for free
Want to earn more — or at least stop wasting money on high-interest credit? Credit Karma helps you understand your credit profile so you can make better decisions with the money you already have. You’ll get free credit scores from TransUnion® and Equifax®, along with personalized recommendations for loans, credit cards, and financial products that could save you money. Even better: Credit Karma shows your Approval Odds before you apply — so you don’t waste time (or risk your score) on offers that aren’t a fit. No fees, no commitments — just clear insights that help you stretch your money further. If you’re not sure where your credit stands, this is the best place to start. Check your credit report for free here and get smarter about what you qualify for.
3. Turn spare change into long-term money moves
Investing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re busy keeping small humans alive. But Acorns makes it incredibly simple by rounding up your purchases and investing the extra change — so every coffee run or grocery swipe builds your portfolio without you even thinking about it. You’ll get a diversified portfolio managed for you, plus the ability to set up recurring contributions or open a savings account for your kids. Best part? When you sign up and enable recurring deposits, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to your account to get things rolling. It’s one of the few apps that helps you grow your money passively, with no experience required — and moms love how easy it is to start small and build over time. Sign up here and watch your spare change start working harder.
4. Earn rewards just for paying your rent
You’re already paying rent — why not get rewarded for it? Piñata gives renters points for on-time payments, which you can redeem for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks. They’ll even throw in free rent giveaways and exclusive partner perks. There’s no credit check and no fee to join. You just link your rent payment method, and Piñata tracks your streaks. Moms love that it works in the background while helping build credit and earning free stuff at the same time. If you rent your home, this is one of the easiest ways to turn a monthly expense into rewards. Join Piñata for free and get rewarded starting with your next payment.
5. Get paid to test new apps and offers
Scrambly is a fast-growing platform where you can make money just by trying out new things. You’ll earn instant cash for signing up for apps, playing games, testing services, or completing simple online actions — no long surveys or waiting around. It’s fun, fast, and you can cash out as soon as you hit $1, which is rare. Scrambly has already paid out over $3 million to users and adds new earning offers daily. Think of it as a digital side hustle buffet — pick what interests you, skip what doesn’t. If you like trying new apps and want to get paid for it, Scrambly is worth checking out.
6. Create and sell your own course (even if you’re not “an expert”)
Whether you’re amazing at meal planning, potty training, or running a small biz — there’s someone out there who wants to learn from you. Thinkific makes it super simple to turn your skills into a course you can sell online, with no tech headaches or design skills required. You can upload videos, add downloadable resources, and even build quizzes or communities for your students. And the best part? You set your own price and keep the profits. It’s perfect for moms who want to earn passive income sharing what they already know, and you don’t need a huge following to get started. Create your first course with Thinkific here — no experience necessary.
7. Open a digital shop and sell what you love
Got an idea for a product, digital download, or printable planner? Sellfy is an all-in-one platform that lets you launch your own store in minutes — no coding, design, or inventory required. Whether you want to sell ebooks, templates, crafts, or kid-friendly printables, you can do it on Sellfy. They handle hosting, payments, and even marketing tools to help your shop grow. And since it’s all digital, you don’t have to deal with packing or shipping. If you’re looking to start a small business from your couch, Sellfy is a low-stress way to get it off the ground.
Ready to start earning on your terms?
These 7 flexible tools make it easier to earn extra money without sacrificing family time. Whether you’re answering surveys with Survey Junkie, earning rent rewards with Piñata, or turning your knowledge into income with Thinkific, you don’t have to hustle full-time to boost your budget. Want this formatted as a blog, PDF, or mini email series? I can prep that next — just let me know!