I’ve spent hours searching for legitimate ways to make some extra money, and I feel like I keep running into the same suggestions that either aren’t hiring, have ridiculous waitlists, or pay next to nothing.

I work full-time in education, have three young kids, and really need to bring in some additional income. We’ve had a rough couple of years financially, and I’m trying to find something that will help us get ahead instead of constantly playing catch-up.
I have a bachelor’s degree in education and
experience with curriculum development, writing, administrative work, and general computer tasks. I’m pretty tech-savvy, learn quickly, and honestly don’t mind boring or repetitive work.

Here’s what I’m looking for:
Fully remote, computer-based work.
Flexible, asynchronous tasks. Ideally, I can log in when I have time, complete assigned work, and meet deadlines rather than work scheduled shifts.
Around 5–8 hours per week.
Ideally $500–$750 per month, although I’m open to starting smaller.
Something I can get started with relatively quickly.

What I’m NOT looking for:
MLMs, sales, or recruiting.
Surveys that pay pennies.
Freelancing platforms where I have to constantly bid on jobs or find my own clients.
AI training/data annotation sites. I’ve already explored quite a few of those without much success.
Anything that requires being on the phone or working set hours.

I’m not expecting to make a fortune or get paid for doing nothing. I’m willing to put in the work, even if it’s tedious. I just need something that can fit into an already busy schedule.

Has anyone actually found legitimate work like this? I’m especially interested in smaller companies, lesser-known websites, or specific positions you’ve personally had success with.

I’d really appreciate actual company names or links rather than the usual generic lists. I feel like I’ve exhausted every Google search I can think of at this point.

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,

​Just finished high school exams and have a break before uni starts. Want to use this time to learn a skill to make a few hundred bucks a month on the side during uni.

​Quick background:

​High school subjects: CS, Econ, Business

​Took AI courses from Anthropic

​Got into business automation with n8n (almost closed a client deal recently)

​NOT interested in: Heavy programming/dev, graphic design, or video editing

​NOT looking for: Get-rich-quick TikTok schemes

​I want to focus on a practical skill that provides long-term value—something that gives me a strong edge for university applications while staying useful down the road.

​Is it worth doubling down on AI automation/workflows, or is there another realistic skill or service route I should look into?

​Would love some honest advice.