Best Ways to Make Money While Pregnant & Unemployed

On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Making Money

Whether you're preparing for your little one or looking for a side hustle that accommodates your current lifestyle, these ideas are flexible, low-stress, and doable from the comfort of your home.

1. Get Paid to Read Emails

What It Involves: Companies like InboxDollars and InboxPays will pay you to read and sometimes respond to emails.
Requirements:
A working computer or smartphone.
Internet connection and email account.
Payment account like PayPal.
How to Start: Join online freelance platforms like Upwork and look for email-reading gigs or sign up for email-focused sites.

2. Work as a Babysitter

Why It's Perfect: It's like practice for when your baby arrives! Offer babysitting services to family, friends, or neighbors.
Optional: Babysit at your own home for convenience.
Earnings: Average $15 - $20/hour depending on your area.

3. Pet Sitting

What It Involves: Take care of pets while their owners are away. This might include feeding, walking, or overnight stays.
Great for: Animal lovers with no allergies.
How to Start:
Advertise locally or use platforms like Rover or Care.com.
Earnings: $10 - $25/hour depending on services.

4. Review Phone Calls

What It Involves: Listen to recorded calls and provide feedback for training purposes.
Flexible Work: Complete tasks at your own pace.
Platforms: Join companies like Humanatic or PointQA.
Earnings: $1 - $5 per call reviewed.

5. Private Tutoring

What You Do: Teach academic subjects, SAT prep, or even music lessons.
How to Start:
Offer in-person tutoring to local students.
Use platforms like Tutor.com or Skooli for online tutoring.
Earnings: $15 - $50/hour depending on the subject and expertise.

6. Online Translation

What It Involves: Translate documents, subtitles, or even live conversations.
For Bilingual Individuals: Perfect for those fluent in multiple languages.
Platforms:
Translate.com, Unbabel, Upwork.
Earnings: $20 - $30/hour on average.

7. Get Paid to Chat with Lonely People

What It Involves: Offer companionship via calls, texts, or chats to people feeling isolated.
Platforms:
RentACyberFriend, FriendPC, Papa.
Earnings: $10 - $50/hour depending on the platform.

8. Sell Handmade Crafts & Preloved Items Online

Ideas:
Sell old clothes, books, or baby items.
Create and sell handmade crafts like crocheted items, jewelry, or paintings.
Where to Sell:
Etsy for crafts.
Decluttr, ThredUp, eBay for preloved items.
Earnings: Depends on what you sell; can range from $10 - $100+ per item.

9. Teach English or Other Languages Online

What It Involves: Help students improve their English or teach another language.
Platforms:
VIPKid, Preply, iTalki, Gogokid.
Earnings: $10 - $25/hour, higher with certifications like TESOL/TEFL.

10. Rent Your Stuff

What You Can Rent:
Clothes: Platforms like Rent the Runway.
Car: Use Turo or HyreCar.
Rooms or Homes: Try Airbnb, Vrbo, or Agoda.
Earnings:
Clothes: $20 - $50 per rental.
Car: $50 - $150/day.
Room/House: $50 - $500+/night.

Summing it up

Choose low-stress opportunities that align with your lifestyle.
Start small, and grow your income streams as you gain confidence.
Combine multiple gigs to maximize your earnings.

You've got this! Best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy!