Recent figures from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show that total private employment dropped by 15 percent once COVID-19 was declared an emergency on March 13, 2020, yet employment at small businesses saw a higher rate of decline at 17 percent. The unemployment rate keeps fluctuating as the pandemic runs its course, but it's likely the job market will be slow for a while. The truth is you don't necessarily have to find a "real job" to move on with your life. There are a lot more ways to earn a living from home than people think, which you can do for yourself and entirely on your own terms. This guide covers some of the best home-based business ideas, which range from one-off side gigs to actual businesses you can grow over time. Not all of them will work for everyone, but every single person can use one idea from this list to earn some cash without ever having to "clock in." Some of the home-based business ideas are easy to implement, while others require a certain level of skill. The amount of money you can earn will also vary depending on the path you choose. For example, you may be able to earn a few hundred dollars per week delivering food with DoorDash or GrubHub. This gig is one that does not produce passive income, so you'll only get paid for the time you work. With a digital media business or blog, on the other hand, you could build your business over time until it is earning millions of dollars. How do I know? Because I did it. 47 Home-Based Business Ideas to Start Today Whether you are looking to quit the daily grind or trying to make extra cash as a way to get out of debt, starting a home business or a side hustle can be the ideal way to meet your goals. Fortunately, there are countless home-based business opportunities just waiting for you to begin. Skip ahead to read about any one of the awesome home-based business ideas we highlight below: Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad