How To Make Money In January: 11 Brilliant Ways To Start The Year Strong

January is a fresh, sparkly blank slate – the ultimate permission slip to try something new, clean out the cobwebs (literally AND metaphorically), and maybe even start making that extra cash you’ve been dreaming about. Whether you're hustling for fun money or looking to build a full-blown biz, there is so much opportunity in January it’s almost rude not to take advantage of it!

Everyone’s motivated, planners are being cracked open, and guess what? People NEED HELP. That’s where you swoop in. Let’s talk about 11 brilliant ways you can start making money this January – yes YOU, in your sweatpants, surrounded by holiday leftovers. Let’s go!

1. Declutter and Sell the Extras (Your Trash, Someone’s Treasure!)

There is no better feeling than starting the year with a clean slate AND a little extra cash in your pocket. As a former Etsy and eBay seller, I can tell you firsthand – January is PRIME TIME for reselling! Everyone’s looking to spend those holiday gift cards and refresh their homes. Pro tip: If you’re selling on Etsy, make sure the items are vintage (20+ years old) or handmade. On eBay? The sky's the limit. Think books, old tech, quirky collectibles, or that kitchen gadget you used once in 2017.

List unused or unwanted items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari
Sell vintage (20+ years old) or handmade items on Etsy
Do a closet cleanout and sell clothes on Poshmark or Depop

2. Start a “New Year, New You” Side Hustle

January is when people go all-in on bettering themselves. This is your moment to jump on that wave. If you have a skill – fitness, mindset coaching, meal planning, organizing, budgeting, journaling – package it up and sell it. You don’t have to be perfect, just a step ahead of someone else. It could be a simple guide, a downloadable checklist, or a service. You can totally build a mini empire on the back of one helpful thing.

Identify a skill or passion you can teach or guide others through
Package it into a simple service, eBook, or digital download
Promote it on Instagram, TikTok, or via email list

3. Offer Organizing Services to the Resolution Crowd

This is THE time of year when the organizing girlies come out in full force. And it’s not just about pantries and closets (though those are goldmines). Digital organizing is a THING. Inbox cleanouts, photo management, calendar setup? People are OVERWHELMED and would pay GOOD money to have it handled. Start locally, post in Facebook groups, or offer services on Fiverr or TaskRabbit.

Offer in-home or virtual organizing sessions (pantry, closets, etc.)
Promote digital organizing services like inbox cleanups or calendar setups
Post locally in Facebook groups or list your services on TaskRabbit

4. Create and Sell Digital Planners or Printables

This one is close to my heart because I sold planners for years on Etsy – and let me tell you, January was BONKERS in the best way. Everyone’s searching for planners, trackers, and goal-setting tools. You can create them in Canva or even PowerPoint, then sell on Etsy, Gumroad, or your own site. Think habit trackers, vision board templates, budget planners, and more. Bonus: once they’re made, it’s passive income, baby!

Design planners, trackers, and printables in Canva or PowerPoint
Open an Etsy, Gumroad, or Shopify store to sell them
Promote your shop on Pinterest with eye-catching mockups

5. Launch a Coaching or Consulting Offer (Everyone’s Motivated Right Now!)

Got knowledge in your noggin? Package it up. January is a great time to launch a low-ticket coaching or consulting offer. People are setting goals and realizing they need support. Whether you help with branding, bookkeeping, Instagram strategy, or mindset magic, now’s the time to put yourself out there. You can even offer a “January Jumpstart” package to create urgency!

Define a specific outcome you can help someone achieve in 30 days
Create a mini coaching package with limited spots
Use your network, LinkedIn, and Instagram to get your first clients

6. Tap Into Affiliate Marketing with New Year Trends

Affiliate marketing isn’t just for big influencers. If you have a blog, email list, or even a Facebook group, you can start earning by recommending products. And in January? It’s all about self-improvement, productivity, and planning. Google Trends is your best friend here – use it to find what’s popping off and match products to those trends. Think journals, courses, wellness tools, and apps.

Use Google Trends to identify popular January topics
Join affiliate programs (Amazon, ShareASale, individual creators)
Create content around your affiliate links (blog posts, emails, Reels)

7. Host a Paid Challenge or Workshop

January is PRIME TIME for challenges and workshops. People are craving structure, accountability, and that sweet community energy. You don’t have to get fancy – a 5-day email challenge, a Zoom workshop, or even a live pop-up Facebook group can work. Charge a small fee and deliver massive value. And if you’re tech-shy, don’t worry – just use what you already know!

Pick a fun, helpful theme related to your niche (e.g., 5-Day Declutter Sprint)
Charge a small fee and deliver via email or Zoom
Use Canva to create a workbook or tracker to add value

8. Flip Holiday Clearance Items for Profit

Hit up those post-holiday clearance racks with your reseller brain on. Decor, gift sets, planners, craft supplies – buy low now and sell high later. You can list them now if they’re still seasonal (Valentine’s Day is coming fast!) or hold onto them until next year. January is also when Target and other big retailers deeply discount their seasonal sections, so it’s the perfect time to stock up.

Shop clearance sales for gift sets, decor, or craft items
List them on resale sites immediately or save for later holidays
Set alerts for big-box store clearance cycles (Target, Walmart, etc.)

9. Help Other Entrepreneurs Get Organized

Entrepreneurs are crawling out of the December fog and realizing they need systems STAT. Offer services like digital file cleanup, inbox management, course organization, or even helping set up Airtable or Trello boards. If you’re naturally organized (or even just organized-adjacent), this is a great niche to slip into. Bonus points if you know how to make things pretty AND functional!

Offer services like digital file sorting or project management system setups
Use Airtable, Trello, Notion, or Asana to streamline their workflows
Reach out to business owners in your network and offer a January audit

10. Batch Create Content for Others (They’re Still Recovering From the Holidays)

Listen, I KNOW AI tools exist and they can help… but most people still don’t want to touch them. Or if they do, they don’t want to learn how to use them well. This is where you swoop in like a sparkly content fairy. Offer blog post batching, Instagram captions, email sequences, or even AI-prompt cleanups. Entrepreneurs are tired and January content is looming. You’re the answer to their prayers.

Offer batching packages for blog posts, emails, or social captions
Repurpose old content into fresh formats for clients
Pitch done-for-you content to entrepreneurs who aren’t using AI – or don’t want to

11. Refresh and Relaunch Your Existing Offers

Sometimes the goldmine is already in your Google Drive. If you have old offers, products, or services collecting digital dust, now is the PERFECT time to give them a facelift. Update the visuals, tweak the copy, and relaunch with a fresh “New Year Energy” spin. It’s less work than starting from scratch and can bring in quick wins.

Update the branding and sales page of an old product
Add new bonuses or re-record a video training
Relaunch with a “New Year, Fresh Start” campaign across your platforms

January isn’t just about resolutions – it’s about opportunity. Whether you're diving into selling vintage treasures, launching a new planner shop, or helping others get their act together, there's no better time to make moves. Start small, stay consistent, and remember: people are looking for help. Be the answer they didn’t know they needed.

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Some of the photos you see here were created with AI tools instead of traditional stock photography. I love using AI because it lets me design images that feel more real – age-appropriate, body positive, and inclusive of women from all different backgrounds. It gives me the freedom to create visuals that truly reflect the amazing entrepreneurs I write for!