How to Make an Extra $500 a Month with VIPKid
We could all use an extra $500 a month, whether it’s for paying down credit cards or fun money for vacation. But finding time for another side hustle or second job is hard to do. From our primary jobs and commute to trying to make time for our mental wellness and exercise, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in a day to add one more thing to our plates.
But what if I told you that there is a job where you could work from home, on your time, work as much or as little as you want, take time off when you need to, and still make money? Curious?
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Teaching Online
I’m sure many of you have heard about teaching online. VIPKid is one of the more popular online platforms teaching English to Chinese and Korean children. What may surprise you is that you don’t need a teaching degree or ESL certificate to work with them. They train you.
What Equipment Do I Need for Teaching with VIPKid?
The equipment list isn’t long. In fact, you probably have it all in your house already:
- Laptop
- Noise-cancelling headset with microphone
- Small whiteboard with dry-erase markers
- Additional pictures and things for rewards and to make it fun. I’ve printed off different things like animal pictures from their resources, and I also use international money (a favorite), Harry Potter, and things around the house.
Do I Need to Speak Chinese or Korean at Any Time During Class?
No, you only have to speak English. The kids have additional classes of English in school and review and enrichment classes with their VIPKid tutor.
How Long Are the Classes?
Most of the classes are 25 minutes long with one student. During class, the slides lead you through the lesson. You can review the material before the class (highly recommended). At the end of 25 minutes, you leave feedback for the parents.
Ready to Sign Up?
Go to the VIPKid website. Enter my referral code: TIFFA0795
How Many Classes Do I Need to Teach Per Day?
The number of classes you teach is up to you. Some Digital Nomads make $1800-2000 USD from VIPKid, while others, like me, teach to make extra money for my vacations.
The teaching hours are early in the morning (4am-7am) or later at night on Fridays and Saturdays (8pm-midnight). These hours don’t interfere with the usual 9-5 business day. (VIPKid is opening up worldwide, so decent day hours may also be available soon).
If you only have three days available for teaching, you can do that, too. You don’t have to work every day.
If you teach one hour a day (two classes) for 30 days, you can make an extra $500 a month.
What Is the Pay Rate?
You won’t get rich from teaching with VIPKid, but it’s an easy part-time job that you can fit into your schedule.
The pay rate for each class is $7 USD, but then they have the “finished class incentives”.
- For the first 20 classes, you receive an additional 80 cents.
- For classes 21-40, you receive an additional $1.20 USD.
- For classes 41-60, you receive an additional $1.60 USD.
- For classes 61-90, you receive an additional $1.70 USD.
The finished class incentives continue to increase the more classes you do per month. The class number resets each month, so you start back at $7.80 USD for the first 20 classes per month. But two classes a day (a total of 1 hour) equals $15.60 to start, and $17.20 USD on your 41st class.
The pay may not sound like much, but for a mom who works a job during the day and takes care of the kids in the evening, one hour outside her routine may be the perfect solution.
Or maybe a retiree wants to travel the world but needs to supplement their pension or Social Security check.
Obviously, the more you work, the more you earn.
The good news is you can work with VIPKid anywhere in the world and not have to worry about your IP location, office logistics, or taxes in a foreign country.
Ready to Sign Up?
Go to the VIPKid website. Enter my referral code: TIFFA0795
Do I Need to Pay Taxes on My VIPKid Income?
Speaking of taxes, yes, you do need to pay taxes on your VIPKid income. VIPKid does not take out taxes. You pay your own taxes on what you earn based on where you are a tax resident. In the USA, you would fill out a 1099-NEC form to claim your earnings from VIPKid.
Sounds Intriguing. What Do I Need to Do to Work with VIPKid?
Working with VIPKid is pretty simple, but it will take about a week or two to complete the steps and be able to have kids sign up for your classes.
- Go to the VIPKid website. Enter my referral code: TIFFA0795
- Follow the steps to sign up.
- Watch the training videos and complete the short quizzes at the end.
- You will be paired with a VIPKid Teacher and will do a short video to demonstrate your understanding of how to interact with the children.
- Once you are approved, you can open time slots that you are available for. (Note: The kids sign up for the time slots 2 weeks in advance on Sundays and Mondays)
By the way, once you complete the coursework with VIPKid, you will have earned your ESL Certificate. (You will need to send them $ to have it sent to you).
Work When You Want With VIPKid
Here is another benefit of working with VIPKid. If you have a work conference or vacation coming up, you just don’t open time slots for those days.
I came back to work with VIPKid this year in April and May because I needed money for my June vacation in California (It’s so is expensive!). During June, I didn’t work. I enjoyed every minute of my vacation and my downtime afterwards.
In July, I taught classes again, so I had “fun money” for my trip to Mexico City. Now I’m entering my “busy season” for wine tours in Mexico, so I’ll plan to teach for fewer days and time slots, especially during the weekends.
How Many Time Slots Do I Need to Open Per Week?
The number of time slots you open is up to you. During Covid, I was working 4-6 time slots per day. Right now, I’m working 2-3 time slots 6x per week. Remember to open time slots 2-3 weeks in advance.
VIPKid Offers a Flexible Way to Make Money
If you are looking for flexibility in a second job or side hustle, VIPKid is the perfect gig. The peak hours don’t interfere with regular business hours, and you can work as much or as little as you want. An extra $500 USD a month for 30 hours of work isn’t too shabby.
If you have more questions, send me an email at epicureanexpats@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer them for you. And if you are ready to sign up, go to the VIPKid website and enter my referral code: TIFFA0795.
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