I just got started with freelance writing(I was paid to write the articles that I'll list in my profile). I never thought I would become a writer but it allows me to use my expertise and creativity and have the lifestyle I want. What's great is, you don't need a degree, as they need articles/assignments dealing with pets to politics to sports. Plus, you see a lot of misc jobs listed amongst the writing jobs: transcription ("We need these phone interviews typed out"), taking info in a Word document and putting it in Excel. Finding phone numbers to businesses they give you and inputting them. From the simple to the complicated. Fortunately, I have degrees so I can stick with my niches and do the small less complicated jobs just to supplement.
I've gotten these jobs through Odesk.com. Some I applied to, others they found me. I was promptly paid, no b.s. There's a guarantee on hourly work (like Ebay/Paypal's guarantee) and you can check their feedback for fixed pricing (my preference) to see what other contractors say about them or only contract with those who have hired contractors in the past.