As the cost of living goes up, many of us look for ways to make extra money. You might want to pay off debt, save for emergencies, or just enjoy more comforts. A side hustle can be the answer to financial freedom. I know from my corporate days how hard it is to balance a full-time job with making more money. That’s why I’m excited to share 35 side hustle ideas to help you earn more.
Key Takeaways
- Side hustles let you try new business ideas with little upfront cost or time.
- There are many side hustle options, both in-person and online, for different skills and interests.
- A successful side hustle can give you the extra cash you need to reach your financial goals.
- Many side hustles can be done while keeping your full-time job, giving you flexibility and control over your income.
- Learn about passive income streams and how they can help you build wealth over time.
What are Side Hustles?
Side hustles are extra jobs or businesses people do besides their main job. They let you make more money, try out new ideas, and learn new skills. You don’t risk losing your main job. Side hustles help increase your income, let you follow your passions, and make you more skilled and financially free.
Definition and Benefits of Side Hustles
A side hustle is a part-time job or small business that adds to your main income. It helps you increase your earnings and try out new business ideas, keeping your main job secure. The main perks of having a side hustle are:
- Supplemental Income: A side hustle gives you extra cash, helping you reach your financial goals or cover unexpected costs.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Side hustles let you set your own hours and work when you want, improving your work-life balance.
- Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Starting a side hustle can be a first step to starting your own business. It lets you test your ideas and gain experience.
- Skill Development: Side hustles help you learn new skills and knowledge, making you more valuable in your job or as an entrepreneur.
Looking to save more, follow your passions, or gain business skills? A side hustle can be a great way to meet your financial and career goals.
Freelancing: The Flexible Side Hustle
In today’s uncertain economy, freelancing is a top choice for making extra money. It lets skilled people work on projects as they choose, setting their own hours. If you’re good at graphic design, writing, web development, or other in-demand skills, freelancing can be a steady way to earn more.
A FlexJobs survey found that about one-third of workers have a side job, with some having two or more. Also, 38% are looking for a side gig, showing more people want flexible work. This trend is growing.
Freelancing is great because it doesn’t cost much to start. You can use your skills and network to find clients. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com make it easy to meet potential clients. Freelancers charge different rates, depending on their experience and the project’s complexity. But, the average hourly rates for popular services range from $14 to $59.
Freelancing is perfect if you want to earn extra, gain experience, or have more control over your work. With the right skills and effort, you can join the gig economy and increase your income.
“Freelancing has allowed me to create a flexible, fulfilling career that fits around my life, not the other way around.” – Jane Doe, Freelance Graphic Designer
Pet Care Services: A Lucrative Opportunity
For animal lovers, pet care services can be a rewarding and profitable side hustle. From pet sitting to dog walking, there are many ways to make extra money. You also get to help pets and their owners in your community.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Pet sitting means taking care of pets in their own homes when their owners are away. It’s a flexible job that’s easy to start. Pet sitters can earn $15 to $20 per visit. With more pets, you can make up to $40 or $50 a day.
Referrals and repeat business are crucial for success in pet sitting. Dog walking is another way to make money. Use apps like Rover and Care.com to find pet owners who need your help. The blog writer made $2,800 from pet sitting, showing how much you can earn.
Doggie Day Care and Grooming
If you have space and resources, consider doggie day care and pet grooming. These services can pay well, with some pet sitters making up to $1,500 a month. But, they do require more work and some upfront costs.
The pet industry in the U.S. is booming, expected to hit $143.6 billion soon. This means a great chance for animal lovers to make money with side hustles. You can try pet sitting, dog walking, or even doggie day care and grooming.
Handyman and Tech Services: Skills in Demand
If you have tech or DIY skills, you can make money with handyman services and tech setup. Handyman gigs let you use your DIY skills to fix and maintain homes. You can also offer tech setup services, like setting up home networks or fixing computers and phones.
Handyman Gigs: Tap into Your DIY Skills
Handyman work can be very profitable, with some services paying over $100 an hour. Top skills include plumbing, electrical work, and fixing small things around the house. Skills like plumbing and electrical work pay well but might not always be needed. It’s smart to offer both specialized and general skills to keep work coming in.
To start a handyman business, you don’t need much paperwork but it can vary by state. You can charge based on what it costs you and the hours you work. But, you’ll spend about a quarter of your time on things like giving estimates and invoicing. Using sites like TaskRabbit and Craigslist can help you find clients. Getting your family and friends to spread the word can also be a big help.
| Handyman Services | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | $75 – $125 |
| Electrical Work | $80 – $130 |
| Minor Home Repair | $50 – $100 |
| Yard Work | $40 – $80 |
| TV and Ceiling Fan Mounting | $60 – $100 |
“Providing excellent customer service is essential for attracting repeat clients, referrals, and positive reviews in the handyman industry.”
Online Opportunities: Earn from Anywhere
The digital world has opened up many online side hustle chances. You can make extra money from home. Blogging and content creation, as well as virtual assistant and online tutoring, are great options.
Blogging and Content Creation
Blogging and making engaging content on a niche topic can be rewarding. You can make money through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products. With 2.7 billion YouTube users watching videos daily, your content could reach a huge audience.
Virtual Assistant and Online Tutoring
Virtual assistant services or online tutoring are also great online side hustles. As a virtual assistant, you can help with admin tasks, customer service, or specialized skills for clients. You can earn $11 to $25 per hour or more, based on Upwork. Online tutoring, especially in subjects like English as a Second Language (ESL), can pay $16 per hour or more. You can work on your own schedule.
These online side hustles are flexible, have low startup costs, and let you increase your earnings as you grow. Whether you blog, assist virtually, or tutor online, the digital world offers many chances to earn from anywhere.
| Online Side Hustle | Potential Earnings | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Blogging and Content Creation | Passive income from ads, affiliates, digital products | Requires consistent content creation and audience building |
| Virtual Assistant Services | $11 to $25+ per hour | Leverage administrative, customer service, or specialized skills |
| Online Tutoring | $16 per hour and up, flexible schedules | Expertise in the subject matter is crucial to stand out |
“The digital world offers numerous online side hustle opportunities that allow you to earn from anywhere.”
Delivery and Rideshare Side Hustles
If you want to make more money with a flexible side job, consider delivery and rideshare driving. Food and grocery delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart let you earn by delivering items to customers on your own time. Rideshare driving for Uber and Lyft is another way to make extra cash, giving you the freedom to work when it suits you.
These on-demand services offer flexible gig work that fits around your life. They require a reliable car, but you can choose how much you work. This makes them great side jobs for those wanting to earn more.
| Gig Platform | Typical Earnings |
|---|---|
| Uber | $15-20 per hour |
| Lyft | $15-25 per hour |
| Instacart | $15-25 per hour |
| DoorDash | $18-26 per hour |
| Uber Eats | $15-25 per hour |
Looking to supplement your income or generate a substantial side income? Delivery and rideshare driving can help. You can work as much or as little as you want. These on-demand services are a great way to increase your earnings with flexible gig work.
Rent Out Your Space or Belongings
Turning your home or belongings into a rental can be a great way to make extra money. You can list your home, apartment, or a spare room on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. This lets you earn from vacation rentals. You can also rent out things like your car through Turo. These options can bring in rental income with the chance to make hundreds a month. But, they might need some work to get ready.
Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
Listing a spare room on Airbnb can be a good way to make money from your stuff. Some Airbnb hosts make over $18,000 in two years. By offering a cozy stay, you can get regular guests and a steady income.
You can also rent out other things, like your garage, driveway, or car. Sites like Neighbor.com and StoreAtMyHouse let you rent out space for storage or parking. These can give you a steady rental income with little time needed.
| Rental Opportunity | Potential Income |
|---|---|
| Spare room on Airbnb | $18,000+ in 2 years |
| Garage or driveway space | $100+ per month |
| Storage space through Neighbor.com | $300 – $3,000 per year |
When renting out space or belongings, think about location, amenities, and access. This helps you set fair prices. Also, remember to look into insurance, legal, and tax stuff to protect yourself and boost your rental income.
side hustles for money: Monetize Your Hobbies
If you love something or have a special skill, turning it into a side hustle can change the game. By making money from your hobbies, you earn extra and do what you enjoy. You can sell crafts, teach online, or offer services related to your interests. This way, you turn your passions into profitable projects.
Creating custom art, photography, blogging, or tutoring online are just a few ideas. Studies show over 50% of entrepreneurs made their side businesses from hobbies. The trick is to spot your talents and turn them into products or services people want to buy.
For example, if writing is your thing, you could offer copywriting or self-publish an ebook. Photographers can sell stock images, take portraits, or teach online classes. Craft lovers can sell on Etsy, and tech experts can make and sell websites or apps.
Hobby-based side hustles let you make extra money while doing what you love. By monetizing your skills and passions, you turn free time into a way to earn. You keep the flexibility and fun of your hobbies while making money.
| Hobby-Based Side Hustles | Potential Earnings |
|---|---|
| Selling Handmade Crafts | Etsy artists have earned over $50 million, with BeatStars paying out more than $200 million to creators |
| Online Tutoring and Classes | The global online education market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025 |
| Freelance Writing and Copywriting | Upwork and Fiverr provide platforms for writers to offer their services to potential clients |
| Photography and Videography | The global stock photography market is valued at over $4 billion, with growing demand for visual content |
| Selling Digital Products and Templates | The global digital products market is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027 |
To monetize your skills and passions, start small and keep improving. With creativity and the right steps, your hobby can become a great way to earn extra.
Mobile Services: Take Your Business on the Road
The gig economy is booming, making mobile services a top choice for side hustles. Car washing and detailing is one such option, letting you work at customers’ homes or workplaces. It’s a low-cost way to earn extra, working outside and setting your own hours. Plus, you get to be your own boss.
Car Washing and Detailing
To start, use apps like MobileWash and Spiffy to advertise your car washing and detailing. Or, create your own booking system. These gigs let you make money on your own time, meeting the need for easy, mobile services. You can earn $200 to $1,500+ per month, making it a great way to boost your income.
| Mobile Service | Estimated Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|
| Car Washing and Detailing | $200 to $1,500+ |
| Rideshare Driving | $500 to $2,000+ |
| Food Delivery | $400 to $1,500+ |
| Grocery Delivery | $300 to $1,000+ |
| Courier Services | $500 to $2,000+ |
Looking to make extra cash, save up, or prepare for emergencies? Mobile car washing and detailing is a great on-the-go side hustle. It’s flexible and can be quite profitable. So, why not take your business on the road today?
Reselling and Flipping: Turn a Profit
In the world of side hustles, reselling and flipping items for profit is a great way to make money. You can find products that are worth more than their price at thrift stores or garage sales. Then, sell them online for a higher price on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
This side hustle needs time and effort to find, store, and market products. You can make a profit by flipping items like sports memorabilia, furniture, power tools, musical instruments, and rare sneakers. There are many things you can resell, from vintage clothes to domain names and even land.
Some profitable items to flip include mattresses, clearance items, sports gear, and designer glasses. For example, a person selling mattresses online makes $3,000-$4,000 a month. You can sell many products on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and special websites, making it a good way to earn.
Flipping rare sneakers can be especially profitable, with some making $10,000 a month. The success in selling different items, like brand-name shoes and cars, shows the many chances to make money in flipping.
“Flipping allows individuals to potentially make $400 to $800 per day. Some people can make $500 or even $1,000 in as little as 30 minutes of work.”
Flipping is a simple and foundational way to earn money and run a business. It’s all about making sales and profits, not trading your time for money. But, many people stop flipping because they find it too easy to make money quickly.
If you want to earn extra or start a side hustle, reselling and flipping could be a good choice. It’s a profitable opportunity worth looking into.
Get Paid for Your Opinions: Online Surveys
Now, making extra money is easier than ever with online survey platforms. These tools let you turn your free time into a steady income. Companies need your opinions and are willing to pay for them.
At Swagbucks, Toluna, and Branded Surveys, creating a profile is easy. You can quickly find surveys that match your interests. Swagbucks has given out over $550 million to users in the last 10 years. This shows how much you can earn from online surveys.
Online surveys offer more than just cash. They give you insights into what people like and help shape new products. User Interviews pays $50-$150 an hour for your thoughts. Respondent offers over $100 per project for market research.
Whether you want to make extra money or share your thoughts, online surveys are a great choice. By joining several platforms, you can increase your earnings. This turns your free time into a steady supplemental income or passive income.
| Platform | Average Payout | User Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | $0.50 – $0.90 per survey | 4.1 out of 5 stars (82,000+ reviews) |
| Ipsos i-Say | $0.45 – $0.90 per survey | 4.7 out of 5 stars (32,000+ reviews) |
| Pinecone Research | $3 per survey, $3-$5 for product testing | N/A |
If you want to increase your income and share your thoughts, try these top online survey sites. It’s an easy and rewarding way to make passive income in your free time.
Seasonal and Event-Based Side Hustles
There are side hustles that come with the seasons or events. For example, you can work in retail during holidays, deliver packages, or even be Santa Claus. Event gigs like serving or bartending at parties can also give you extra cash. These seasonal side hustles and event-based side hustles might not pay all year, but they’re great for making money during busy times.
Lifeguards can make about $20 an hour in the summer. Pressure washing businesses can bring in $3,000+ per month when it’s warm. And, wedding officiants can earn $100-$800 per wedding, making it a profitable event-based side hustle. On the other hand, online surveys can pay $0.50 to $5.00 per survey, offering a flexible way to earn.
If you want to make extra money during holidays or special events, there are many seasonal and event-based side hustles to try. You could detail cars, flip items at yard sales, sign loans, or even offer online tutoring. These options offer diverse ways to make flexible income all year.
“Seasonal and event-based side hustles can be a great way to earn extra cash during peak seasons or special events.”
Seasonal Side Hustles
- Retail sales during the holidays
- Package delivery around Christmas
- Santa Claus impersonation
- Lifeguarding during the summer
- Pressure washing in the warmer months
Event-Based Side Hustles
- Bartending or serving at weddings and parties
- Working as a professional wedding officiant
- Hosting local tours or experiences
- Loan signing agent for real estate transactions
- Moving services through platforms like Dolly
Conclusion: Find the Right Side Hustle for You
Choosing a side hustle should match your interests, schedule, and financial goals. Think about if it’s a good long-term choice and how it affects your money. This guide offers 35 side hustle ideas to increase your income.
It’s crucial to find a side hustle that suits your lifestyle and dreams. The right side hustle can give you extra income and a better work-life balance. By using your skills and passions, you can earn more and feel fulfilled.
Successful side hustles match your strengths and interests. So, look at different options, think about what fits you best, and pick a side hustle that suits your life. With the right side hustle, you can improve your finances and grow personally and professionally.