If you have a savings goal, need to put more money towards your student loans, or simply want to have more flexibility in your budget due to inflation, side hustles offer an excellent opportunity to increase your income.
This list can give you ideas for the type of side hustle(s) you can do in order to make more progress towards your current financial goal. Some options are fast ways to earn extra money, while others require more time and training. However, the key to being successful with any side hustle is to concentrate on your unique skills and make the most of them.
So, take one of these side hustle ideas (or a few) and prepare yourself to hustle.
22 Side Hustle Ideas
1. Drive for Lyft or Uber.
If you enjoy driving, meeting people, and having the freedom to work whenever you prefer, consider exploring opportunities with Lyft or Uber. Both companies provide the option to set your own schedule, offer additional earnings during busy periods, and ensure you have insurance coverage while performing your duties.
2. Deliver food.
If you want a driving side job with reduced personal interaction, consider delivering for Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats. Since everyone needs to eat, many individuals prefer paying for food to be delivered to them. By bringing meals to others, you can also earn additional money.
3. Deliver groceries.
If you enjoy driving and shopping, consider checking out Instacart or Shipt. These on-demand services offer the opportunity to earn money by shopping for and delivering groceries to clients. Furthermore, according to Shipt, you can potentially make up to $22 per hour working for them. The idea definitely appeals to me!
4. Become a photographer.
It appears that nowadays, individuals owning smartphones believe themselves to be professional photographers. However, if you possess genuine photography skills, you can utilize them to earn an income.
Although people require photos throughout the year, it is advisable to consider seasonal marketing. For instance, senior photos could be promoted during summer or early autumn, while family portraits can be highlighted for individuals to include in their Christmas cards. Similarly, springtime can be focused on Easter pictures. In summary, it is essential to align your marketing strategy with the appropriate time of year for different types of photography.
If you are researching online to establish your pricing, do not anticipate earning the same amount as professionals right from the beginning. Begin by offering slightly lower rates to build your skills and client base. In case you require photographs for your website, you can even ask some friends to model for you.
5. Tutor online.
If you didn’t graduate at the top of your class, it is not a problem. You don’t need to have extensive knowledge to be able to teach others. If you have a good understanding of a specific subject and good communication skills, you can consider becoming an online tutor with Tutor.com, TutorMe, or Studypool. Additionally, the pay is also decent. TutorMe states that you can earn a minimum of $16 per hour.
When reviewing posts, exercise caution as there are some users who are only seeking others to complete their assignments or write their essays. However, there are also individuals who genuinely require assistance to thrive academically. Taking the initiative to provide help in such cases can bring immense personal satisfaction and financial rewards.
6. Become a transcriptionist.
If you have excellent typing and listening skills and possess a sharp eye for detail, then this job could suit you. A transcriptionist is a skilled typist who transcribes recorded or live audio files into written form. They play a vital role in the medical and legal fields, but their services are also required in other sectors of the corporate world.
After undergoing training and receiving certification, it is possible to earn approximately $20 to $45 per hour, varying based on your skill level and speed. Once certified, you can secure employment opportunities on Rev.
7. Join a focus group or take surveys.
Do you want to earn money by sharing your opinion? It’s a decent method for earning some additional cash. You have the option to participate in a focus group (try Focus Group) or explore survey platforms such as MyPoints.com or Survey Junkie.
It is important to keep in mind that these websites have specific criteria when selecting participants. Therefore, it is possible that you may not meet the requirements for every survey available. Additionally, you may need to complete a significant number of surveys before receiving a payout, making it a time-consuming but uncomplicated method to earn some additional income.
8. Teach English.
Continue reading even if the word “teach” makes you nervous. When you collaborate with a company such as VIPKid, they manage all the lesson plans and grading on your behalf.
All you need is a willingness to assist others in learning and the availability to conduct an online class. Once again, it is an excellent opportunity to earn money by assisting others!
9. Rent your home or spare room on Airbnb.
If you have a spare bedroom or a garage apartment, you should think about renting it on Airbnb. For instance, if you choose to rent out your guest room and bathroom to two guests, you could make more than $1,600 per month if you’re in the Nashville area. This can be a great way to earn passive income.
What about the risks of allowing unknown individuals into your home? That is a valid concern. However, Airbnb provides host damage protection for your home, which offers coverage up to $1 million. Additionally, they provide host liability insurance to protect against any potential injuries sustained by guests during their stay on your property.
Although Airbnb does not screen every guest, they do provide a platform for hosts and guests to rate each other, which helps ensure a sense of comfort regarding the individuals you choose to welcome into your home.
10. Resell thrifted items.
This particular option demands an upfront payment, but it provides an alternative for individuals who enjoy shopping and possess knowledge about the market worth of items. The concept is straightforward: you purchase items at a lower price and sell them at a higher price.
To start, go to nearby thrift stores, garage sales, or flea markets and search for bargains. Conduct thorough research to determine current trends and the prices at which items are being sold online. It is possible that you may stumble upon a valuable vintage item that is not immediately apparent. Alternatively, you might find something that you can repair or enhance and sell at a higher price.
To resell your items, consider using platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, eBay, Poshmark, Thredup, and GameStop. However, it is important not to go into debt for this. Borrowing money will only set you back and may result in accumulating items that you still owe money on and cannot sell. Instead, approach the process one item at a time and make cash payments, as cash is the preferred method.
11. Get paid for your creative talents.
If you possess creative skills, there is a demand for you. Platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs serve as bridges between freelancers who specialize in writing, editing, graphic design, and voice-over work, and clients who seek out these imaginative talents.
To begin, simply create a profile similar to an online resumé, allowing potential employers to review your experience, rates, and specialties. This way, you can earn additional income conveniently from your own home!
12. Become a personal chef.
Instead of the idea of residing in an unfamiliar kitchen and cooking numerous meals daily, imagine earning additional money by simply increasing the portions of the recipes you are already preparing for your family this week. If the concept of preparing extra meals, packaging them, and delivering them appeals to you, this could be an enjoyable way to earn extra income.
Inform your colleagues, fellow church members, and the parents of your children’s classmates about your venture, and ensure that you limit your clientele to a manageable level that aligns with both your kitchen capacity and available free time. However, engaging in this activity on a larger scale could prove to be a lucrative opportunity by capitalizing on your existing meal planning and preparation skills.
13. Babysit.
Perhaps in your youth, you engaged in babysitting. However, as an adult, it is still possible for you to earn some income through babysitting. Parents consistently require babysitters for occasions such as date nights or hectic days. Simply spread the word and inform acquaintances that you are available to attend to their children (in exchange for compensation, naturally).
If you have kids and are concerned about spending too much time away from them, you can consider bringing them along with you. It’s possible that some families would be fine with this arrangement, but it’s important to ask for permission first. This way, you can turn your babysitting job into a paid playdate, which is a win-win situation.
14. Become a user tester.
When a business realizes that something is not functioning effectively, they need to understand the reason behind it. Therefore, they often seek the assistance of their customers or individuals at random to serve as testers for user experience. This is where you can step in! UserTesting, Analysia, and TryMyUI are companies that offer payment for testing websites, applications, and products, in exchange for your feedback. Many of these companies guarantee that you will receive $10 for every completed test. This is quite a decent deal.
15. Dog walk or pet sit.
If you love animals, raise your hand. It is impressive to see so many of you here. Have you ever considered turning your passion for animals into a source of income? You could offer pet-sitting services when the owners are not around or find a few clients who need someone to walk their dogs during the week.
You have various options to promote your pet-sitting business including advertising on social media, placing signs in your neighborhood, making posts at work, or utilizing platforms like Rover or Wag. These platforms allow you to determine your own schedule and set fees, though they do deduct a percentage of your earnings. Alternatively, if their cut seems excessive, consider generating your own clientele by reaching out to friends and family and requesting their assistance in spreading the message about your services.
16. Clean houses.
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, cleaning houses can be the ideal job for you as it requires hard work. Many people prefer to hire someone else to clean their houses, making it a great opportunity to seize.
The start-up costs are not high. Some tools and supplies will be required, but certain meticulous homeowners might even supply the specific products they prefer for you to use. You have the opportunity to earn a decent income while also burning calories and enjoying music, audiobooks, or podcasts. It’s a win-win situation!
17. Sell products on Etsy.
If you’re skilled in crafting, perhaps you should consider selling your handmade products on Etsy. Whether it be jewelry, scarves, paintings, or hand-lettered inspirational prints, Etsy provides an excellent platform for selling any items you are adept at creating.
The process of creating a profile is uncomplicated, and adding a product to the platform is a straightforward task. Etsy imposes a fee of $0.20 for each listing, along with levying a percentage from the sale. Despite this, it is advantageous as Etsy enjoys the trust of buyers. Additionally, you have the convenience of purchasing shipping labels on Etsy, which allows you to send items directly from your mailbox, eliminating any need for last-minute visits to the post office. Overall, the process is incredibly simple.
18. Start a Youtube channel
YouTube presents a lucrative opportunity for generating advertising revenue. A case in point is my wife, a Registered Nurse residing in Los Angeles. On her YouTube channel, she utilizes her free time to disseminate her expertise in healthcare, as well as share her personal encounters in pregnancy and taking care of an infant. Not only does this serve as a creative outlet for her, but it also assists others in expanding their knowledge, all while generating some additional income through advertisements.
19. Run Instagram or Tiktok ads for other businesses
If you are an exceptional marketer, you have the opportunity to earn additional income by promoting brands that struggle to connect with the Gen-Z audience. Utilize your connections to identify business owners who could benefit from your expertise. By doing so, you can earn a monthly income of at least $1,000 without a significant time commitment.
20. Domain flipping
Domain names that are valuable can bring in significant profits, and companies are willing to pay a large amount for them. Before turning 20, I successfully sold 25 top-quality domains to Fortune 500 companies. It is important to actively search for domain names that have the potential to be profitable. After purchasing and registering them, you can list them on auction platforms such as Godaddy and Flippa, where you can sell them to the highest bidder.
21. Sell your creative skills
Are you passionate about painting, drawing, writing, or other creative activities? If so, there is a demand for your skills on online marketplace platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. Earn some additional money by pursuing your creative passions.
22. Sell an online course
By following a step-by-step process, instruct others on how to achieve mastery in your field through online courses. After completing the initial setup, this offers a great opportunity to generate passive income. Consider exploring various platforms such as Thinkific, Teachable, and Kajabi.
