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Maybe you are living paycheck to paycheck. Or maybe you have debt you want to get ahead of.
There are so many reasons extra income might help you! It can change your present and your future.
That’s where a side hustle can help. In this day and age, there are so many side gigs you can pick up for extra cash.
And many side hustles can turn into full-time income.
For example the skincare store Bushbalm was started by 3 friends who each invested $250. In 2024, their revenues hit $14 million!
Or Cassiy Johnson who started an Etsy printable shop that brought in over $100,000 in one month!
Even if your side hustle brings in just an extra $1,000 a month it will help.
In this article, are several side jobs, side businesses and side hustles that anyone who needs an income boost can try.
20 Legit Money-MAking Side Hustle Ideas
Below are 20 of the best side hustles to try out for extra income. These side jobs have flexible schedules, so you can give them a try even if you feel that you don’t have enough time.
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1. Renting Out Your Property
One great way to make extra cash is to use the assets you already have. Like rooms in your home!
You can rent your spare bedroom for a few months, or bettery yet get started on sites like Airbnb with short term rentals.
I made $8,500 a month from Airbnb! You could even rent out your entire house for a week or so if you ever need to go on vacation.
This is a fantastic method to increase income stream and earn a little additional money on a part-time basis every month.
I also rented a private suite I had in one home I owned on Airbnb and paid my entire mortgage with the revenue!
Obviously, given the money I have made with AirBnb, it is one of my favorite side hustles.
Depending on your preferences, you might rent out your spare rooms on a temporary basis (this would work especially well if you reside in a metropolis) or even indefinitely.
As side hustles go, this one is a pretty easy way to make extra money! And, there are a whole lot more real estate side hustles in this list you can try.
More reading:
2. Freelancing
One of the best side hustle business to start is freelancing. You can offer services in writing, advertising, graphics, photography, and video production.
You can advertise your freelance services online on platforms like Upwork, or Fiverr.
As a freelancer, you’ll probably have the freedom to set your own hours and decide what you want to work on.
While designers and editors can enjoy doing what they love while assisting others, freelance writers can choose to write about whatever interests them.
This is a fun way to earn money while doing what you love to do the most… and, more importantly, doing what you are good at!
More Reading: 10 Investment Ideas to Build Wealth
3. Start an eCommerce Business
We’ve already talked about setting up an Amazon FBA business as a lucrative side hustle. But you can really start any type of eCommerce business selling products.
You don’t have to leverage Amazon but can instead set up your own website and store on a site like Shopify. There can be a ton of money made with an online business selling products.
Just make sure you do your research on the top selling products online.
Use this Shopify Launch Checklist to get your own online store set up.
4. Starting an Amazon By Fulfillment Business
Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program is an easier way to start an eCommerce business.
You basically source and buy products to sell, set up your online store and send the products to Amazon. Amazon will then ship the items out for you when they sell. Like dropshipping basically.
It is a much easier way for you to have an eCommerce side hustle business. You don’t need to find buyers. You get to make use of the already vast marketplace of buyers that Amazon has. Buy you can make money for yourself.
A 2019 Statista report showed that almost 150.6 million people in our country accessed the Amazon app last September.That is a lot of potential customers!
Check out this guide on how to start an Amazon FBA business from someone who earned 6 figures from their FBA store!
5. Selling Digital Products and Printables
Another e-Commerce business you can start as a side hustle at home is selling digital products or printables.
This can be anything from graphic templates, planners, plugins, artwork or even entire websites.
Sarah Titus has been very successful selling printables, she has actually made $15 million so far! Read her how-to here.
Digital products have a few advantages over physical products. They are usually cheaper to create. Plus you just create them once in most cases, but can sell that product over and over again.
In addition, you don’t have to worry about shipping or storage and you will never run out of stock since the product is digital.
Digital products to sell include items like planners and journals, eBooks, and even recipe and cookbooks.
You can create these by using tools like Adobe software, Canva, or specialist software for the particular type of product you will make if needed.
Or, you can also hire someone else to create your digital product if you have a little money to spend.
You can easily get started developing selling landing pages today with ConvertKit.
Helpful resources:
- Shopify – a platform where you can create an online store for your products
- Canva – free graphic design platform (with a paid upgrade) to design digital products
- ConvertKit – a platform that enables you to easily set up landing pages to sell digital products
6. Selling/Upcycling Your Old Stuff
Selling your goods is another way to get money.
Using apps like LetGo, OfferUp, Poshmark and Depop, allow you to sell your used items and earn hundreds of dollars, depending on what you decide to sell.
At the moment, second-hand clothes are extremely popular, due to budgets and fewer people wanting to participate in fast fashion.
You can even turn this into a full-time side business by buying items at local garage sales and consignment shops and then reselling them. You may even be able to score some free items off sites like Next Door and Craigslist.
If you’re exceptionally inventive, you may consider upcycling your discarded products to generate additional income.
Use fabric paints to add some distinctive designs on clothing, and watch as their value increases as they grow cuter!
You can sell your used clothes on Poshmark or Ebay as well. And Etsy is awesome for selling vintage and unique items. Check out this list of best selling items on Etsy.
And there are a ton of apps like these where you can sell your used furniture. And, there are many sites like OfferUp where you can sell just about anything!
7. Renting Cars on Turo
Another of my favorites from this list of side hustles is to rent your car out on Turo. Turo is very similar to AirBnb but it is for your car.
You let people rent out your car like they would do at any big car rental company like Enterprise. If you want to make even more money, you can actually buy used cars just for the purpose of renting them, making this a viable side business to start for anyone.
You will do even better with this side hustle if you are in a tourist city however.
8. Food Delivery
Today, it is possible to order any kind of food to your doorstep via a variety of apps.
Companies that are continually looking for delivery drivers, include Postmates, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. Check out this guide on driving for DoorDash.
You can make your own schedule and get paid whenever you want to make deliveries. It is a fantastic opportunity to earn money while venturing outside and discovering your neighborhood.
You set your own hours. Income depends on the number of deliveries, distance, and tips. It’s important to be on time and communicate with customers if there are delays.
Delivering food is a simple option to earn some additional money on the side on your own timetable. You need a car, bike, or scooter and a smartphone to use the company’s app.
This side hustle is active and lets you work alone. Good navigation and time management skills are helpful.
You are able to select your own shifts and can pick up some great tips while stopping at some delicious fast food restaurants along the road. Plus, you can make money in just one hour!
Sites to start food delivery with:
9. Creating and Selling a Course
Another lucrative side hustle is to create a course and sell it online. Did you know you can literally sell an online course in just about anything?
Whatever you are good at, or love. Yoga, Marketing, Photography, Tennis or Crafting. It doesn’t matter!
Selling online courses is an ideal side hustle because it is passive income.
Which means once the initial work of creating the online course is done, you can sit there and make money each day without working, i.e. passive income!
When is comes to side hustle ideas, you should always opt for passive income if possible.
You can create several courses if you want and make even more extra cash.
Here are sites where you can sell your own online course:
10. Selling Crafts
Selling crafts is another easy way to make money on the side. Maybe you like cross stitching, or cricut or some other type of arts and crafts hobby.
You can sell what you make on sites like Etsy. Even jewelry making is a lucrative arts and crafts hobby. You can try any of these 80 best crafts to sell and get started.
Here is a guide on the best products to sell on Etsy to help you get started.
How to Quickly Start an eCommerce Business:
If you want to start your own online business but aren’t sure where to start, sign up for a Shopify account. It is an easy set-up!
11. Data Entry Work
Another excellent online job is data entry. Online data entry jobs can be worked from home, part time or full time.
Captioning, medical coding and simple voice-to-text transcription. are all examples of data entry work.
You may have to listen to an audio or video track and then type everything that you hear.
Companies like Smart Crowd, Birch Creek Communications, Sigtrack, and Kendall Creek Communications are sites where you can find data entry jobs.
You can also advertise your services on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. On sites like Upwork, you can create a profile and advertise multiple skills, like data entry and virtual assistant work fro example.
Here are some sites where you can find data entry jobs:
12. Grocery Delivery
Did you know that here are apps that will actually pay you to shop for groceries for people and deliver them to their doorsteps?
These apps will allow you to deliver groceries to people who need the assistance.
You can come to work whenever you want, and you can also receive tips. Additionally, you’ll feel good about yourself knowing that you are assisting others in need.
The greatest feature is that, compared to other driving-related sideline hustles, this one will put less strain on your automobile because you’ll be spending the most of your time inside stores.
Plus, as we already mentioned, you can pick up your own groceries at the same time. It’s a win-win scenario! And, this is a side hustle that pays weekly (or even daily.)
Places where you can get started with food delivery:
More Reading: Side Hustles for Stay at Home Moms
13. Walking Dogs
If you care about animals, especially dogs, you can start your own business taking care of them.
Dog walking and pet sitting is a fantastic side project to consider if you are looking for a way to make more money.
Not to mention that spending time with dogs is basically like therapy! Using Rover, an app for dog walkers, you can even pet-sit at your own home if you love dogs.
Although, since customers could anticipate you to be at home with their animals, you may only be able to work on the weekends and evenings as a result of this.
If you are seeking a part-time side hustle where you can work every day while also being near the cutest fluffy creatures, consider this pet-walking and pet sitting side hustle.
As long as your clients are fine with the durations that you will be minding their dogs, you can still choose your own schedule.
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14. Blogging
This sideline business may require a little more time to establish, but it is a tried-and-true method of earning money online and the rewards can be enormous.
Some bloggers earn beyond $100,000 annually, and that could be you!
You can write about everything and anything you’re enthusiastic about, you just need to choose a niche.
You earn money through affiliate marketing. Basically, you promote products or services and when someone clicks on your affiliate link, you can earn a commission.
You can also earn money blogging with advertising revenue and sponsored posts.
You can also think about “flipping” blogs and websites as an income-generating side hustle. This just means you buy or create a blog, get it making some revenue and then sell it for a profit.
For every $1,000 in revenue a month that a website makes, you can sell it for around $42,000! You can do it over and over again and keep earning extra cash.
You can learn how to start your own blog side hustle here.
15. Start a YouTube Channel
Creating your own YouTube channel is an excellent side business. If you are extroverted and don’t mind being in front of a camera this may be the job for you!
Pick a subject to video about that you love or have expertise in. Maybe it’s parenting tips or makeup tutorials.
If you need some ideas, check out this list of the top 21 female youtubers. These women are making CRAZY money!
Once you’ve built an audience, you can earn money with your YouTube channel through sponsored content, ads, affiliate marketing. Side hustles like this one can be lucrative.
16. Get Paid for Your Opinion
Making money just for talking about yourself sounds pretty good to me! There are actually several ways to do this now.
There are big companies out there research studies who will pay for your opinion and an interview.. They pay really well too!
You can make as much as $100 an hour. You might be asked to look at new products, or websites or asked about your purchasing habits.
The two best sites to sign up for this type of work are Respondent and User Interviews.
You can also earn side money from sites like Branded Surveys and Survey Junkie.
While you can’t earn as much from these, you can earn doing simple and even fun tasks online and with your phone.
Watching ads, videos, answering questions and even playing games will get cash deposited into your bank account.
Survey Junkie: Earn as much as $50 a survey! Get paid for easy and fun tasks. Get started by clicking here.
Branded Surveys: Quickly earn extra money for completing easy surveys
17. Tutoring
If you were once a student who flourished throughout one or more subjects in particular, you might think about starting a tutoring business.
If you have a college degree, you can easily specialize in that field, making this task even easier to do.
By starting a company where you instruct pupils after school, you’ll have time to do it outside of your working hours.
Additionally, you have the option of conducting this in-person or online, utilizing tools like Zoom or Google Meet. Some great sites to set up your courses are CreativeLive, Teachable or Udemy.
You can also find tutoring and teaching jobs on sites like VPKIDS, Tutor, and Outschool.
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18. Investing in Real Estate
We’ve already mentioned that you can make a lot of extra money through AirBnb. If you can manage to get a 20% down payment together for a rental property, this is a wonderful side hustle to choose.
Owning property means increasing equity each year, and if someone is renting it, they are paying the mortgage for you!
Plus is is passive income which is the best. It just might take you a while to get together the initial investment required.
Another way you can invest in real estate with less money and less trouble however is to try one of the crowdfunding websites.
When it comes to side hustles for women, this one is one of the best!
Websites like Crowdstreet will let you invest in real estate with whatever money you can afford. You basically get to buy shares in projects from top developers.
You can browse all the possible deals and pick the one you want which is fun! Then you start earning a return. So, you can actually invest in an apartment building potentially which you would not be able to have the funds for without Crowdstreet.
Tellus is an app that provides you with high yield interest on your money that is also powered by real estate deals.
19. Investing in Stocks
This is one of the riskiest side hustles for women, or anyone to try. But, it can pay well.
You can start trading stocks to make extra money on the side. Platforms like Robinhood, ETrade will let you trade stocks commission free.
Just make sure that you educate yourself and learn everything you can about trading first before you start buying stocks!
Sites like The Motley Fool can give you helpful information about stocks as well.
20. Working as A Virtual ASsistant
Becoming a virtual assistant could be a perfect side hustle for anyone looking for flexibility and extra income.
Virtual assistants typically help businesses and entrepreneurs, with tasks like emailing, scheduling, social media management, and data entry. Basically, you are an office assistant, but from home.
There are a ton of tasks you might get paid for as a virtual office assistant.
With the ability to set your own hours, this hustle idea is ideal. According to Indeed.com, the average base salary for virtual office assistant jobs in our country is around $16.36 per hour.
To get started, you can create a profile on sites like Upwork where you can advertise your services or apply for jobs, and start your journey. You can also try Fiverr or FlexJobs for virtual assistant job postings.
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What are the benefits of a side hustle?
A side hustle gives you a chance to earn extra money outside of your main job (or your stay at home mom job!) This extra income can help with bills, savings, or special purchases.
You can learn new skills or improve ones you already have. Many side hustles let you try out things like sales, marketing, or technology in a low-risk way.
A side hustle can give you more control over your schedule. Many options are flexible, so you can work when it fits your life.
You might find that your side hustle helps you budget better and manage money more wisely. Some people use the extra income to save for a big goal or to pay off debt faster.
If you enjoy socializing or working with others, a side hustle can help you meet new people and make useful connections. It can also give you a creative outlet or let you try something you are passionate about.
Many women say side hustles have helped them gain more independence and confidence. Even starting small can bring positive changes to your daily life.
How to Choose a Side Hustle
Start by thinking about your skills, interests, and daily routine. Picking something you enjoy or are good at often leads to better results.
Make a list of your strengths and hobbies. For example, some people like crafting or writing, while others prefer offering cleaning services or babysitting.
Questions to ask before choosing:
- Do you want to work from home or outside?
- How much time can you spend each week?
- Are you looking for flexible hours?
- Do you want to use skills you already have or learn something new?
Set a budget. Some side hustles, like freelance writing, need little or no investment. Others, like selling crafts, might need more supplies or tools.
Check if the hustle fits your lifestyle. If you have family duties or a full-time job, choose something you can do evenings or weekends.
Read reviews and talk to others already working in the field. Their experiences can give you useful tips about what to expect.
What Side Hustles Pay the Most?
Some side hustles can bring in much more money than others. The amount you can make often depends on your skills, experience, and how much time you are willing to put in.
Here are some high-paying side hustles to consider:
- Consulting: If you have expertise in a certain area, consulting can pay very well. Businesses often hire consultants for advice or project help.
- Freelance Writing and Editing: Companies and blogs need content. Skilled writers and editors can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.
- Virtual Assistant (VA) Services: VAs who offer specialized skills like bookkeeping, marketing, or graphic design often earn higher rates.
- Event Planning: Organizing weddings, parties, or business meetings can bring in significant income, especially if you have good organizational skills.
- Course Creation: If you can teach a subject, selling online courses is a popular way to earn extra money.
Below is a simple table showing possible monthly earnings for these side hustles:
| Side Hustle | Estimated Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|
| Consulting | $1,000+ |
| Freelance Writing | $500 – $2,000+ |
| Virtual Assistant | $500 – $1,500+ |
| Event Planning | $1,000+ |
| Course Creation | varies, often $500+ |
You might also find success with services like cleaning or laundry, but these usually pay less. Online surveys are easy but often bring in under $200 monthly. Choose a side hustle that matches your skills to maximize your earning potential.
What’s the Easiest Side Hustle to Start?
The easiest side hustle to start depends on your skills and resources. Many women find that online gigs are the most accessible. These do not require special equipment or a big investment. You can often work from home and set your own hours.
Popular easy side hustles include:
- Rideshare or delivery drive
- Providing virtual assistant services
- Freelance writing or editing
- Selling handmade crafts
Online surveys only need a computer or phone with internet access. Most survey sites require you to sign up and fill out a profile. You get paid for your opinions, but payments are usually small.
A virtual assistant helps others by organizing emails, managing social media, or scheduling appointments. You can start with just basic computer skills. There are many websites where you can find clients looking for help.
Freelance writing or editing is another simple way to begin. If you enjoy writing, you can look for jobs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Start by offering to write short articles or blog posts.
If you like to make crafts, you can sell items on Etsy or at local markets. These could be jewelry, knitted items, or art. You only need supplies and a place to list your items.
| Side Hustle | Investment Needed | Skills Needed | Time Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Surveys | Very Low | None | High |
| Virtual Assistant | Low | Basic Computer | High |
| Freelance Writing | Low | Writing | High |
| Sell Crafts | Medium | Crafting | Medium to High |
Each of these options can help you get started quickly. You can pick one that matches your interests and the time you have available.
What is the Best Weekend Side Hustle?
If you are looking for a way to make money on the weekends there are a lot of great options. Some weekend side hustles that are easy include petsitting and dog walking, rideshare driving for Uber or Lyft, or freelancing in whatever field your primary skills are in like writing or graphic design.
What Side Businesses Can I Start?
You have many side business options to choose from, whether you want to work from home or outside. The best fit depends on your skills, time, and interests.
Popular ideas include:
- Freelance writing
- Ecommerce
- Virtual assistance
- Social media management
- Selling handmade crafts
- Online tutoring
- Graphic design
- Pet sitting or dog walking
If you like helping others, consider coaching or consulting in an area you know well. For those who enjoy crafts, you can sell products on platforms like Etsy.
Some options, like surveys and user testing, need little experience. Others, like freelance services, may need certain skills.
Think about what you like doing and choose something you can start with the resources you have now. Many side businesses can be started with a low budget and flexible hours.
How to Make $500 a Month With a Side Hustle
Reaching $500 a month from a side hustle is possible with planning and steady effort. Start by picking a hustle that matches your schedule and skills. Some popular choices include freelancing, selling items online, babysitting, or pet sitting.
You can also run errands, help with deliveries, or offer simple services in your community. Platforms like online marketplaces, tutoring websites, and local Facebook groups make it easy to find work.
Here is a quick example of how you might earn $500 a month with side hustles:
| Side Hustle | Earnings Per Task | Tasks Per Week | Weeks per Month | Total/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Walking | $15 | 3 | 4 | $180 |
| Babysitting | $40 | 2 | 4 | $320 |
| Total | $500 |
If you prefer creative work, selling crafts or homemade goods online can add up. Many people make extra income by making and listing a few new items each week.
Whichever side hustle you pick, being consistent is key. Set a small weekly goal, track your progress, and adjust your plan if needed.
You do not need special skills for many side hustles. The most important part is to be reliable and give good service.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an animal lover, an aspiring writer, a fitness enthusiast, or you are interested in a new field like real estate, there is something here for anyone.
Many of the side hustles will work when you already have a full time job.
They are also great for those who do not have time for full time jobs, e.g., full-time mothers, as the hours are mostly flexible.
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