There are 168 hours in a week, and many people need to supplement their incomes. Whether you need to buff up your vacation fund or pay down debt, a side hustle is one of the best ways to make extra money.
Start by looking for side hustle ideas that fit your skills and resources. You can even find gigs on apps such as Uber and Lyft.
1. Tutoring
Students often struggle with assignments and have a hard time understanding complex concepts. Teaching them is a great way to earn extra cash while doing something you enjoy.
Unlike the “gig economy,” where a worker’s profitability can vary depending on their skill and knowledge level, tutoring is a one-and-done model that allows you to monetize your skills once.
Online surveys are another popular way to Exra Cash Each Month while working from home. The flexibility of this side hustle allows you to work while waiting for a bus or train, watching Netflix, or reading a book. However, it can be easy for this gig to get buried on your to-do list. Consider focusing your efforts on it before or after school or on the weekends to prevent distractions.
2. Freelance Gigs
If your full-time job pays well, but doesn’t quite cover the cost of necessities or your dreams, a side hustle can help. But which one is right for you?
A freelance gig can give you flexibility and a sense of accomplishment. From creating T-shirt mockups for a client to helping someone build their social media following, there are a variety of freelance opportunities for all skill levels.
If you’re a tech whiz, you can earn extra money by providing in-home computer and smart home device setups. Startup and ongoing costs are low with handyman apps like HelloTech and TaskRabbit or by using your own platform.
3. Blogging
Blogging is a popular side hustle option for those who have the ability to create engaging visual and written microcontent. Bloggers can earn a lot of money through affiliate marketing, advertising, and sponsored content.
Depending on the topic and audience, bloggers can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month. This type of work is typically easy to fit into your schedule because it can be done in advance.
Aside from the monetary benefits, side gigs provide an important sense of autonomy and control over your life. This can lead to greater happiness, as cited in this TEDx talk by Monica Bassi. The deciding factors for choosing the right side hustle for you are your current skills, interests, and time. Pick something that can flexibly accommodate your busy schedule.
4. Selling
There are 168 hours in a week, and minus your sleeping schedule that leaves plenty of time to earn some extra cash. Make sure the side hustle you choose makes sense for your lifestyle, goals (both short- and long-term) and has the potential to generate a consistent profit before committing.
If you’re skilled at baking, for example, you could create a cake-making business that delights customers and grows on word of mouth. Or, if you’re an expert in your niche and can write content that educates and inspires others, creating digital information products like online courses or eBooks could be a profitable venture.
For those who are a bit more hands-on, providing services like home network installation, smart device setup and computer repair can be a lucrative way to make extra money from home. Just be sure to research the market and set aside any startup costs.
5. Dropshipping
Whether you’re saving for a down payment or paying off debt — ugh, will those student loans ever go away — a little extra cash can help. Fortunately, there are plenty of legitimate ways to make some extra money on the side.
If you’re creative, running a print on demand store can be an excellent home business opportunity. Simply upload your designs to POD vendors that print them on a variety of products such as tee shirts, mugs and wall decor.
Similarly, you can use private label suppliers to create unique branded goods such as a cosmetic line or kitchen tool collection with very low order minimums. You can then sell them directly via your online store, social media and marketplaces such as Amazon.
