In today’s world, having just one source of income is just too close to none. From job loss to the increasing cost of living, it’s dangerous to keep all your eggs in one basket. That’s where side hustles come in! A side hustle is any additional job or business you do outside of your main work to make extra money. Whether you’re saving for a big goal, trying to pay off debt, or simply want more financial flexibility, side hustles are a great way to increase your income streams.
Having extra sources of income can provide a financial cushion, create more opportunities, and help you achieve your financial goals faster. It can also be a great way to explore your passions and hobbies while making money!
I recently asked my audience to share side hustles they’ve done to earn extra cash, and the responses were interesting! Here are 50 side hustle ideas that people in my community have tried.
Disclaimer: I haven’t personally tried all of these, so I can’t vouch for each one, but they might give you some great ideas.
1. Sell Course Notes
Uploaded course notes for money. Several websites offer this option, especially if you have good study materials that help others succeed.
2. Focus Groups
Participating in focus groups is a great way to make extra cash. One person made $300 for just three hours of work!
3. Swimming Coach
If you’re a good swimmer, teaching others can be rewarding and profitable.
4. Private Chef
Love cooking? Offering private chef services is a great way to share your culinary talents and make money.
5. Travel Itineraries to Travel Blog
One audience member turned their passion for creating travel itineraries into a full travel blog and even started a Patreon for extra income! You check out her page here.
6. Security in Condos
Working as a security guard in quiet condos is ideal for students since you can do school work during shifts. Just get your security license and you’re good to go.
7. Bouncer
Another option for those who like evening work—working as a bouncer on weekends, which often pays cash.
8. Reselling Thrift Finds
Flipping thrift store finds can be profitable, especially if you know how to spot valuable items.
9. Floral Business
Starting a floral business can bring in great profits. One person started on Valentine’s Day and made $2,000 in profit in a single day.
10. User Interviews
Get paid to share your opinion on products and services through websites like Userinterviews.com.
11. Resume Writing
Helping others polish their resumes, cover letters, and personal statements is a high-demand, low-effort hustle with great returns.
12. Rideshare Driving
Driving for Uber or Lyft is a flexible side hustle you can do on your own schedule.
13. Puff Puff Sales
Selling popular snacks like puff puff can be a fun and lucrative side hustle, especially at events.
14. Photography
Photography is a skill you can monetize by offering shoots for free initially to build your portfolio and later charging for services. Offering photography services for special occasions, like birthday photoshoots, can be a great creative outlet.
15. Amazon Influencer
If you have a social media following, consider joining the Amazon Influencer program and earning through affiliate marketing.
16. Dropshipping
Setting up a dropshipping business allows you to sell products online without worrying about inventory.
17. Virtual Assisting
Working as a virtual assistant is a popular and flexible online side hustle. Some people start with agencies and then branch out on their own once they have the hang of thing.
18. Freelance Marketing Consultant
If you have experience in marketing, you can offer consulting services to small businesses and startups.
19. Freelance Copywriting
Writing for businesses, whether it’s for websites, social media, or blogs, is a side hustle you can do remotely.
20. Restaurant Serving
Working part-time in a restaurant can bring in a steady income, especially with tips.
21. Baking
Love baking? Turn your passion into a side hustle by selling baked goods for events or to local businesses.
22. Catering
Take your love for cooking further by starting a catering business and providing meals for events or parties.
23. User Testing
You can get paid to test websites and apps and provide feedback on usability through user testing platforms.
24. Hair Braiding
Learning how to braid hair can be a highly sought-after skill that brings in consistent cash.
25. Airbnb Hosting
Rent out extra space in your home or a legal suite through Airbnb or Booking.com to make passive income.
26. Courier Driver
Being a courier driver offers flexibility and the ability to earn money delivering packages.
27. Freelance Delivery Service
One audience member started a delivery service for small businesses in their area—an in-demand niche!
28. Event Content Creation
Not all content creation needs to be in front of the camera. Many people offer services to create visuals for events.
29. Flight and Hotel Booking
People often struggle with booking cheap flights and accommodations. One audience member found a way to offer this service for a small fee.
30. Babysitting & Housesitting
These traditional side hustles are still popular. You can find gigs on platforms like Birdie Break or Sitly.
31. Freelance Consultant
Offering specialized consulting services, such as for non-profit organizations, can be a rewarding and profitable side hustle.
32. Interview Coaching
One person started coaching others for job interviews by posting ads on platforms like Kijiji and found clients who needed practice.
33. Cleaning Houses
Although physically demanding, house cleaning can bring in steady income.
34. Event Planning and Décor
Use your creative flair to plan events or offer décor services for weddings, parties, and corporate functions.
35. Doordash & Uber Eats Delivery
If you’re a student or live in a walkable area with high demand, food delivery via bike or foot can be a convenient hustle.
36. Wedding Singer
If you have musical talent, offering singing services for weddings or events is a fun and unique way to make money.
37. Video Editing
People are always looking for help editing their videos, whether it’s for personal or professional projects. Promote yourself on Fiverr or Upwork to find gigs.
38. Social Media Management
Small businesses often need help managing their social media accounts. If you know your way around Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, this could be a great option.
39. Website Design
If you have web design skills, offer to create or revamp websites for small businesses.
40. Content Creation
If you enjoy making videos, blog posts, or social media content, there are many opportunities to turn this into a side hustle. I’ve made a few videos outlining how you can make money on social media too.
41. Professional Organizing
Help people declutter and organize their homes or offices and charge for your time and expertise.
42. Makeup Artist
If you’re skilled at makeup, offering services for events like weddings or photoshoots can be a rewarding side hustle.
43. Turo Car Rental
Turo allows you to rent out your car, much like Airbnb does for homes. If you have an extra vehicle, this could be a good option.
44. Brand Ambassador Work
Some brands pay for people to hand out flyers or samples in busy areas, which can be a fun way to earn extra cash. I’ve done this one before and found jobs here.
45. Scorekeeping for Sports Leagues
If you love sports, being a scorekeeper in local leagues is a simple way to stay involved and make money.
46. Delivery Apps for Amazon
Participating in programs like Amazon Shopper Panel lets you earn small rewards for uploading receipts.
47. Survey Apps
Platforms like Swagbucks and Atta Poll offer small payouts for taking quick surveys.
48. Photobooth Business
One person started a photobooth rental business for events—this niche side hustle can be fun and profitable!
49. Freelancing in Your Field
Whether it’s graphic design, copywriting, or UX design, freelancing in your professional field is a great way to make money on the side.
There are endless ways to make extra income through side hustles, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re looking to start small with surveys or dive into freelancing, there’s something for everyone. And remember, not every side hustle will work for everyone. The key is to find what aligns with your skills, interests, and schedule.
This is a really good article Reni, very detailed. Thanks for sharing.