These days, it's all about the hustle. Whether you're looking to pay down debt, save for a vacation, or catch up on bills, side hustles seem to be the way to go.
What is a side hustle, exactly? Quite simply, it's a job you take on the side to earn some extra cash. The appeal of a side hustle versus a traditional part-time job is the freedom to set your own hours, work as much or as little as you want or need, and hone in on what you enjoy doing. Love animals? Earn cash walking dogs or pet sitting. Are you tech-savvy? Hire yourself out to help small business owners with their websites. Crafty? Start an Etsy shop. The possibilities are endless! Here are just a few of the most popular side hustles to consider.
Ride Sharing
Popular ride sharing services like Lyft and Uber are always looking for drivers to keep up with the demand from customers. If you have a clean driving record and a reliable vehicle, you could earn extra money chauffeuring people around town. Because you set your own hours, this is a perfect job to work on the side. Bonus: you get to keep all your tips with no service fee!
Food Delivery
Sure, you could get hired on as a local pizza delivery person, or you could set your own hours working for a food delivery service like Postmates, DoorDash, or UberEats. Customers craving anything from fast food to donuts to freshly baked cookies can request an at-home delivery from the comfort of their couch. That's where you come in: accept an order, retrieve the food, and deliver! You keep the tips as well as the payment from the service.
Online Teaching or Tutoring
If you have a college degree, you could sign up to teach English online. Several companies hire native English speakers to teach scripted lessons to children around the globe. One of the most popular companies is VIPKid. Or, go the DIY route and find students to tutor in person or via Skype by advertising online or at a local college campus.
Freelancing
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are always looking for help managing day-to-day or specialized tasks. Can you offer bookkeeping services? Can you manage a business's blog, website, or social media? Other popular freelance services include graphic design, transcription, and proofreading.
Manual Labor
For the able-bodied, some good old-fashioned elbow grease may be in order. Shovel some driveways, mow some lawns, clean some houses, or clear some gutters. People are always looking for reliable help, so start asking around. If you're handy, offer some light repair work, like fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a doorknob.
Rent a Room
If you have a spare bedroom, a rental home, or even an RV or cabin, you can make some extra income by listing it for rent on a site like Airbnb or VRBO. Potential guests will check out your listing and request stays for a rate you set, minus a service fee charged by the website. You may need to invest a bit to make the space cozy and attractive to guests, but overall, this can be a great way to make money.
Sell a Product
If you're creative and crafty, you could sell your products for a profit. Etsy is a popular online platform to sell handmade jewelry, clothing, artwork, and more. You could also sell in person at craft fairs or local boutiques.
Bottom line? Evaluate your skills, talents, and interests, and find a way to earn from them. Your favorite hobby could be the side hustle that gets you out of debt in no time.