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An established industry player is looking for individuals eager to explore the world of side hustles. This role offers the flexibility to engage in various income-generating activities, from freelance writing to rideshare driving. Ideal for those seeking to enhance their financial stability while pursuing personal passions, this opportunity allows you to set your own schedule and work at your own pace. Whether you're interested in teaching, blogging, or virtual assistance, there's room for growth and creativity. Join a community that values innovation and flexibility, and start your journey towards financial freedom today!
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Extra income can help you crush your financial goals faster. But where do you start? Here's how to actually make decent money from side hustles.
Side hustles are any job a person takes to make money outside of their full-time job.
And who doesn't want some extra income on the side?
A good side hustle gives you the freedom to pursue your passions and live financially stress-free. Many revenue streams don't require a huge initial investment or special skills to start.
But be careful. Some opportunities are shady and not worth your time at all.
To get started, check out this list of smart side hustle ideas.
Starting Your Side Hustle
Depending on what you choose, it may take some time to establish your side hustle. Here are some ways to market yourself:
Read on for a list of the best and most profitable side hustle ideas for every interest and skill set.
What are some good side hustles?
Driving for a ride-sharing service is an easy way to earn money on a flexible schedule. However, it may only be worth it once you consider your total expenses.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
First, pick your application. Uber or Lyft are the most common and most popular ride-sharing apps. Once you've picked your platform, download the app and sign up.
To sign up, you'll need:
When you submit this information, the company will conduct a background check. In addition, you'll need to have your car inspected. Uber or Lyft will give you options on where to inspect your car.
Once all of this goes through, you can start driving.
Earning Potential
Uber claims that drivers can make $25 an hour, but prices fluctuate depending on the time of day and demand. In addition, the base fare for drivers varies from city to city.
Keep in mind that the driver does not get the full price that the rider pays. Uber takes a 25% cut of all fares—and that's before you factor in any expenses like gas or maintenance.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
How many hours per week are you willing to dedicate to a side hustle?
Don't want to deal with people? With contactless food delivery apps, you could get paid without having to interact with people. Some apps can connect you with local restaurants and groceries stores.
Pros
Cons
But each app will have slightly different requirements. So be sure to check their onboarding process very carefully.
Earning Potential
Delivery apps generally pay $10 - $25 per hour plus tips. Great customer service can help you earn more.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
If you're willing to work hard without immediate payoff, a blog can become a profitable side hustle after just a few months.
If your blog becomes successful, there are several ways you can make money from it: Affiliate marketing, advertising, selling your own products, and partnerships.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
You'll have to set up your own website. This requires some technical expertise. Many new bloggers use a WordPress blog hosted through Bluehost ($2.95) per month. It's designed for beginners who want to take their blog seriously and potentially make money in the future.
Earning Potential
Starting a blog will not generate income immediately. However, there's a lot of room to grow if you're willing to invest the time. Some successful blogs can earn thousands of dollars a month.
To create a profitable blog, you'll need to create and maintain a website that you feel comfortable using. This guide from GreenGeeks breaks down everything you need to know to choose the right platform for you and to get it up and running.
Scalability: High
Time commitment: High
Teaching English online is a lucrative and popular option. Because many people looking to learn English are in different time zones, this side hustle can be done at any time.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
You can find students through platforms like italki or VIP Kid. You'll need a computer, Skype account, webcam, headset, and strong Wi-Fi connection. Most schools require teachers to have a bachelor's degree in English or a related field.
In addition, you may need a TESOL or TEFL certificate to teach English as a foreign language.
What's the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
Earning Potential
Most hourly positions teaching English will earn around $20 an hour, depending on the time zone and the days of the week. The rate will also vary depending on the number of students in the class.
Virtual teachers who commit to semester-long classes for high school, for example, can earn around $40,000 a year.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: High
If you write for a living, freelance writing jobs may be an easy way to earn extra money on your own time. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
You'll find most freelance jobs through platforms for remote work, like Fiverr and Upwork.
Earning Potential
Experienced writers and editors can make $30–$40 an hour, though you'll likely need to settle for less in the beginning.
With some freelance sites like Upwork, you can set a preferred hourly rate, but clients are able to negotiate. Plus, Upwork takes a 20% fee on your total project earnings or hourly earnings.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
As you start earning from freelance writing or other side hustles, managing your finances effectively is crucial. Setting up the best bank account for freelancers can help keep your income and expenses in check.
Renting out your car is a great option for people who own their cars, but don't use them much. Many services allow you to rent your car out when it is most convenient for you.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
There are three popular services to choose from:
Earning Potential
Depending on schedule and availability, renting out your car can earn you around $500 a month .
Scalability: High
Time commitment: Low
Vacation rentals have become a popular way for people to travel. Renting out your home will capitalize on that trend—especially if your home is in a great location.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
First, you'll need to list your home on a short-term vacation rental site like Airbnb or VRBO. Set up a profile, share information about yourself, and verify your profile with a passport or driver's license. This reassures guests that you're legitimate.
Airbnb will help you calculate a nightly rate based on the location, number of rooms, and other factors.
Consider adding additional perks to help draw customers. Some suggestions are free Wi-Fi, coffee and tea, basic cooking essentials, and toiletries.
Earning Potential
In most big cities, a room in a house or apartment can go for around $100. An entire apartment can cost upwards of $200 a night. But that doesn't include cleaning fees or the percentage that the platform takes.
All things considered, you can earn around $1,000 a month for renting out your entire home or apartment. However, where you live and your living space will factor into the price you can command.
Scalability: High
Time commitment: Low
Some cities have rules and regulations against renting your property out. In New York City, for example, you cannot rent out your home for shorter than 30 days unless you are present during your guests' stay. [1] [2]
Data entry jobs are easy work-from-home opportunities . These positions work best for people who thoroughly understand Microsoft Office and don't mind excessive typing. All you need is a computer and a Wi-Fi connection.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
Several websites connect companies with freelancers. Check out these popular examples:
But most employers will pay per job, not per hour. To make the most money, you will have to work fast.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
If the opportunity requires you to pay money in advance or buy anything in advance, it's a scam. Be careful when choosing a data entry job website.
If you have experience hiring people or working in human resources, editing resumes and cover letters might be a good fit for a side hustle.
Having insight into what makes a resume stand out from the crowd will give you an advantage.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
There are a few ways to start this side hustle.
First, you can look for freelance jobs through remote websites like Upwork or Fiverr . On Upwork, employers and people will list jobs for hourly or flat-rate fees.
Second, try to network and build clientele through local Facebook community groups, Nextdoor, or Craigslist. Parents and students on those platforms may be more open to hiring someone from their own community.
Consider offering free services initially to grow your clientele and build word-of-mouth support.
Earning Potential
Resume writers working with college students and young adults tend to charge around $100 for their services. People working with higher-level clients can charge far more.
Wages will also be higher for people working in metropolitan areas, where there is more demand and more clientele.
It's important to remember that pricing will affect how people perceive your services. Don't undervalue what you offer.
A domain name is like internet real estate . As the internet grows, they become more and more valuable.
Selling and reselling domains is one of the easiest side hustles you can do from the comfort of your own home. You can get a large return on your investment if you have a good eye for potentially popular domains.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
Start by making a list of potential domains. You'll want to keep your focus narrow: Think of topics you have an interest in. In-depth knowledge of specific fields will give you a better idea of what people will be looking for.
Once you have your list, check if the domains are available by clicking here . You can use this website to compare prices for similar domains.
Once you have the domain, you'll want to make sure people can find it. Make sure your landing page has contact information and a place for people to place an offer.
Earning Potential
Buying the domain names will cost you as little as $15. You can sell them for $400–$500, depending on demand. Some domains sell for $5,000–$10,000.
There are plenty of domain name options out there: .com, .app, .biz, and .info, to name a few. Typically, domain names with a .com ending will be more in demand.
Scalability: High
Time commitment: Medium
If you have experience doing payroll and running numbers, working as a freelance bookkeeper for businesses can be quite lucrative.
Before you start, think about what types of services you will be offering to clients. Being as specific as possible will help set clear expectations.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
You'll most likely need accounting or CPA software like QuickBooks. Also, consider seeking out certifications to show clients that you are legitimate.
One way to get started is to introduce yourself to CPAs locally or online and see if they will refer you to their clients.
You can also use online freelancing platforms, like Upwork or Fiverr.
Earning Potential
You can earn between $20 and $50 an hour. Your rate will depend on whether you charge hourly or bill at a flat rate. In most cases, you'll want to bill hourly to ensure fair payment.
Consider calling local bookkeeping agencies to ask what they charge for various services. This will help give you an idea of where to set your rate.
Keep in mind that rates will vary depending on the area and clients you service. When you first get started, you'll have to be willing to compromise on your rate.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
With this side hustle, you buy items and resell them online using sites like Amazon or eBay. It will likely require a lot of driving around. You'll need to go to garage sales across your city and have a good eye for valuable items.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
You'll need to find local garage sales and estate sales. Most of these take place on weekend mornings, so you'll want to get there early to beat the crowds.
Always target wealthier neighborhoods in your area to increase the odds that you'll find something valuable.
Do research on how much certain items are worth. Consider how much money you may need for any renovations and whether they're worth the cost.
You can use places like Craigslist, Free Stuff, and Facebook groups that give away free items to get free products and flip them for money.
Earning Potential
If you buy and resell items, expect to earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 a month. The amount of money you earn will depend heavily on what you sell.
Scalability: High
Time commitment: High
This option works especially well for anyone in IT, writing/editing, social media, and teaching.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
The two most popular sites for freelancing are Upwork and Fiverr.
Earning Potential
The earning potential for this side hustle will depend on your industry.
If you're working in IT, for example, you can easily charge $100 an hour, depending on your experience and area of expertise
If you're working in writing and editing, you can expect to earn anywhere from $25 to $50 an hour, depending on your experience.
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
Virtual assistants (VAs) do everything from running social media accounts and websites to scheduling appointments.
If you have a wide range of skills and are looking for a flexible side hustle, this job may be a good fit for you. Plus, many people turn this side hustle into a full-time job.
Pros
Cons
Earning Potential
Virtual Assistants usually make $12 - $18 per hour
Scalability: Low
Time commitment: Medium
If you're tech-savvy, our list of the best money making apps is worth checking out. With the right app, you earn extra income straight from your phone.
Ecommerce stores are super popular nowadays. And you can set up an online shop easily with dropshipping. Basically, you let a third party handle inventory and shipment. Just transfer the customer's orders and shipment details to someone else to ship out. The third party is usually the manufacturer, another retailer, or a wholesaler.
As long as you have a reliable supplier, dropshipping is a profitable and low-risk business model.
Pros
Cons
How to Start
Earning Potential
How much you'll earn depends on the retail price and how much you sell.
Scalability: High
Time commitment: High
What's your top motivation for starting a side hustle?
The most obvious reason to start a side hustle is money. You can use the extra cash to boost your savings, pay off existing debt, or even take a well-deserved vacation.
But a side gig comes with other benefits, too. These include:
Peace of Mind
Most of our financial futures are tied to our jobs. But a side hustle can make you less dependent on that one source of income. This can reduce stress if disaster strikes.
Acquire New Skills
New jobs bring new responsibilities. Side hustles give you a chance to learn new skills or sharpen the ones you already have.
Improved Prospects
You never know where your next opportunity lies. Some side hustles—like becoming a virtual assistant—can develop into full-time jobs later.
Explore new places
Time to save up for a vacation that's just a few months away.
Destroy any debt
Imagine if you had an extra $500 - $1,500 per month to put towards it.
Build a better cushion for your retirement fund
Have you crunched numbers and realized that you need to add a few hundred more each month to your nest egg? All the more reason to find a side hustle.
Are you set on starting a side hustle? Good, here are a few important moves to start a side hustle today:
Making a living isn't always glamorous. Lots of people are afraid of getting stuck in unfulfilling jobs.
In an unpredictable job market, you don't have to go it alone. As part of our series on gig work and employment, CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer some of readers' most pressing questions:
Here's what they said:
How is the gig economy changing the workforce?
Markie Keelan
Career and Life Coach at Growing Self
The gig economy is changing the workforce in multiple different ways. The first way, is that it's giving people more opportunity to change the ...
How should people manage a full time job and side hustle without getting burned out?
Joseph Mazzola
Associate Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Meredith College
Doing a full-time job and side hustle is definitely a recipe for burnout. Research shows that those working 50-60 hours per work routinely are ...
What jobs are the happiest?
Michelle Gomez
The Latina Life & Career Coach, Author, Speaker, Coach and Founder and CEO of Michelle Gomez Coaching, LLC.
The answer is a bit layered. It really depends on the season that someone is in within their life.
Jenn DeWall
Career and Life Coach
The first thing I would say it depends on the type of person you are. Are you a person that derives happiness by liking what you do? Or do you ...
How do you find your purpose and do what you love?
Wendi Weiner
Attorney and Career Expert at The Writing Guru
Discovering your purpose and what you love doing isn't always easy. Sometimes we are pushed into different directions.
Could gig work put an end to traditional employment?
Angela Heath
CEO of TKC Incorporated
I do not believe we will see the end of traditional employment. Sweeping corporate change happens over long periods of time. Many corporate ...
What will the future of work look like?
Mary Abbajay
President of Careerstone Group and author of "Managing Up"
I think that the gig economy is here to stay. I think that for a couple reasons. I think once we get through our current recession, I think that ...
Side hustles are a great opportunity for full- or part-time workers to supplement their income and develop additional skills.
Consider your schedule, what upfront costs you can afford, and how much work you're willing to put into it. It may take some time for your side hustle to be lucrative, so be patient.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
Subject to background check and availability
What tools or resources do you have that you want to use for your side hustle? 85% Laptop or Computer 8% Car 2% Bicycle or Motorcycle 5% Spare room or house Source: CreditDonkey
How many hours per week are you willing to dedicate to a side hustle? 67% Less than 10 hours a week 12% 10 to 20 hours a week 8% 20 to 30 hours a week 12% 30+ hours a week Source: CreditDonkey. Totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.
What's your top motivation for starting a side hustle? 100% Extra income Source: CreditDonkey
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