Side hustles are a great way to make more money. They can help you reach a savings goal, pay more toward your student loans, or just add some breathing room to your budget (thanks, inflation).
When my husband and I were paying off debt, we did plenty of side hustling to help get our income up and our debt snowball rolling. That said, I’ve put together this list to help you choose what kind of side hustle(s) you can take on.
Some are quick ways to earn extra dough, and others require more time and training—but each one will help you. The key to winning with any side hustle is to focus on your specific skills and use them to make more progress toward your current money goal.
So, pick one of these side hustle ideas (or a few) and get ready to hustle!
27 Side Hustle Ideas
1. Drive for Lyft or Uber.
If you like driving, people, and working when you want—check out Lyft or Uber. Both offer flexible scheduling, extra pay during peak hours, and insurance protection for while you’re out on the job.
2. Deliver food.
For a driving side gig with less face-to-face time, check out delivering through Grubhub, DoorDash or Uber Eats. Hey, everyone’s got to eat, right? And a lot of people would rather pay to have the food come to them.
3. Deliver groceries.
If you don’t mind driving and shopping, check out Instacart or Shipt. You’ll get paid to shop and deliver groceries to clients through these on-demand services. And Shipt claims you can make up to $22 an hour working for them.1 Not bad!
4. Become a photographer.
It seems like everyone with a smartphone thinks they’re a pro photographer. But if you’ve got legit photography talent, use those skills to make money!
People need photos all year long, but you should think about marketing seasonally: senior photos in summer or early fall, family portraits for people to put on their Christmas cards, Easter pictures in the spring—you get the idea.
Now, when you’re researching online to figure out how to set your pricing, don’t expect to start off making the same as the pros. Build your skills and client list by offering lower (but not too low) rates to start. You can even get some friends to pose for you if you need some shots for your website.
5. Tutor online.
You didn’t graduate at the top of your class? No problem! You don’t have to know everything to teach others. If you’ve got a good understanding of a particular subject and good communication skills, look into online tutoring with Tutor.com, TutorMe or Studypool. And the pay isn’t too shabby, either. TutorMe says you can earn at least $16 an hour.2
Be careful as you look through postings, though. Some of the users are just in it hoping someone will write their essays or finish their homework for them. But others need honest help to do their best. Jumping in and offering that help can be a great reward for your life and your wallet.
6. Become a transcriptionist.
If you’re good at typing and listening and you have good attention to detail, then this could be the job for you! A transcriptionist is a professional typist who listens to recorded or live audio files and types up written versions of them. They’re super important in the medical and legal industries, but other areas of the corporate world need them as well.
You have to be trained and certified to be a transcriptionist, but you can make around $20 to $45 an hour depending on your skill level and speed.3 Once you’ve got your certification, you can snag some jobs on Rev.
7. Join a focus group or take surveys.
Want to get paid for sharing your opinion? It’s not a bad way to make some extra cash online. You can join a focus group (try Focus Group) or look into survey sites like MyPoints.com or Survey Junkie.
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Just remember, these sites are looking for really specific things when they pick people. So you might not qualify for every survey you see. You also usually have to answer a lot of surveys before you cash out. It’s not a quick option—but it is an easy way to make a little bit extra.
8. Teach English.
If you have a desire to help others learn and the time to lead a class online, you can teach English for a company like VIPKid. They do require a four-year degree (in any field) and at least two years of teaching, tutoring or coaching experience. But if you qualify, they handle all the lesson plans and grading for you. Again, it’s a great way to get paid helping others!
9. Rent your home or spare room on Airbnb.
If you have an extra bedroom or garage apartment, consider renting on Airbnb. Just for example, if you rent out your guest room and bathroom to two guests in the Nashville area, you could earn over $4,221 a month.4 Talk about a good source of passive income!
But what about the risks of opening up your home to strangers? Hey, that’s a legit worry. But Airbnb offers host damage protection on your home—up to $1 million in coverage.5 They also offer host liability insurance just in case a guest gets hurt while staying on your property.
And while Airbnb doesn’t screen each guest, they do let hosts and guests rate each other. That way you can feel more at ease about who you’re letting into your house.
10. Resell thrifted items.
This one requires some cash up front, but it’s another option for people who love shopping and understand the market value of things. The idea is simple: You buy low and sell higher.
Head to your local thrift stores, garage sales or flea markets and look for deals. Do your research to see what’s trending and how much things are selling for online. You might come across a valuable vintage piece hiding in plain sight. Or is there something you can fix up and sell for more?
Your easiest route is to resell through sites like Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, eBay, Poshmark, Thredup and GameStop—to name a few. Just don’t go into debt for this! Borrowing money only puts you 10 steps behind. Plus, you don’t want to end up with a basement full of stuff you still owe on—and can’t even sell. Take it one item at a time and pay cash for it all. Because cash is king!
11. Get paid for your creative talents.
If you have creative skills, people need you. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork or 99designs connect freelancers specializing in writing, editing, graphic design and voice-over work with clients who need those creative minds.
All you have to do to get started is create a profile (kind of like an online resumé) so potential employers can check out your experience, rates and specialties. Then you can make that extra money from the comfort of your own home!
12. Become a personal chef.
I’m not talking about living inside a stranger’s kitchen and whipping up multiple courses a day. What if you could earn extra income just by doubling or tripling the recipes you’re already making for your family this week? If you like the idea of prepping extra meals, packing them up and delivering them, this could be a fun side hustle for you.
Let people at work, church and your kids’ school know you do this, and take on only as many clients as your kitchen and free time can handle. This can be a great way to make money by doing something you’re already doing (meal planning and prepping)—just on a larger scale.
13. Babysit.
Maybe you did some babysitting when you were younger. But you can still get in on some of that babysitting cash as an adult. Parents need sitters all the time for date nights or busy days. Just get the word out and tell people you know that you’re up for watching their kids (for pay, of course).
And hey—do you have kids of your own and worry this means too much time away from them? Some families would be totally cool with you bringing your kids along (just make sure you ask first). That way, it’s a playdate you’ll get paid for—score!
14. Become a user tester.
When a business realizes something isn’t working, they need to know why. Sometimes they turn to their customers or random people to be user experience testers. That’s where you come in! Companies like UserTesting, Analysia and TryMyUI will pay you to test out websites, apps and products—and give them feedback. Most of them boast you’ll get $10 for each test you complete!6 Not bad at all.
15. Dog walk or pet sit.
If you’re an animal person, raise your hand. Wow. That’s a lot of you. What if you turned your love of animals into a profit? You can pet sit while the fur parents are away or find a couple of clients whose dogs you can walk during the week. And if you’re really good with dogs, you can do what I did and offer to train them as well!
You can advertise your own pet-sitting business on social media, put up signs in your neighborhood, post at work, or use a website like Rover or Wag. They let you set your schedule and adjust your fees—but they do take a cut of your pay.7 If that seems like too much, try drumming up your own business with friends and family, and ask them to help you get the word out!
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16. Clean houses.
Cleaning houses is hard work, but if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this could be the perfect fit for you. We all need our houses cleaned, and lots of people would rather pay someone else to do it. Don’t sleep on this opportunity!
Start-up costs are low. You’ll need some tools and supplies—though some picky homeowners might even provide the products they want you to use. You can make good money while burning some calories and listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts. Win-win!
17. Sell products on Etsy.
Are you crafty? (I’m definitely not.) But if you are, then maybe you should sell your crafty products on Etsy. Jewelry, scarves, paintings, hand-lettered inspirational prints and more—Etsy’s a great place to sell anything you’re good at making.
Setting up a profile is simple, and listing a product is easy. Etsy charges $0.20 per listing and takes a percentage of the sale.8 But it’s worth it because people trust Etsy. Plus, you can buy your shipping labels on Etsy—which means you can send everything from your own mailbox (aka no last-minute runs to the post office). So. Simple.
18. Give music lessons.
This is one of my personal favorite side hustles!
If you haven’t played your alto saxophone in 20 years, you probably shouldn’t dust it off and try teaching kids how to become the next Kenny G. But if you’re a musician with the heart of a teacher, giving music lessons is an excellent side hustle. Set your own prices and hours. You can offer lessons in your home, rent a studio space, or charge extra to travel to the client’s home.
Start-up fees can be practically nothing when you have your own space and instrument. You’re really just offering your time, talent and teaching.
19. Do tasks for people.
Are you good at quick fix-it jobs or running errands? People will pay you to complete their honey-do lists through sites like TaskRabbit or Handy. You can do all kinds of things, from hanging shelves to putting together furniture. And if you’re a certified plumber or electrician looking for extra jobs, Handy offers those too!
20. Become a freelance writer or proofreader.
Some companies have their own in-house writers and editors. Others hire out project by project. If you’re good at wordsmithing, pick up some freelance writing gigs. Emails, blog articles, print pieces—somebody’s got to write them!
If you’re more into correcting the words than writing them, take on freelance editing or proofreading. Do an online search and get the word out to people you know that you’re open for freelance work. You can use Fiverr and Upwork for this as well.
21. Wash and detail cars.
Pump the brakes. You mean you can make money cleaning other people’s cars? Yes. You can. Like home cleaning, you’ll need to invest in some products (car wax, a shop vacuum, leather cleaner, etc.). But they’ll go a long way, so you’re mostly investing time and energy, which are two of your best personal resources.
22. Mow lawns or do yard work.
People are busy, and they don’t want their lawns to look like a scene from The Jungle Book. That means they’ll gladly pay you to do yard work for them—like mowing, raking, hedge-trimming and leaf-blowing (rich people are afraid of leaves). You can grab seasonal hours with a local landscaping company, check out TaskEasy, or work on your own. Help others get that well-manicured lawn while you grow your bank account.
And when the temps drop, people still need outside help. If you’re in a town that gets a lot of snow, you can make bank through the winter by shoveling driveways and sidewalks. It’s a cold job, but somebody’s got to do it. You might as well be that somebody and earn the warm reward of extra income as you do.
23. Become a coach.
There’s more than one way to get paid as a coach. (Some don’t even require a whistle.) I’m talking coaching sports for rec leagues (yeah, some are just volunteer gigs, but others pay!), life coaching, career coaching, Enneagram coaching (it’s a real thing!), even financial coaching.
Just like teaching, it all comes down to having a heart to help others get better at something you’ve got a natural knack or passion for. You might need special certifications, but if you feel the call, coaching is a solid side hustle idea!
24. Deliver packages with Amazon Flex.
Your Amazon Prime account can quickly derail your spending. But what if you used Amazon as a quick way to make money, instead? Sign up to deliver packages with Amazon Flex and set your schedule to work as much or as little as you want. They say most drivers make $18–25 an hour!9
25. Sell baked goods.
People love cakes, cookies, pies and all those sweet goodies. So, if you’re good at baking, this is a great side hustle for you.
Start by baking for a friend or relative. Make a gorgeous cake, post it online, and get people talking. Use social media and the wonderful power of word of mouth. Because when you delight people’s eyes and tummies, you’ll have repeat customers who can’t stop singing your praises. Just don’t forget to look up local laws for baking and selling food out of your home before you start making any extra money.
26. Do makeup for special events.
Are you naturally good at doing makeup? Do you love helping women feel their best? Consider doing makeup for special events like weddings, photo shoots, proms and performances! Most states don’t require a license to be a freelance makeup artist, and you can take on as many clients as you like. You’ll have to invest in some good tools and a variety of makeup options. But it can be a fun way to do something you love and get paid!
27. Become an event planner.
Do you enjoy a good party? Are you detail-oriented? Then you might have what it takes to be an event planner! You could help plan or coordinate birthday parties, weddings or business events. You’d work with a client (and their budget) to help their vision come to life—and get a small commission (and maybe some free cake!).
You’d probably want to start on a smaller scale, like your nephew’s birthday party or a coworker’s bridal shower. But you get to decide how many events you do each month. And who knows? You might even decide to make event planning your full-time job!
How to Find the Best Side Hustle Jobs for You
Okay, that was a lot of side hustle options. You might be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities. But there are three things that can help you figure out what side hustle job is best for you:
Time
How much time do you want to put into this? As you look into what it takes to make your side gig work, don’t forget to be realistic about how much time will be involved—before, during and after the job. What are you actually making per hour when you consider all the time involved?
Talent
Guess what? You don’t have to hate your side hustle. It could be something that you’re actually really good at—something you already love doing. If you can go this route, do it! Then it’ll feel way less like work and more like getting paid to live in your sweet spot.
Target
I’m not talking about the store (though working there part time could be a good side hustle). As you’re looking through options, think about what your main target, or goal, is in getting a side hustle.
Do you want something simple to help you pay off debt or get breathing room in the budget? Do you want to help others along the way? Do you want to use your skills for profit? Are you hoping to turn your side hustle into a legit small business?
Whatever your reason, be sure it makes sense for you, your lifestyle and your goals (both now and in the long run). When you know your why, you’re more likely to stick with your side hustle through the ups and downs.
How to Start a Side Hustle
So, now you’ve got some side hustle ideas in mind. But how do you get started? Like, what do you actually do? Glad you asked.
1. Narrow down your options to about three ideas and start your research!
Get in touch with the companies involved (if needed) and talk to others who’ve done these jobs before to find out the pros and cons.
2. Create a checklist of what you need to get started.
Do you need to buy supplies? Get certified? Sign up online? Brush up on your skills? Find clients? Don’t let yourself get bogged down with fancy business cards or social media strategies—focus on what you have to do to actually start making money.
3. Put any up-front costs you’ll need in your budget.
This is super important. Remember, you aren’t going to go into debt to make extra money. That’s like digging a hole when your goal is to fill in a hole. If you realize you can’t afford the up-front costs of this side hustle, find a different option! There are plenty you can do that don’t cost a dime.
4. Go through that checklist one action item at a time!
Once you’ve got everything in place, it’s time to jump in and start making those extra bucks. Don’t overthink it—just start.
And don’t forget: When the money starts rolling in, put that extra income in your budget with your specific goal in mind (saving, paying off debt, investing). Otherwise, you’ll end up mindlessly spending it. Which means you’d be doing a lot of extra work without gaining any extra ground.
Go ahead and download our free budgeting tool—EveryDollar. Because when you budget with EveryDollar, you look that extra money in the eye and say, “Hey. I worked hard for you. It’s your turn to work hard for me.” You won’t risk that mindless spending I mentioned when you’ve already made a plan for your money.
It’s time to go after your money goals one side hustle—and one budget—at a time. You’ve got this!
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About the author
Jade Warshaw