by Luke Loftin
No matter if you are saving up for a down payment on a house, to take your dream vacation or just need help paying the bills, a second job can help you put extra cash in the bank. While you could moonlight at a retail store or restaurant to bolster your income, there are also plenty of job opportunities out there that will let you set your own schedule, including some you can perform from the comfort of your own home.
Here are a few suggestions on some side hustles you can try to help pad your income, ranging from starting your own freelance business to taking online surveys in exchange for cash.
1. Freelance Writer.
If you have a flair with words, taking on freelance writing gigs can be an easy way to earn extra money. There are countless businesses in need of dependable writers who can reliably churn out fresh content, including:
- Blogs
- Website copy
- Social media posts
Attending networking events is one good way to find clients, as many small business owners don’t have the time or budget to do all their own writing or hire a full-time writer. Another good source of writing jobs are sites like Upwork or Fiverr. These companies will take a cut of your earnings, but can also help you easily connect with potential clients.
2. Virtual Assistant.
If you have excellent organizational skills, you can bolster your bank account by handling various tasks for business clients. This could include scheduling meetings, taking phone calls, making reservations, data entry, responding to emails and other administrative duties. Try sites like FancyHands or ZipRecruiter to get started and see if remotely supporting busy business professionals is a good fit for you.
3. Webmaster.
Skilled at coding and have a good eye for design? Consider setting up your own affiliate website business on the side. There are plenty of companies who have affiliate programs, and personal loan affiliate programs are among highest-paying one.
4. Transcriptionist.
Are you a fast typist? One way to make cash from your living room is by transcribing phone calls, dictation or meetings. Clients will send you an audio file, then it’s up to you to commit the conversation to (virtual) paper. Fast, accurate typists who can type at least 60 words per minute can earn $25 to $30 an hour (or more!), making this an appealing gig for anyone with excellent keyboarding skills. You can get started by signing up on sites like TranscribeMe! and SpeakWrite.
5. Professional Tasker.
Are you handy with tools, a whiz at packing or a cleaning pro? You can easily make cash on the side by performing everyday tasks for people who lack either the time or know-how to take them on. Websites such as TaskRabbit can connect you with people in your area who need someone who can:
- Assemble furniture
- Hang drywall
- Mount a television
- Help them move
- Give their kitchen a deep clean
If you prefer running errands to doing heavy lifting, other options including delivering food or other basic household items for companies such as Postmates or Doordash.
6. Rideshare Driver.
Enjoy spending your free time behind the wheel? You can make money when you’re off the clock as a driver for popular ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. You don’t even need to own a car – both companies offer options for you to rent a ride to use while driving for them. The best part is you have complete freedom over your schedule, so you can drive when it’s convenient for you, not the company. Own a car but don’t want to drive strangers around? You could always rent out your parking spot through SpotHero, or even your wheels on car sharing companies like Turo or Getaround.
7. Event Staff.
Do you have experience in the restaurant industry? You might want to consider picking up work at special events. From weddings to conferences, there is always a demand for skilled waitstaff and bartenders who can expertly serve hors d’oeuvres or mix martinis. Check with local catering companies, hotels and event centers to see what events fit in with your schedule. Indeed is also a good source for event jobs.
8. Seller.
Depending on your interests, the options to become a part-time salesperson are virtually endless. You could sell for well-established companies such as Amway or Avon, or by opening up your own online store on eBay or Etsy. Just make sure you do your homework before committing to a sales role, as some companies will require you to purchase product in advance. That means if you decide the world of sales isn’t for you, you might find yourself stuck with hundreds of dollars of goods on your hands.
9. Dogwalker/Petsitter.
Love animals? You can get paid to play with pooches or give belly rubs to cats while their owners are at work or out of town by becoming a dog walker and/or petsitter. Craigslist is a good way to promote your pet services or to find people in need of care for their four-legged friends. You can also find pet care jobs on Rover or Petsitter.
10. Tutor.
If you are fluent in French or majored in math, you can tutor students on the side to bring in some extra cash. You can work with students either in person or online to help them improve their grades, or prepare for a major exam, such as the SATs. Sites like Tutor and MeetATutor allow you to create a profile listing your skills and can help connect you with prospective students.
11. Survey Taker.
Believe it or not, you can actually make money by taking surveys online. There are several major survey companies eager to get a peek inside the mind of the average consumer. You can maximize your chances for earning by signing up for multiple survey companies. Some of the most well-known include Survey Junkie and Swagbucks.
While the companies we have mentioned are considered reputable, there are many other businesses out there that promise quick, easy money for very little work. Before you sign on for any jobs, make sure you research the company to make sure that they are legitimate. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. However, if you spend a little time investigating a company upfront, you should be able to find plenty of opportunities to earn some extra cash.
Luke Loftin is a writer and editor based out of Los Angeles. He specializes in finance, as well as health and wellness. In his free time, he enjoys watching Astros baseball. You can find him on LinkedIn.
