5 best side hustles to earn extra money
This year more than most, you may have found yourself getting creative to stretch your budget a little farther than usual. Some extra income would be ideal, but you are not able to take on a job right now in addition to the other responsibilities in your life. But if you could find a source of income that worked with your schedule and skills while also allowing you some breathing room for your budget, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity? Read on for five great ways to bring in a little extra money each month.
1. Tutoring
Were you a teacher in a past life? Or, if not, do you feel you have always had a talent for understanding algebra or chemistry? Put those skills to work for you and find some local students who need tutoring. Tutors are needed now more than ever, as many students find they need extra help to navigate learning during this unusual school year.
You can even expand beyond your local community and offer tutoring over a video service like Zoom, or sign up with a program like VIPKid to have a more steady schedule. If you have the time and space, you could also set up a weekly tutoring session for multiple kids in your home or at a local park.
2. Writing
If you have a gift for writing, consider looking into opportunities to do some freelance work. Many websites or magazines are looking for writers who can assist them in creating new content and covering relevant topics for the audience they want to reach.
Websites like Upwork will even help you sort through various opportunities and find which jobs may be a good fit for you. Make a note that Upwork and other similar websites often charge a fee for their services; however, if you can swing the extra funds, the eventual payoff will be much greater.
3. Shopping
As much as we wish shopping for shoes or golf clubs could bring in extra money, we are talking about the grocery shopping service, Instacart. This relatively new service has gained a lot of popularity in 2020 as more people opt to do their grocery shopping online. Instacart allows people to pay a personal shopper – which would be you – to help them find the grocery items they need and deliver them to their home. If you are a champion at your local grocery store and are looking for the next challenge to test your skills, this could be your time to shine. Much of this income relies on tips, so if you want to try this out, be prepared to put your best foot forward.
4. Selling
When is the last time you had a yard sale? There are probably a few things around your home that you don’t really need anymore, and selling them could bring in a little extra cash. Shoes, clothes, baby items, books – these are all things that take up a lot of space in your house, even though you don’t use all of them. Get together with a neighbor or two and host a garage sale to not only add to your wallet, but also declutter your home. If you are not a fan of garage sales, take some pictures of the items you want to get rid of and use online selling options, like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
5. Creating
If you have a creative outlet that can benefit someone else, make a plan to sell some of your products! You might be really handy with power tools, or maybe you are always getting comments on your custom-made t-shirts, or people can’t stop raving about your hand-knit scarves – your ability to create could also create an opportunity to bring in some money. Set up a free account for your new business on places like Facebook or Instagram, and let your community know that you are selling some high-quality, one-of-a-kind items.
This is the time to think outside the box – even if you never saw yourself taking a writing job or being a personal grocery shopper, 2020 has taught us to expect the unexpected, and to roll with the changes life brings us. Decide what direction you want to go, make a plan, and see where your new side-hustle takes you.