You've been good, right? You're working. You're making money. And you're trying to save it. But between paying bills and paying off debt, you don't seem to be getting anywhere. One part of you says it's natural to want to have money left over for fun — and another part of you says it's important to put money into savings. Both are true.
Saving is not always the easiest, though, especially if you're new in the workforce and/or paying down student loans. Plus, it's easy to make money mistakes when you're just starting out, like living beyond your means (new sneakers, anyone?) or moving into an apartment you can't afford. But you can sidestep some of these blunders by budgeting for rent and other basics, and then looking at your disposable income.
Sometimes keeping any extra cash can feel impossible, which is a major reason why lots of people are looking for creative ways to boost their income. Full-time workers are finding side hustles that let them use their unique skill sets to make extra money in their spare time. To give you a better idea, here's a list of the fifteen best side hustles — completely legit ways to make ducats in your downtime.
1. Get in the Driver's Seat
Don't let meeting your financial goals take a backseat to daily life. Get behind the wheel, literally, and start making cash on the side by driving for Uber or Lyft. You'll make more money in busier cities like New York and Los Angeles. Some part-time drivers earn up to $20 - $30 dollars an hour!
2. Become a Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
Love animals? Then this side hustle is for you. Sites like Rover and Pet Sitter offer great part-time gigs where you can watch pets. These sites make it super easy for you to post your pet-sitting résumé and get hired fast. Pet-sitters who watch 2-3 dogs for two weeks out of the month can earn an easy $1,000 dollars.
3. Host New and Interesting People in Your Home
Vacation and short-term rentals are taking over the hospitality industry. Take advantage of this travel boom with HomeAway or Airbnb. If you have an extra bedroom, you can make some extra money by renting out the space to travelers.
4. Tutor, Coach, Teach
Did you crush the SAT? Help petrified high schoolers do the same by tutoring them online! Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, offer to teach music lessons. Do you excel in chemistry? Offer your expertise. There are lots of sites like Buddy School and University Tutor to help you get started.
5. Use Your Skills to Freelance
You can freelance on the side or as a full-time job! Search for 'freelance' on our Jobs page to find freelance jobs with PowerToFly partner companies. Or register with a site like Upwork, which makes it easy for individuals to offer their skills as freelancers in writing, graphic design, web design, and more.
6. Babysit During Your Off Hours
Don't let high schoolers push you out of this lucrative market! Babysitting offers great pay and flexible hours… and it's really not that hard (assuming you like kids). Plus, the more qualifications you have (educational background, CPR certification, child-care experience), the more money you can make.
7. Organize for Others
If you love color coding and all things organization, you can use those skills to start a very nice side gig. Individuals and companies actually hire people to organize their spaces.
8. Do Some Yard Work
You don't have to work for a major landscaping service to make some extra money on the weekends by doing your neighbors' yards. If you have equipment like a rake, snow shovel or lawn mower, you can offer your yard work services to those in your community all year round.
9. Sell What You Craft
Do you love making beautiful things in your downtime? Turn that hobby into profit through online platforms like Etsy! There are services that make it easy to not only market but also package your products. But if you start a side business selling your own products, make sure you secure the rights to your ideas first.
10. Deliver Food
If you have a car and some freetime after you leave your 9-to-5, you can earn a pretty penny by delivering food or groceries. Drivers who work for UberEats pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers. Or, if you prefer grocery shopping, you can shop for people and get paid through services like Instacart and Shipt.
11. Be a Handyperson
If you can handle basic household fixes, then you can make money on the side working as a handyperson. Apps like Handy connect you with people needing services like plumbing, cleaning, electrical work, etc… So if you have any of these skills, give it a shot.
12. Help Others Plan Their Travels
Are you a super planner and travel aficionado? If so, you can work from your computer as an online travel agent. There are many opportunities to help people book reservations and plan their dream vacation.
13. Get Paid to Move Other People's Stuff
People are willing to pay others to help them move – especially the heavy stuff! Services like Dolly Helper let amateur movers post their availability and rates (you earn more if you can provide a vehicle such as a truck or van), and then get hired when it's moving time.
14. Work-At-Home Call Center
Like working in your underwear? Who doesn't? Find a part-time remote gig working for a call center from your apartment, house, or hippie commune. There are lots of companies looking to employ someone just like you.
15. Help People with Computer Stuff
Do you have a knack for troubleshooting software issues? Can you convert a JPG to a PNG or save a PDF into Google Drive? Then consider a gig helping less computer-literate folk. At home tech support jobs are plentiful and often part-time.
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There's no need to be discouraged if you find your pockets empty. There are plenty of ways to earn an extra buck. Think about your skill set, your assets, your free time, and what you like, and then get to work!
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