Side hustle ideas

82 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas To Make Money in Your Free Time

If you’re looking for ways to make some extra money in your spare time, you’ve probably thought about investing your savings, selling your old things online, or online surveys. However, the truth of the matter is that you can earn a fair amount of cash in hundreds of different ways – and not all of them require you to be highly skilled.

Earning money for work outside of your main job is known as a side hustle. It’s a way to use your spare time to increase your income, sometimes through monetizing a hobby you’re passionate about and sometimes by doing something new.

Depending on your needs, the speed at which you want to make money, and how much time you want to invest in your side hustle, you might end up finding a side hustle you never thought you would be involved with. With our list of 80 side hustles, however, we’re pretty sure you’ll find one that works for your situation.

Social Media & Internet

  1. Write a Blog. Since the dawn of the internet, people have been using blogs to share their experiences and connect with others. There’s a number of ways to make money off the back of your blog, but the important thing is to stay consistent and post content that will attract an audience.
  2. Create A YouTube Channel. Whilst blogging has been around for a long time, vlogging has arguably become bigger than blogging ever was. But it’s not the only way to make money on YouTube! From gaming walk-throughs to how-to videos, the platform has every kind of niche possible. You don’t even need to invest in fancy equipment to begin with, just your time.
  3. Start Affiliate Marketing. By referring visitors to your website to products that you mention, you can earn a commission on each sale. Of course, you need an audience for this to work but it’s an easy way to earn passive income. For more info on affiliate marketing, check out this post.
  4. Become a Brand Ambassador. It’s not uncommon for big brands to look for assistance with their marketing efforts, especially if you already have a social media presence. Being a brand ambassador can pay pretty well, and you can have the satisfaction of working with brands you genuinely support!
  5. Small Business Social Media/Marketing. Lots of small businesses don’t have the budget to hire a full-time marketing or social media manager but want somebody with a solid understanding of how social media interaction can affect reputation. Seek out businesses you think you could help.
  6. Online surveys. Share your opinion to help brands deliver better products & services. Complete online surveys with Survey Junkie and get paid.

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Skill-Based

  1. Teach Online. Teach your skills online with sites like Teachable and Udemy, where you can create a course on any subject you want. Depending on how much time you invest in creating your course, you could make a substantial income in the long run, especially as you can set your own tuition rate.
  2. Baking. Love baking but never have anybody to give all your creations to? Why not try selling them? Local Facebook pages are an easy way to gain attention, as well as putting flyers up in local gyms or town halls.
  3. Teach a Language Online – VIPKid. If you’re multilingual, you’ve got a skill that other people definitely want to learn – so you can teach them! There are websites out there that will connect with you with students who are looking to learn. Check out VIPKid to teach English in China, or VerbalPlanet for some of the world’s major languages.
  4. Proofreading. If you’re one of those people who spots grammatical mistakes from a mile off and feels the urge to let people know, then this is the side hustle for you. Advertise your services on your social media, set up a website, or use a platform such as Fiverr or Upwork to find customers directly. If you don’t have experience with proofreading, no problem. Proofread Anywhere can help you get started.
  5. Tutoring. Whilst teaching online often requires a large input of time right at the start, choosing to tutor can spread the time commitment and provide on-going income. Whether you choose to do it in person or through video calls, you can advertise your tutoring services on your social media and flyers in your local area, explaining what subjects and age-groups you’re looking to tutor. Check out FlexJobs, they list the best remote and flexible jobs part-time to full-time, entry-level to executive, in 50+ categories.
  6. Makeup Artist. Stores have offered professional make-up for a long time, but you could always offer your services by advertising on social media. After all, it’s more convenient than having to go in to a shop to have it done.
  7. DJ-ing. Whilst many people think DJ-ing is as simple as putting on a pre-made Spotify playlist, there are still a lot of events where people choose to hire live DJs to take care of the music. Gigsalad and The DJ List are great places to register for this kind of work.
  8. Photography. Turn a hobby into an income by hiring yourself out as a photographer. Freelance photography is a great way to bring in some money through something you enjoy doing, as well as meeting some interesting people whilst on the job.
  9. Teaching Music. Much like tutoring, teaching music is an option that is flexible enough to work with your schedule and relies on your passion for music. There are loads of kids (and adults!) looking to learn music and if you’re willing to invest the time, you could earn a lot from this side hustle.
  10. Sewing/alterations. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you’d be surprised by how much people value your skillset. Even if you’re not the most experienced seamstress in the world, the ability to make small alterations is a highly sought after skill.
  11. Catering/cooking. If your favorite way to spend time is cooking, a catering business is an easy way to monetize it. It’s less commitment than opening a restaurant or food truck, but with platforms such as Eatwith, you can host meals, special events, or even cooking classes. Share your love of food with others and get a bit of extra cash – it’s a win-win situation!
  12. Nail Technician. I can’t tell you how many people I see advertising their services as nail technicians every time I scroll through Facebook. It’s a skill that’s in high demand, and with some practice (and some good friends to practice on!) this could be a great way for you to earn money.
  13. Voiceover Acting. Once you start listening to it, you’ll realize that voiceover acting is everywhere. From radio adverts to ebook readers, voiceover artists are a sought-after lot. It’s harder than it looks, but on freelancing websites such as Fiverr, you could earn a decent amount from this side hustle.
  14. Translation. A translation is another great way to put your multilingual talents to good use. Sites like Fiverr always have opportunities for translators; you can set your own prices and earn a good reputation in order to get more work.
  15. Driving lessons. If you enjoy driving, there’s an opportunity out there to get licensed as a driving instructor. It requires serious dedication on your part but is a rewarding side-hustle where you can pick up more students as and when you have the time.
  16. Making furniture or sculptures. Stick with me for this one, it’s a little out there. If you like woodwork or metalwork, you could see how well you can turn this into a side hustle. From making furniture to creating artwork, you can advertise on websites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace to earn money from your creations.

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Computing

  1. Web Design. Research suggests that over 547200 websites are created daily. There is no end to the need for quality web design and if you have the skills to create quality websites then there is great potential for you to charge money for it.
  2. Computer Repair. People are always looking for cheaper alternatives than returning their broken gadgets to the makers. To break into this industry you need to have a genuine understanding of computer repairs, but there is a real opportunity to make money here.
  3. Build Niche Websites. Whilst this requires some serious initial research and time investment, building niche websites is a great way to build a passive income source for yourself. The aim is to cover a very specific topic – big enough that people will visit your website, but small enough that not many people cover it – and earn money through advertising and affiliate links.
  4. Computer Tutoring. You may take your understanding of computers for granted, but there are a lot of people out there who don’t know what you do. Whether it’s the basics of computing or something more insightful, you can fill in the gap in their understanding and get paid along the way.

Mechanical

  1. Car flipping. Much like those who take old furniture and clothes and “flip” them into new products to sell on, car flipping is about buying low and selling high. If you know your way around cars (and bartering), this is a great way to earn money and spend time doing something you enjoy.
  2. Car washing. Okay, maybe it’s not quite “mechanical”, but washing cars is still a great way to bring in money. It might feel like a Saturday job from your childhood, but done to a high standard, car cleaning can bring in serious money.
  3. Mobile Mechanic. If you really do know your way around a motor, you can earn money simply by fixing cars on your drive – or somebody else’s. People value good value, quality work, and if you can repair their vehicle where they want you to, you’re good to go.
  4. Vehicle Advertising. We’ve all seen those cars covered in adverts and wondered who drives them. Well, the answer is people who want a bit of extra cash. It’s perhaps the most passive way to earn money as all you have to do is put a “wrap” on your car and drive in the same way you usually would.

Creative

  1. Self-publish. Got something to share with the world? Fictional story or non-fiction life-lessons, self-publishing is on the rise. Amazon is a great way to get your work out into the world and, whilst it can require some investment initially if you get the word out there, your book can bring in real money. Blurb is an excellent self-publishing platform.
  2. Etsy. Etsy is a great platform that allows people to sell all sorts of handmade items. If you’re a creative person and tend to make or design things, this could be a great way for you to make money on the internet.
  3. Selling on Teespring. It’s a pretty specific way of making money, but Teespring is a print-on-demand t-shirt platform. You design your own shirts, as well as selling them through the site. If you have some creativity and a desire to see your designs on somebody else, check out Teespring – and make sure to advertise on your social media!
  4. Writing/Ghostwriting. There is an endless need for writers online. Whether you want your name attached to things you write or not, blogs, brands, and creatives all need writing done for them. For you, writing a short bio might seem easy, but not everybody has the passion or talent for writing that you do, so see what’s out there on freelance websites like Upwork.
  5. Podcasting. Advertising and sponsorships on podcasting can earn you serious money, all you need is a topic that will attract a following. You don’t even need to know anything about sound mixing with platforms like Anchor making it easier than ever to create and publish your own podcast.
  6. Cover Letter/Resume Service. Everybody hates writing their cover letters and resumes, let’s not lie. But if you know you’ve got a knack for it, why not offer your services to other people? From proofreading finished letters to writing whole resumes, it’s a lucrative business to get in to.
  7. Transcription Service. It may surprise you how often people need their speech turned into text, however, it won’t surprise you that most computer programs aren’t great at doing this. Working for transcription services such as Rev are a great way to make money from home.
  8. Interior Decorating. Interior Decorating isn’t one to take lightly. It may look easy, but it does require a genuine skill. That being said, it’s easy to get clued up online and it could be a fun, part-time business for you if you can find the right clients.
  9. Graphic Design. Quality graphic design is always in demand, from big businesses to one-man bands, businesses always need things designed. There are loads of outlets for designers; Fiver and Upwork are both options, but for websites dedicated to designers, try 99designs or DesignCrowd.

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Sport

  1. Sports Coaching. Played a sport all your life and not sure what to do with all your understanding of the game? Pass the knowledge on by coaching at a local school or kid’s sports team. This is especially good if your own children already play or are interesting in joining a team.
  2. Refereeing/Umpiring. Alternatively, you could turn your sports knowledge to refereeing or umpiring matches. Your understanding of the game is a great advantage over newbies, and clubs often rely on the same few refs for years at a time.
  3. Yoga. There is a certain level of expertise and certification required with this one, but being a yoga instructor would be a great way to stay healthy (mentally and physically) whilst bringing in some extra cash.
  4. Personal Trainer. People are always looking for motivation to get fit, and if you’re a life-long fitness fanatic, you could be just the motivator they need! Advertising at your local gym would be a great way to gain attention.

Cleaning/Maintenance

  1. Carpet Cleaning. Carpet cleaning has a relatively low start-up cost and is a fairly simple process too. The key is finding recurring clients to ensure you have a recurring income from this side hustle.
  2. Cleaning Service. Both residential and commercial buildings need cleaning, and people are willing to spend a lot of money on getting somebody else to do it for them. The benefit of this is that you can target one or the other depending on your main working hours: businesses like cleaners to come by in after-work hours, whilst households would prefer it if they were out at the time.
  3. Laundry Service. Whilst it’s not the most glamourous of jobs, there’s a massive amount of people out there who would happily pay somebody else to get rid of the responsibility of washing and ironing. If it’s a household chore you don’t mind too much, you could start advertising in the local rea as a mobile laundry service.
  4. Handyman service. If you’ve got a strong understanding of…well, whatever it is that makes somebody handy, this could be a great way to bring in some cash. After all, there are tons of people (like me) that know nothing about being handy around the house.
  5. Window Cleaning. You probably don’t think too much about the people who clean your windows, but I can guarantee they’re making a fair amount of money across all the houses they work at. If you already own a ladder and a bucket, you’re halfway there already!
  6. Cutting grass. Cutting the grass is another one of those jobs that plenty of people would be happy to outsource. This could be recurring work, especially across the summer, and you only need a few happy customers to spread the word before you’ll be making money.
  7. Rental Properties. This one requires a significant investment to begin with, but there’s a real opportunity in rental properties. You can take a hands-on approach to this, or use websites like Roofstock to find properties that already have tenants and property management in place.
  8. Pool cleaning. Depending on where you live, there could be a real opportunity in cleaning pools. It’s a surprisingly physical job so it keeps you fit as well as making you money. Outdoor pools are probably your biggest pull, but don’t forget about indoor pools too!
  9. Moving Service. People always have need of moving services, so a great side hustle to get involved with is the moving business. This does require some dedication of time and isn’t the most flexible job out there, but even helping people package up their property can earn you money.

Pets

  1. Dog Walking. For both people who physically can’t walk their dogs and those that don’t have time, dog walkers are always needed. You can set up profiles online which will connect you with people in your local area, or you could put flyers up around your neighborhood. Check out Rover.com, the dog walking and house sitting service.
  2. Dog Grooming. Many pet owners will get their pets groomed just as often as they go to the hairdressers themselves. A pet grooming service – especially a mobile one – is a great part-time business, though it definitely requires some more skills than some of the other options.
  3. Pet Sitting. When homeowners travel, they need somebody to look after their pets. Whether it’s popping by to make sure they have food, or taking them for walks every day, pet sitting services are always going to be needed. If you’re an animal lover, this could be the one for you.

Delivery

  1. Food or Grocery Delivery Service
    A great way to make money outside of normal working hours is by signing up for services such as Instacart and DoorDash. All you have to do is deliver groceries and take-out orders.
  2. Postmates
    Much like delivering groceries, you can sign up to deliver for Postmates. You don’t even need to be able to drive – you can ride a bike or even walk in order to fulfill deliveries.
  3. Dropshipping. Drop shippers essentially have a storefront through which they sell to customers, but they never touch the products themselves. This means they don’t incur any storage costs, but they arrange for items to be shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer.

Upcycling/Selling

  1. Recycle smartphones. There’s a whole bunch of websites out there that will pay for old smartphones and tablets. If you’ve got some old tech lying around, it’s worth checking how much you could get from it – especially if your friends and family are willing to give you there’s to (convince them by saying it takes away the hassle of them dealing with it!)
  2. Selling on Amazon. Given Amazon’s reputation as the biggest eCommerce site out there, it’s no surprise that so many people want to sell on it. There are a number of ways to utilize Amazon to make money, but their Fulfilment by Amazon program makes it easy to find bargain deals that can earn you money.
  3. Buy and sell books. Much like websites that will buy your old tech, there are websites where you can sell books. Most aren’t worth much, but if you want to un-haul a lot of books it can be worthwhile checking how much you’d get for them. There are also websites such as Bookscouter which are dedicated to buying and selling textbooks.
  4. Vending machines. Vending machines are a source of passive income for a lot of people – your only commitment is to refill it every so often. They do cost a fair amount to buy in the first place, but they also bring in a lot of money.
  5. Sell your hair. I guess this one can’t be done too regularly, but that’s no reason to dismiss it! You can earn money by selling your hair to certain establishments that use them for wig making.

Other

  1. Airbnb Hosting. If you have a spare room in your house, you could make money by advertising it on Airbnb. You’ll meet an interesting array of people by hosting guests and although it’s not for everyone, it’s a cool way to make money if you have space.
  2. Driving. With the popularity of lift sharing, driving for companies like Uber and Lyft is a great way to bring in extra money when you have the time. Simply set yourself to available when you have the time to spare – you can even set it to “Destination Mode” (through both companies), allowing you to only pick up riders who are along your route; this means you can use it on your usual commutes, earning money without disrupting your usual drive.
  3. Human Billboard. If you’re not fussed about standing in public with a massive sign attached to your back, you could have real potential as a human billboard. It’s a basic marketing strategy, but businesses still rely on sign-spinners and people in costume to get passing traffic into their stores.
  4. Freelancing – Fiverr/Upwork. We went through all the creative jobs you could do, but it’s worth checking out Fiverr and Upwork to see if there’s a place for your skills. These platforms are a great way to bring in extra money doing something you’re already trained for.
  5. Become a friend for rent. Using the website rentafriend, you can connect with people in your local area. You can literally get paid to meet and hang out with new people.
  6. Quiz Night Host @ Bars. Lots of bars and clubs have themed nights, inviting in hosts for a trivia night with their patrons. These can be one-off events or regular slots and can be a fun, social way to earn a bit of money. All you have to do is put together the questions.
  7. Tour Guide. Know your local area like no one else? If you get a lot of tourists nearby, it could be worth brushing up on all the local hotspots and advertising your services as a tour guide. Lots of holidaymakers like to find a local they can trust to make sure they don’t miss anything!
  8. Customer Interviews e.g. Respondent or User Interviews. Businesses use customer interviews to get feedback on their new products, and there are websites that facilitate those interviews – many of which you can do from your own sofa. All you have to do it answer their questions. Simple.
  9. Renting out Your Car. According to Turo, the average car sits idle for 22 hours a day. When you take that into consideration, you can see why some people make money by renting out their cars. It can be done on a daily or hourly basis through companies like Turo and Getaround.  
  10. Being a Task Rabbit. One of the best ways to fill your spare time is to complete errands for other people. And the best way to organize this and ensure you’re earning money is through websites like Task Rabbit. From furniture assembly to minor repairs, there’s a world of tasks for you to earn money on.
  11. Take Part in Focus Groups. Similar to customer interviews, only at an earlier stage of product development, focus groups help businesses understand how people are going to respond to their new ideas/products/marketing. There are websites that can set you up to take part in focus groups and start earning money.
  12. Childcare/babysitting. If you earned money from it when you were a teenager, you can still earn money from it now. Looking after children, whether for a single night or as an ongoing after-school position is a great way to bring in some extra cash, especially if you can get your clients to provide recommendations.
  13. House sitting. As with pet sitting and child care, many people need their houses looking after when they’re away – after all, we can’t have all those house plants dying! Sites like Care and HouseSitter can connect you with people in your area.
  14. Mystery Shopping. Another way to give major companies your opinion is to become a mystery shopper. You can shop with them in-store or online, or talk to them over the phone. Afterwards, you provide feedback about the whole process and they pay you in return.
  15. Personal Shopping. Depending on where you live, there could be a demand for personal shopping services in your area. Essentially you’ll be earning money and shopping at the same time – what more could you want?
  16. Become an Extra. Whilst many extras will tell you the whole day is a whole load sitting around, if you’re not going to be going else, you may as well get paid for your time. There are a couple of websites that can give you information on local casting calls, or you can always use a search engine and specify your location.
  17. Model. Whilst it’s difficult to get into the world of serious modeling, photographers are always after people to practice or fill their portfolio with. You could even get involved in stock photography!
  18. Make Candles. If you’re not sure where your skills lie, why not learn a simple new one? Making candles is fairly easy and there are lots of free videos online to help show you what to do. You can make candles to sell online or at markets – and fill your home with delightful scents in the process.
  19. Music Licensing. If you enjoy creating music, there’s potential for you to create money by licensing your tunes to big brands and TV shows.

Let us know what side hustles you use to bring in extra money, or if you’re going to pick up some extra cash through any of our suggestions!

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