Earn Extra Cash in Your Spare Time With These Great Side Hustles

Whether you’re trying to pay off debt, build up your bank account, or save for an upcoming vacation, having a side hustle is a creative way to make a little extra cash during your free time.

There are many ways to profit off your talents and strengths, and some you can even do without leaving home. However, while there are endless ways to generate extra income, it’s important also to ensure the side hustle you choose matches your lifestyle and schedule.

Freelancing

If you have experience in graphic design, writing, editing, or developing websites, consider freelancing during your spare time. With freelancing work, you can set your hours and rates and find flexible projects where you can showcase your unique skill set.

It costs very little to get started with freelance work. In addition, you can advertise your skills for free online via email and social media and reach potential clients through freelance portals for a small fee.

Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking

Animal lovers can make extra cash by offering pet-sitting and dog-walking services. Many pet owners are looking for responsible individuals to watch their furry companions while away on business or for someone to handle their walks during the workday.

If you are interested in pet-sitting, remember that some states and municipalities require permits, so check with your local ordinances before starting.

The best part about offering pet services is that your clients will likely drop your name to other pet owners, especially if you’ve taken excellent care of their companion while away.

Technology Setup Services

Many people, especially older adults, need help setting up home networks, computers, and cell phones. If technology setups are a breeze for you, market your skills to your community and make some quick extra cash while helping out your neighbors.

You can even seek technical certifications to boost your credibility and earn more money. Another benefit is that the start-up costs associated with this side hustle are minimal, and you can use an online platform or app to schedule appointments and conduct transactions.

Senior Sitting

Thanks to advances in home health care, more families are choosing to keep their parents in their homes as long as possible instead of moving them to retirement or nursing homes.

However, when primary caregivers are away, they often need someone to visit their loved ones for a few hours during the day to look after them and keep them company. Senior sitting is a wonderful side hustle that is rewarding in many ways.

Getting started with your sitting business requires minimal start-up costs. However, you may want to receive CPR certification and take courses focusing on daily living activities for older adults or those living with dementia.

Babysitting

Babysitting and in-home child care are in high demand and are some of the most lucrative side hustles in 2023. Most areas of the country do not require certifications to get started with babysitting. However, signing up for the American Red Cross babysitting course is an excellent way to help you build your credentials and gain more clients.

You can take this helpful course online or in person and become proficient in CPR, first aid tactics, and behavior interventions that will improve your credibility. Babysitting requires minimal out-of-pocket fees, and you can set your rates and hours, making it a great way to earn extra cash.

Mobile Car Washing and Detailing

Those who enjoy working outdoors and with cars may want to consider offering mobile car wash and detailing services. Of course, you’ll need a few items to get started, like a sturdy hose, nozzle, personal vehicle, and all the cleaning supplies you need to get the job done.

To advertise your services, you can place flyers on people’s cars around town or visit local businesses with fleets of vehicles that require a thorough cleaning between shifts. However, once you’ve built up a good reputation in your community, your initial start-up costs will be worth it.

Handyman Services

If you’re among the first people your friends and family call to hang a ceiling fan or help them put a bookcase together, think about using your handyman skills to your advantage.

People are always looking for someone to help them tackle home improvement jobs on their “to-do” lists, and many will pay a good amount of money not to have to go through the hassle of doing it themselves.

However, when working with other people’s property, you may want to get insured and bonded before seeing clients. There are plenty of handyman apps available that you can use to make scheduling, marketing, and payments a breeze.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is much like a traditional assistant, except you complete all your work online. Virtual assistants perform essential tasks such as scheduling appointments, emailing customers, booking travel, entering data, and other work.

Those who are organized and comfortable with technology will find this an excellent opportunity to make some spare cash without leaving the comfort of home. You only need a reliable internet connection and a computer to get started.

After you decide this opportunity is right for you, head online to find virtual assistant apps to help you market your skills and find new clients.

Take Online Surveys

A relatively easy way to earn cash on the side is by taking online surveys. Although it’s not the highest-paying side hustle on this list, you can still make some quick cash. Some surveys will pay you a few dollars upon completion, while others are worth substantially more.

In addition, survey sites often require you to answer a few questions to match you up with the surveys that fit your interests or demographics. You can explore a variety of survey websites before deciding if this side hustle is right for you.

While you won’t get rich off of online surveys, it can be a terrific way to earn a little cash in your spare time while giving you some extra flexibility in your budget.

Offer Tutoring Services

The need for academic tutors skyrocketed across all age groups during the pandemic. Unfortunately, statistics show that 2020 left a lasting mark on students’ academic scores nationwide. However, that means that the demand for tutors continues to rise.

Tutoring can be a lucrative side gig, especially if you’re proficient in various topics. You can also set your hours and enjoy the flexibility of conducting in-person or online tutoring sessions. Before you start a tutoring gig, you should brush up on your knowledge, as certain subject matter (such as mathematics) can change over time.

Once you decide tutoring is the right side hustle for you, connect with local schools, advertise through social media, and reach out to family and friends to build up your business and attract clientele.

Teach English Online

There are several reasons to consider teaching English online as a side hustle. Many people enjoy teaching English part-time due to the extremely flexible hours. Online English tutors usually work in a company to build clientele and conduct lessons.

English tutoring companies are popular in areas like Asia and Latin America. However, you can teach from anywhere in the world. Usually, the company’s location determines your teaching schedule, so make sure you check out their “peek teaching hours” before signing up.

One of the perks of working with these companies is that you’ll already have a set list of students ready to learn and a built-in teaching platform, so the orientation process is relatively easy. In addition, many of these companies will pay even more if you have teaching credentials.

Food or Grocery Delivery

Another interesting outcome of the pandemic is the rise in demand for food and grocery delivery drivers.

Although these services became necessary due to quarantines and social distancing, many people enjoyed the convenience of ordering food and groceries from their favorite stores and having them delivered to their front door.

There are dozens of delivery companies you can work for, and most even have an option to allow for customer tips, so depending on how efficiently you work, you can make quite a bit of cash. Before you start, thoroughly research the companies you plan to work for, as some will pay substantially higher than others.

Remember, every lucrative side hustle starts with a creative idea and a bit of determination. By exploring your options and deciding which ones work best with your strengths and skills, you’ll be well on your way to earning extra cash in no time.