The best things in life are free. But you can give them to the birds and bees. I need money (that’s what I want), Barrett Strong.
According to Zapier’s study, about 40% of people in the US have side gigs. But picking the right side hustle is crucial in these difficult times. Maybe you want an extra $500 monthly for bills to $1-2K to crush your debts, save for retirement, or plan that next vacay. With random ways to make money, you can have more cash from different sources.
Here is how to make money when you are bored (and make it look easy breezy!).
1. Edit Content
Proofreaders can earn from $15-$50/per hour.
What hobbies can make me money? With editing skills, proofread for businesses, or polish up content for bloggers.
Check out sites like Indeed, Monster, LinkedIn, and Career Builder.
2. Bet BIG at the Casino/Sportsbook
Earnings vary
MAX your deposit as some sites cash match 100-250% of your first few deposits. Look for casino bonuses, crypto bonuses, and lucrative sportsbooks cash promos. Review the Terms to meet any rollover requirements.
To reel in the BIG money, play online fish shooting games for real money with this cool tutorial or try your hand at poker, blackjack, craps, or your favorite slots.
3. Invest in Real Estate
Salary varies
Some real estate investments include flipping properties (HGTV-style) with friends or family.
To start smaller, try $10 real estate investments through Fundrise for a low-cost way to make extra cash.
4. Give Your Opinion
Earn $1 and up for surveys
Businesses need consumer feedback about shopping trends and TV shows.
Look for survey sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Inbox Dollars to get started.
5. Sell Your Designs Online
Earn $500-$1K+/monthly
What are fun ways to make money? Sites like Etsy, Cafe Press, and eBay are ideal if you like arts and crafts.
Sell planners, calendars, wall art, business cards, mugs, t-shirts, and stickers. For an intro, look for courses online for eprintables.
6. Work as an Online Assistant
Earn $500-$1K+/monthly
Among the top things to do in your free time to make money is do administrative tasks for others.
Help business owners organize their research, reports, digital marketing, and data entry. Respond to email messages or create presentations. Check sites like Indeed or LinkedIn.
7. Become a Pinterest Assistant
Earn $500-$1K+/monthly
Looking for side hustles for creatives? Busy bloggers need assistants to organize and optimize their pins and do keyword research.
Creating pins can maximize your money if you love DIYs, recipes, gym workouts, and other enticing topics.
8. Work as a Bookkeeper
Earn $15-$30+/hourly
A great freelancing gig is bookkeeping if you are a Quickbooks pro. Help businesses with daily transactions, pay bills, process payroll, and prep tax forms.
9. Deliver Groceries and Takeout
Earn $20+/hourly
If you drive, deliver takeout for DoorDash, UberEats, or groceries with Instacart or Peapod. Make BIG BANK during the lunch and dinner rush (Peak Pay with DoorDash), so report all your income and track your mileage (Everlance) for tax season.
Delivering groceries requires heavy lifting and climbing stairs (a good workout).
10. Write a Blog
Earn $500-$10,000+/monthly
The big question is, how can I make $1,000 a day? Blog for top brands, affiliates, or influencers and run ads on your sites for more money.
Try Bluehost, FourSquare, WordPress, Wix, or Shopify. Write about what you love – or hate!
11. Work as a Writer
Earn $500-$5K+/monthly
What is the highest-paying hobby? Try blogs, email newsletters, ghostwriting, resume writing or product descriptions. Other fields include online catalogs, web copy, technical writing, and grants.
12. Watch Videos
Earn $1+/hourly
Pad your wallet watching videos. It pays low, but you will likely be working on other tasks.
Start with MyPoints, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars.
13. Work as a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
Earn $15-25+/hourly, $70/overnight stays
Sit. Fetch. Play and get paid! If you love pampering pets, sites like Rover need dog walkers and pay ($70) for overnight stays.
Note that trust is a factor. Most homes have security cameras, so no parties with the pooches!
14. Get Paid to Shop
Earn $5-$50+/hourly or 1-5%
Cash back apps (Upside, Ibotta) give money for each purchase. Credit card providers and PayPal offer cash-back rewards with debit card purchases (1-5%).
15. Sell Your Older Electronics
Earnings vary
Use eBay, Poshmark, and Decluttr to sell old electronics (good condition), so dig up your tablets, phones, computers, smartphones, and gaming consoles.
16. Shop for Others
Earn $15-$20/hourly
Sites like Shipt, Instacart, and Peapod will pay you to shop for others. Be physically fit and have a valid license.
Some customers tip well, so make your deliveries on time!
17. Sell Books Online
Earning potential: Varies
Your school might have a book buyback program. However, try online sites (CampusBooks, BookByte, BookFinder) for extra moolah!
18. Clean Homes
Earn $20-$50/hourly
The money is good, and you can clean up if you are reliable. Newbies can start on sites like Care.com or through Indeed or Merry Maids.
19. Sell Stuff on Shopify
Earn $500-$5,000+/monthly
Sales can vary depending on the merch, so do your research. Try drop shipping and affiliate marketing for serious cash.
Expect to pay $29/month for your site. Try Shopify for tutorials.
20. Work Online as a Tutor
Earn $15-$40/hourly
If you love kids and teaching, online tutors can make a lot of money in topics like math, science, and foreign languages.
Consider sites like BookNook, Tutors, Care or teach kids English overseas. Depending on your time zone, expect early morning hours.
21. Rent Out Your Ride
Earn about $700/monthly
Brands like Hyrecar and Turo let you rent out your car. They require in-person pickup/dropoffs or remote keys for door access.
With up to $1 million in liability insurance, you will not have to worry about accidents or thefts (well, beep, beep!).
22. Make Money on Twitch
Earnings vary
Streamers make cash through Twitch bits, crowdfunded subscriptions, and online donations. Other revenue might come from selling merch, YouTube videos, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Get creative!
23. Run Ads
Earn $1- $2,000/monthly
Setting up ads is lucrative. Learn all you can about Google Ads or Facebook Ads and set up a business for local companies and startups.
Without a degree, work a few hours of work/weekly tweaking ads on social media platforms.
24. Rent Your Wardrobe
Earnings vary
If you are a future fashionista, sites like RentYourWardrobe, or Join Wardrobe will rent your clothes.
25. Rent Out Your Room/Home
Earnings vary
If you are traveling or want to stay with others, rent your room or home for extra cash on sites like VRBO or Airbnb. Take plenty of pics and update the look (room staging) for more money.
26. Make Your Pooch a Star
Earn about $400/daily
Have the coolest pooch or furriest feline? Get them into movies or music videos. Take a few pics and try to find an agent. Check out Top Dog Tips, Rover, or Derp Pets.
Rake in the Cash and Have Fun!
With so many ways to make money, try them all! You can have a steady income from surveys and blogs to websites, deliveries, and renting your ride. Stay organized, report all your cash, and plan for that relaxed vacay or extra savings as you get paid!