Even working full time, it can seem nearly impossible to go from payday to payday without running out of money. Forget money for all planned expenses, you are just trying to cover your current bills. You're not alone. According to the Federal Reserve, just 61% of households would be able to cover an unexpected expense totaling $400.
ContentsPrint on DemandFreelance WritingDropshippingWeb DesignDrivingAnimal WalkingOther TasksTeachingSurveysDelivering GoodsSelling ThingsBeing CreativeIn the same report, 17% of adults said they expected to only partially pay a bill because they didn't have enough money. Of that 17%, 7% say part of their mortgage, rent, or utility bills would be cut off from full payments for the billing cycle. That's where part-time side hustle comes in, and 37% of Americans report having them.
But, how do you find part-time business ideas that fit your schedule? We've selected a few side businesses to earn extra money that might work for you.
Setting up an e-commerce store allows you to work around your busy schedule within reason. You need to be sure to monitor your products and adjust them accordingly, but it's easy to do. With so many platforms available to help you build your e-commerce store, why opt for print on demand? It's easy to set up and maintain, it doesn't take a lot of time, and you get an app that gives you constant access to your store.
If you enjoy writing, you can earn money based on your schedule. You can check out job sites like Textbroker dedicated to freelance writing and apply there. Content platforms are another idea. The platform acts as an intermediary between you and the client. The money goes into an escrow account, you write the order, and the platform releases the money when the customer accepts your item. The platform takes a percentage of each order.
Dropshipping is another extremely popular way to make money when it suits you. There was a recent Oberlo review that highlighted how easy it was to link their app with your Shopify eCommerce store to connect with people selling the products you want to feature on your store. It streamlines the process and makes it quick, easy and convenient.
You don't need to know how to code to create a fast and beautiful website for individuals and businesses. Platforms like Wix and WordPress make it as easy as dragging and dropping the features you want into a website. You also have great pre-made templates to use that are easy to maintain and modify as your customers' needs change.
Ridesharing has become hugely popular around the world, and companies like Lyft and Uber let you stick to your schedule. It depends on where you live and you need a valid license, but you can earn money by taking people from point A to point B. You are free to work as little or as much as you wish, and it fits in beautifully around your schedule.
As ridiculous as it sounds, people will pay you to walk their dogs. Even though some people are busy, they just don't have time to come home during the day and talk to their dogs for regular walks. Platforms like Wagwalking and Vagabond connect dog walkers to customers.
TaskRabbit is a popular app in big cities. People list the little jobs they don't want or can't do during the day, and they pay you to do it for them. It can be anything from dry cleaning to grocery shopping for them. Cleaning, general maintenance tasks and moving help pack are the most common tasks.
You can earn a decent amount teaching through platforms like Skype or Mou. Most of the time, you don't need a degree. You can teach anything from another language and math to knitting and organizing your home. It may take some time to develop your first plan, but you can use it as a template for your next lesson to save time.
Amazon's Mechanical Turk and ClickWorker let you complete short surveys, view product reviews, recommend products, and more for pennies per task. They usually take seconds and you can earn up to $1.00 per task you undertake. Other tasks are more complex like transcribing documents, and these will pay more. They pay to your PayPal weekly.
With the rise of companies like DoorDash and UberEats, more and more people are using their free time to deliver products. You can work around your schedule and you get money to deliver things to people's doorsteps. InstaCart is another option, but you deliver groceries instead.
Do you have a lot of designer clothes that you will never wear again? If so, Poshmark lets you create a virtual closet and sell your clothes. Let's Go lets you create a profile and sell your unused household items, and Facebook has even implemented Facebook Marketplace to connect local sellers to buyers for all kinds of items.
Maybe you're a crafty person who enjoys crafting or painting. You can set up an Etsy store to display and sell your items. If you don't have time for that, Zazzle and CafePress will take care of everything from shipping to printing for you once you submit your design to them.
These 12 side businesses to make extra money can be the perfect way to set you up with a booming side hustle. You control when you work and don't work, and you can fit it into your schedule. Experiment a bit and see which one works best for you!
