Now that I’ve shared how a side hustle can get you to financial independence in 10 years, I wanted to offer some suggestions on side hustles for your consideration.
Of course there are thousands of ways (maybe more) to earn some extra money on the side, so I took the approach of “what would I consider doing if I wanted to start a side hustle”? I figured that if I would be willing and able to do these things, many of you would as well.
So I’ll be sharing those ideas — some of which I’ve actually done (and would do again) and others I have considered through the years.
Then you can chime in with your suggestions and we’ll have a whole host of ideas for potential side-hustlers to consider.
With that said, here’s my list…
Offer Pet Services
I’ve written many posts about how expensive pets can be ($69 billion a year in case you’re interested) and how people should consider costs before getting a pet.
The flip side of that is a money-making opportunity for those of us willing to help pet owners care for their pets.
My daughter used to make a small fortune watching dogs and cats when our neighbors went on vacation. She loves animals and is very responsible, so she was perfect for this.
It was great for the owners as well since 1) they paid less than what they would to board the pet, 2) the pet did better at home than in a kennel, 3) there was someone to make sure things were fine at the house (no break-ins, busted water pipes in the winter, etc.), and 4) she picked up the mail and packages as well. It was a great arrangement for everyone.
She earned a pretty penny too.
In addition there are extra services that could be offered: taking them for walks, taking them to vet appointments, playing with them during the day, and so forth.
Think it can’t be lucrative? Think again:
- Crystal at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff makes $30k per year as a pet sitter after three years. Not bad, right?
- Here’s another piece about someone who makes $34k per year by walking dogs.
As for what’s happening in my neck of the woods, here’s a pet sitter in our area. Check out these rates! I could surely design a better-looking website, not to mention I’m a good marketer. If that business is working, I could probably make one work too.
Or if I wanted less admin in my life, I could join a site like Rover, let them do all the back-end work, and I’d simply become a sitter (i.e. the fun stuff).
I’ve even thought about doing this in retirement. I walk about 20k steps per day around the neighborhood. Why not take a dog or two with me each time? Two dogs three times per day at $18 per dog is $27k for five days a week and 50 weeks. Even if I did 20% of that, it’s still over $5k per year to do something I’m already doing — walking! And I get a cute dog to play with (and not to have to spend money on) to boot. Whoo hoo!
I actually suggested this to my wife. A week later she saw a post on NextDoor from a lady near us needing a walker for a couple months. I sent her a message just for fun but I think I was “out-classed” by both the local pet sitting business noted above and another person who had their site on Rover. Oh well, maybe it will work next time. 馃檪
Become a Referee
This is an easy one for me because I was a soccer referee for years when my son was growing up.
He wanted to make extra money and we both are soccer fans.
So we took the tests to become certified and reffed for five or six years.
We’d make $15 to $30 a game, had a ton of fun (as long as you don’t mind parents who know nothing about the rules offering their “suggestions”), and got great exercise.
We did all this in Michigan where the early spring and late fall can be brutally cold (I’ve done many games where the snow/sleet was blowing sideways) and the late spring and early fall can be brutally hot. Colorado should be much better, right? Maybe I should start up again.
It would be so easy to go back (I know the rules by heart and found it to be fun). If I could earn $20 per game and average 10 games per week (including tournaments where you can rack up games like candy) for 16 weeks per year, that’s over $3k per year.
Many refs I know earned much more as they did multiple sports — simply going from one to the next each year (basketball leads to spring soccer leads to baseball leads to fall soccer leads to football). I’m sure some guys were making $20k to $30k per year and getting great exercise at the same time.
Use Your Current Skills
You likely have skills that people are willing to pay for.
If you’re a teacher, you can also tutor.
If you’re a business person, you can consult in your specialty.
If you’re an accountant, you can do taxes on the side.
I consulted a few times during my career. They were always one-off projects and I never pursued more of them, but the money was good — $50 to $100 per hour.
I spent 28 years in marketing and could consult in many different business areas. The thought of it bores me to death, but if I really needed the money I would do it. I consider this option one of my retirement safety nets.
It’s likely that by doing something like this you could earn more than your salary hourly rate. Since people hiring you wouldn’t have to pay benefits, they could afford to pay you a bit more for the work.
Even if you could “only” earn $200 a week, that’s over $10k per year!!!
Write Your Way to Wealth
Back in the day, people actually read magazines.
I wanted to pay off my mortgage and loved marketing and personal finance. So I started a freelance writing business around those two subjects.
I got a copy of Writer’s Market
and studied it. I sent out a ton of query letters and over a couple years built up a $10k to $15k annual business by writing at night.
It helped us pay off our mortgage and set me up for a related adventure which I would start a few years later when I began blogging.
Today, you can make money from blogging in many ways. For example, you can be a freelance writer or editor. Blogs need content and people can only write so much. Even those who write a lot (like me) need editors. So you can help them out while making a bit of extra money.
Or you can start your own blog and monetize it. After just a year of consistent work, I’m on track to hit $20k annually from just advertising on this site — and there’s so much more to do.
There are lots of options if you know a subject well and can write about it.
Make Money from Your House
There are several ways you can earn money from your home. A few ideas:
- Rent it out as an Airbnb. This is especially do-able if you live in a place people want to visit. I have a friend who rents his home out for a week and a half every year during the Air Force Academy graduation. He makes enough in that week to take his family of five to Disney and have $2k or so left over.
- Take in a permanent renter. Crystal at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff does this as well. Over the last 10 years, she and her husband have brought in $60,000+ in roommate rent. US News suggests, “If you can put a little kitchenette in your basement and rent it out to your nephew for $400, it’s going to have a huge impact [on your budget].” We’ve thought of getting a renter since we have a five-bedroom place and are close to being empty nesters. If we found the right person, we’d have a built-in, paying house sitter while we traveled!
- Rent out storage space. As I’ve noted, people pay a ton of money to store their excess stuff. If you have room in the house, extra space in the basement, or an empty garage stall, you could make some extra money by allowing people to store their stuff with you.
Of course, there’s a hassle-factor with all these, but if it makes the difference between retiring now or retiring in 15 years, it could be worth it.
Teach What You Know
Every teacher reading this is now rolling his eyes. Yes, everyone thinks they can teach something, and everyone is wrong.
That said, I think I have a few teaching advantages that the normal person doesn’t — and many of you probably do too. Some of them:
- An advanced degree. As you know, I have an MBA. It’s not from Harvard or Stanford, but it’s not from Joe Blow University either. It’s from a school that everyone reading this post would have heard of — from one of the large conference schools in the Midwest to give you a bit of a hint.
- Tons of practical experience. 28 years of business experience is worth something. I know what works and what doesn’t on a practical level. Many teachers teach from a theoretical perspective (especially college business professors), not from an experience perspective. I personally think real-world experience brings a lot into any classroom.
- Taught hundreds in my career. No, not in a school classroom. I’ve taught in a business setting where people were going to take what I taught, apply it, and achieve important company objectives. I taught many courses over my career and became good at public speaking. Surely I could handle a group of college students, right?
I think I could teach several courses — in either business or personal finance — at the high school or college level.
I know some of you have very impressive skills and experiences. And even if you don’t, there’s likely a topic you know well that you could teach others about. Community colleges these days seem to offer everything from cooking to auto mechanics.
Become a Financial Advisor
Ha! I’m just pulling your leg!!!! 馃檪
Then again, if this guy could do it, any of us could!
So that’s my list. I have a few other ideas that I might consider, but these are the cream of the crop IMO.
See any that you like?
Or maybe you have others you’d like to suggest. If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below.
P.S. For those who prefer a video version of this post, see the ESI Money YouTube channel.
Keep the good ideas coming! The side hustles are out there and it just takes some creativity and willingness to make a little extra cash. Physicians are even jumping on board with the side hustles…
I will! You do the same. Would be interesting to know what docs are doing as side hustles.
Funny you ask. I did write a post on it last month. Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://passiveincomemd.com/list-physician-side-hustles/
Nice list. But this is a comprehensive list of possibilities, right? Are there certain docs you know who are doing specific ones?
Oh I absolutely know physicians doing nearly every one of these. All except wrapping their car in advertisements. If I had this option as a med student though, I might’ve taken it haha.
Great list ESI! I’d like to do some additional freelance writing myself.
An addition to the list – exercise coaching – personal training or group fitness instruction is a fun option. You do need to know what you are doing, and certification is typically required (recommended!), but if you enjoy exercise and helping people, it’s a good way to earn some extra income while staying in shape yourself. You could easily make $100 per week or more depending on the number of clients or classes you teach.
Oooh, I like Amy’s addition as the exercise coach! I think that would be up my alley more than pet sitting 馃槈
Running coach? I like the sound of that for you, Mrs. AR!
I like this too, although there are so many of these around. Certification for sure gives you credibility. Also get some quick testimonials. Link up with a nutritionist and see if there are discounts to be offered.
I cycle quite a bit, typically over 100 miles a week, sometimes 200. Spin class instructor would be good as well as maybe a crossfit coach, etc.
I like my free time too, since I still work so working out an 8 week class schedule or something like that would work. And like I noted above partnering with other professionals that provide opportunity for improved health would seem to provide that value-add that I think many other people/trainers just dont offer.
Great list! I have a friend that lives in NYC and started a pet walking side hustle. Now, he has I think 12 employees and it’s gone from just pet walking to also including pet sitting. He’s not doing all the main work, but making sure the decisions he makes positions the company to succeed.
Nice side hustles. I wish your daughter would watch our dog. We end up dropping about $40 a night when we go out of town for someone to watch her. Some trips, she costs more to care for then our hotel room. It is quite crazy. Blogging is currently my only side hustle, and not a very profitable one yet. Still it is fun!
I was going to ask you earlier this week for some side hustles ideas and here they are. I appreciate the ideas. I am new to your site and enjoy it. We vacationed in Vermont this summer and rented a cottage in a beautiful location that the owner had on his property…I estimate he can earn as much as $26,000 plus in a summer(rents only in summer for this one)….plus I found out he had a home near his home for a vacation rental.
Something to think about.
Many thanks.
I made about 2300.00 Gross this month selling on ebay.
I resell mostly shoes and clothes. Men in particular do not like to go out and shop, they like to buy on line. I really think that online shopping is the new norm, plus people like a good deal.
Laura T.
That’s a very impressive side hustle Laura! I have considered the eBay side hustle as well but I’m still trying to determine what my product of choice would be. Where do you get your products to sell? Are you buying and reselling from eBay? Thanks in advance for your insights.
Yes! Would love to have some details!
I also sell as my side hustle, but do less volume per month. You have to buy stuff cheap at goodwill and garage sales and then you make 10x the value, but you have to list regularly to get more regular sales. I also find designer clothes and send it into the Real Real and Thredup Luxe for online consignment and get 55% to 80% of the price it sales for. I learned how to do it by following folks on youtube, checking designer brand lists on the websites I consign with, and following on folks on Instagram. I am also going to a reseller meet up in North Cali in October so I hope to continue to learn more. Some people also do private label, retail arbitrage, and textbooks on Amazon and make a lot of money.
Nice list! I can totally see myself taking the local dogs for a walk, but probably wouldn’t be able to deal with the helicopter parents without sticking my finger in my face. Now that I think about it, maybe I’m just an angry person…
I like Amy’s idea of an exercise coach as well, but should probably get rid of my dad bod beforehand.
I just realized I’m an angry, lazy person. Thank you :=)
Great list. Pet sitting would be a lot of fun if you like pets. One of my friend, pet and house sit. She was so popular that she gave up her apartment. Making money and saving money at the same time, that’s synergy.
Very nice indeed!
When I was single I always had a roommate. I declared the income (along with my other rental income) since I never wanted to worry about the IRS. Your friend’s income from renting his personal home for a week and a half each year is not taxable. You read about this type of thing around the Super Bowl or Masters Golf Tournament.
Great ideas, I really like the teaching part. I volunteer as a trustee at the local community college and we hire adjunct professors all the time, even with just four year degrees. If you have a degree in a technical area like chemistry or engineering or math or environmental or computers or lots of other areas then you might be qualified to teach community college courses. I’m early retired and as a chemical engineer I could do that myself but I’m not allowed to accept pay from the college since I’m part of the governance of the place, which pays nothing except the good feelings that come from helping change people’s stars through education. It is a laid back atmosphere, not stuffy and the mostly non-traditional students are serious about learning and improving their lives. Great that you used that as an example and I can vouch that it is a great idea both for the hustler and for the students who can really learn life lessons from people outside of traditional academia.
I was a swim coach for years and a swim official too. Not bad money for being around something you enjoy! I’d add lifeguard to the list too for some folks. My son made $11/hr sitting beside a small pool at an apartment complex. They can’t find enough people to work. Our YMCA can’t either. I wouldn’t mind a few mornings (if I had to…) sitting by the pool if I needed the extra money. The Y throws in your membership too 馃檪
Pet sitting? I can’t believe people make more pet sitting than baby sitting! Just kidding. I think?
Hey, this is a great list and vastly different than your drive for Uber or do surveys online suggestions. I love your examples. I definitely can’t be an editor or content writer for someone else yet. I am so slow at putting out content and am also very critical of my own work.
I just recently started following this blog a few months ago – love it so far. I’m planning to retire in the first quarter of 2018 after a 38+ year career in the defense contracting area.
While contemplating some things I’d like to do once retired, it occurred to me over this past winter why not try umpiring youth baseball games. My son had started it a year earlier as a means to earn some extra money and he’s been a baseball nut his entire life. So I signed up for a training course and jumped into the spring season as green as could be. I’VE LOVED IT. I plan on pursuing this with even more vigor once I’m fully retired.
Although money was never a motivating factor, I have to say it’s been quite nice. I made almost $3500 doing 56 games during the spring season. Games last an average of 2 hours and adding an hour for commute time and prep, not a bad gig especially if it’s something you have a passion or deep interest. I’m looking forward to the fall season (only 2 months long) starting in just a couple of weeks.
Your other suggestions are great too and I wouldn’t be surprised if I work one or more of those into my retirement agenda. As I’ve told many co-workers that have witnessed my 2 year countdown to 2018, I’m retiring from this career……not life itself.
With student loan debt from a private graduate school hitting me like a ton of bricks, I decided to start looking for treasures at garage sales & thrift stores to resell. While all of my inventory sits in storage right now due to a corporate relocation, I anxiously await closing on my house to be able to sell again on ebay.
Before the move, I was on pace for profits of 25k for the year…can’t wait to try and catch up for lost time. While not the norm, finding a $1000 lego set for $5, or a gold ring for $1 that sells for $600 definitely can brighten your day.
Those are solid ideas. My wife is a teacher and has tutored and taught summer school. Our living room furniture was paid for with her summer school earnings. I have a neighbor who boards dogs in her kennel for a side gig. A close friend umpires little league and high school baseball games. I have experienced and witnessed some of your suggestions.
I would definitely encourage becoming a teacher, like an adjunct, at a local college or university or even doing continuing education courses. I can say that I think I will always teach, even though I don’t want to do it full-time for the rest of my life. I love being in the classroom.
On teaching, you can make a decent penny as an adjunct faculty at larger universities.
A side hustle is definitely an ideal way to quickly increase your income to payoff debt and meet financial goals. I’ve been an online adjunct professor for a year and a half now. I’m currently using this extra income to meet the second objective of my financial experiment, pay of my home in 6 years. I’ve been able to work around my home and work schedule to make significant progress toward this goal. For me, this side hustle has been fulfilling in two ways. One I’m able to meet financial goals, and as an added bonus, I’m giving back and helping students succeed. If you can find a side-hustle that can accommodate your schedule (e.g. kiddos, full-time job, etc) it is definitely worth the effort.