It’s pretty rare these days to experience financial security if you have only one job. In fact, around half of all Americans have a side gig in addition to their full-time careers, and many of them rely on this income to keep themselves afloat.
If you’re looking for some ways to make extra cash on the weekends without committing to a specific employer, we’ve got you covered. Each of the flexible side hustles below keep you in charge of your schedule and your earnings, and all are in high demand.
These are not just weekend jobs either. Most of the ideas can be adapted to any time frame, whether you need to work a couple of weekdays or you’re looking for something to carry you through summer vacation.
Why You Need a Part-time Gig
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, additional part-time employment is a no-brainer. Living paycheck to paycheck is not fun. A bit of extra income can give your budget some wiggle room in addition to relieving the significant stress of not having enough money. But there are some other reasons a side hustle makes sense too:
- Some of the brightest minds in finance know that the best way to become wealthy is to have multiple income streams. You’ve got a better chance of accumulating wealth over the long haul when you have more than one avenue where money is coming in.
- A side-gig can give you an outlet for some of your unique hobbies and interests. This is especially important if your current job is unfulfilling. So many people are stuck in jobs they hate, but doing something you’re passionate about (and that brings in an income) can ease that boredom and give you something to look forward to.
- Part-time self-employment is ideal for entrepreneurial types who want to try something new. Since your side hustle is in addition to your regular job, there is less financial and personal risk. Plus, if it doesn’t work out, you can always try something else.
The Best-part Time Jobs for Extra Cash
Take Care of Pets
Everyone is passionate about their animals these days. Do you remember when people would go to work and leave their dogs home until they returned at night? Perhaps you even did this. Believe it or not, this has become less and less commonplace. Dog (and cat) owners are paying for services like dog-walking, pet-sitting, or just checking in.
If you love animals, this gig is ideal. You can pick up just one client or have a whole group of them. Print up some flyers or business cards and go it alone, or find those who need your services on platforms that connect pet owners with people just like you. Examples include PetSitter.com, Rover, and Wag.
Do Paid Online Surveys
You’ve probably seen plenty of ads for paid online surveys. You may have considered this side-hustle to be just another scam. However, legit survey sites exist, and they are ideal for bringing in some extra money.
The great thing about getting paid to do online surveys is that you can complete the work anytime you want, 24/7. Waiting forever at the doctor’s office or have nothing to do between classes? Put that downtime to good use and take some surveys for cash.
Deliver Groceries, Meals, and Other Necessities
One of the most significant growth areas during the pandemic has been in delivery services. And now that we are all used to having things delivered straight to our doorsteps, this industry is still going strong.
There are plenty of delivery companies hiring, and as long as you have reliable transportation and meet the age requirements, it’s relatively easy to break into this gig. Some of your options include:
- Grubhub
- DoorDash
- Instacart
- Postmates
- Favor Delivery
- Shipt
- Uber Eats
Write for the Web
If you have an excellent command of the English language and enjoy writing, working as a freelance writer for the web is a fantastic side gig. If you have some experience in a particular industry, that’s even better.
Pay rates for this type of writing can vary, but this gig is highly flexible. If you’re not ready to venture out on your own, you can start with “content mills” like Textbroker or BKA Content. For more information on this side-hustle, check out Ten Ways To Make Money as a Content Writer
Become an Online Tutor
This is a side gig we’ve discussed before, but it’s worth mentioning again. If you have some expertise in a particular subject, sharing your knowledge as an online tutor can be a pretty lucrative gig. Depending on your preferences, you can work with children from K-12 or take a position helping college students or adult learners.
Typically, you need a bachelor’s degree to get started, although some platforms hire with just a high-school diploma. English is the most in-demand subject when it comes to tutoring online, but there are other areas of need as well.
Be a Tour Guide
Do you love where you live? Are you passionate about all the things your town or city has to offer? If you know your area like the back of your hand and enjoy sharing it with others, a side-gig as a tour guide could be the ideal part-time job for you.
This position depends somewhat on where you live, but if you’re in a vacation-friendly area, the sky’s the limit. Advertise your services in a local newspaper or your town’s Facebook group. You can also sign up with ToursByLocals, a service that connects curious tourists with local guides.
Cleaning, Lawn Maintainance, Snow Removal, Painting
If you’re interested in taking on something more physical, the tried and true service industry is still alive and well. People will always be looking for those who can do the things they either don’t want or have the time to do. Whether it’s raking leaves, plowing, trimming hedges, cleaning houses, doing laundry, or some other service, the need is there.
Advertising on free classifieds like Craigslist is one way to drum up clients for home maintenance or cleaning jobs. But the best way is to print out some simple flyers, go door to door, and introduce yourself.
Whether you like cold-calling or not, it’s still one of the most effective ways to drum up new clients. Besides, your neighbors are probably ready to see a friendly face after so much isolation.
