FINANCIAL BOOT CAMP
20 Ways to Make Side Income
And they all require less than 5 hours a week!
Have some extra time for extra cash?
For 5 hours a week (or less!), there are easy ways to make some extra cash on the side. From testing plates of french fries to getting paid to shop, there's something to suit everyone's schedule and skill level.
1. Walk dogs or watch over pets.
Give us all the fur babies! With apps like Wag, you can easily become a dog walker and make a little side cash while spending some quality time with cute pups! Win, win...or should we say, woof! woof! 😉
"I started dog walking recently and have 4 regular clients. I started by posting in our neighborhood Facebook group asking if anyone needed a dog walker or sitter and I got responses right away. I'm making $450 a month and working just 3 hours and 20 minutes a week! It's easy money, I get exercise, and plenty of dog love! The flexible schedule is great for me and I'm loving the extra money!" - Sarah
2. Get crafty and sell handmade goods.
There's a huge market for handmade goods these days. Discover something you love to make and start selling it on Etsy. Seasoned pros even shared how they got started and became successful. As another idea, check out dates for the next craft show in your area to sell in person!
"I've been sewing scrunchies and also other items using my Cricut. I love making them and it's great extra cash." - Becky
"I started making Elf on the Shelf kits for Christmas. I create 30 ideas with supplies that last 30 days. People love them!" - Jennifer
3. Teach fitness classes.
While in some cases you have to work your way up to become a fitness instructor, Emily from our team has proven it's possible without a professional background! If you're looking for a class to fall in love with, try Class Pass for FREE for 1-month ClassPass to get your healthy fitness journey started!
“I was going to a barre class for several months and was so in love with it, I asked the owner if she was hiring new instructors. After about a year, she asked me to join their team! Even though I had no formal fitness training prior, I completed an online course & video submission to become barre certified (an expense the owner paid for).
I average about $300-$400 per month teaching 8-10 classes and I get to take other classes at the studio for free, so I’m saving a ton on my fitness expenses and making a good chunk of change in the process!” - Emily
4. Tutor students after school.
Got some extra brainpower or talent to share? Being a private tutor is a lucrative way to share some of your knowledge. From math sessions to piano lessons, there's demand for all types of after school helpers. Call your local schools or post on Facebook to get started!
"My husband teaches piano on the side. When we were getting out of debt he also worked extra events as a teacher to make more." - Jenna
"I tutor and offer 'Homework Hour' for busy parents at a local library. The hourly fee adds up nicely and takes up little of my day! Parents enjoy not having to fight over homework each evening as kids complete everything during the session." - Cindy
5. Teach English for VIP Kid.
If you have a bachelor's degree in any field and 1+ years working with children as a babysitter, tutor, camp counselor, church youth group, or other supervision position, you can work for VIP Kid!
This incredible work from home job allows you to stay home while teaching children in China how to speak English. Read more about their fast-growing program!
"I teach kids in China how to speak English online. Three years in and I still love it! I get to make my own schedule which is perfect for our homeschool and farm life." - Taren
"I teach for VIPKid! I make $20 an hour from home while my daughter is asleep." - Kelbie
6. Start driving for Uber.
Drive your car and be your own boss! If you enjoy driving around or would like to get to know the neighborhoods surrounding you, Uber or Lyft could be a great part-time (or even full-time) gig for you!
There are a few conditions to consider, such as owning a car that's 10 years or newer, passing an Uber inspection, and having a driver's license in good standing, and other stipulations.
"I do some driving and get paid when I have extra time on the weekends. It’s not huge money but the flexibility is great and gives me some extra cash to pay for the extras my teenagers always seem to want or need.
I do both Uber and Lyft and flip back and forth depending on who has passengers available first. Plus, it's always interesting—last week a man got in my car with fishing poles as long as my car and a bucket of live fish. LOL!" - Angela
7. Sell some yummy baked goods.
What do people love more than yummy baked goods? Not having to make a batch themselves! With the holidays right around the corner, plenty of people are looking for last-minute gifts or homemade treats to take to their next party.
If you're a champ in the kitchen, sell some beautifully decorated treats for a little extra cash. Check out all of our delicious recipes to help you get started!
"I sell my baked goods to family and friends—my pumpkin rolls are my top seller! I become especially busy during the holidays, which is great for gift funds." - Debbie
"I learned to make custom sugar cookies and sell them. I started to practice by making them for my baby showers and kid's birthdays. Over time, I've been slowly building up a little cash business!" - Nichole
8. Offer photography services.
With social media at its peak, families seeking professional photos, or even bloggers needing some assistance, the opportunities for photography services are endless!
If you're intrigued but don't know where to get started, invest in a new camera and ask some local photographers to let you shadow them. Putting the equipment in action will help you learn your way around your new camera.
"When I first had kids, I became really passionate about photography. I wanted great photos of my kids as they grew, so I purchased a starter camera and talked to a local photographer who I became friends with. She shared her expertise with me and I practiced a ton with my own family!
After posting my pictures on my own social media, people started asking me to take photos for them. I had photographed everything from a floral workshop to family sessions and before I knew it, I was making about $400 per session! It was great extra cash with the flexibility to work when I could and I was still able to still stay at home with my kids." - Sara
9. Cook or meal prep for others.
When life gets busy, the last thing people want to think about is what to make for dinner. Whether they're on their own or have a whole family to feed, the convenience of ready-to-make meals is worth the price!
"I love prepping food! I do all the chopping, cutting, marinating, etc. and assemble people's meals for the week or the special occasion that calls for a 'home-cooked' meal. I shop for ingredients while I do my own family's grocery shopping. I prep for family, friends, work clients, and even some 'one-time-orders'.
All of my meals can also be frozen and cooked when needed, which I heavily market since these kinds of meals are ideal for all types of situations—new babies, unexpected passings, late-night sports practices, etc.
Meal prepping is nothing too lucrative and it’s not making us millions, but I love cooking and it’s a stress reliever for me when things are crazy at work." - Nicole
10. Use apps to your advantage.
With apps like OnMyWay, you can get paid to simply drive safe! For every mile you drive and don't text or use your phone, you'll get paid. It's really that simple. And as a bonus, you'll get $10 just for signing up! It took me just a few minutes to enter my information and scan my driver's license so I could start earning.
"I just started to use the OnMyWay app that pays you to drive without texting and I've earned over $20 from using it less than a week!" - Julie
11. Donate your blood and/or plasma.
There's a high demand for donating blood, and if you're a good candidate, you can earn cash from donating as much as they will allow. On average, the typical donor gets paid between $20-$50 all while helping save lives!
"I donate plasma twice a week. Each time takes just about an hour and I take home between $70-$90 a week." - Ashley
12. Assist with open houses.
Local realtors could use an extra smiling face to nail down a sale at their next open house. Consider reaching out to some nearby companies or small home builders to see if they need an extra greeter as guests come in.
If you get really good and know your way around a house and neighborhood, chances are they may use you for future home sales!
"I work open houses on Saturdays and Sundays for a local home builder. It's only 3 hours per day but it’s super easy and fun!" - Shanna
13. Get a babysitting gig.
Twenty years ago, I thought I was making bank coming home on a Saturday night with $20 in my pocket from babysitting. Now with sites like Care.com, the babysitting business is booming.
According to a national study, sitters make an average of over $16 an hour... for one child! While you could do it for just a few hours a week, that's a price some could quit their day job for.
“I babysit and sell crocheted items but people pay way more for babysitting than the hours I spend crafting something, so I love the time with kids and the extra spending money." - Shawna
14. Shop for Shipt.
If you meet all the requirements to become a paid grocery shopper, you can score a job paying you between $15-$25 per hour with Shipt! You can work part-time or full-time any time you'd like since you get to set your own hours. Plus, you'll get paid weekly in addition to earning customer tips!
"I shopped and delivered groceries for Shipt while I was waiting for my teaching license to transfer states. Great job and you really learn your way around a new town!" - Keisha
15. Participate in a research study.
If you have a local teaching hospital or university, check if they offer the ability to participate in a paid research study. While some studies may take more time than others, the payoff can be worth the time invested!
Sign up for ResearchMatch.org to see what's available to you as a volunteer.
"I love being a research study participant. It generally pays at least $25 per visit of each study. I even once made $1,000 for completing a long term one!" - Keila
"I participate in research studies whenever I can! I've made as much as $3,500 on them over the course of 2-3 months before!" - Rebecca
16. Taste test some food.
Yes, you can even get paid by the hour to eat some food. One blogger shared how she once was paid $60 to try a few plates of fries for an hour's work, $75 for tasting iced coffee (yes, please!), and her daughter made $25 for trying some yogurt!
To find out where you can taste test food, Google "food tasting in my area" or check out these 15 places recommended by The Wealthy Turtle.
"I taste test new food products! I get called for about 3-6 jobs per month usually. I get paid between $30-$50 each time and I am usually done in about 15-20 minutes. The longer jobs pay a little more but take up to 30-40 minutes. It's fun and very flexible so I can do it only when I want to!
Just some tips—once you register, make sure to fill out the screeners to see if you qualify. If they email you a screener, fill it out fast because the groups fill up quickly! If you have an account, log into your profile often to see what new groups are available. Be honest with your answers. However, if you’re really picky and don’t eat cheese or seafood or 28 other foods, chances are you won’t ever qualify! They will then schedule you for a specific day and time if you do qualify.
I see retirees, moms, business professionals, all kinds of people when I am there. Sometimes kids are allowed to test too if they are over age 13. It’s really easy and fun and it’s a great way to make some fun money for the holidays or vacations." - Karen
17. Sign your name as a witness.
Know any local lawyers or law firms? Give them a call and offer your presence whenever they need a witness for some document signings. While not all firms are likely to just use anyone, it certainly doesn't hurt to ask!
"I work with a local lawyer who does estate planning. I go in for 30 minutes and sign my name a bunch of times as a witness and get 25 bucks. I do this about once a week, sometimes twice!" - Ashley
18. Use Swagbucks when you shop.
You spend money regardless, so why not get cashback with Swagbucks when you shop?! Once you sign up, you simply make purchases online at participating retailers like Target, Amazon, etc. and earn points to redeem for gift cards.
You can also take their online surveys, watch videos, and search the web as additional ways to earn. It's minimal work with this sweet cash gig!
"I take surveys on Swagbucks and earn points that I can trade for gift cards. I can decide when and how often I do the surveys and save the gift cards for Christmas shopping. For this year I have over $300 in gift cards to a few different stores. It really helps out to not have Christmas take such a hit to the bank account." - Lauren
19. Clean houses.
So many people would love a helping hand when it comes to cleaning their homes, whether the task is too much to handle or the time is simply not available. Ask some friends and family if they'd be interested in you cleaning their home. After a couple of visits, chances are they'll be referring you to friends!
Hip Tip: Not sure how to get started? Check out our recommendations for the best cleaning products to use on hardwood floors, the best steam mops to buy, and our lineup of different eco-friendly cleaning products.
"I like to clean houses for people I know. I usually just do one house per week for some extra cash and it's good, easy money!" - Bridget
20. Score some freelancing gigs.
Have some experience in creative services? Consider freelancing! This contract-based service utilizes your talents in design, copywriting, marketing, project management, etc. Find clients through Facebook groups and other online services like Fiverr.
Creativity not your thing? You can also find remote freelance options for personal assistants, scheduling, and more! While this does take some gumption and persuasive selling of your services, once you get started it’s easy to get referrals and meet other clients through current connections!
"One easy way that I've made extra money on the side is freelancing. I wanted a way to make extra money with low start-up cost and this only required that I purchased an email address and created an easy website. I have even had the opportunity to help ghostwrite books! The internet offers so many options, so get creative and really tap into what you’re good at! On average I was bringing in an extra $500-$1500 a month while staying home with my kids!" - Tiffany
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