Everyone is feeling the effects of inflation. If your wallet is feeling a little bit lighter this month, you may be searching for ways to boost your income in your spare time. Having a side hustle is a great way to get some extra cash and form a new hobby, but it’s easy to get burnt out. Make sure that you focus on creating a healthy balance between your primary job and your side hustle. Whether you are searching for online or in-person opportunities to boost your income, you have options!
Check out some of the main side hustles you can explore to get extra cash throughout the month:
Pet Sitting and Boarding
If you love animals, apps like Rover and Wag can be your ticket to making a little bit more every month! The apps allow you to sign up for dog walking and sitting services and choose your rates. You get to update your calendar and determine your availability, but keep in mind that there are a few disadvantages to consider before you sign up.
Firstly, there is always a risk that the dog or cat is not as friendly as the owner says they are, which can be dangerous in some cases. Secondly, Rover and Wag will take a cut of your earnings, so you don’t get to keep everything you make.
You should set your prices accordingly! Research the going rate in your area on websites like Reddit so you can set yourself up for success when boosting your income in your spare time. If you earn $100 from a service, Rover will take 20% of your earnings, so your take-home pay is $80.
Task Rabbit
Do you love organizing closets, mounting TVs, cleaning, and running errands? Task Rabbit is a great place to start your new side hustle! This platform allows you to pick your specialty and find a task that you love to do. You can get paid for doing something as simple as cleaning a bedroom or hanging art on the wall! Sign up on the website, then choose the task that you are good at in order to start earning money.
Affiliate Blogging
Do you love to write? If you have an established blog or you are looking to create one in the future, you may want to consider affiliate blogging! You can partner with a company and sign up as an affiliate to earn commission on the items you review or feature on our blog. You can often connect your blog with your social media accounts for extra exposure!
With affiliate blogging, you typically aren’t limited to working with just one affiliate. Instead, you can try to work with multiple companies in order to maximize your earnings.
Virtual Assistant
If you are an organized person with a lot of self-discipline, you could make a small fortune in the digital world by becoming a virtual assistant. As a virtual assistant, you will be in charge of whatever your boss needs!
From scheduling flights to organizing daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, you may have your hands full. But, being a virtual assistant allows you to earn money without leaving your home, which is a huge advantage for those of us who prefer to stay on the couch in our spare time!
Reselling
Using apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace to resell your vintage or used clothes is another way to earn extra money in your spare time! You can raid your wardrobe to find valuable items that buyers would like, or you can head to your local thrift store to see if you can score any rare gems.
Some resellers will do their research on pieces within the store and see if they are valuable before they make a purchase. Vintage items like Levi jeans or Dr. Martens boots can be resold for a pretty penny online!
Tutoring
If you are proficient in a foreign language or another skill, such as math, you can try to tutor students and help them learn more about a subject. While math tutors are in high demand, there are a lot of students who may need help with subjects like Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and SAT or MCAT testing. Use websites like eTutorWorld or TutorMe to find clients and showcase your tutoring abilities!
Content Creation
Social media is a large part of our world, so try to use it to your advantage! Create a YouTube channel or a TikTok account and start gathering an audience. Vlog about something that you are passionate about and get paid to do it!
Consider a Loan
If you don’t have the time or mental energy to put towards boosting your income, another option you can consider to get your finances back on track is a loan. If you have a considerable amount of debt, you can try to apply for a debt consolidation loan. Contact LoanMart to learn more options.
Side Hustles to Avoid if You Want to Boost Your Income
Boosting your income is possible if you have spare time to commit to a new side hustle! You can explore the options mentioned above if you need extra cash to make ends meet, pay for an upcoming vacation, or take care of another type of pressing personal expense.
If you want your side hustle to be as simple and hassle-free as possible, you should avoid MLM companies (Multilevel Marketing) and jobs that require licensing or certification.
An MLM company is typically easy to spot because you will often have to pay to invest in the product or service. Generally, you will only make money if you recruit a considerable amount of people to work under you. Although it is possible to make money through an MLM company, it’s best to avoid them as much as possible. If you want to work for a company but are worried about getting mixed up with an MLM or a pyramid scheme, try researching their reviews and possible complaints on websites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.
Some of the primary side hustles that require licensing include becoming an esthetician, real estate agent, or nail / lash technician. If you want to make money as soon as possible, understand that getting your license or the proper certification may take a little bit of time, and you may need to pay a fee for the applicable courses or obtain licensing!
If you’re ready to make money now, it may be in your best interest to stick to simpler side hustles or consider applying for a loan if you have a financial emergency that needs to be solved ASAP. Make the right choice that fits your timeframe, budget, and lifestyle!
