Six Side Hustles to Consider

If you ask anyone, most people would say “yes” to earning more money. After all, earning more than you typically make can lead to a more financially sound future. There are numerous ways to supplement your income that don’t require special training or education. Below is a list of popular "side hustle" options for those looking to make a little extra money. 

Ridesharing

In recent years, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity. Unlike taxi services, ridesharers use their own vehicles to drive passengers from point A to point B. Rideshare services offer flexible hours, meaning you can work when you please. Many rideshare companies offer increased pay during peak hours. They also provide insurance protection. That said, ensure your vehicle has adequate insurance coverage before signing up with a rideshare company. Also, be sure to track gasoline and maintenance expenses on your vehicle - you may be able to claim them for tax deductions later. It should be noted that vehicles older than 15 years cannot be used for passenger rideshare services, although they can be used for most online delivery services. 

Food and Grocery Delivery

Similarly, signing up to be a food or grocery delivery driver is quite simple - all you need is a vehicle with adequate insurance coverage and a smartphone. Food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub are simple to use and have built-in navigation. Like typical rideshare services, food delivery drivers have the opportunity to earn more money during peak business hours and even earn tips from customers. If you have a little extra time, consider signing up to be a driver for a grocery delivery service. Apps like Instacart and Shipt will pay you to shop for and deliver groceries to customers. A customer’s grocery list will be sent directly to your smartphone, and drivers never have to worry about paying for groceries out of their own pocket. If you’re interested in becoming a delivery driver but neither of these options sounds appealing, consider delivering packages through Amazon Flex. 

Rent Space in Your Home

If you have an extra room in your home, you can earn passive income by renting it out on Airbnb. Although renting a space in your home to strangers might sound intimidating, Airbnb offers damage protection and liability insurance to hosts. Hosts can also view guest profiles before confirming their stay to ensure they haven’t received negative reviews from other hosts. If you live in an area popular with tourists, Airbnb hosts have the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in extra income every year. For those looking to rent out their entire home to vacationers, Airbnb and Vrbo are the way to go. There are also online services like Neighbor.com and StoreAtMyHouse that allow homeowners to rent out extra storage space on their property. 

Rent Your Vehicle

Just like renting space in your home, you can rent your vehicle to others to earn extra income. Turo, for example, works similar to Airbnb - guests can request to rent out your vehicle, and you have the option to approve or deny them. Car-sharing services are ideal for people who own more than one vehicle, although you can still rent out your vehicle if you own only one. Just be sure it’s unavailable for rent when you need to drive it. Just like with ridesharing, your vehicle must be properly insured before you list it for rent. In most cases, your vehicle must also be less than 12 years old. 

Take Surveys

There are numerous survey websites that pay you for completing online surveys. While most online surveys only pay a few dollars each, some pay up to $20 via PayPal or e-gift cards. It should be noted that some surveyors may be looking for a specific demographic or are interested in finding out more about a particular issue, so you may not qualify for every survey that pays. It may also take time to earn significant income from surveys. Before participating in a survey, ensure the company you’re doing it through is accredited by the Better Business Bureau or other trustworthy institution. Survey companies will never ask for personal information like your Social Security number or banking details. If filling out surveys is not your speed but you still want to earn money, consider participating in a focus group. 

Work Odd Jobs

A tried and true way of supplementing your income is by working odd jobs. An odd job can be anything from dog sitting to handy work to running errands. One of the easiest ways to find odd jobs near you is by scouting websites like TaskRabbit or Handy. You can also browse forums like Craigslist or Facebook. Keeping an ear out in the local community is also beneficial, as word-of-mouth may be the only way to find out about certain odd jobs. Before you take on an odd job, ensure you’re capable of whatever task may be at hand for the safety of yourself and others. Establishing trust with the person who contracted you is also a step in the right direction. 

With the number of options available, there’s a side hustle ideal for everyone. Earning more could mean building your savings account or paying off debt faster. That said, additional income could be right at your fingertips, all you have to do is put in the effort. Happy side hustling!

Hunter Morrison

About Hunter Morrison

Hunter has freelanced for various print and radio publications across Northwest Florida, including The Bay Beacon, Navarre Press, Inweekly, Crestview News Bulletin, and WUWF. He was also the Editor in Chief of the University of West Florida’s student newspaper, The Voyager. In 2023, Hunter moved to Kenai, Alaska to take up a news reporting position with KDLL Public Radio. For fun, Hunter enjoys cross-country skiing, hiking, photography, thrifting, traveling, and looking for the best Thai food around.