53 Side Hustle Ideas

Whether you have a job or don't, the question is: are you financially stable enough for the important expenses in your life?

With the rising cost of housing, growing student loan debt, and economic ups-and-downs, it's no wonder over half of recent grads take up a side hustle to make ends meet.

Jump to the first side hustle idea or the side hustle decision flow chart.

According to aBankrate survey, millennials are more likely to have a side hustle than any other age group. In part because they have more debt than any other generation and don’t anticipate much job security.

At the same time, the growing gig economy offers unique creative freedoms and flexibility that are attractive to this generation. As it turns out, side hustlers can make over $8k annually.

Whether you want a side hustle to make ends meet, pay for a new car, put a down payment on a house, pay back your student loans, or build credit, there’s something out there for you.

Here's a list of great side hustle ideas to get you started.

In this article:

• 7 reasons you need to have a side hustle
• 53 side hustle ideas
• Side gigs you can do from home
• Should you start a side hustle? Here's a flowchart to help you decide.

7 Reasons You Need to Have a Side Hustle

If you’re like most recent college grads, your starting salary was actually 10% lower than you expected. Even if you're further along in your career or make a comfortable amount, you may be looking to make up that difference with side income.

The average millennial spends 45% of their paycheck on housing, which is 15 percentage points higher than the recommended amount.

This means it's hard to save money for big purchases – or emergencies.

Whether financing a new car or buying a house, most major expenses require a sizable amount of money saved to put towards a down payment.

A side hustle helps you save money for these goals and achieve the financial stability to maintain good credit and qualify for loans.

Here are some things to consider if you're debating whether to start a side business:

1 - The Cost of Living Is Rising

There are many factors that contribute to the cost of living. A large portion of this is housing costs, but the cost of living is also affected by the cost of:

• Food
• Medical care
• Transportation

Though many know things cost more than they did 50 years ago, many people often don’t realize things also cost more now in comparison to what people are paid.

Even though the cost of housing has risen by an average of 5% over the last several years, income has only increased by an average of 3%.

This means many people are struggling to keep up with their expenses on one salary alone.

2 - The Workforce Is More Competitive Than Ever

Not only does high competition in the workforce make it harder to find a job, this competition also causes employers to lower their wages.

This competition is caused by several factors, but a major factor is that more people than ever have a college degree. It's harder to stand out from the crowd by completing something that's the new norm.

34.2% of people over the age of 25 have completed a 4 year degree.

What’s more, the average expected age of retirement has increased to 66 in 2018 from 60 in 1995.

This means more experienced workers are staying in their jobs longer, and leaving fe jobs open.

3 - Wages Are Stagnant

According to the Harvard Business Review, hourly inflation-adjusted wages have barely risen, growing only 0.2% per year.

While productivity has increased, the benefits of this have not been distributed evenly across all employees. There may be small raises here and there, but the rate at which salaries are increasing does not match the rate that the cost of living is increasing.

This means that each year, employees get less paid less for their work.

4 - You’ll Learn New Skills

Even if you aren’t already a skilled crafter, writer, or coder, it doesn’t take long to learn something new.

While Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule was once the standard for learning a skill, it has been recently called into question.

Professional educator Josh Kaufman argues that it really only takes about 20 hours to learn a new skill.

If you only need as much time as half a work week to get started, why not pick up a side gig?

5 - You Can Explore Your Passions

Possibly the most significant thing that separates a side hustle from an average job is that you get to choose it — and you can dive into anything that excites you.

Even if it takes a while for your hustle to become profitable, it can be rewarding from the start if you follow your passions.

The benefit of a side hustle is that you get to say no to things that don’t spark your interest. You can change direction and learn new things about yourself along the way.

And if you really just need a gig to help pay bills, there's a side hustle for that, too.

6 - You’ll Make Extra Money

On average, side hustlers can make around $836 monthly.

You can use this extra cash for fun expenses, travel, or entertainment. You can also put it towards paying off debt, putting a down payment on a house, or to help you get by during times of job loss.

If you can, put some of this money towards your savings. While the best time to start saving is in your 20s (since your money has more time to appreciate), the second best time to start is right now.

Being able to build a stable financial life for the long-term is invaluable.

7 - You’ll Become Indispensable

When you gain skills outside your job description, you become a unique contributor to both your regular and side job.

Having a side hustle means you can solve problems and bring unique skills to your current (or future) day job.

Plus, a number of side gigs can be done from your own home with low startup costs, meaning you start earning right away.

According to Seth Godin’s Linchpin theory, having extra skills makes you especially flexible and valuable in today’s world.

You become the person that holds the company together, and are therefore harder to replace.

53 Side Hustle Ideas

The possibilities for side hustles are nearly endless, and pursuing the right one just depends on your skills, interests and the effort you’re willing to make.

Take a look at this list to see if anything feels like the right fit for you.

Side gigs you can do from home

Don't want to leave the house but still want to side gig? Here are several options to look into.

1. Become a Transcriber for Movies and TV Shows

Someone has to listen to movies, TV shows, videos, and recordings and type out the closed captioning.

Sometimes transcribers even get to see major shows before anyone else.

2. Tutor

If you are knowledgeable about a subject or fluent in a second language, tutors can make a lot of money helping others learn. It’s also becoming easier than ever to tutor online.



3. Join a Freelance Design Website

If you have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign you can sign up for an account on a website like Upwork or Elance.

As you work more, you’ll build a portfolio that attracts more offers.

4. Contribute to a Freelance Blogging Website

Similar to a website like Upwork, many websites specialize in connecting businesses with writers on a project by project basis.

The benefits are that you usually can choose what you work on, and how long you work.

This could be a great option if you have excellent writing skills and expertise or credentials in a certain field (like medicine/healthcare, law, science, finance, etc.)

5. Edit Resumes

Since you likely know quite a few people looking for jobs, you can make use of your keen eye and resume know-how to provide career guidance.

6. Remote Customer Service Specialist

Some companies use customer service agents that take calls directly to their phones at home.

You don’t have to go into an office and are most needed during off hours of the day, so it is easy to work around another job.

7. Become a Virtual Assistant

You can do all the normal tasks of an assistant like answering the phone, scheduling meetings, and more — all remotely.

8. Design Websites

If you have experience in HTML or another programming language, people will pay you to make their websites.

This hustle allows you to be creative and can also be lucrative.

9. Teach English Online

Students in other countries who are learning English are often required to complete a session talking to native speakers.

You can sign up to be that native speaker and help someone learn a new language.



10. Data Entry

If you have a computer at home and are detail-oriented, consider an at-home job in data entry. You can find these jobs on job sites like UpWork, Indeed and others.

11. Medical Billing

A medical biller is responsible for submitting billing claims to insurance companies and payers and is a key function for medical providers and hospitals.

You’ll need a solid understanding of insurance guidelines, accounting and HIPAA requirements (and possibly some medical coding training, depending on the role’s level).

12. Sell Old and Vintage Clothes Online

With an eye for antiques and a passion for shopping, you could be a successful clothing reseller.

You can find valuable labels from decades past cheaply at thrift stores and sell them to buyers online on eBay or a personal website.



13. Start a Blog

You can start a blog about anything that interests you, with little to no cost.

Over time, as you gain authority on a subject, you will gain more readers and profit.

You can monetize through:

• Ads
• Selling sponsorships
• Partnering with brands

Word of caution: when you’re just starting out blogging, it can take a while (several months at least) to turn a profit.

Be ready to put in the work to compete if you go this route.

14. Make YouTube Videos and Include Ads

Aside from becoming a YouTube partner, you can also create videos behind an adwall that get a large number of views and be paid a portion of the ad revenue.

Note: As with blogging, creating your own YouTube channel can take time to grow and monetize.

However, if you find the right niche audience and topic, and video content that performs, it’s possible to make a decent living.

15. Sell Crafts on an Ecommerce Website

Websites like Etsy connect crafters with people looking for unique products.

You can make and sell jewelry, t-shirts, art prints, rugs, knitwear, and everything in between.

16. Sell Downloadable Content

There's high demand for digital content like invitation templates, sewing patterns, or guides.

While each download may not cost much, the benefit to this source of income is that you can sell an infinite number of downloads without ever needing to restock.

17. Write an Ebook

Even if you aren’t creative, you can sell ebooks that are educational or teach the reader a valuable skill on self-publishing sites like Amazon or Lulu.

18. Cryptocurrency Mining

Though it requires a relatively powerful computer, you can rent out the processing power of your hard drive to companies in exchange for a cryptocurrency.

Other Side Hustle Ideas

19. Drive for a Food Delivery Service

You get to make your own schedule and deliver as much or as little as you want. Also, you’ll learn about new restaurants and their best dishes.

You can use apps like Favor, UberEATS, Instacart or GrubHub to streamline the process.

20. Deliver Packages

Similar to other delivery jobs, you can sometimes choose your schedule or deliver packages part-time with a company like Amazon.

21. Manage Social Media for a Small Company

Since many people are already on social media all day, it’s possible becoming a social media manager won’t even feel like work.

If you’re working for a small company, this side hustle will likely come with a slightly steadier income than other options.

Pro tip: during times of crisis, good communicators are in high demand. Especially in essential industries where public communication is key.

22. Sell Stock Photography or Footage

Companies and people will pay for photographs and videos that they can’t take themselves.

Popular content include photos of business settings and videos of striking landscapes.

23. Mow Lawns

A classic that there's always demand for.

With some planning, you can hire others to do the mowing and simply handle the customer relations, or mow the lawns yourself for a good workout.

24. Drive for a Ride-Sharing Service

As one of the most profitable side hustles, ride sharing can be a great option for anyone — even if you don’t even have a car.

Lyft and Uber both offer rental services that let you work to pay the fee.

25. Create a Catering Company

If you love to cook, starting a catering company is a good option.

You’ll get to express your creativity and make people happy with every event. You could also offer to cook and deliver family meals that they can heat and eat in home.

26. Walk Dogs

Dogs have to be some of the best coworkers there are.

There are plenty of websites and apps that make becoming a dog-walker easy, including Wag and Rover.



27. Become an Influencer on Social Media

With a high number of followers on Instagram or twitter, companies will pay for you to mention or review their products.

You can be creative with social media, and in some cases can even gain fame along with your monetary success.

28. Rent Out a Spare Room in Your Home

With companies like AirBnB and VRBO, you can get money for all the extra space in your home or apartment.

You can even rent your couch out to budget-minded travelers. Or consider longer-term renters if that sounds more doable.

29. Clean Other People’s Houses

There are app-based maid services that allow you to create your own schedule and clean as many or few homes as you wish.

You can also start your own maid business, or just offer to clean your friends’ places for money.



30. Collect and Re-Charge Shared Transportation Devices

If available in your city, e-bikes and e-scooters are a booming trend — and someone has to make sure they are fully charged and ready for use.

31. Sell Snacks or Food at Work

This works well if your office doesn’t have a vending machine. You can sell snacks, sodas, or even extra lunches.

32. House Sit

The best part about watching someone’s house while they are on vacation is that it doesn’t take much effort and you can sometimes stay for free in cool houses.

33. Pet Sit

You can choose to only watch dogs or cats, as well as any animal in between. It's not too hard, and getting to play with adorable animals is a huge benefit.

Apps like Rover, DogVacay, and Mewotel specialize in making sure people’s pets are cared for.

34. Babysit

While it can be a bit harder to get into babysitting, the job often pays a decent hourly rate and depending on the age of the kids can be really fun.

You can reach out to neighbors and families with kids, or consider using a site like Care.com.

35. Recycle Used Cell Phones and Electronics

Many places can take old, unwanted cell phones and either sell the precious metals inside them, or refurbish them for profit.

If you have old phones laying around or can acquire old cell phones for cheap, you can sell those and make a profit.

36. Become a Notary

While it may take an application, course, and exam, once you’re a notary you can charge people a fee to witness them signing documents.

37. Become an Officiant

You can get ordained online for free and afterwards you can charge hundreds of dollars to officiate weddings.

38. Take Grad Photos and Headshots

Another option if you enjoy photography is taking headshots for friends and family, actors, and businesses.

Even if you’re still perfecting your skills, there are always people who need pictures of themselves for less money than a full-time photographer would charge.

39. Rent Out Your Car

Similar to renting out a room in your home, apps like Turo allow you to rent your car to people visiting from out of town.

40. Help People Move

If you’re reasonably strong or have a large vehicle, you can offer your services to friends or strangers through moving apps.

41. Join a Handyman Service

If you have a wide range of skills, you can sign up on an app like TaskRabbit and get paid to do things like fix sinks, assemble furniture, or pack for a move.

42. Become a Mystery Shopper

Companies utilize mystery shoppers to make sure their customers are receiving the correct service every time.

You’ll usually get the service for free and be compensated for filling out a review afterwards.

43. Buy and Sell Property

Though this requires having some money to begin with, buying and selling real estate can be one of the most profitable side hustles there is.



44. Computer or Phone Repair

Instead of simply recycling cell phones to a store, you can teach yourself to repair cracked screens, replace batteries, and install new hard drives.

Then, you can sell your fixed phone or computer for a profit.

45. Landscaping or Gardening

If you have a green thumb or an eye for landscape design, you can get paid to water plants or redesign a backyard.

46. Fitness Training

If you’re at the gym after work anyways, consider becoming a personal trainer or fitness trainer to help others get fit.

47. Start a Website That Utilizes Dropshipping

Dropshipping is when a company doesn’t stock its own merchandise, but a separate supplier fulfills and ships the orders.

You can sell online with little to no startup costs and a little smart marketing.

48. Become a Consultant

It's likely that your full-time job itself requires a set of valuable skills.

You can offer your unique perspective as a consultant part time to help other people and businesses.

49. Peer-to-Peer Lending

Websites like Lending Club allow you to loan other users small sums of money for their side projects or businesses. Most offer consistent positive returns on your investment.

50. Rent Equipment That You Own

If you have specialty tools or equipment ranging from a lawn mower to a sewing machine, people can pay to borrow it for a short period of time.

There’s little work on your part, and your items can be insured for loss or damage.

51. Become a Wedding Planner

If you are highly organized and love planning parties, you can plan a wedding.

You’ll get to make a positive impact in people’s lives and express some of your creativity.

52. Become a Referee

If you’re already watching games, why not get paid to watch them? You can sign up for local leagues in soccer, hockey, and basketball.

53. Interior Decorating and Staging

You can offer your services as a design consultant for people looking to revamp their place or to realtors staging a house for sale.

Bottom Line - It’s Time to Start Side Hustling

It’s essential that millennials explore starting a side hustle because the things that used to be affordable have become less and less attainable, and you can pick up extra skills and income to be competitive in the workforce.

Additionally, you’ll be able to delve into your passions and make money while pursuing a side gig.

There are still hundreds of possible side hustles that are variations on the ideas we listed or haven’t ever been done.

Don’t give up if you feel like you haven’t found the right one! There are many resources online designed to help you towards financial success.

Know someone who could use a side hustle right now? Please share this article on social.

Should I Start A Side Hustle Flow Chart

Sources: Sid Savara | Entrepreneur | Fool | Entrepreneur | Side Hustle Nation | National Notary | Side Hustle School | Shopify | Webopedia

About the Author

Jeff Smith is VP of SEO and Content at Self.