My writing career actually started as a side hustle. I was working full-time as an office administrator for a company in the healthcare industry and decided starting a side hustle in my downtime would be a good way of making some extra money. Writing online was something I could do from home while my kid was sleeping and the extra money it brought in paid for small luxuries that made our lives a bit easier. As my side hustle expanded over time, it brought in more money. Eventually, I resigned from my office position to focus on writing online as my primary employment.
My story is not unique. Every day, hundreds of people decide on starting a side hustle for various reasons and the extra money earned goes towards helping them reach their financial goals, whether that is paying off debt, having some vacation money, or saving for a down payment on a home. If you are thinking about starting a side hustle, here are some ideas that can help you get started.
Online Writing Services
If you were the type of person that liked writing essays in high school, then online writing might be the right side hustle for you. There are numerous companies online willing to pay writers for articles covering a wide variety of topics to use as content on websites. While there may be a deadline for completion of an article, these deadlines are often days in the future, allowing you to work on the article at your own pace and at times that are convenient for you.
Child Care Services
The state of child care in our country is dismal, with many more people looking for quality child care than there are spots available for their children. This is especially true for parents that work odd hours or weekends. Offering child care services during nights and weekends can be a lucrative side hustle and can be lots of fun as you get to spend time entertaining children. Some states have regulations regarding how many children can be watched by a single person at one time, so check your local laws before you start advertising your services.
Pet Care Services
There is also a large demand for pet care services that pet owners are unwilling or unable to take care of themselves. While becoming a professional groomer may take more time than you are willing to commit to for starting a side hustle, you can always start small with dog walking or pet sitting services. There are a number of online platforms dedicated to matching pet owners with local service providers, so consider signing up for one of these platforms to make finding potential clients easier.
Delivery Driving Services
One of the biggest expansions of business in recent history is the expansion of delivery services during and after the pandemic. Today, many people have gotten used to ordering the things that they need online and having those items delivered to their homes, creating a tremendous need for delivery drivers. Thousands of people have signed up with various delivery platforms to pick up orders and take them to people in their local area in their spare time to earn extra money. Different delivery services have different terms of employment, so make sure to read the information provided carefully before signing up
These are just some of the numerous ways for starting a side hustle to earn extra money, but they are the ones with the lowest barriers for entry. Nearly anyone can write a few paragraphs, watch a kid, walk a dog, or deliver something to someone’s front door. You can try out these side hustles with very little expense to see if you like what you are doing and you can always expand your services in the future. Take the leap and see what starting a side hustle can do for you.
Do you have any ideas about a good side hustle to start? Tell us in the comments below.
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Toi Williams began her writing career in 2003 as a copywriter and editor and has authored hundreds of articles on numerous topics for a wide variety of companies. During her professional experience in the fields of Finance, Real Estate, and Law, she has obtained a broad understanding of these industries and brings this knowledge to her work as a writer.