If your full-time job isn’t meeting your financial needs, then a side job may be the way to go. Here are 10 options for extra cash while you keep your main job.
Sometimes it feels like there just isn’t enough money to go around. We start nearing the end of the month and are plagued with worries of coming up short. While the feeling can be quite isolating, it may comfort you to know that nearly 80 percent of Americans know exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes, perpetually living paycheck to paycheck.
But what can we do to offset this living-on-the-edge lifestyle? Is there a way to spend less? What are the best jobs on the side to make extra income?
Finding your answer may be as simple as cutting back, but for some people, there’s nothing to cut. Therefore, let’s take a look at how you can make more money each month by finding extra work.
The Best Jobs on the Side
The problem of living paycheck to paycheck can be directed back to several causes.
First, some of us simply aren’t paid enough for the work we do, the average minimum wage in the United States is only $7.25 an hour. Working 40 hours a week, that’s barely over $1,000 a month. Who can live off of that?
The other problem is that most Americans, no matter how much they make, tend to live above their means. Spending more than they make and borrowing money they don’t have.
The answer to both problems can be found in picking up a side hustle to bring in more revenue each month. Keep reading for 10 of the best jobs on the side nearly anyone can do.
1. House-Cleaner
While not everyone puts 100 percent effort into cleaner their own homes, pretty much everyone knows how to do so. One of the best jobs on the side that’s easy and inexpensive to start is house cleaning.
There are tons of people who don’t have time (or the inclination) to clean their own homes and would gladly pay someone else to do it. You could do it on the side for family, friends, and co-workers or make it a legitimate business, which could still be done for the bottom dollar.
2. Pet Sitter/Walker
Another task many people need help with due to their busy schedules revolves around pet care. Whether people are out of town on vacation or simply too busy to walk their own dog, you can provide a solution to their needs.
Make yourself available for feeding, watering, walking, and even grooming other people’s pets. You might be surprised how much people are willing to pay to have you walk their dogs regularly. You can be sure that it’s more than $7.25 an hour.
3. Personal Assistant
As stated above, people with busy schedules often need help taking care of all the responsibilities in their lives. However, this can extend past pet care. Being someone’s personal assistant is one of the best possible jobs on the side you could get.
Being an assistant nearly guarantees you work every week and typically includes simple (but sometimes tedious) tasks. You could do anything from making appointments, taking care of laundry, cooking meals, etc.
4. Remote Writer
If you’ve got some skill with language, you may want to consider applying for a remote writing position. Companies all over the world are looking for content creators (people to write articles) to fill their business blogs.
The era of digital marketing is in full swing and having a strong online presence is vital for businesses to have relevancy. However, most business owners don’t have the time or the ability to write their own content, which is where you would come in.
5. Baby Sitter
Parents everywhere have the same problem — no time to themselves. Between work, play and downtime, sometimes people just need someone to watch their kids.
Take advantage of this with friends, families, co-workers, and acquaintances. You will be shocked to see how many people will jump at an opportunity to have a night of freedom.
6. Dog Waste Remover
Cleaning up dog waste dirty work and very few people want to do it. However, that makes it one of the best jobs on the side for anyone looking to make easy money. It’s not the most glamorous work, but it could pay well.
You could charge people per visit, or give them a weekly or monthly rate based on how many times you clean their yard and how many dogs they own.
7. Personal Trainer
If you have a passion and aptitude for fitness, why not share your knowledge with other people, and get paid to do it.
While becoming a personal training does take time and a small downpayment toward your certification (typically $600 to $1,000), it can be well worth the investment. Personal trainers can be paid upwards of $50 an hour or more, though it often depends on your location, specialty, and reputation.
8. Blog Owner/Operator
Finding the best jobs on the side can still be done by following your passions, even if fitness isn’t among them. Many people take their passions, hobbies, and interests and find a way to monetize them through blogs.
If you’re knowledgeable, passionate, and skilled, you may have the foundation to create a popular, thriving, and lucrative blog.
9. Lawn Care Specialist
If you don’t know much about computers or blogging, however, you can find some of the best jobs on the side in the physical realm. For example, tons of people in any given neighborhood often hire out their lawn care.
The work can be tough and exhausting, but if you’re young and in good shape (or want to get in better shape), lawn care may be the best bet.
10. Uber or Lyft Driver
Finally, you should consider becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft. These companies have become wildly popular for people looking to make money on the side for themselves.
While there are certain standards you must meet to be a driver (car criteria, driver’s license, insurance), it’s a relatively simple job and allows you to socialize with new people every day. And because Uber requires a certain quality of the vehicle, this may give you a viable excuse to sell your car and get a better one.
Looking for More Ways to Make Money?
If you need more money in your pocket and are continuously coming up short, there are more answers out there. You should certainly look into the best jobs on the side listed above, but working more isn’t your only option.
Take a look at the rest of our articles for more financial information and advice.