10 Side Hustles You Can Start Today to Make Extra Money

Looking for a way to earn extra money from home? A side hustle is not just a college bar-tab staple, but can also be an effective way to generate income and gain financial independence. Even if you don’t have time to take on another job or can’t find one that suits your interests and availability, there are plenty of ways you can make money beyond your standard 9-to-5 routine as a side gig or hobby.

From selling something you already own, like used books or clothes, to becoming a virtual assistant and making money from home, there are numerous side hustles that will fit into even the busiest of schedules. However, not all are easy—or worthwhile—for everyone. Before you start brainstorming ideas for monetizing your time and interests, evaluate your current resources and cost factors. Do you have access to office space? Are there materials that would be required for this side business?

 Blogging

Blogging is one of the best ways to make money from home. There are a few ways that you can monetize your blog. The two main ways are through advertising and affiliate marketing. There are different types of advertisements that you can place on your blog to make money. The most common are Google Adsense, Amazon Affiliates, and Clickbank.

Advertisers will pay you a fee per click, per impression, or per sale, depending on what type of advertisement they are using. You can also make money by referring your readers to products that you are an affiliate for. Once an affiliate, you will receive a commission each time someone purchases a product through your link.

Dropshipping

If you have a knack for hunting down deals and have time to spare, you can make money by dropshipping items. Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method in which shop owners outsource the order, inventory, and shipping process to a wholesaler or distributor. You may have seen ads like the one below on Facebook. These are common examples of dropshipping:

The upside to this business model is that you don’t have to stock products, manage customer service, or even ship items out. However, you’re also not making any profit off of the items you sell. Instead, you’re making a profit from the markup you’re charging on the wholesale price.
In order to make money in this side hustle, you need to find a wholesaler that has items that sell for $10 or less. Once you’ve located a wholesaler and find products that sell for less than $10, you’ll need to apply to become a vendor.

Sell your stuff

Another way to make money is by selling items you don’t use anymore. There are a number of online retailers that will let you sell your old stuff, like Amazon, eBay, Craigslist, and more. If you have items that are in good condition, you can also try consignment shops in your area.
Alternatively, you can try selling your items in a garage sale or flea market. You’ll have to put in some time and energy upfront, but many people prefer this option because they can set their own hours and aren’t limited to online transactions.

Become an expert

Know someone with a lot of expertise in a certain field? If so, you can make money as a freelance expert. All you need to do is create a website and upload your resume on websites like Guru and Upwork.

You can also try your hand at online surveys, which are another way to make money by answering questions. Sites like Ipsos and Survey Junkie will let you make anywhere between a few cents and $10 per survey. You just have to be careful that you’re not spending more time on surveys than you’re actually earning money.

 Virtual assistant

If you’re good with computers and have a knack for organizing and scheduling, you may want to consider becoming a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants are people who provide administrative and organizational assistance to clients from a remote location.
Nowadays, this job can be done from any location, so it’s perfect for those who want to work from home. All you need to get started is a computer, internet connection, and relevant skills in organizational, computer, and administrative work.

Online teaching/Tutoring

Have a subject or skill set that you’re particularly knowledgeable in? If so, you could make money by tutoring online. Sites like Tutor.com and Chegg Tutors will let you set your own hours and payment terms.

Alternatively, you can try your hand at online teaching, which may be more applicable to certain subject matter. You can find paid opportunities on sites like You-f Teach and Remidio.

 Freelancing/contracting

If you’re a skilled worker, you can make money by becoming a freelancer/contractor. All you need to do is create a profile outlining your skills and availability. Be sure to include all relevant certifications and any experience you may have with this type of work.
Once you’ve done that, you can post your profile on job boards, like Upwork and Props. Alternatively, you can try your hand at your own side hustle by starting your own consulting business.

Become a travel guide/tour guide

Again, if you have a particular skill set or knowledge related to travel, you can make money by becoming a travel guide/tour guide. Sites like Viator and Contiki will let you set your own hours and make money by leading tours.

Alternatively, you can try your hand at being a tour guide on one of the many online travel booking websites. You’ll have to build your reputation and wait for the booking requests to roll in, but once they do, you will have steady cash flow.

As you can see, there are a number of side hustles you can start right now to make extra money. You can find many of these online, or you can also try something more traditional, like selling your old stuff or becoming a tour guide. Whichever side hustle you choose, it’s important to remember to be realistic with your expectations. Earning extra money is great, but don’t expect to make enough to quit your day job right away.