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Originally Posted On: https://bonsaifinance.com/personal-finance/11-of-the-best-side-jobs-to-make-some-extra-money/

 

Did you know that, by 2023, it’s expected that 53% of the American workforce will be a part of the gig economy?

Words like freelancing and telecommuting have become popular among professionals and it’s easy to understand why. Workers want more freedom, as well as additional sources of income, and with the increasing number of apps and websites that offer opportunities that meet those requirements, it’s only expected that the gig economy keeps on growing.

If you’ve been struggling financially, have something like a credit card debt to pay or would simply like to make some extra cash, looking into some side jobs is definitely the way to go.

Keep reading as we go through eleven gigs you can choose from!

 

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1. Start Freelancing

Our first idea has become very popular among professionals: in 2019, 57 million Americans are a part of the freelance economy.

If you have the right skills, you can definitely start looking into this type of work, as it can be quite flexible, meaning you can easily conciliate it with your main profession.

Some of the skills that are usually in-demand in the freelancing world (and websites where you can look for opportunities) are:

• Web development: Stack Overflow Jobs and CodePen Jobs.
• Web design: 99Designs and Behance.
• Content writing: Blogging Pro and All Freelance Writing Job Board.
• Data Entry: The Smart Crowd and Axion Data Entry Services.

You might even find that going freelance full-time is more profitable than keeping your regular job.

If you’re thinking about making that transition, remember that it’s always best to take baby steps and only quit your main job when you have enough security as a freelancer. Otherwise, you might end up in unpleasant financial situations!

 

2. Walk or Take Care of Pets

If your dream is to cuddle some cute animals while also making money, we’ve got good news: your dream is perfectly achievable.

You’ll have to do more than cuddle them, of course, but if you’re good with animals, becoming a dog walker or a pet sitter is a great side job for you.

There are different ways you can try to find your first customers, like making posts on your social media, talking to family and friends or using apps like DogVacay. Once your business gets some traction, you’ll see that more and more customers will come to you!

3. Become a Mover or Organizer

This one might sound weird at first but the truth is that you can make some extra cash using your organization skills!

Many people need help when they move to a new place: after all, we all know how chaotic the unpacking process can get. That’s where you can come into the picture.

All you need to do is apply to websites like Dolly or Bellhops, and you can start getting booked to help people move.

Typically, if you have a truck, you can make more money as a mover. But even if all you have is two arms ready to carry and organize some furniture, this is a side gig worth looking into!

4. Become a Driver

With ever-growing apps like Uber, being a driver has never been easier. If you have a good-quality car and some free time, you too can become a one.

One great benefit of this job is that, unlike with other side gigs where people book you at certain times, as a driver, your schedule is completely up to you.

Plus, if you can drive during premium rate hours, you can make even more money than you were counting on.

If you do have a car but don’t have the time to drive people around (or simply don’t want to), there’s an alternative that can be quite profitable as well: renting your car.

Getaround and Turo are two apps that allow you to do this. All you need to do is sign up and let people know when your car is available. Then, a percentage of each rental becomes yours!

5. Take Online Surveys

When you think about online surveys, there’s probably one short little word that comes to mind… scam.

But not every paid survey is fake.

The secret is in doing the proper research in order to find the ones that can actually make you some money.

Now, if what you’re looking to make a good amount of money with your side gig, this is probably not the way to go. However, if all you need is some extra bucks for an occasional night out or a shopping spree, websites like Survey Junkie or Prize Rebel will do the job.

6. Start a Blog

Are you a words person? Well then, good news: you can turn your writing into cash by starting a blog.

The whole process of building a website might seem a bit intimidating at first, but nowadays you can easily find tutorials online or even hire a web developer to take care of this initial stage for you (we told you web development is a good side gig!).

Once the website is launched and you start posting your articles, all you need to do is get into affiliate marketing. Programs like Audible Affiliates and the Amazon Affiliate Marketing are two great starting points!

7. Delivery Driver

How many times have you ordered food, groceries or packages to your home? And how many times have you wondered how much money the courier makes with each delivery?

If you have a car, bike or scooter and, once again, some free time, you can become a courier with Uber Eats or Amazon Flex and make a commission with each delivery you make.

8. Rent Free Space at Home

Do you have a room in your house that you don’t use?

If so, you have a great opportunity to start making some extra money by renting out these rooms. This is the perfect side gig if you don’t want to have much work, as all you need to do is manage your bookings and reply to any inquiries your guests might have.

One popular way of renting your free space is simply by becoming a host on Airbnb.

9. Rent Our Your Driveway Space

Just because you don’t have an extra room in your place, it doesn’t mean you can’t make some cash with your property.

Many people need storage space for things like their RV or extra car but don’t want to pay the high prices of a storage unit, which is great news for you if you have some driveway space or garage that you don’t use.

List your spot on JustPark for free and start earning some tax-free money.

10. Sell Things Online

There are two ways you can go about this side gig. You can:

• Sell belongings that you don’t need or like anymore

With the rise of environmental awareness, many people are turning to second-hand fashion in order to start living a more sustainable lifestyle.

If you have a wardrobe full of clothes you rarely wear anymore, this is obviously an opportunity you can’t miss.

But even more than clothes, many people choose to buy used electronics and furniture for one simple reason: they’re cheaper. Take a day to organize your home, choose items to sell and post them on Facebook Marketplace.

• Or sell your own creations

Whether you make clothes, accessories, cupcakes, pins, cards, paintings, or more: there are 4.48 billion people on the internet and chances are that someone will want to buy your creations.

A popular way of starting an online selling business is by creating an account on Etsy. Another option is to create a social media page for your brand and use it as an online store (our suggestions would be Facebook or Instagram).

Your small brand might end up growing so much that it becomes your main (and possibly only) source of income. This usually takes some time to happen, but don’t forget: with baby steps, your passion can always turn into a career.

11. Become a Coach

If you’re an expert in any specific area, you will find newbies looking to learn as much as they can, so why not become their teacher?

Just like with online selling, the secret is in knowing how to promote your services and, for that, you need to know where people that are interested in your industry would be.

Some good options to start with are Linkedin, the professional social platform, or advice platforms, such as Clarify.fm. Otherwise, you can always create a website specifically for your coaching services and promote it within your industry.

Ready to Pick Your Side Jobs?

It’s always scary to look at your bank account and see that your regular job just isn’t enough to cover your expenses. Whether you’re in that situation or you simply want to save up for a specific goal, getting a side gig is probably the best thing you can do.

As you can see, there’s a huge plethora of side jobs to choose from and that only means one thing: there’s an opportunity for everyone.

So, if any of the gigs we mentioned today caught your attention, start looking into it, learn what you need in order to apply and just go for it!

You never know the difference it will make, not only in your financial situation but in your career and life overall.

If you’d like to read more about how you can improve your financial status, make sure to check our resources. And, of course, if you have any questions, we’re always available to help you!