If you’re looking to make more money, there are many side gigs available! Here is a list of some flexible second income opportunities to explore!
I love the flexibility and lifestyle I’m afforded as a full-time freelance writer. But as a mom of three perpetually snacking teenagers, I’m always looking out for side gigs and opportunities to pick up a little extra cash to help pay for the neverending supply of Takis and Ramen noodles my children seem to need.
Whether you’re feeding a gaggle of growing kids or you would just love to have a little more walking-around cash, here are some of the best side hustles and second-income opportunities I’ve come across.
1. Earn Passive Income Through Self-Publishing
If you do pretty well with your language skills and have a good deal of information or a fresh insight on any number of topics, publishing your own ebooks can be a fabulous way to pick up a little extra income. Maybe you’re pretty skilled at flipping garage sale items, or you’re a decent cook who has seen a need for more keto-friendly recipe books. Heck, maybe you’ve got a great idea for a saucy high fantasy romance novel you think people need to read.
Whatever your idea, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (AKDP) makes it super easy to publish your content even if you have no experience. Writers are paid out in royalties that vary depending on the price of the book, so if you’re promoting your content across popular social media platforms or supporting your brand with a blog, there’s a lot of potential for picking up extra money in your spare time without the startup costs associated with some side hustle ideas.
2. Generate Revenue With YouTube Channels
There was a time not so long ago when it seemed like the golden age of YouTube profit was over, and the only people making any money on the platform were high-level content creators who racked up millions of views presenting a highly curated lifestyle or questionable publicity stunts.
But this is no longer the case since the folks at YouTube decided to tweak the platform’s algorithm to favor smaller channels in 2024. The result is that many smaller channels are now picking up views in niches that weren’t getting attention just a couple of years ago. This means you don’t have to adopt a fake persona or even be on camera to cash in on the change.
The best YouTube channels are the ones that grow out of a content creator’s own passions. Think about the kind of content you’d like to see more of, and then try making it yourself. Don’t like to be on camera? Develop a podcast and set it to image clips.
Once you find the right niche, making a decent side income through affiliate marketing, paid ads, Patreon, and branded merchandising through online stores is more than possible. If you’re truly passionate about getting into content creation, consider taking a few online courses on video editing to help get started.
3. Rent Out Your Home as an Airbnb
You don’t need a dedicated real estate investment property to make money off Airbnb; you can actually make plenty of money renting out your primary residence. Think about it: Your space is already furnished and ready to go with all the little things any future guests might need to cook a nice meal or chill out in front of the TV. And if you live in a busy city where affordable rooms can be hard to come by, there’s always going to be a demand.
This is an especially good option for folks who spend some of their time hanging out at a significant other’s house or empty nesters with more than they need. And unlike a dedicated rental property, there’s a lot less pressure to constantly get new bookings when you’re renting out your primary residence as an Airbnb.
4. Sell Your Wares on Online Marketplaces
This is one of my favorite side hustles because it pairs so well with my love for shopping for deals and secondhand finds. As a work from home parent, one of my favorite ways to break up the day is to stretch my legs while checking out bin stores that sell online returns or browsing through garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores.
And while I’m always on the lookout for cute new Dooney & Bourke purse to add to my collection or quirky vintage kitchen decor for my 1970s kitchen, I’m also scanning for overlooked treasures I can freshen up and resell on Facebook Marketplace or other online marketplaces to help subsidize my shopping. When I spy something that looks like a good item for resale, I use Google Lens to search for how much similar items sold for recently on sites like Mercari, eBay, or Poshmark. If it looks like it’s worth the time and effort invested in cleanup, photography, and shipping, I pick it up and add it to my inventory.
If bargain and secondhand shopping isn’t your bag (apologies for the pun), try making a product to sell online. I’ve got a friend who makes a fair income selling beaded and resin jewelry from her craft room stash as stocking stuffers about three weeks out from Christmas each year. Someone else I know uses their 3D printer to make a killing printing Dungeons and Dragons accessories like dice towers and trays.
5. Try Pet Sitting
If you’re a dog lover, sign up for a platform like Wag or Rover and spend your free time making new furry friends and pocketing some cash for your trouble.
As the busy parent of a dance and theater kid, my friend Jessie doesn’t have the flexibility needed for most part-time jobs. But she is a huge animal lover, and she’s been able to make a pretty decent income on her own schedule using the dog walk and pet sitting site Wag.
Jessie told me she first got into this side hustle after spotting an ad on Facebook. The idea instantly appealed to her. “I’ve grown up around tons of dogs,” she told me. “I love dogs, I need to get some exercise, and some money would be nice since my husband was in medical school at the time.” On a whim, she signed up with no expectation of how truly lucrative this side hustle would turn out to be.
Because many pet owners love knowing their dogs are going with someone they know and trust, Jessie quickly picked up a following of customers who wanted to request her. Eventually, she built her own business outside of the app, and it was a huge win for everyone.
6. Become an Online Tutor
If you have the academic skills and patience for it, tutoring is one of those jobs for which there always seems to be a market. And unlike back in the late ’90s when I first started tutoring, these days you can connect with clients from all over the world without ever having to leave the comfort of your home using apps like Google Docs and Zoom.
As someone who prefers to keep a small client list using word-of-mouth recommendations, I primarily use my social media account to advertise my Language Arts tutoring services at around $30-$40 per hour. Higher-level academics equal a higher payday, particularly for tutors who can work with higher-level math, statistics, nursing, or pre-medical students.
If you prefer not to connect your business with your social media accounts or you’d like a little help getting started, many tutors use gig sites like Upwork and Fiverr to connect with clients. You can even potentially turn this side hustle into a full-time job with platforms like Varsity Tutor or Studypool.
Platforms like Studypool and Teachers Pay Teachers also offer educators the opportunity to make additional money selling digital products like templates, worksheets, and study materials. So, if you already have a bunch of educational resources created, this could be a nice form of passive income to boost your income.
7. Sign Up for Online Survey Apps
Most online survey platforms are easily downloadable apps like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie, where users help big companies amass the mountains of market research they need to launch a new product or advertising campaign. Most surveys ask questions about your demographics and product choices, and they’re easy enough to click through while you’re kicked back watching your favorite low-effort TV shows.
While it’s probably not going to pay your rent, you might be surprised at how much these can add up when you’re clicking away in your downtime. My friend Lisa is something of an evangelist when it comes to the best online survey sites, and she uses her rewards to pay for her kids’ Christmas gifts each year.
Second Income Opportunities Offer Added Security
I’m passionate about helping other women find side hustles and second income opportunities because I know how much security just a little extra money can mean. When you’ve got multiple revenue streams going, you don’t have to worry so much if one job crashes out or something in your house suddenly breaks to the tune of thousands of dollars, and that type of security can be life-changing.
That’s why I try to share second-income opportunities you can work around a full-time job or family obligations — the kind of opportunities that don’t require a huge investment to get started. Whether you’re looking for a little fun money or just trying to subsidize your teenagers’ snack fund, don’t be afraid to get out there and try something new!
