KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Making ends meet has been tricky over the last few years.
From the rising cost of living, the stubborn interest rates and the lack of salary raises or economic adaptations from employers, many people are trying to find new ways of supplementing their income with side hustles and odd jobs.
Luckily the digital age is thriving, allowing for more and more (potentially) profitable resources to become accessible each and every day. These simple, easy and independent side hustles allow people to keep their primary career while tacking on a few extra hours a day to support their rainy day funds or build up their savings.
So, if you are one of these people and have been seeking a way to soften the blow of your weekly Walmart run or the new pair of shoes your kid “needs,” these are the side hustles for you:
Pet Sitting & Walking Services
If you love animals and need some extra cash, you may have just found the perfect way to add to your income. There are many ways to advertise your services with local dog-walking businesses like Katie’s Kennel, Pet Pals KC or using software like Rover.com to promote yourself as an independent service.
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Grocery & Food Delivery
A great way to make some extra cash is through food and grocery delivery. Delivering groceries and food is not only a simple and easy task, but it also allows you to make your own schedule for this constantly in-demand service. Plus, you can kill two birds with one stone by picking up a client’s groceries while shopping for your own.
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Rideshare Services
Do you enjoy driving? How about meeting new people? Well, working as a rideshare driver might just be the perfect job for you.
Working as a driver gives you the option of working as an independent service or a large company like Uber or Lyft. Either way, this job is great if you crave social environments, love to drive and need to create your own schedule.
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Package Delivery
Unlike Uber or Lyft, delivering packages doesn’t require you to meet new people or be social. For a few hours a day, you can lock in and drop people’s packages off through Amazon and other shipping services.
Working as a delivery driver is a great and easy way to make a buck! Just make sure you find a good podcast or playlist for all that driving you will be doing.
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Transcriber or Translator
Being a transcriber or translator may sound a little daunting, but I can assure you it is actually very easy. All you need to do is listen to audio or video files and then type out what you hear.
Many businesses seek out freelance transcribers or translators to help with writing captions for short YouTube videos, phone calls and even court case documents. The great thing about this job is that it offers you the chance to always learn, and you can work independently from others.
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Resell Used or Vintage Clothing
If you have a knack for shopping and love to source vintage goods, this job may be right up your alley. Selling clothes and knowing their worth is easier than ever with all the resources on the internet, so you are bound to have a few extra dollars in your pocket!
From high-quality antique pieces to used trendy sneakers, you can sell anything online while decluttering your home in the process.
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Offer Customer Services
If you have a niche interest or a fun hobby that you love — making jewelry, graphic design, sewing quilts, etc. — your skills and interests could be put to good use.
There are many databases you can use to market yourself online and find customers who want or need your services. The great thing about this side hustle is that you can hone your skills as you make money. Now, that is the dream.
And who knows… Maybe you will be able to make this side hustle into a full-blown career one day!
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Online Surveys
Did you know that many websites will actually pay you to sit down and fill out answers in their online surveys? Well, it’s the truth.
The payment for a single survey can range from $0.25 to $20, and sometimes they have even reached $100 (depending on how detailed the survey is). However, because there is no certainty on pricing, don’t let this be a primary source of income for you or your family.
Online surveys are great for extra income though, and could determine whether you grab yourself a coffee on the way to work, get your nails done or go to the pool with your family this summer.
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List Your Car or Room for Rent
Do you have a spare bedroom? Do you have an extra car? Well, why not make some money off of them?
Listing your car, a private room in your house or your house itself on one of the many online marketplaces for rent is easier than ever. Before you list anything though, make sure you have ensured your car for liability reasons, cleaned your home (of course), researched the rental rates in your area and performed background checks on the renters.
Something else to note is, before listing your home, check with your home insurance provider to determine what coverage you have for renting it out.
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Babysitting
Skip this if you hate children…
OK, now that everyone with baby fever is here, let’s talk about the long-time and infamous side hustle of babysitting. There is a reason why this job has remained a staple in resumes over the years. It’s because babysitters are always in demand, they never get bored and the pay is typically pretty rewarding.
Besides the pay, babysitting can teach a person many valuable life skills including patience, kindness, responsibility and selflessness.
**Make sure to take all the essential CPR and First Aid training classes before caring for a child.
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Even though many of these side hustles are very popular, these aren’t the only options to choose from. There are plenty of other resources available for you to explore, and the great thing about side hustles is, that most of the time you don’t need a college degree, high school diploma or certification. All you need is some determination, a willingness to put in the extra hours, and of course, a little bit of resentment toward the global economy.
Good luck out there!
