15 side gigs to make extra cash

You might be looking at side gigs to make extra cash to stash away for a rainy day, to stop feeling stressed about running short on funds, to gain new experiences, or to fill your time outside of your day job. Whatever your reason, there are several options available to meet a variety of needs and goals and hopefully have some fun while you’re at it.

Many side gigs allow you to work around your day job hours. They provide flexibility so you can set your own schedule and work as often or as little as you’d like. Options range from pet sitting and renting your unused space to delivering packages and online surveys.

Below are 15 side gig options, including where you can find many of them.

Chalk-board with the words "Side Hustle Ideas" written across the top and numbers 1 through 5 written down the left side. — Let’s drop the writer’s block and get on with it.

1. Rideshare or delivery driver

Rideshares and delivery services have gained substantial traction in the past few years. Many have turned to such services, either as customers or as a way to make some extra cash. These types of gigs allow you to work as much or as little as you’d like and according to your own schedule. Customers rate providers, and you generally have to maintain a certain rating level to remain a provider.

For the rideshare companies, you need a car that meets the minimum requirements. Some companies, like Uber, allow you to lease a vehicle for use. Another option is to deliver packages for companies like Amazon and UPS.

These companies pay you on a regular schedule. Depending on the service, you get paid by the rides and deliveries you make, as well as the tips customers pay you:

2. Personal assistant

People are often looking for assistants to support them with day-to-day tasks, from shopping and picking up kids from school to filing paperwork and making dinner. They also need people to help with mowing and doing odd jobs around the house, like fixing a broken shelf, putting a piece of furniture together, or hanging closet shelves. TaskRabbit is a site that allows individuals to post their needs so locals can apply for the work.

3. Caregiver

If you have a knack for taking care of the elderly or children, a caregiver gig could bring in some extra cash for you. Some flexible caregiver jobs are posted on FlexJobs, though there is a fee to use FlexJobs.

Another great option to find local caregiver gigs is on a site like Care.com. You can set your own schedule and only accept gigs that work for you.

4. Pet sitter, dog walker, host of a private dog park

Do you love four-legged furry friends? People are frequently looking for caring pet sitters and dog walkers to help take care of their dogs and cats. Rover and Wag allow you to promote your dog walking and pet sitting services. Some choose to pet sit in the pet owner’s home, and others offer pet boarding services in their own homes.

If you have a fenced-in yard that’s dog-friendly, you can also make money through Sniffspot.

5. Freelance gigs — editing, writing, graphic design, and more

Are you an excellent writer? Or do you have mad graphic design skills? You might consider making some extra cash through freelance sites. Companies post their needs, and freelancers bid for jobs. It’s beneficial to have a portfolio of your work when you set up accounts on sites like these:

6. Customer care representative

There are numerous customer care representative jobs available, and many offer evening and weekend hours if you need to work around your day job hours. Several postings are for remote positions working out of your home.

Jobs like concierge, call center representative, and receptionist can be found on popular job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor.

7. Rent your space

If you have extra or unused space available and don’t mind houseguests, you can make extra cash by renting your space to travelers. This option works especially well for individuals living in or near tourist areas like major cities, national parks, and ski resorts.

You can also opt to offer your extra space as storage for locals in your area. Here are some popular sites where you can advertise space for rent:

8. Sell unwanted items

Apps like Poshmark and Vinted have helped people offload extra items and make room in their closets, all while adding some extra cash in their wallets. Or you can use a website like eBay to sell shoes, jewelry, clothes, and other unwanted items you’re ready to part with.

9. Participate in focus groups, research studies, and online surveys

You can opt to participate in focus groups and research studies that you qualify for. Some need to be done in person, and others can be done online. Depending on the setup, you’ll be paid a flat fee or an ongoing rate for participation. You can peruse options on sites like Surveyjunkie.com and Focusgroups.org.

10. Work for a caterer or restaurant

Local caterers and restaurants frequently need servers, hostesses, and bartenders. And, with tips, servers and bartenders can make bank as far as side jobs go. Look on sites like Indeed and Monster for restaurant and caterer jobs. Or you can simply pop into your local restaurants and ask if they’re hiring.

11. Closet organizer/declutter

Do you frequently get compliments about how organized you are? Does decluttering cabinets sound like fun? Put those skills to use by offering your organizational and decluttering services to those who need help organizing closets, rooms, drawers, and more. Share your services with friends and family members and ask for referrals to get started. You can also look for gigs on a site like Thumbtack.

12. Moving services

If you have a reliable truck and are physically fit, you can make extra money by offering local moving services. Bellhops and Goshare are sites many utilize to find moving gigs.

13. Tutoring

If you excel in subjects like math, English, writing, and science, you might become a student’s best friend. Many sites help students and parents locate tutors, including Tutor.com and Tutorme.com.

14. Event planner

If you love planning parties and events, you can make extra cash by offering your services to others. You can begin by planning small events, like birthday parties, and work up to larger events, like weddings. You can find event planning jobs on a site like Upwork or Eventcareers.

15. Day-of wedding coordinator

A day-of coordinator helps event planners and brides ensure all goes smoothly on the day of the wedding. Unlike an event planner, their only job is to prepare for and show up the day of the wedding to make sure everything goes as planned and serve as a problem-solver when it doesn’t. Search for local wedding services Facebook groups for wedding coordinator jobs. You can also offer local wedding coordinator services on a site like Thumbtack.com.

Additional side gigs to make extra money

If you’re looking for side gigs to make some extra cash, there are numerous options in today’s freelance and remote-gig-focused world. In addition to the list above, other part-time and freelance gigs to consider are:

Data Entry
House Sitting
Virtual Assistant
Library Assistant
Retail Clerk

Whatever you choose, it’s important you enjoy it. You want it to add value to your life in addition to adding money to your wallet!