Best Side Hustle Tips for Boosting Your Income
In today’s economy, it’s increasingly difficult to make ends meet with just one source of income. The cost of living continues to rise, yet wages and salaries haven’t kept pace. This is where having a profitable side hustle can be a game-changer for your finances.
A side hustle is any type of part-time work, gig, or money-making pursuit outside of your regular 9-5 job. Popular examples include driving for rideshare apps, freelance writing or virtual assistant work, selling products or services online, and renting out spaces through Airbnb or Vrbo.
The beauty of a side hustle is that it allows you to supplement your main income while pursuing something you’re passionate about or simply earning extra cash. In 2024, starting a side gig is a wise move for several reasons:
- Hedge Against Inflation: With inflation high, a side income stream helps your money go further.
- Pay Off Debt Faster: Use side hustle earnings to knock out credit cards, loans, or mortgage debt quicker.
- Build an Emergency Fund: Bolster your safety net and increase financial security.
- Save More for Goals: Whether it’s a new home, college tuition, or retirement, extra income helps you hit savings milestones.
- Earn Hobby Income: Get paid for doing something you genuinely enjoy as a hobby, like photography or crafting.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the best side hustle tips for choosing a profitable gig, getting started quickly, maximizing your income, handling taxes properly, and potentially turning your side pursuit into a full-time business.
The options are limitless in today’s gig economy, so there’s bound to be a side hustle suited to your skills, interests, and availability. Let’s dive into the top tips for boosting your income!
Evaluating Your Skills, Interests and Available Time
Before jumping into any side hustle, it’s important to do some self-evaluation and planning. Taking the time upfront to match your gig to your existing skills, genuine interests, and realistic availability will set you up for much greater success and satisfaction.
Take Inventory of Existing Skills
Make a list of all the skills and talents you already possess that could potentially be monetized. These may be hard skills from your career, education, training or life experiences. For example:
- Writing, editing, proofreading
- Accounting, bookkeeping
- Web design, graphic design
- Customer service, administrative tasks
- Photography, videography
- Social media marketing, SEO
- Software programming, app development
- Teaching, tutoring, music lessons
- Handyman services like plumbing, carpentry, etc.
The options are endless when you start thinking of all the knowledge and capabilities you’ve built up over the years. Don’t underestimate the value of your skills!
Brainstorm Hobbies and Passions
While taking stock of hard skills, also think about hobbies, passions, and general interests that bring you joy. Ideally, your side hustle allows you to “monetize your passion” so it feels less like work. Some ideas:
- Arts and crafts like jewelry making, candle making, knitting
- Blogging or vlogging on topics you’re enthusiastic about
- Consulting or coaching in your favorite sport or activity
- Baking and selling homemade treats
- Freelance voice-over work using your acting talents
- Buying and reselling products you love (like vintage clothing)
When you have a genuine enthusiasm for what you’re doing, it helps fuel your motivation for that side gig.
Calculate Dedicated Time
Next, honestly evaluate how many hours per week you can realistically carve out for side hustle work. This may involve:
- Waking up an hour or two earlier before your regular job
- Dedicating evenings after kids are in bed
- Maximizing your weekends for more intensive tasks
- Temporarily cutting back on TV, social media, or other time commitments
Most people have more pockets of free time available than they realize. Even just 5-10 hours per week can translate to decent side income. Of course, the more time you invest into your hustle, the more you’ll be able to earn.
The key at this stage is to set realistic expectations given your responsibilities and schedule. Trying to bite off more than you can chew will likely lead to burnout and a failed side gig. Lay the groundwork first by finding the ideal side hustle match for your skills, interests, and availability.
Low Investment Side Hustles to Start Quickly
For those wanting to get a side income stream up and running fast, there are plenty of side hustles with low startup costs and barriers to entry. Many of these leverage skills you already have or simply use your time and transportation in an efficient way.
Driving for Rideshare or Delivery Apps
Signing up to drive for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or food delivery apps like DoorDash, GrubHub or Instacart is one of the easiest side gigs to start earning income quickly. The startup costs are very low – you just need a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and a decent vehicle.
The flexibility of this side hustle is a major perk. You can work as little or as much as you want, set your own schedule, and stop driving temporarily whenever needed. Earning potential varies, but drivers can make $15-25 per hour after factoring expenses.
Online Gigs and Freelancing
If you have skills that can be performed from a computer – writing, accounting, administrative tasks, customer service, etc. – the world of online freelancing and remote gigs is lucrative. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and FlexJobs connect you to clients looking to hire for one-off projects or recurring work.
As a freelance writer, for example, you can easily earn $20-100 per blog post, article or copywriting job. Virtual assistants or online tutors can command $15-30+ per hour. And there are zero startup costs beyond having a computer and internet connection. You can literally start applying for online jobs today.
Selling Products Through Existing Platforms
E-commerce platforms like Etsy, eBay, Amazon Handmade and others make it easy and cheap to start selling physical products online. Whether you make handmade crafts, upcycled items, t-shirts or customized products, or simply resell thrifted merchandise, these platforms connect you to millions of buyers.
The startup costs include just the materials for your products and some basic photography and listing skills. You can run this entire online store right from home. Some top Etsy sellers earn well into the six figures per year once their businesses grow.
Renting Out Space on Airbnb or Vrbo
If you have an extra room, separate unit like a basement, or even just a private parking space to spare, renting out that extra space through home sharing platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo is an excellent side income stream. The overhead costs are just basic furnishings and supplies for guests.
How much you can earn depends on your location, size of the rental and nightly rates. But hosts often make $500-$3000 per month or more renting out small spaces. Plus you get to meet interesting people and build your entrepreneurial experience.
The low investment required to start any of these side hustles means you can begin earning extra income fairly quickly without taking on huge risks. Look for creative ways to leverage the skills, space and assets you already have today. As you experience some success, you may want to reinvest some earnings into growing and diversifying your income streams.
Bigger Investment Side Hustles With Higher Income Potential
While low-cost side hustles are great for getting started quickly, some of the highest earning side gigs do require more of a committed time and money investment upfront. However, the payoff can be extremely lucrative if you’re willing to put in the work.
Building a Monetized Blog or YouTube Channel
In today’s digital world, opportunities abound for monetizing content creation through blogging, vlogging on YouTube, podcasting and more. With patience and consistency, you can build an audience around any niche topic you’re passionate about – from parenting and cooking to DIY projects or video game reviews.
Once your website or channel gains traction, income streams open up through affiliate marketing, display advertising, sponsorships, merchandise sales and more. Top bloggers and influencers easily earn $5,000-$20,000 or more per month.
However, it takes many months to years of hard work creating high-quality free content before the monetization opportunities start rolling in. Expect significant investments in writing, editing, recording equipment, marketing and paid advertising to accelerate growth.
Freelance Services Like Web Design or Consulting
If you have premium professional skills like web design, software development, digital marketing, business consulting or financial planning, freelancing in those high-income capacities can be very profitable.
Experienced freelance developers might charge $80-$200+ per hour, while marketing consultants and professional service providers can command $100-$300 per hour or more. The earnings potential widely varies based on your specialty and client base.
While little capital is required beyond a laptop and relevant software, it takes hustle to continually find clients, network extensively, build up case studies and a quality portfolio. Establishing yourself in competitive freelance markets takes time.
Buying and Reselling Products Online
Thanks to e-commerce marketplaces, savvy resellers can buy deeply discounted products from retailers and flip them for profits by selling to online consumers. This retail arbitrage business model is easy to start small and scale up.
Initially, side hustlers may just flip clearance items from local retail stores on Amazon, eBay or Facebook Marketplace. As profits allow, smart resellers will invest in tools and apps to help automate product research and find bigger inventory deals to buy in bulk.
Those who really work at mastering their product niche and supply chain can grow this side hustle into a lucrative six or even seven-figure business over time if desired.
Starting a Local Service Business
Local service providers like freelance photographers, house cleaners, landscapers, handyman services, personal trainers and others can steadily grow a client base in any town or city. The keys are providing excellent customer service, getting proper licensing/insurance, and intelligently marketing your services.
While startup costs tend to be higher for tools, transportation, insurance, etc., these localized services typically charge $50 to $200+ per job depending on the skills required. Turning it into a full-fledged small business is quite feasible within a few years.
These more advanced side hustles have higher income ceilings but do require persistence and upfront investments of your time and money. Map out a long-term vision for growing your side business and strategically reinvest profits to scale and add income streams over time.
Finding the Right Side Hustle for Your Situation
Now that we’ve covered many potential side hustle options across different interests, skills and investment levels, how do you determine the right one to pursue? Here are some tips for finding that ideal side gig match:
Match to Your Schedule and Availability
If you only have 5-10 hours per week to dedicate, look for flexible gigs like freelance writing, rideshare driving or renting space on Airbnb. More time-intensive pursuits like launching a blog or freelance business are better suited for those with 15-20+ hours available.
Consider Short vs. Long-Term Goals
Some side hustles like freelance jobs or selling crafts provide quicker income but may have capped earning potential. Longer-term plays like building an online business generate revenue down the road but require significant investments of time upfront before payoff.
Balance With Full-Time Job Demands
If your day job is highly demanding, a less intensive side gig like participating in research studies or mystery shopping may work best temporarily. When your work life has more bandwidth, you can scale up the side business.
Lean Into Existing Strengths
Starting a side hustle in an area you already have skills and knowledge gives you a headstart versus learning something totally new. Maximize what experience and assets you already have.
Follow Your Genuine Interests
Side gigs in areas you’re passionate about will feel less tedious and draining than ones you force yourself into. You’ll stick with hustles you find interesting and engaging.
There’s no one-size-fits-all perfect side hustle. But carefully evaluating your goals, schedule, skills, and interests will point you to winners and losers to avoid wasted time and money. Start smaller with lower commitments if unsure, and be willing to adapt as your needs and hustles evolve.
Productivity Tips for Maximizing Side Hustle Income
The most lucrative side hustles are built through consistent, focused efforts over months and years – not through short infrequent bursts of work. Here are top productivity tips to get more done:
- Create a Dedicated Workspace: Even if tiny, having an area reserved only for your hustle helps you minimize distractions.
- Schedule Side Hustle Time like Appointments: Block off set times on your calendar and treat it as sacred for making progress.
- Use Productivity Apps and Website Blockers: Tools like Freedom and Forest block distracting websites/apps when you need deep work time.
- Batch Similar Tasks Together: Group similar activities into blocks rather than avoiding context switching as much as possible.
- Leverage Time Blocking/Time Boxing: Work in focused 60-90 minute sprints followed by strict breaks to recharge.
- Form Simple, Sustainable Routines: Even just 60-90 minutes per day 5 days per week adds up over time.
- Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way: Positive reinforcement of small achievements keeps morale high.
The key is finding a productivity system and schedule that works for your personality, energy levels and other obligations. Don’t sacrifice health, relationships or your main job’s responsibilities in service of the side gig. But do defend and fiercely protect the working time you set aside for focused hustling.
Tax Tips for Side Hustlers
Earning side income can have major tax implications depending on how much you make. Be sure to keep meticulous records from day one and stay ahead of potential tax burdens with these tips:
- Consistently Track All Income: No matter how small, record every payment received from your side activities.
- Deduct All Eligible Business Expenses: This includes supplies, equipment, mileage, software, home office portion, and much more. Proper deductions reduce your taxable business income.
- Make Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments if Needed: For higher side hustle earnings, the IRS may want you to pay estimated taxes four times per year rather than just annually.
- Hire an Accountant as Your Side Business Grows: They ensure you receive all eligible deductions and avoid any expensive mistakes.
- Separate Your Finances With Business Accounts: Having dedicated bank accounts and credit cards for the side hustle makes tax prep easier.
The taxes and regulations you need to follow as a side hustler largely depend on how much you earn and the legal structure of your business (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.). Meet with a CPA early on to understand your tax obligations and strategies to maximize your profits.
With smart planning and record-keeping from day one, you can ensure you claim all eligible tax benefits and avoid any costly penalties with the IRS down the road.
Signs It’s Time to Pursue Your Side Hustle Full-Time
For some hustlers, their part-time gigs end up evolving into full-blown businesses they’re passionate about running as their main career. If you find yourself experiencing signs like these, it may be time to consider going full-time:
Your Side Income Surpasses Your Regular Job’s Earnings
One of the most obvious signals is when your side hustle’s profits start to meet or exceed what you make at your regular 9-to-5 job. At that point, the opportunity cost of keeping the lower-paying job becomes difficult to justify.
You’re Turning Down Work Due to Lack of Availability
If you find yourself having to turn away more and more clients, customers or opportunities because you’ve maxed out your available time for the side gig, it’s a good problem to have. It likely means there’s enough demand to support going full-time.
The Entrepreneurial Pull is Becoming Overwhelming
As your side business grows, you may find the itch to be your own boss is becoming overwhelming. You’re craving more autonomy, flexibility and control over your time that self-employment provides.
You’ve Established Solid Financial Reserves and Lowered Expenses
Making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship is easier if you’ve already downsized expenses and saved up a cash runway of 6-12 months’ worth of living expenses. This buffer allows you to more comfortably find your footing.
Going full-time with any business comes with risks that should be carefully evaluated. Have you reached product/market fit? Done enough testing to validate demand for long-term sustainability?
If the signs are pointing you in that direction, develop a thorough business plan and financially/mentally prepare yourself for the realities of entrepreneurship. Consult advisors and mentors. Then make the leap when timing feels right, not just when you’re feeling burned out by your day job.
Transitioning a successful side hustle into a real self-employed small business can be immensely rewarding. But have sound strategies in place for maintaining your income stream and managing potential dips before leaving your main source of income behind.
Conclusion: The Power of Multiple Income Streams
In today’s economy, relying solely on a traditional 9-to-5 job’s income is riskier than ever. Creating multiple income streams through side hustles builds long-term financial security and independence.
As you’ve learned, there are virtually endless profitable side hustle opportunities available no matter your skills, interests, or time availability. The key is thoughtfully evaluating which gig best matches your situation and has genuine growth potential you’re excited about.
Start small by dipping your toes into lower-risk, flexible side hustles like freelancing, driving for apps, renting space, or selling products online. As you build experience and profits, you can reinvest into more intensive hustles like monetized blogs, freelance services, reselling, or even your own small business.
Don’t forget to implement productivity systems, dedicated workspaces, and scheduling routines to maximize the limited free time you have available outside your normal job. Proper tax planning, records, and potential hiring an accountant ensures you’re minimizing what you owe.
The ultimate dream for many side hustlers is to reach a point where the income from passion projects exceeds their former 9-to-5 earnings. This allows you to seriously consider leaving traditional employment behind to pursue your hustles as a full-time entrepreneur and small business owner.
No matter where you’re starting from today, creating multiple income streams is a wise long-term wealth strategy. A profitable side hustle provides a diversified safety net, funds your financial goals faster, and allows you to pursue exciting new interests, skills, and even full-time careers down the road.
So evaluate your options, develop an action plan, and get that money-making side hustle underway! The only limits are the ones you create for yourself.
I (Susanna) was inspired to start “Best Way to Make Money Online” by my passion for entrepreneurship and my desire to provide practical advice and strategies for individuals seeking financial success in the digital realm. I believe in the power of collaboration and sharing ideas, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s purpose beyond just profit. My background in language learning and online education has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to create a platform that empowers others to navigate the online landscape effectively and achieve their financial goals.