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10 Side Jobs You Can Start Today: Money Making Gigs

Last updated 03/19/2024 by

Julie Bawden-Davis
If you’re trying to climb out of debt and have cut as many expenses as possible, it may be time to supplement your income. Increase your chances of becoming financially fit by taking on a side job.
Thanks to today’s gig economy, it’s easier than ever to find “moonlighting” jobs that allow you to quickly increase your income. A recent study by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution found that the gig economy is actually growing faster than traditional payroll jobs. The study data came from analyzing findings of the May 2017 Nonemployer Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Our average vendors make around $55 per hour mowing lawns. They set their own hours and pick the clients for whom they want to work.”
The opportunities to earn money from side jobs are definitely growing, agrees Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, which he describes as the “Uber for lawn care.” His company operates in seven states with more than 2,500 vendor partners.
“Many of our lawn care vendors are part-timers, who make extra money during the summer in the afternoons and on weekends,” says Clayton. “Our average vendors make around $55 per hour mowing lawns. They set their own hours and pick the clients for whom they want to work.”
Antonella Pisani agrees that the opportunities are increasing for freelancers. “As an entrepreneur, I’ve relied heavily on those working in the gig economy,” says the founder of OfficialCouponCode.com.
If you want to earn some extra money pronto, consider one or more of the following side gigs.

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1. Virtual assistant

If you like completing tasks, such as making reservations and transcribing, and enjoy variety, chances are you can find a lot of work as a virtual assistant. “The immense increase in online tools makes remote virtual assistant work extremely convenient,” says Sandra Lewis, founder and CEO of the virtual assistant company Worldwide101.
A variety of virtual assistant companies exist. In addition to Worldwide 101, you’ll find work at Fancy Hands, Timeetc, and Zirtual.com.

2. Writer

If you’re a writing whiz, there’s a variety of possibilities when it comes to making some extra cash. You’ll find two main ways to get paid for your prose online. Some websites that pay you a one-time fee to write for their sites include FreelanceMom, RankPay, and The Work Online Blog.
There are other opportunities to write for pay-per-click sites, which pay you a small amount of money when readers click on your articles. One-time fee websites tend to pay more upfront, but, if you write a popular article, you could potentially earn more passive income with pay-per-click scenarios.

3. Photographer

Are you talented with the camera and have lots of photos you’d like to potentially see in print or online? There are a variety of websites that could use your images. This is another great way to earn passive income. Most sites pay the photographer a percentage ranging from 20%-50% when a photo is downloaded by a customer.
Popular sites to sell photos include Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Adobe Stock, and Alamy. Most sites don’t require exclusivity with the photos, although some do. If they do require that you only offer the photo on their site, they generally pay more.

4. Driver

The uptick in consumer use of driving services, like Uber and Lyft, makes it possible to earn ready cash as a driver. All you need is a driver’s license, car, insurance, and a good driving record. Keep in mind that you will put wear-and-tear on your car.

5. Host/Hostess

If you live in a desirable geographic area and are able to sublet your digs, you can earn quick and easy money by renting your home to travelers. Sites such as Airbnb enable you to make some cash on your property as soon as tomorrow.
To have the best results, offer your place during peak times and make sure that it’s well-stocked with toiletries, clean towels, and soap and shampoo.

6. App tester

One of the newer types of earning on the internet include companies like User Testing. For such opportunities, you visit an app or website and complete tasks as indicated, sharing a running dialogue of your thoughts during the experience. This is essentially a “live review.”

7. Secret/Mystery shopper

If you love shopping, you can actually cash in on this hobby. Being a mystery shopper might be the perfect side gig for you. Companies pay you to pose as a regular shopper, and then you provide feedback about your experience. You’ll report about things like the customer service, cleanliness of the surroundings, and product availability. Some sites to check out mystery shopping opportunities include BestMark, Market Force, and Intelli-shop.
Even just shopping for yourself can earn you money. With Ebates, for instance, you get cash back and rewards by online shopping. The site offers you access to coupons and cash back from more than 2,000 online retailers. Ibotta is another company that enables you to earn cash back on mobile and in-store purchases.
Take things a step further with your shopping for even more savings and sign up for Paribus. This price tracking app scans receipts and negotiates with online businesses to refund you the difference if there is a drop in the price of what you bought soon after your purchase.

8. Tutor

Earn some extra cash by sharing your knowledge. A wide variety of online tutoring platforms allow you to connect with students who require your skills. You can tutor from home or anywhere you have a computer and internet connection. It’s possible to create your own hours so that the job fits into your schedule.
Some good online tutoring agencies include Tutor.com, Homework Tutoring, and PrepPoint.

9. Errand runner

If you like running errands, you can get yourself a lot of work running around town getting things done for people who are too busy to do so. Companies for which you can work and earn extra cash include Postmates, TaskRabbit, and Door Dash. You’ll need a driver’s license, working auto, and a good driving record.

10. Survey taker

If you like expressing your opinions, it’s possible to get paid to do so. You can earn quick cash taking surveys on a wide variety of topics. Brands pay survey companies to get opinions from consumers just like you. All you need is a computer and internet connection.
Online sites that offer the chance to be a survey taker include OneOpinion and MyPoints.
If you need cash even faster than these side jobs can provide, consider applying for an online personal loan to tide you over until you get your first paycheck. Check out SuperMoney’s Best Personal Loans Reviews & Comparison to find the best loan for you.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a widely published journalist specializing in personal finance and small business. She has written 10 books and more than 2,500 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications, including Parade.com, where she has a weekly column. In addition to contributing to SuperMoney, her work has appeared in publications such as American Express OPEN Forum, The Hartford and Forbes.

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