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If you’re feeling strapped for cash this holiday season, there’s still time to make a little extra money so you can give your loved ones the gifts they deserve.
With the gig economy going strong, there have never been more ways to make money on the side. What you choose to do, of course, will depend on the amount of time you have, your skillset, as well as other factors.
Below, we’ll address a few different ways you can make some extra money so you can find the right side hustle for you.
1. Deliver Groceries
With the onset of COVID, more people have been having their groceries delivered to them than ever. And fortunately for you, delivering groceries doesn’t require a specific skill, just some free time and a mode of transportation.
If you do decide to deliver groceries, you have a few different options. You can choose to sign up with a corporation like Amazon to deliver Amazon Fresh. Or, you can work for yourself and sign up with a delivery app like Postmates, Instacart, Shipt, or even TaskRabbit (yes, you can offer to shop and deliver groceries there too!).
What you choose will depend on how much you want to get paid and how often you want to work. Do your research to see how much each company pays so you can make sure you make the most money for your time.
2. Sell Your Clothes
If you’re a fashionista or shopaholic, it might be time to sell your clothes, particularly the ones that have gone out of style. Not only is it great for the environment, but it’s also a super-easy way to get cash without ever having to leave your home.
If you want to sell your clothes online, consider places like ThredUp, Depop, Etsy, and even Craigslist. If your clothes have any rips or damage, take the time to fix them for a better payday. A simple home sewing kit can make all the difference between earning $5 or $20 for that old sweater of yours.
If you want to get the most money for your clothes, make sure you take the time to take good pictures as those can really lure people in and make all the difference. On top of that, be smart with your wording. Use keywords like “vintage” or “retro” when describing older clothes to attract the right crowd.
Make sure you read the fine print on any site or app before you decide to sell as many companies take a percentage of your profits. Sites like ThredUp will pay you cents on the dollar while places like Buffalo Exchange give you up to 20% of the new retail price.
3. Become a Virtual Assistant
If you have experience working in an office or as a receptionist, you might want to consider working as a virtual assistant. Many small businesses are hiring off-site assistants to help with phone calls, scheduling, and other tasks that you can easily do from home.
You can advertise your services on websites like Fiverr and Upwork, or look for job postings on places like Indeed.
A job like this usually is perfect for someone who is looking for part-time work and can expect to put in 10-25 hours per week. If you do decide to pursue this line of work, make sure your resume is up-to-date to give yourself the best possible chance of landing the gig.
4. Become a Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
If you love animals, then becoming a dog walker is pretty much a no-brainer. The start of the pandemic saw a *huge* increase in pet adoptions! But as some of these pet owners start to go back to work in an office, they’ll need someone to walk their dog while they’re away from home.
If you’re more of a cat person than a dog person, consider being a cat sitter. As countries open up for travel, there are more and more opportunities to care for pets as owners try to escape lockdown.
If you’re interested in working with pets, consider signing up with a company if you want to guarantee steady work. However, if you want to be in complete control of your own schedule, you can advertise your services on sites like Rover and only take the jobs you want.
Just make sure to get a set of high-quality dog leashes to make sure they won’t rip off letting all the dogs flee around, you can find very good deals for these leashes online on sites like Neewa.
5. Invest Your Money
Why work for money when your money can work for you? If you’re good with numbers and have always had a knack for stocks, consider trying to learn how to day trade crypto and other currencies.
Obviously, this is a bigger commitment than other side gigs, so this will probably be a better choice for someone with a more flexible schedule such as a freelancer or someone who only works part-time.
