4 Side Hustles To Make Extra Money On The Side
You won’t make big bucks, but at least you’re taking action.
Whether you’re working a 9–5, freelancing full-time, still at uni, or just spending slow days at home, making extra money on the side is something that might have crossed your mind.
Let’s start with a little story time:
I was in graduate school when I had my first side gig.
A focus group discussion.
The task? To share opinions on local news channels presented on the screen in front of us.
It was a cold winter evening and we were all sat in a circle of metal chairs. I remember the wholesome and talkative old lady next to me say:
“It’s a good thing you’re here while you’re still so young. I drove 45 minutes to get here. The money really helps.” I was 23 at that time.
After the focus group session, I was given an envelope with $75 USD inside.
I was thrilled.
For a student, 75 bucks is A LOT. I let it simmer in my bank account for a week before I spent it on a romper from Urban Outfitters.
Before you dive into side hustles, you have to make peace with some things:
- there are opportunities you may not enjoy
- it will still demand a portion of your time
- you still have to put in some hard work
- the pay won’t be too handsome
- you’ll regret buying that romper
(I was kidding on the last part.)
Side gigs won’t be there forever so the best time to look for them is now. You can’t sit around hoping that an opportunity magically lands on your lap. You still have to put in the work to look for them.
If for some reason a side hustle is handed over to you on a silver plate, best believe it’s too good to be true.
Here are 4 side hustle ideas you can try:
1 — Take online surveys
It’s one way to make extra money on the side, without having to leave your home or invest too much time. You just have to be honest and be comfortable sharing your thoughts.
By sharing your opinion, you can earn cash or gift cards that you can redeem for products or services.
- Find legitimate survey websites
- Sign up and verify your details
- Answer them honestly
I get survey opportunities sent directly to my email. I signed up for Metro Opinion which screens my profile and sends surveys which might be a good fit.
2 — Participate in focus groups
It’s an interactive way to earn extra money. It’s (often) a one-time commitment, it pays well for the time you invested, and you might just make some friends along the way.
Your opinions will shape the future of products and services.
- Find legit companies that offered paid focus group opportunities
- Sign up and create your profile
- Double check if your demographic info is correct
- Wait for invitations that match your profile
Websites like Focus Group can pay you more than $100 for an hour-long focus group. I’m still trying my luck on this. Hopefully I qualify for a project soon. *fingers crossed*
3 — Transcribe documents to English
We have 8 billion people all over the world. There’s over 7,000 languages but 75% of us don’t speak English at all.
Transcribing documents from your native language to English can be a great side hustle because it’s a high demand skill that pays well. You can do this remotely.
- research transcription job websites
- practice typing and listening skills
- invest in a good quality headset
Over 2,000 transcription jobs are available on Upwork right now. Just type in “transcribe to english” on the search bar and you’ll find out.
4 — Create travel itineraries for vacation-takers
People planning vacations are considerably stressed — from packing their luggages, budgeting expenses, and making sure their phone storage can handle an additional 5,000 photos.
They will pay you for some peace of mind.
Creating travel itineraries helps vacation-takers experience a customized trip plan. You can finally unleash your passion for event planning.
If you’re going on a vacation, how would you plan it?
- set up an excel sheet that you can share with your client
- customize the itinerary for families, couples, solo travelers
- check out popular and low-key attractions, accommodations, and activities
If I could visit Italy again, I’d buy this Fiverr side gig for $25.
Whether you’re trying to make a bit of money on the side or saving up for a dream vacation, having a side hustle is a good option.
You won’t make big bucks, at least not right away, but at least you’re doing something.
Not all side hustles are going to be exciting but don’t let that stop you. With some effort and a pinch of creativity, you can make it work.
- consider taking online surveys
- participating in focus groups
- transcribing
- creating travel itineraries
Who knows, you might just find your next passion project and make some extra cash along the way.
Side hustles can help you diversify your income streams and discover new passions.
If you enjoyed reading this, I think you’ll love a story I wrote about finding my niche. I tried it all — writing, dropshipping, graphic design, and research — It Took Me 4 Years To Find My Niche.
