Not all part-time gigs are created equal. Here are some ideas for real people.
Do One Thing: Before jumping into a new side gig, consider how many hours you already work, how much spare time you have, and what your long-term financial goals are.
A Thriving Gig Economy
There’s a reason the gig economy is thriving: Necessity.
New research shows that a majority of Americans say they are picking up extra work to help pay the bills. A poll found that 54% of U.S. adults surveyed in February 2024 reported taking on side jobs in the past year to boost their main source of income.
Not surprisingly, the age group picking up side work the most frequently according to the survey, are those in Generation Z – with 71% of people born between 1997 and 2012, who range in age from 12 to 27, side hustling.
And for those who are already working long hours, or multiple jobs just to get by, finding the extra time to bring in more money can be a challenge. Holly Reisem Hanna, the founder of The Work at Home Woman, says to make room for more profitable tasks, first, take an honest inventory of how you spend your days.
How to Find “Extra” Time to Earn More
“Start by dedicating a day to track every activity and its duration,” Hanna suggests. “This simple exercise will reveal the hidden time wasters in your day, such as excessive social media scrolling, binge-watching Netflix, or cooking overly complicated meals.”
Once you identify where you have extra pockets of time, she says, use those periods to squeeze in some flexible side gigs. If the time you spend commuting is egregious, get creative. To free up a few more hours “ask your employer if you can work from home one or two days a week,” Hanna says. “You don’t know until you ask, so don’t assume your manager won’t go for a flexible arrangement.”
Selecting the ‘Right” Side Hustle
When considering a side hustle, says Fiverr spokesperson Tommy Lee, think about what you’d like to do, what your financial goals are, and how much time you realistically have to dedicate to them. Also, consider how the extra effort fits into your long-term goals.
Side Jobs Best Suited For Full-Time Staffers
Believe it or not, many successful contract workers also have full-time jobs. “Whether you want to try freelancing, working an online independent contracting job, or using the gig economy, there are opportunities for virtually every skill, schedule, and interest,” says Hanna, suggesting these real-life examples:
- Love animals? Download the Rover or Wag app and walk dogs or offer pet-sitting services in your free time.
- Those who enjoy being on social media can apply for a part-time side gig with LiveWorld.
- Ready to sell freelance services? Use an online platform such as Fiverr or Legit.
Side Gigs You Can Do From Home
- Get paid to take surveys at companies such as Gauge, Swagbucks, and Branded Surveys.
- Tutor students online. The PennyHoarder offers a list of 15 companies hiring tutors.
- Like gaming? You can get paid to test apps, games, and surveys at Freecash.com
Safe Places to Find A Side Hustle One way to find reputable side gigs, notes Hanna, is by searching the app store on your smartphone or other device. How? “Type in ‘make money’ and you can scroll through hundreds of apps to make extra money,” she suggests. The app store also offers a level of transparency not found everywhere.
Each app has a rating and real-life reviews for users, Hanna explains, so you can get a realistic idea of what the site entails and how much money you can realistically earn. She also offers a list of reputable side jobs on her website.
Don’t Forget About Uncle Sam No matter how you earn money, the IRS wants its cut. Because many people working side hustles do so as independent contractors, that means they are self-employed. And as a 1099 worker, that means they are responsible for paying self-employment taxes. Be sure to consider that when pricing your services.
Avoid Side Hustle Scams Listings that have high pay for entry-level work, pressure users to apply quickly, and utilize poor grammar and spelling could also be signs of a potential scam, Hanna says. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
With reporting by Casandra Andrews
Written by Jean Chatzky, SavvyMoney.
