Whether you're feeling the pinch from inflation, trying to grow your savings, or looking to finance your holiday fun, extra income can be a game changer. Side hustles have become a flexible solution for those looking to boost their earnings on top of, or instead of, a traditional 9-to-5 job. From digital platforms to creative schemes, today's gig economy offers unprecedented opportunities to turn your interests and energy into additional cash.
Whether you're a skilled hobbyist, a creative professional, or eager to explore new opportunities, a side gig can be your ticket to financial flexibility and freedom. Below, we highlight nine novel ideas to consider.
1. Space and Belongings Renter
In the sharing economy, your under-used assets can become unexpected income streams. Numerous opportunities to monetize your stuff exist, from parking spots and garage spaces to extra rooms and vehicles. Homeowners can rent out garage space to those looking for storage or parking spots in high-demand areas. Car owners can leverage platforms that allow hourly or daily vehicle rentals. Even niche markets like wedding decor and furniture present unique opportunities to budding entrepreneurs.
Income depends on what you're renting out and the location.
2. Plasma Donor
If you’re healthy and strong, selling plasma is a straightforward, painless process and can be an easy way to make some extra cash regularly. You can help science even more by becoming part of a research study. Donate white blood cells in support of biomedical research happening worldwide. By donating blood, you play a vital role in helping develop medical breakthroughs.
Donors make $30 to $70 per donation. With incentives, you can make $400 or more a month.
3. Pet Groomer
Dog walking is an easy way to make money, but if you enjoy being around animals, consider taking it up a notch and becoming a pet groomer. This can be a lucrative business — either full-time or on the side. A brick-and-mortar shop or even a mobile unit requires startup cash, but you could bring your grooming supplies to the pet owner’s home and use their sink or shower to beautify Fido or the felines.
Groomers can make $15 – $20 an hour.
4. Kids’ Party Character
Do you love to disguise yourself in costume and play dress up? Party characters can be hired for various events, including birthdays, and can include a wide range of characters, such as princesses, superheroes, mascots, and more. You’ll need to invest in some costumes unless you plan to rent them, but it makes sense to collect a few of your own.
You can most likely find or put together Disney characters, book characters, clown, and ballerina costumes from items bought at your local thrift store. Until you build your clientele, you may find getting gigs through an agency easier. You’ll need excellent customer service and kid-wrangling skills and enjoy being in character.
Professional characters can earn between $150 – $200 per hour.
5. Competitive Eater or Judge
Yep, this is a thing. Eating contests are growing in popularity, so if you like to chow down and can do it fast — really fast — this could be your path to increased earnings, as well as fame and recognition! The World Food Championships offer in-person or online classes where you’ll be trained in their methodology. If extreme eating isn’t your thing, consider becoming an eating contest judge when you master the Major League Eating (MLE) officiating standards. You may even find media commentary opportunities, so get certified and get judging.
Contest judges can make $50 – $250 per competition.
6. Social Entrepreneur
In today’s increasingly isolated world, rent-a-friend services have emerged as a unique opportunity that meets the growing demand for genuine human connection. Rent-a-friend platforms offer more than just companionship — they provide structured social interaction. As a rented friend, you may be asked to accompany a client to a movie or concert, attend a business or social function, or show a visitor around your city, to name just a few. It’s best to use an established platform where comprehensive background checks are performed.
With comprehensive background checks and reputation-based pricing, rent-a-friend platforms reimagine social interaction as a legitimate, scalable business model.
A professional "friend" can earn $10 – $50 per hour.
7. Professional Line Stander
In urban markets, line-standing is becoming a lucrative side gig that requires zero qualifications and minimal effort. It turns out that many people are willing to pay for someone to take over the mundane task of waiting in queues. From the excruciating line at the DMV to camping out overnight to score hot concert tickets, line standers provide a valuable service. What makes this gig particularly attractive is its simplicity — no special skills required, just patience and the ability to stand.
Line standers can earn $25 – $100 an hour, depending on the gig length.
8. Sell Photos Online
If you’re a shutterbug, this is your creative side hustle. Stock photo companies pay for high-quality photos of all kinds. You will forfeit the copyright but can gain a wealth of experience. Turn any vacation, Starbucks run, or a trip to the park into an opportunity to snap some photos and sell them for cash. Check out stock photo companies like Shutterstock, Bigstock, oStock, and 123RF.
Photographers can earn $.25 - $.45/ photograph.
9. Create Digital Downloads
If you have a knack for color and design, consider creating digital downloads for sale. These are some of the best-selling products on Etsy and Amazon. You can create a new calendar, honey-do list, infographics, tutorials, and more in a few hours, then sell them 24/7/365. Just like selling your photos, this creative side hustle lets you exercise your artistic abilities while pulling in some extra income.
Digital download creators can earn $.25 - $25/ download.
10. Scooter Charger
Another money-making opportunity for energetic urbanites is to go around and charge up the electric rental scooters dotted around cities. Using apps like Bird or Lime, "juicers" can earn by collecting, charging, and strategically returning the scooters to designated locations. The only equipment needed is a van big enough to transport the scooters and compatible chargers, although some companies do provide a few free chargers. Motivated side hustlers can build a steady income stream in their spare time by charging during off-peak hours and developing an efficient system.
Chargers can earn $3 – $20 per scooter. (Get higher payouts by releasing scooters in the early morning.)
11. Bicycle Taxi/Pedicab Operator
Pedicab drivers and bicycle taxi operators are common in tourist-heavy cities and dense urban centers. This side hustle requires more than just strong legs for pedaling — it demands route knowledge, navigation skills, and the ability to engage tourists and locals alike. Successful operators specialize in specific city zones, understand peak tourist seasons, and obtain necessary licensing. Beyond income, pedicab driving offers a unique blend of exercise, social interaction, and flexible work hours.
Hourly rates: $15 – $30 with tips and bonus opportunities.
Developing a side gig – or two – can be an efficient way to save for the future, pay off debt, or get money for extra treats. Most of the gigs listed also allow you to meet people and get out and about in your city. A side hustle can also act as a way to try out a new career direction while you still have your day job.
Flex your creative muscles and explore these unique side hustles to strike a better work-life balance. And while you're at it, consider speaking with one of our friendly agents to review your homeowners or ">renters insurance, ensuring your home and belongings are well-protected.
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