As promised, here’s the list.
Packed with side hustles, business ideas, and ways to make extra money.
If you prefer, you can use and bookmark my Google sheet that I keep updated.
And if you’d like to save hours of time, I built a tool that combines all this data to help you determine the best side hustle for your situation.
It will save you hours and take you 90 seconds – you can check it out here.
Alright, let’s get to it…
How this List Works
Some ideas are simple to start, but they make little $$$.
Other ideas will take months (or even years) to generate their first dollar.
But they can make a lot of $$$$
Let’s get going, shall we?!?
Disclosure: I may be compensated if you buy through my links (at no additional cost to you). More info in my privacy policy.
These are my FAVORITE…
Create a Website
Creating a website and a digital brand will open numerous opportunities for you to make money. You may also use it to promote your brand or write about other things in your niche and include affiliate links.
Building a blog to $100+ per day in revenue takes effort.
Check out my detailed guide about building a niche website/blog.
Freelance your skills (including writing)
Freelancing allows individuals to offer their skills and services to clients on a project basis rather than being tied to a traditional 9-to-5 job.
As a freelancer, you can work with multiple clients.
This would help you diversify your income streams and potentially earn more money than you would in a full-time job.
Freelancers can set their own rates and choose the projects they want to work on, giving them a degree of flexibility and control over their work.
Freelancing also eliminates the need for commuting and office-related expenses.
With the rise of online platforms specifically designed for freelancers, like Fiverr and Upwork, it has become easier than ever to find clients and market your services.
(in fact, I am growing my own freelance income stream — you can see my Upwork profile here).
Overall, freelancing can be a flexible way to make money.
You’ll be able to improve your skills while getting paid.
YOU Create an Online Course
Make money teaching people about things you already know.
Many websites offer both free and paid tools for creating online courses.
The best technique here is to use a platform that allows people to join up and access your stuff.
Of course, you gotta be an expert on the subject matter and share it easily.
[If you prefer learning by video, below I’ll walk you through the best online courses.]
Start a Business
Duh. Of course, I suggest you start your own business.
It’s one of my passions!
Starting your own business isn’t easy, but it’s one of the best ways to generate a long-term income.
There’s a lot to learn.
And my advice is to start small.
With every new project, you will learn new skills to add to your toolbox.
These skills will compound, and eventually, you’ll have the perfect recipe for business success.
Start with our guide helping you think through which business to start.
And if you already know which business to start but are struggling to take action, then let’s go on a bike ride with me, and we can brainstorm together...
Flip Items
This one is near my heart. I love a good flip.
One of the best flips I did was this my bike as a kid. We were cleaning out the attic and almost tossed it on the trash pile.
But I did some research and it turns out folks love collecting and restoring these bikes – I sold it for $800!
Anyone can make $40,000-$50,000 a year from flipping.
The concept is simple: Buy Low. Sell High. Repeat.
I know it takes some work, but you can do this!
If you’d like to dig in more, here are my guides on flipping different items.
Start an Email Newsletter
You can earn money by sending out a newsletter to your audience.
(currently, I run 4 of them!)
Newsletters were just a part of companies, but companies like Morning Brew created a $75M newsletter, which became a serious business.
Newsletters are a part of our business model, and we currently use Beehiiv to run our newsletters.
Build Your Personal Brand
I strongly believe that building a personal brand is important
It allows you to:
- Stand out in your field
- Help you build meaningful relationships
- Position yourself as an expert in your field
With over 4 billion active social media users worldwide, social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook offer a huge potential audience for individuals to connect with others in their industry, share their knowledge, and build a following.
This can lead to opportunities for monetization, such as YouTube video sponsors, affiliate marketing, and even creating and selling your own products or services.
Grow A YouTube Channel
So let’s discuss building a personal brand using YouTube.
I’m a fan of YouTube and plan to grow my channel for years to come…
If you are comfortable in front of the camera, YouTube is a great way to build a following.
You can literally use the camera in your pocket (your phone).
And there are also ways to make videos without you even being in them.
Flip Domain Names
Flipping domains involves buying and selling domain names for a profit.
To make a profit, you need to find a domain name with potential value, such as a short and memorable name or a name relevant to a popular topic.
I decided to make this one of my income streams after I accidentally sold a domain for $1,200 a few years ago – here’s a list of domains I own that are up for sale.
And while I’m thinking about it, here are some other email newsletters that create awesome content you’ll want to follow as well!
OK!
The above items were all SOLID money-making ideas that have worked for me.
Let’s move to some other ways ….
More Ideas…
Hack the Credit Card Companies
Weird one, I know.
But if you’re savvy, it is possible to take credit card offers and profit — they’re a part of my personal finance rules.
(My family earns hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a year with credit card rewards.)
Credit card promotions, like cashback program reward points, can be great.
The better the credit score, the better credit card offers you can get.
Find why I dig credit cards in this video...
Get a Real Estate License
There are several benefits to having a real estate license.
(I’ve had a license for more than 15 years!)
At a minimum, you gain access to information about your local real estate market that others don’t have.
Real estate is an excellent investment (it’s one of our income streams).
Rent Your Property on Airbnb
Guests can rent your property (or just a room) through Airbnb.
The $$ you can make depends on:
- where you live
- how often you rent out your house
- the quality of your property
- the services you offer
If you want more info, you can start with our guide on Airbnb investing.
Property Management for Airbnb
As a manager, you are responsible for all aspects of a property rental.
You will handle guest messages, check-ins, and turnovers.
You may earn anywhere from 10% to 20% of each booking as a property manager.
Put another way, the property owner makes more money from several renters, and you earn while managing it.
Several automated Airbnb tools have been developed to simplify the processes of managing Airbnb.
And if you want to make your Airbnb stand out, watch this video.
Help a Business Create an Online Course
Maybe you don’t have your own course – but you can help a business create theirs!
The world of online education is huge, and many websites provide course-creation tools.
If you’d like to see an example, check out Destroy the Box University, which I created as my little personal answer to the current education system.
I’m not a complete college hater, but a do have a bit of a beef with the system…
Here’s our resource for the best online platforms.
Start a Print-on-Demand Business
Print-on-demand (POD) businesses require low upfront costs, no inventory, and offer easy scalability.
You can print your designs on many products, such as t-shirts, mugs, and posters.
Then, use platforms like Printify and Printful to set up your POD store and drive your audience to it to make sales.
Rent Your Car on Turo
If you don’t use your car very frequently, consider renting it out through a service like Turo.
Some even purchase multiple cars to rent exclusively on the platform.
You can use the Turo insurance plans, which makes it easy.
You can make hundreds (even thousands) a month by using Turo to hire out your vehicle.
We rented 2 of our vehicles on Turo and had a few funny stories to tell – you know, finding guns and such…
Refinance Your Debt
I can hear you know…
“But wait, how is this making money?”
When you wisely refinance your debt with lower rates, you save on monthly payments.
You may be able to save thousands in interest each year.
To me, this is the same as making thousands.
To begin refinancing your debt, Supermoney is worth checking out.
Invest in Art & Collectibles
Are you a fan of history, art, movies, or sports?
If so, learning the values of different collectibles might be an excellent fit for you.
You can find deals at garage sales or estate sales.
Or you can invest in collectibles on a website like Rally Road. (I own parts of an early Declaration of Independence, Lebron James sneakers, and Hank Aaron baseball cards).
Become a Brand Rep
Companies often need to be represented.
There are tons of opportunities that pay from $100-$200 per day to help them out by handing out samples and showcasing the brands.
The jobs are usually hired through an agency rather than the companies themselves.
The jobs are usually temporary because they are done at large music or sporting events, but you can also land long-term contracts.
I did this a handful of times while attending Auburn University and made some good money.
Trade Stock Online
Using an app such as Robinhood, you can buy and sell stocks online.
And like I say here, ‘this ain’t no investment advice’ 😉
Trade Crypto
Today, investors may purchase cryptocurrencies through several platforms.
My favorite and where I have my crypto is Coinbase (get free Bitcoin with my link).
While I’m a believer in crypto (I hold Bitcoin Ethereum, and Solana), I only believe in holding less than 10% of our assets in these alternative assets.
Stake Crypto
Staking currency is similar to putting your money into a CD (certificate of deposit).
By staking your crypto, you are promising not to use it for a given time period.
You get paid a high-interest rate for this.
Another way of making money with crypto is to earn interest on your cryptocurrency.
Invest in Farmland
Farmland investing offers buyers value that other real estate cannot match.
It combines consistently stable growth, exposure to growing real estate, and several revenue streams.
You enjoy the advantages of property investment with a higher average rate of return.
Investing in farmland also provides you with a hedge against inflation.
Buy Billboards
I always thought billboards were only owned by giant companies like Lamar.
Then I heard of a guy who’s bought 8 billboards over the last 10 years, makes $30k/mo, and retired at 42.
I’m personally looking into this income stream.
Play Games and Make Money
Playing games can be an accessory way to make some quick cash, and there are a number of apps that pay people to play games.
You can receive money via PayPal and other methods.
Please keep in mind, though, you’ll get paid a low hourly wage for this…
Get Paid to Read Books
You may make money by following your love of books.
If you’re seeking ways to make money while you read, then know that there are many options.
Some examples include book reviews, proofreading, translation, and e-book conversion.
As long as new books are released, this idea will remain popular.
Become a Virtual Assistant
There is also virtual assistance which is a fast-money earner.
Sites like Fiverr and Upwork will help you land your first client.
Here’s my VA hiring process if you’d like to see how I think about it…
Proofreader
Proofreaders look for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Keeping note of any mistakes and correcting them quickly is your duty.
As a proofreader, you can expect to make good pay, but you will have to negotiate with clients and prove yourself.
English Tutoring
Teaching English online is possible if teaching is your passion and you also love dealing with other people.
You can possibly make an hourly wage from $14 to $25
Social Media Manager
Businesses employ social media managers when they don’t have the time to manage the accounts themselves.
This person is responsible for managing Facebook accounts and other social media platforms.
The annual wage for a social media manager can reach $50,000 or more.
Resume Writer
Many people seek resume writing assistance at some point in their lives.
Graduates and job seekers will take advantage of this opportunity to improve their resumes.
You can help them create a resume that will appeal to companies.
Data Entry
Data entry is a side hustle for people of all ages.
This position is for detail-oriented people with high typing speed and ready to work within deadlines.
You won’t earn much, but it will be quick cash.
Pinterest VA
Many businesses and entrepreneurs require help with managing their Pinterest accounts.
Pinterest VAs can help with tasks such as creating and scheduling pins (with tools like Canva and Tailwind), optimizing boards, and analyzing metrics to improve performance.
They can also help with developing Pinterest strategies and campaigns to increase traffic and sales.
As a Pinterest VA, you can charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for your services, depending on the agreement with the client.
Start a Daycare
If you’re a mother, you’ve probably had a lot of experience with child care.
You can be a daycare owner and benefit from your experience.
Because you’re already taking care of children, you may be able to earn money by taking on a few more.
If you succeed in this venture, each child could bring in hundreds of dollars monthly.
Dropship
Dropshipping differs from other types of businesses in that it eliminates the need for you to maintain inventory or handle shipping.
Your first step in dropshipping is to set up an online store on platforms like Shopify, feature your items, and then locate a direct supplier once a consumer orders.
Many people earn a lot with dropshipping without putting money into the business.
SEO Expert
[warning: SEO has major disruption in 2024!]
Search Engine Optimization is a skill that can serve you really well.
I used SEO skills to grow this blog to over 175,000 monthly website visitors (in 2023).
You can do the same and get paid for your efforts.
Start a Powerwashing Business
Why powerwashing?
Well, you can get everything you need for $1,000 or less.
And you can very easily start with friends and neighbors to get started.
When you run through those, you have unlimited houses that will need driveways or sidewalks cleaned.
Leave a flier or just knock on their door.
Can easily replace a W2 income with full-time effort.
Record Audiobooks
If you can pronounce it clearly and have a nice tone of voice, you may earn money reading books.
Because there are not many up-front costs, recording audiobooks is an excellent side gig.
Warning: I think this one will be disrupted by AI — I mean, I even fooled my wife with my AI voice!
Walk Dogs
You can make money by walking dogs in your spare time.
And if you have a soft spot for dogs (like my wife, who wants to foster every dog she sees), it will be a rewarding experience.
Dog walkers often make between $20 to $30 on 30-minute walks, based on the number of dogs and walks per day.
It’s a way to earn additional cash on the side when you’re not working full-time.
Who knows, maybe you’ll go full-time.
Wash Windows
If you can find houses or companies with dirty windows, washing residential and commercial windows pays a lot of money.
Cleaning supplies and hustle are all you need to begin.
You may invite a friend or two who are also trying to make some money, form a group, and scour the neighborhood for dirty windows.
Be a Streamer on Twitch.tv
Twitch.tv is a site where people may stream themselves doing various activities, such as playing computer games live.
Selling advertising, gaining followers, collecting donations, and other methods are all viable ways to earn money as a live streamer.
Many very famous Twitch streamers make thousands of dollars each month because of their popularity.
As long as you continue it and enjoy what you’re doing, building an engaged Twitch audience may be a worthwhile endeavor.
Clean Houses
To clean houses, you must hate clutter and be a master of organizing.
You can build a cleaning company, and you might assist other individuals in cleaning houses or act as a housekeeping assistant.
All you need to work on is going to your client’s home and helping clean.
Starting a foreclosure cleaning business is another great idea that you can look into.
Run Errands for People
When it comes to household chores, most people are too busy working or doing errands to do themselves.
To avoid doing it themselves, they pay other people to do it.
Those who need help with errands, laundry service, or other such chores may be available in your neighborhood.
Sites like Task Rabbit can easily connect you with such people, or you can start your own errand-running business.
Work for Doordash
Delivery orders from restaurants are becoming increasingly popular, mainly when many people prefer not to leave their homes.
DoorDash needs drivers, a food delivery service, to help customers get their food.
As a DoorDash delivery worker, you may choose your hours and get paid for each delivery you make.
Sell With Amazon FBA
FBA is an e-commerce business concept that allows sellers to ship their products to an Amazon warehouse and advertise them on Amazon.com.
It is one of the most exciting money-making ideas available on the internet.
Come up with an excellent concept for a product, find a supplier, ship your goods to an Amazon Warehouse, and then market your product to increase sales.
Entrepreneurs and side hustlers may take advantage of this growing trend by selling things online through e-commerce, a lucrative business opportunity.
Learn how you can make money with Amazon FBA here.
Buy & Sell Websites
Flipping websites involves buying a website that is underperforming, improving it, and then selling it for a profit.
To make a profit, you need to find a website that has the potential to grow, such as a website with a good domain name, traffic, and content.
Here I had a deep dive into website flipping with my friend Mushfiq, who has flipped more than 200 websites so far.
Set Up an Etsy Shop
If you’re thinking about creating an online business, Etsy is a great way to begin.
On Etsy, an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers, you can find handmade things from all over the globe.
Open an Etsy shop and sell your crafts, paintings, or other custom items.
Get an idea of what you can sell on Etsy here.
Become an Amazon Affiliate
You may make money by advertising other people’s goods and services through affiliate marketing.
And affiliate marketers can earn around a few hundred bucks to a few million dollars each year.
Amazon provides a way to monetize its visitors for content publishers because of its worldwide reputation and wide selection of items.
Amazon Associates program is an excellent affiliate program for beginners because it is fairly easy to get accepted.
Self Publish at Amazon Kindle
Amazon is perhaps the most popular option for self-publishing a book.
Despite Amazon’s low prices for eBooks, the site receives tons of traffic, so it can outweigh the low priced sales.
Offer Yard Services
As a kid or even as a grown-up, it’s a common trend to offer yard work as an extra job.
It can vary from mowing a neighbor’s lawn, collecting garbage, raking, watering plants, or cleaning up around the house.
Promoting your services via social media is a convenient option.
Your clients will hopefully tell their friends about your work, leading to new customers.
Get Paid to Chat
Several reputable businesses are ready to pay people to chat.
For example, in the case of Amazon, staff are needed to respond to client questions.
In most chat jobs, you’ll be working from home or remotely, so you’ll need to provide your equipment and personal data like your I.P. address or SSN.
It is possible to make money through talking, but not all accessible sites are secure and trustworthy.
Read this guide to get paid to chat.
Self Publish Children Books
As for self-publishing, the author is responsible for all aspects of the book’s production, distribution, and promotion.
The process of self-publishing a children’s book may seem overwhelming.
But getting a physical copy of your creation will make you realize that all of your hard work has been worthwhile.
Join a Network Marketing Company
People are scared of network marketing companies (often called MLM) for some reason.
It’s understandable.
Sometimes, companies run a fine line that can get them in trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.
This causes the industry to get a bad name.
But these opportunities are a great intro for you into the business world.
But before getting involved, ask these two questions.
First – “would I buy the product or service yourself at the price you’ll be selling it for?”
If yes, you can move to the second question, which is, “Is the company’s focus on selling product or on recruiting other folks to sell?”
If they focus on recruitment rather than their product, move on to the next opportunity.
Become a Shopper With Instacart
The food delivery business has been expanding year after year and will continue to do so in the future.
Getting a job bringing groceries for Instacart might be a good fit for people who are searching for jobs that offer more flexibility regarding when and where they work.
Become an Instacart shopper, and you’ll earn for picking and delivering what clients want.
How much you make depends on the number of hours you put in each week.
Be an Uber & Lyft Driver
Driving for ride-hailing services is a great way to make extra money if you have a car and some free time.
You will have to go with them to get money at various times and locations.
As long as you have a valid driver’s license and are at least 18 years of age, you may sign up for Uber or Lyft as a driver.
Driving during peak times and completing a certain number of trips within a set length of time might earn extra money.
Final Thoughts
These money-making ideas are just the beginning.
Keep in touch with me on my YouTube channel.
Either way, I look forward to cheering on both of us as we continue to grow and Destroy the Box.
Cheers,
