If you're struggling to make ends meet in 2021, you're not alone. Even before the pandemic, people were working two jobs and still coming up short. Now, with many more Americans in debt and the availability of well-paying jobs severely limited, paying the rent is harder than ever.
For this reason, you may want to consider finding ways to earn extra income. Getting a second job is possible, but you might find yourself earning minimum wage doing something you hate. By searching for a more lucrative side hustle, you can get your head above water.
Here are 7 side hustle ideas that will bring in extra income without breaking your spirit.
1. Drive for a ride-sharing company
At certain points of the pandemic, driving for Uber or Lyft brought in barely any cash. People were not going anywhere, and ride-share drivers cruised the streets hoping to be paired for any trip, no matter how short. However, this has changed. Furthermore, if you start delivering food for ride-sharing companies, you will never lack for work.
If you have a car, you're already well on your way to making money driving. You will need extra insurance that covers the specific needs of people driving for a living. This includes liability.
2. Freelance online
Do you have a skill that companies around the world need? If so, you're probably not making the most of it at your full-time job. This is because there are tons of individuals and companies looking for freelancers online. You can use sites like Upwork and Fiverr to find clients who will be more than willing to pay good prices for your services.
Some of the most needed skills are coding, web design, copywriting, and social media management. You can do these jobs in your spare time and, if you choose your clients wisely, you will earn far more than you would at a second job.
While sites like Upwork and Fiverr certainly streamline the process, you will make more money if you invest in a website and start pitching to companies yourself.
3. Airbnb
You don't have to own a beach house to earn money on Airbnb. If you live in a city which receives a fair number of travelers every year, whether for business or leisure, you can benefit from a guest room.
You don't need to offer all that much space. Travelers looking for cheap accommodation use Airbnb to find single rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens. You may not love having strangers in your space, but it is a good way to earn extra income without working yourself to the bone.
4. Tutor
Now that everyone is used to communicating over video calls, tutoring is an easier side-hustle to get into than ever before. If you are an expert in a particular area, you will find students around the world looking to learn from you. If you're good with teenagers, you can tutor school subjects that you have an affinity for.
You can also start teaching English to students from other countries. Of course, this is easiest if you are bilingual, but students who are already somewhat competent in English don't need you to teach them in their language.
5. Answer questions on JustAnswer
JustAnswer is a platform where people go to ask questions to experts in a range of different fields. You can join JustAnswer if you have expertise in a field and have time to answer some tricky questions. They welcome experts on everything from law to veterinary science to mechanics.
JustAnswer claims that their experts earn on average between $2,000 and $7,000 a month. In other words, it can be a very lucrative side-hustle, and as long as you know what you're talking about, you are getting paid for the knowledge you worked so hard to learn.
6. Music lessons
Do you play an instrument or sing? If so, it is not much of a leap to start giving music lessons. You yourself have been through the learning process and can share it with others. Again, with the increase in Zoom calls over the course of the pandemic, finding students online is easier than ever. You simply need to put yourself out there and start making money from your passion.
7. Create an online course
This option will take the most time to get set up, but it can end up being the most lucrative side hustle on this list. If you have enough expertise in your field to teach in an orderly way, creating an online course lets you share your knowledge without having to spend your hours speaking to one person at a time.
You will spend many hours creating a lesson plan, filming lessons, and formatting the material. However, once it is done, you can charge high prices. Students will be willing to spend tens, or even hundreds, of dollars if they value the content. You will need to do some good marketing to get your course out there, but as soon as you have a handful of participants, you will already be making good money.
The best thing about creating an online course is that, unless you are in a field that is always changing, your course can continue bringing in income for the foreseeable future.
Finding a second job is not the best way to go about making ends meet. Try one of the above side hustles to make some extra money without running yourself ragged.
