Best side gigs to make extra money

Sometimes, even a full-time job doesn’t provide enough income to reach your financial goals. Whether you’re saving for a large purchase, aiming to put money aside for emergencies, or just trying to make ends meet, securing additional income is a great way to avoid financial hardship.

That said, working 40 hours a week can wipe you out, and we’re firm believers that weekends (or other days off) should be spent enjoying life. But what if you could find ways to make money on the weekends doing something enjoyable?

Thanks to the gig economy, there are a variety of part-time weekend jobs for side hustlers that might align with your interests and talents, so you could choose something that is meaningful to you. And when you enjoy a task, it’s easy to put in the hours and reap the monetary rewards. If you learn how to make money doing something you love, you'll be ahead of a lot of others.

Without further ado, here are some weekend side jobs that can be both easy and fun.

Take surveys

If you're looking for a side hustle you can do from the comfort of your couch, taking surveys may be a good option for you. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection. While you won't earn a full-time income with this side gig, it can certainly help you bank a little extra spending money.

Again, there are typically no special requirements to sign up for a survey platform. In most cases, you simply need to be over 18 and willing to share your opinion. Here are some great options if you're interested:

• Survey Junkie
• Inbox Dollars
• Branded Surveys

Use an investment app

Anyone can invest on the side and make extra cash! Choose the investment app that's right for you, and your future self will thank you for the passive income. Watch your investment grow over time, and you can even automate your investments if you'd prefer. Investing doesn't have to be intimidating or require a lot of money to start. You can choose an app that allows you to invest as little as $1 to grow your portfolio. You could get started today!

Check out these stellar investment apps:

• Public
• Robinhood
• Stash

Deliver food and groceries

Delivering food and groceries can be a lucrative weekend side hustle if you've got a few free hours, and it's simple to get started. While each delivery service works slightly differently, in many cases, you can just sign up as a delivery driver and start fulfilling orders. There are typically no special requirements, apart from being over 18 years of age and having a reliable mode of transportation to pick up and deliver orders.

If this sounds like the right side gig for you, you've got options:

• Uber Eats
• DoorDash
• Instacart

Earn on everyday purchases

When you shop, did you know that you can earn rewards and cash back for your purchases? You can earn points, gift cards, and cash back for shopping at your favorite stores and online retailers. Sign up for a profile with an online rewards platform, see participating stores where you can earn points, and you're on your way to rewards! You may even get a first-time sign-up bonus.

Check out these two great options for rewards:

• MyPoints
• Swagbucks

Hang out with dogs

If you’re an animal lover (the kind that stops to pet strangers’ dogs on the street), you might find that spending your weekends as a dog walker or pet-sitting will put a smile on your face while you earn some extra cash.

Try getting started with dog walking using one of these services:

• Rover
• Wag!
  
• PetSitter.com

Become a rideshare driver

If you have an eligible vehicle and don’t mind driving people from place to place, consider working as a rideshare driver. You get to set your own schedule and may be able to earn extra money during busy hours of the day. If you have some free time, becoming a Lyft or Uber driver on the side could be a profitable gig.

Hang out with kids

If playing with kids all weekend sounds like a good time to you, consider becoming a weekend nanny or babysitter. You’ll be able to play games, run around, act goofy, and help out a parent in desperate need of some time away.

While there aren’t any requirements for becoming a nanny or babysitting, you’ll be able to charge more if you have a degree, CPR and first aid certifications, and experience with kids. Your potential employer may also want to conduct a background check.

You can connect with parents in need of childcare on these sites:

• Nanny Lane
• Care.com
• Sittercity

Hang out in an empty house

Travelers often hire house sitters to ensure the plants get watered and the mail gets brought in. Often, house sitters also take care of pets in the household. It’s easy to make a little extra cash house-sitting without putting forth much effort. 

It's also a great option if you want to sit back, put your feet up, and catch up on your Netflix or social media feed. You could even double up your side hustles and try one of these money-making game apps while you're at it. Check out these websites to get started with house sitting:

• MindMyHouse
• HouseSitter.com
• Nomador

Teach English

If you love kids but would prefer to work from home, you can teach English online to children in China and earn an hourly rate of up to $22 an hour via VIPKid. You don’t need to speak Chinese, and you’ll be able to help students gain confidence in another language. The curriculum will be provided for you, and you’ll work one on one to make sure each child gets the educational attention they deserve.

Teach a fitness class

If you’re an exercise addict who wants to inspire others to take on healthy habits, becoming a group fitness instructor or personal trainer could be a great side hustle. Employment in the industry is increasing, and jobs in the field can be both fun and rewarding.

For most opportunities, you’ll need to become certified, and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) is the largest certifier in the nation. The level of effort and time required will depend on the certification you choose. However, you’ll be able to study for the certification exam on your own time and at your own pace.

Pour wine or beer

Fans of top-notch alcohol may enjoy serving wine or beer at a restaurant, brewery, or winery as a second job. You may need a certification or license to get started, so be sure to research the requirements in your area. If you love the job and want to get more involved, you might even consider getting an alcohol permit and launching a mobile bartending business.

Be a budtender

If you live in a state where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use, becoming a budtender could be a good side hustle and a rewarding way to help people get treatment for all kinds of ailments. In most states, you’ll need to get a basic license, and there may be a small upfront cost. Just be careful to choose a legitimate budtender certification program. If you’re not ready to budtend, becoming a cashier at a dispensary could be a great way to break into the industry.

Be a brand ambassador

If you enjoy discovering new brands and sharing them with your friends, you might like working with companies to spread the word about their products in your free time. In many cities, brands post ads on Craigslist looking for people to pass out samples at grocery stores, liquor stores, pop-up events, or other venues.

Sometimes these opportunities can overlap with your other interests. For example, we found ads looking for people to pour wine samples at a tasting and ads seeking people who love kids to promote toys at a family-friendly event. You can usually find these ads in the “gigs” section of your local Craigslist site.

Use your creative skills

Maybe you enjoy writing, graphic design, or you've got a knack for organization. If so, you may be able to make some money as a freelancer on the weekends. For example, you might want to try freelance writing on topics you're knowledgeable about or proofreading other people's writing. Another option could be transcription, which is when you type up what's being said in audio or video recordings. 

Sites like Upwork and Fiverr connect freelance writers, graphic designers, and virtual assistants with potential customers. While the pay for gigs on these platforms will vary, if you find the right options, you could end up with a lucrative, consistent weekend side hustle.

If your creative skills are more artistic or hands-on, you could always create products to sell on sites like Etsy or Redbubble. 

Become a freelance tailor

Not everyone has sewing skills, and there’s a demand for affordable alterations. If you have a sewing machine and are also skilled at hand-sewing, you’re already positioned to start a freelance business. Give your information to vintage stores and local boutiques to pass on to customers.

If you don’t have sewing skills but love helping people find the perfect fit, look into becoming an outfitter with Trumaker. You’ll find clients, take their measurements, and earn a commission from every custom-made item of clothing you sell.

Become a reseller

Treasure hunters might enjoy scouring garage and estate sales for particularly high-quality items that can be resold online on sites like eBay or Amazon. You can also resell any used clothing you no longer wear or vintage clothing you find at thrift stores on apps like Poshmark.

Become a mystery shopper

Some companies want to gather data about customers’ experiences, so they’ll pay you a fee for providing feedback about your shopping experience in various stores. Typically, you’ll be asked to make a purchase, and then you’ll be reimbursed. Market Force and IntelliShop are two free platforms you can use to get started.

Help set up events

If you’ve got some experience in the hospitality industry and enjoy getting ready for a party, look for event set-up gigs to do in your spare time. Weddings, festivals, and farmers' markets all need staff to help set up and tear down. You may be able to find some weekend work on TaskRabbit.

Help with home staging

Another option for freelance work is home staging. Home staging is the process of decorating and furnishing a home in a way that will be appealing to as many buyers as possible. Start by networking with local real estate agents. You may need to work for free to start, but once you have a portfolio of homes you’ve staged, you can make some extra cash from your interior decorating skills.

Help businesses with accounting

Many small business owners need assistance with their bookkeeping, and many of them don't need someone full-time. Bookkeeping is a flexible, work-from-home job, and definitely something that you could do over the weekend. If you enjoy math and spreadsheets, this could be the ideal weekend gig. 

Be a tour guide

If you’re passionate about your city and love getting to know people from all over the world, becoming a tour guide might be one of the best side hustles for you. You’ll be able to show travelers your favorite sights, eats, and activities, and you don’t even need to be a professional.

Check out how you can get paid by using the following sites:

• Showaround
• ToursByLocals

FAQs

So, which weekend side job is the one for you?

Whether you enjoy art and design, kiddos and doggos, shopping, or just exploring your city, there are several ways to make extra money on the weekends that won’t feel like work. Many of these business ideas offer flexible schedules and allow you to create your own hours or even set your own price, so you can supplement your weekday work, increase your earning potential, pay down those student loans, and take control over your financial goals. You can find the perfect side hustle for you and your lifestyle. Have fun hustling!

What side gigs pay the most?

What can I do for extra money on the side?

What are the most profitable side hustles 2022?

What is the fastest side hustle?