There’s no denying that the nine-to-five grind has undergone a metamorphosis since 2020. The global pandemic rerouted work schedules, meetings, education, and a host of other daily norms. 

Remote work has become the new normal, and workers have embraced the movement so wholly that companies are finding it difficult to get their crews to come “back to the office” despite mandates to do so. Side hustles turned into full-time jobs, and it’s safe to say the grind is more about a balance of work and life than the old “loyalty to a company” that used to be the name of the game. 

If you feel stuck between working that day job and wanting or needing to make a little side of money, we’re here to help. There are some great ways to earn some extra cash without needing to ditch your regular gig. We’ve listed several of our favorites below. Enjoy.

1. The Original Side Hustle

When I was growing up, my mom would sit at night and knit while she watched television. She could make anything with two knitting needles and enough yarn. Thanks to her efforts, I always had a new scarf for the winter weather in Michigan while I was waiting for the school bus. 

If you’re handy with crocheting, knitting, sewing, or any other creative task that produces a useful product, you can sell those at local fairs, flea markets, and even online. People will always enjoy purchasing new and even quirky offerings; selling your wares has never been easier. 

2. Pet and House Care

Whether you want to walk dogs or clean homes, people will always pay for great services that help take care of their furry friends and their homes. When my husband and I both worked, my mother-in-law would pick up around our house twice a week, and it was so nice to come home and not have to jump into the fray of house cleaning. 

Set your rates based on the services you offer, make up some printable brochures, and have your phone handy. Before you know it, you can be making serious side cash for all those life events your income can’t cover. 

3. Green Thumbs and All

I don’t do plants well. I love a good garden, though, as do many people who don’t have the time to invest in landscaping or gardening work. If you happen to have a green thumb and enjoy taking care of lawns and gardens, turning that interest into income is a great endeavor. 

If you don’t want to take classes to get certified in landscaping, gardening, etc., you can keep a portfolio or pictures and plans from lawns you’ve worked on (including your own.) Use those jobs as a showcase of your talent when you pitch to other homeowners. 

4. Picture Perfect

One area that has blown up in the last decade or so is online photography. Sites like iStock and others allow amateur and professional photographers to sell their images to earn income. As you earn money, you can reinvest your earnings in classes to get certified or to improve your photo-taking talent to earn even more money. 

This is also a great way to earn money if you’re an introvert. It means very little interaction with people and an ability to earn passive income on older photographs. 

5. Market Research

Surveys, focus groups, and reviewing new products are all ways that you can earn money by participating in market research. Each comes with its ups and downs, but if you’re looking for income, this will get you there eventually. 

Sites like Amazon, Etsy, and others need reviewers who will give honest opinions on the products they offer. If their site sells it, you can review it once you’re approved to be an official reviewer. It may take some time to build up your payouts, but if you’ve got the time, the money will come along. 

6. Babysitting

Gone are the days of the five-dollar-an-hour sitter. Nowadays, it’s closer to $15-$20, depending on how many children you’re watching and how long you’re caring for them. An overnight watch is going to be pricey. However, that’s all money in your pocket, and setting the rates based on the number of children, their temperament, other duties you’ll need to perform, and how long you’ll need to stay with the children is essential. 

If you price your rates well, you can easily make hundreds of dollars a week if you have enough bookings to work with. Always make sure you have emergency contacts, medicine, and the like at hand for any issues you may run into. Giving a good report at the end of each watch is also essential to ensuring the parents hire you the next time they need a sitter.

7. Freelance Writing

The great thing about this side hustle is the huge number of ways you can implement it. Whether you want to write killer copy, pen the next best-selling memoir as a ghostwriter, or help marketers with content that sells, freelance writing is one of the easiest side gigs to start. With virtually no overhead, you really only need a computer and internet access. 

If you have a way with words and want to use your talents to earn some extra income, freelance writing might be the side hustle you’re looking for. Check out some online writing platforms, create free accounts, list your skills, bid on projects, create a portfolio of your work, and build a solid reputation to garner higher-paying jobs. 

8. Virtual Assistant

With platforms like Upwork and Guru, virtual assistants can find clients who need help with everything from handling email and project management to bill paying and bookkeeping. If you have a knack for helping people, are an organized person, and don’t mind working behind the scenes, being a virtual assistant is a great side hustle. 

Given that virtual assistants don’t keep regular 9-5 hours, this job is perfect for anyone wanting to make some money during their nighttime routine or over a weekend. You can hash out with your clients when and how you complete, turn in, and invoice for each task. Be sure to create a contract that protects you and your clientele. 

9. Tutoring

One of the great things about online tutoring is that it can come in so many formats. You can work with a company like Silvan Learning to tutor school-aged children or start your own tutoring sessions. Building a website is a great way to showcase both your portfolio and services. It also allows prospective clients to see reviews from past clients who are impressed with your work. 

Tutoring is one of the best side hustles you can start. Not only can you make excellent money with a good marketing strategy, but you also help out students and lifetime learners who struggle with a particular subject you’re good at teaching. 

10. Data Entry

If you’re even remotely tech savvy, data entry jobs are easy to pick up and complete. Companies need a lot of paperwork entered into appropriate computer systems, and that’s where data entry clerks come in. 

This is a great job for someone who’s looking for flexible or part-time work. If you want to make money outside your regular job but don’t want to commit to building a side hustle, being a data entry clerk is the perfect side hustle. 

11. Web Design

Web design is a hot side hustle to get into. Your skills are easily marketable and needed. With a great portfolio of your abilities, you can pitch to clients and companies who need your skills to upgrade or build their online presence through impeccable website design. 

From landing pages to backend code, companies will need web designers well into the future, and the outlook and income earnings here are limited only by your own preferences. 

12. Cottage Food 

If you have a passion for baking, you can turn that into a nice side hustle by opening up a cottage food stand. Cottage food covers items like biscuits, cakes, breads, jams, jellies, nut mixes, and the like. 

One very nice aspect of this sort of food stand is that you can easily make money if you market your stand well and attend community events with good foot traffic. It’s also handy that these sorts of stands don’t need to be regulated by your state’s Department of Agriculture or the FDA (Food and Drug Administration.) Set your prices to sell, offer samples to prospective customers. Smile, be polite, and earn your way to ditching your 9-5.