From a handyman business to driving for Uber, the side hustles on this list come from personal experience, so we know they work. If you need ways to make money that you can trust, you’re in the right place!

If you’re looking for ways to make extra money, saving money may be helpful. Our top five tips for saving money, as well as 18 additional realistic tips, may also be helpful.

I can’t tell you how often I’ve looked for side job ideas online, only to feel frustrated with what I find. Online surveys? No, thank you. Start a blog? You’ll be lucky if you make a dime in the first three months. If you’re reading this post, you need real and honest advice. So, when I sat down to write this post, I focused on side job ideas we’ve personally had success with or that we know someone has.

These aren’t get-rich-quick side hustles, and I would caution you to be very leery of that type of advice. If it sounds good, too good to be true, it probably is. You’ll have to put in the work, but you can start generating income from most of these ideas within a week or so!

Side Job Ideas – That Actually Work

Before we dive in, I can only assume that if you’re looking for ways to make extra money, money is tight. If that’s the case, you must be in the right mindset. That means while you’re working hard and doing some of the side jobs on this list, you must also get your spending in check. Money saved is money earned. We have several articles on saving money that may be helpful. Let’s dive in!

Sell On Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace (and local buy/sell groups) makes selling your stuff easy. Find local groups, list the items you want to sell, and coordinate the exchange. Gently used clothing, baby items, furniture, electronics, small appliances, books, fitness equipment, and tools sell well. Before starting, read the rules to ensure your listings don’t get removed. Sign up for Facebook Marketplace here.

Sell On eBay

I was an eBay seller in college and made a decent living by drop-shipping items from big-box stores. While eBay is one of the more complicated ways to make money, you can make a lot of money there, especially if you have a good eye for valuable things. My niece has an eye for vintage clothes and toys and has a thriving eBay business. She finds most of the products she sells at yard sales and Goodwill outlets, where you pay a set price per pound. Start selling on eBay here.

Related: Realistic Ways to Save Money Each Month

Drive For Uber

Of all the side job ideas on this list, this is the one that my own husband does and truly enjoys! He’s a people person, so this is right up his alley. Setting up an account is an easy, step-by-step process, and you’ll experience a short waiting period while your background check is completed. Here are a few tips and tricks from my husband. 

• It’s nice to keep bottles of water, mints, hand sanitizer, and extra phone chargers in the car for riders.
• Get out of your car and help your passengers. I can’t tell you how many Uber drivers have watched me struggle with my bags and never offered to help. Most Uber drivers don’t receive many tips, but my husband does, and it’s because he does thoughtful things like this.
• Be friendly, but don’t overdo it. You’ll know pretty quickly if someone wants to talk to you. If they don’t, leave them alone. 
• You’ll likely receive many questions about local restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and other areas of interest. Print a small cheat sheet to hand out when people ask. They’ll be so grateful! Sign up to be an Uber driver here.

Deliver Food

As the holidays approach and people become busier, the demand for food delivery skyrockets. You can set your hours, choose your deliveries, and work as much or as little as you want. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates are great places to start. You can earn anywhere from $15 to $20 an hour, and even more during busy periods. Provide good communication, look presentable, be polite and friendly, deliver on time, and you might even rack up some tips!

Pro tip: Avoid driving during rush hour. You’ll be sitting in traffic more than driving. Focus on delivering during peak times, such as football Sundays, Fridays/Saturday evenings, and weekdays during lunch, when people are most likely to order delivery.

Related: Realistic Ways to Save Money Each Month

Provide A Service

There are many side job ideas, but being a handyman has genuinely changed my son’s life. He started his business about a year ago and has stayed busy ever since. I can’t tell you how often I’ve needed someone to install a ceiling fan, repair a toilet, move a heavy piece of furniture, or mow my lawn. You’re almost guaranteed to be successful when you provide a service that someone needs. 

Pro tip: It’s up to you to spread the word. People don’t know about your service unless you tell them. Social media makes advertising easy, and your friends and family can share, too. You can also sign up for TaskRabbit, a platform connecting people to handymen in their area.

Use Your Talent

Sites like Fiverr connect you with people who will pay you to do a variety of tasks. I just hired someone to make Pinterest images for me. I’m not creative in that area, and it takes me forever. I’d rather pay someone with more experience to get it done quicker. If there’s something specific that you’re really good at, chances are there’s someone out there who is willing to pay you for it. You can get some ideas by browsing Fiverr. The downside to Fiverr is the waiting, but once you have regular clients, this can be a lucrative little side hustle! Sign up for Fiverr here.

If You’re Crafty, Sell It!

When we lived at Fort Knox, I started making crafts and selling them at various places around the Fort Knox area. I loved all the people I met and made extra money, which we needed back then as a young military family with two kids. These days, there are numerous ways to sell items both locally and online. You can sell a variety of items, including handmade jewelry, soaps, candles, artwork, stationery, pottery, farmhouse signs, woodworking, blankets, and ornaments.

Locally, you can sell at farmers’ markets, holiday bazaars, and local Facebook buy/sell groups. You can even ask local businesses if they’d be willing to carry your goods for a share of the profits. Online, you could post on your personal social media channels, ask friends and family to share your posts, or sell on sites like Amazon Handmade, Etsy, and through your own social media channels. This is one of my favorite side job ideas!

Related: How To Lower Your Electric Bill

Snag A Seasonal Position

Have you ever noticed all the help-wanted signs that pop up around the holidays? Virtually every single retail business needs extra help, and since holiday shopping starts picking up in October, you’ll have a couple of months to earn extra cash before the holidays. Third-shift stocking jobs are popular this time of year because stores typically replenish their shelves during this period. I worked one of these jobs in my 20s, and I loved it! 

Indeed has hundreds of seasonal positions available if you’re looking for ways to make money from home. They typically require a landline phone, reliable Internet, a quiet work environment, and online training before you can begin.

Flip Home Furnishings

One of my best friends does this and loves it! If you see a piece of furniture on the side of the road, stop and pick it up. Sometimes, an old chair needs a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint, and you can turn right around and double your money. Facebook Marketplace and local buy/sell groups are great places to buy AND sell your items. Check Goodwill stores and flea markets, or ask friends and family if they have any old pieces they want to get rid of. Sometimes, people just let you have things if you’re willing to pick them up for free.

Related: 25 Ways to Save on Groceries Each Month

Rent A Room

If you have a spare room and an open mind, you can make a nice chunk of change doing this. Sign up with Airbnb, VRBO, or advertise locally. Sometimes, simply sharing the word with friends, family, or on your social media account is all you need to do. Traveling nurses, businessmen, and students always look for affordable places to stay!

To prepare the room for guests, I suggest keeping the decor simple and uncluttered. A bed, a dresser, a small nightstand or table, and a light are all you need. Remember that people will bring their own things and appreciate the extra space.

That’s it, friends! I hope this list of side job ideas has given you some inspiration. If you have any to share, please leave a comment below!

A regular savings account is for achieving goals like a vacation, new furniture, or a car. An emergency savings account is separate from that and only meant to be used in the case of an actual emergency.

Having a financial cushion prepares you for unexpected expenses. Recently, I needed about $4000 worth of dental work done, and even though I hated taking that money out of my savings, I was grateful to have it. I also went through tonsil cancer treatment at the beginning of 2023, and cancer isn’t cheap. We have fantastic insurance, but no one prepares you for everything you need before, during, and after treatment.

In both situations, I was so grateful for our emergency savings account. That extra money also allowed my husband to come home from Iraq for three months without financially burdening us. Life throws curveballs at you all the time, and having that financial cushion can at least help you get through it without stressing about money!

Related: Realistic Ways to Save Money Each Month

Emergency Savings Account

Job loss, medical bills, veterinary expenses, and home repairs are just a few of the things that can create a financial burden. It can happen to anyone at any time. We can’t predict when something like that will happen, but we can be financially prepared!

How Much Do You Need

Most of the advice I see online is to have three months’ worth of bills in your emergency fund. I disagree and think you should save at least six months’ worth of necessary bills. I say necessary bills because if you find yourself in this situation, unnecessary spending will only make things worse.

For example, if your necessary bills are rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, and gas. Add those up for one month and multiply the total by six. That’s the minimum amount you should have in your emergency savings account to protect you financially for six months in the event of hardship.

I recommend six months’ worth of bills instead of three, which is usually what’s recommended. If you experience job loss or an expensive home repair, three months’ worth of bills will be wiped out immediately. Setting a six-month goal will most likely leave some in savings, which means you still have some cushion.

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Once you’ve determined how much you need to survive for six months, you have a goal. I’ll post my example below. 

• Mortgage $1435
• Utilities $475 (this is a HIGH average)
• Car Payment $376
• Car insurance $221
• Credit cards $100 (we usually keep these paid off)
• Groceries $500
• Gas $200 ($50 a week)
• Miscellaneous $400 ($100 a week)

Total: $3,707 per month
Multiplied by 6 months = $22,242

If we hit rock bottom, we would need $22,242 in our emergency savings account to keep a roof over our heads, our utilities working, and food in our stomachs for six months. You’ll notice that I always have a small amount for miscellaneous expenses, and that’s because necessary things still happen, like your kids getting sick. Also, I could get that grocery bill down if needed, and I have written several articles on how to save money on groceries and food.

How To Build An Emergency Savings Fund

Try not to let the number above discourage you. It’s simply a starting point. If the six-month number completely overwhelms you, start with a three-month goal or take it a month at a time. An emergency savings account of $1000 is better than nothing. That six-month total is what we recommend in the event of total income loss or a significant event, but the chances of that happening are less than something like an HVAC unit going out or expensive dental work, so you’ll still have income coming in. 

Save Your Money

To reach your goal more quickly, save as much as possible and put the extra money into your emergency savings account. A penny saved really is a penny earned, and we’ve shared several ways to save money on the site. 

• If you’re a spender, you must get your spending in check. Those Starbucks and McDonald’s drive-thrus add up. Did you know that $10,000 a year is only $27 daily? How many times have you spent $27 in a day that was 100% unnecessary? I’m not saying you should never treat yourself, but getting your spending in check will help you build an emergency savings account more quickly.
• Immediately deposit any extra money into your emergency fund. I recently received a $1700 check from Vanderbilt, which immediately went into our emergency savings account!
• Get control of your budget. When we started tracking every penny we spent, we had much more money than we thought. I started doing this over 20 years ago, and I started with a notebook and pen. I left that notebook on our kitchen counter, and we would write anything we had spent in it daily. These days, I do it in a spreadsheet. The first thing I do every morning when I sit down with my coffee is check the bank account and enter anything that came out the day before. My spreadsheet is organized into necessary and unnecessary spending. I keep an eye on unnecessary spending, and I can’t tell you how much this helps keep us in check. If you think you don’t have any money to save, you might be surprised. 
• Once you start saving money, immediately put the extra cash into your emergency savings account. I love an automatic withdrawal for this. I recommend a specific type of account, which I’ll discuss below. Whether it’s $25 a week or $100 a week, start an automatic withdrawal as soon as possible. Chances are, you’ll forget it’s even coming out. We do.

Related: 25 Ways to Save on Groceries Each Month

Make Extra Money

There are many ways to make extra money, and my husband and son both have side hustles to earn extra cash. The more extra money you make, the more you can put into savings. 

• Side hustles are a great way to earn quick and easy cash. My husband drives for Uber often throughout the year, and he can usually earn anywhere from $150 to $500 extra a week, depending on how much time and effort he puts into it.
• My son started a handyman business, and it’s been a great little side hustle! He’s done everything from cleaning out gutters to hanging ceiling fans to small demolition jobs. If you put the word out to family and friends, you could be making money by the end of the week—my son did! Everyone needs a good handyman, and most of his work now comes from repeat customers.
• For ideas on how to make extra money, check out this blog post.

Where To Put Your Money

I’m an expert on my spending and savings, but I am not a financial expert, so I feel the need to add that disclaimer—ha!

• I highly recommend a high-yield savings account, which pays more interest than a standard bank account. For example, our savings account with USAA only pays out 0.1% interest, while our high-yield account with Ally pays 4% interest. That interest is added to the principal balance, and more interest is earned on that balance. Your money is literally making money while it sits there.
• We have an automatic transfer that withdraws the same amount weekly from our checking account and goes into our high-yield savings account. It’s an automatic deposit, so we don’t even have to think about it. Keeping your savings in a regular savings account means you’re missing out on free money.

I hope this post has given you some helpful ideas for building an emergency savings account. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear it, and it will help other people, too!

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I visited a friend last week, and she told me that her son was looking for ways to make money but couldn’t find what he was looking for online. As someone who has had an entrepreneurial heart since I was young, I know a thing or two about making money as a kid. I did almost everything on this list and can confidently say that you can make some extra money if you’re willing to put in the work!

Most of the advice I see online is entirely unrealistic. I just read an article on a popular money website recommending kids download investment apps to start learning about earning money that way. That’s nonsense. If someone is looking for ways to make money, they need realistic advice and don’t have time to learn about investing.

Whether helping out around the house or working for others, children learn valuable lessons when they work for their own money. It helps them develop good money habits, teaches them the value of hard work, and instills a sense of responsibility and work ethic.

Best Ways To Make Money As A Kid

Depending on the child’s age, parents may need to assist. Some things on the list, like mowing lawns, are obviously for kids a little older. My father had us mowing lawns as soon as we were old enough to push the lawnmower, but he was also there to supervise. So, choose things from the list that work best for you. Safety comes first, so in addition to getting to know your neighbors, I’ve included links to products that can help keep you safe.

Ask The Neighbors

I’ll preface this by saying that times have changed, and it’s less safe to go door-to-door than in the 1970s. However, if you know your neighbors well, they might need some help, even if they don’t realize it. I’ve learned from watching my son grow his small handyman business that people often forget and need reminders about things that need to be done.

Mow Lawns

• I can’t think of anyone who enjoys mowing their lawn. My husband would rather be fishing, and I’m certainly not. When I was young, I pushed the lawn mower around the neighborhood, and almost everyone I asked said yes, especially older adults who have difficulty doing physically demanding tasks. You can start by mowing your lawn to get some practice, and I’m sure your parents won’t mind ha! I recommend a face shield or goggles and good work gloves for protection.

Rake Leaves

• As soon as the leaves start to fall, grab your rake and go door-to-door. Like mowing lawns, most people don’t have the time to do this and would gladly hire someone. It’s also the perfect job for someone a little younger, assuming you know your neighbors well and your parents are OK with it. You’ll need a good pair of work gloves, a high-quality adjustable rake, and large leaf bags to get started. They even have complete sets that include the rake, leaf scoops, and a large garden bag.

Wash Cars

• People are fanatics about their vehicles and can never keep them clean enough, my son included. That kid spends more time cleaning his car than I think is normal, and I’m confident that if someone came to our door asking if he wanted to wash it, he’d immediately say yes. If you have a bucket, some good car soap, a sponge or washing mitt, and a few dry towels, this is a great way to make extra money as a kid!

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Dog Baths

• I wouldn’t have thought about this if my dad hadn’t had me do it every single weekend of my young life. Dogs need to be bathed regularly. You’ll need dog shampoo, a brush and comb set, and a good leash. It’s easier and less messy to do it outside using a hose. Offer to walk the dog after the bath for an extra fee (or include it in your price). No one wants a wet dog running around the house, and this allows the dog to dry while getting a walk.

Pet Sitting

• When discussing pets, pet sitting is another popular way for kids to earn extra money. Many families are away for most of the day and take vacations in the summer. They may need help taking care of their pets. We’ve used the same pet sitter for years. I found her on Rover, and we know our pets are in good hands when we can’t be there. Having someone look after your pet while you’re away is a need and not a want. Anyone who owns a pet needs someone to perform basic tasks, such as letting them out to use the bathroom, feeding them, cleaning their litter box, and checking in on them once or twice a day.

Lemonade Stand

• Lemonade stands are still a great way for kids to make money. A glass of cold lemonade hits the spot on a warm day. I recommend selling freshly squeezed lemonade, not the powdery stuff. You can find a recipe online or create your own. An affordable electric lemon juicer will make this much easier. You could offer fun additions like puréed strawberries, fresh mint leaves, or flavored seltzer water for a bubbly twist. There are tons of cute lemonade stand decorations on Amazon.

Pull Weeds

• I would gladly pay someone to do this for me! It’s tedious work that’s hard on anyone with back problems, which is the case for most people these days. Look for homes with well-maintained flowerbeds, because that indicates someone is already doing the work, and they might appreciate the break! All you need are some good gardening gloves to protect your hands.

Take Out Trash

• Offer to take down the trash the evening before the trash truck comes. This task can be difficult for some people, and you might be surprised how many take you up on your offer. You can do it every week and earn consistent money.

Shovel Snow

• This is one of the best ways to make money as a kid in the winter because it’s necessary! You may need to be older for this one, as it’s hard work, and lifting a shovel may be hard for younger kids. It’s labor-intensive but easy work, and they have lightweight snow shovels that would make it a little easier.

Clean Porches

• When guests visit, they walk up to the front porch, but most people (including myself) get busy and forget to clean it. I don’t know how or why they get so gross, but I feel I can’t sweep mine enough. It’s something that needs to be done often, so this is another thing you can offer to do regularly. All you’ll need for this is an outdoor broom and small trash bags.

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In addition to everything I mentioned above, help your parents and ask for larger jobs that you can do for extra money. When my son needed extra money, some of the jobs I would give him were cleaning the garage, straightening the attic, raking the yard (including the dog’s area), and washing the cars.

My kids didn’t get paid for everyday things like picking up, helping set the table, or cleaning it after dinner. They were expected to do these things because they were part of the family, not for money. This was an important lesson for them to learn. It’s not just Mom and Dad’s job to do everything around the house. They lived there, and they were required to help out, period.

But as they got older, I realized that giving them extra chores with an allowance as an incentive was just one way I could help them learn how to earn and manage their own money. 

How To Get The Word Out

• Most of the ideas on this list require you to go door-to-door, which is a lesson in and of itself. It takes courage, and you’ll hear the word “no” a lot, which is an important life lesson. Once you’ve done work for one person, you’ll likely attract repeat customers and new ones through word of mouth. You could also ask your parents, friends, and family to help spread the word.

How To Keep Track Of Income

• Since this post is geared toward children and teenagers, I recommend an income and expense notebook like this one. It’s uncomplicated and straightforward, which is all you need. A simple spreadsheet would also work, and is easily customizable to suit your needs.

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• How to Grocery Shop for One Person
• Realistic Ways to Save Money Each Month
• How To Save Money on Fresh Produce

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