We all have dreams, like that vacation to Iceland, a down payment on a house, starting a bakery business, or finally stopping living paycheck to paycheck. Those dreams, however, can feel distant amid the daily grind and responsibilities. This is where side hustles come into play: a way to make extra money without making complete sacrifices.
The problem? Side hustles tend to require a substantial time commitment.
However, what if you could add a little financial cushion without sacrificing too much of your precious time? Well, you’re in luck. Plenty of side hustles don’t take up a lot of time.
Taking advantage of your skills or hobbies for a little extra cash can be done on a flexible schedule with these mini-ventures. The best part? It will take you only an hour a day to complete the following side hustles.
Finding Your Side Hustle Sweet Spot
To start and maintain a successful side hustle, you must find something that fits your skills, interests, and available time. The following are some things to keep in mind:
- Experience and skills. Do you possess any specialized skills or certifications? Find a side hustle that feels natural and enjoyable based on your strengths.
- Passions and interests. Whether passionate about photography, writing, or crafting, you can turn these passions into a side hustle.
- Legalities. If you choose to run a side business, you might have to register your business and pay taxes.
- Time commitment. Make sure you are realistic about how much time you can devote to each day.
The One-Hour Hustle: Top Options to Boost Your Income
Next, let’s explore some great side hustles that require minimal time:
1. Freelancing: How to monetize your skills.
The internet has opened up a huge freelance market. If you’ve got marketable skills, you can sell them on Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. Every niche is available on these marketplaces, whether it’s writing, editing, graphic design, or virtual assistance.
2. Write a blog.
Starting a blog is a great way to express your passion or expertise for a topic. By building a loyal readership, you can monetize through advertising, affiliate marketing, or even selling your own products.
3. Create an online course.
Online courses are great ways to share your knowledge. You can create pre-recorded courses on Udemy or Skillshare. Developing a loyal following or specializing in a highly demanded field is an easy way to make recurring income.
4. Online tutoring.
Do you excel in math or language? Online tutoring platforms like VIPKid, Tutor.com, or Chegg Tutors allow you to share your knowledge with students worldwide. With many of these platforms, scheduling is flexible, so you can squeeze tutoring sessions between duties.
5. Microtasking.
Using platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, small, bite-sized tasks can be completed in minutes. Despite the low pay per task, if you dedicate a consistent amount of time to them, the rewards can add up.
6. Social media management.
A growing number of businesses are paying attention to social media engagement. With just an hour a day, help them create content, schedule posts, and interact with their followers.
7. Rent out a room — or your entire place.
Consider listing your spare space on Airbnb or VRBO. Whether you have a spare bedroom, a vacation property, or even a yurt, this can be a profitable side hustle without a huge time commitment.
8. Rent out your car.
If your car sits idle, you’re missing out. Turo, for example, connects car owners with renters so you can earn passive income from a depreciating asset. Check your insurance coverage and local laws before listing your car.
9. Pet sitting and dog walking.
Offering pet care services through platforms like Rover or Wag can be an excellent way for animal lovers to leverage their passion for animals.
10. Task rabbiting (odd jobs).
Using TaskRabbit, you can connect with people who need help with odd jobs. Many types of jobs can be done, from assembling furniture to mounting a television. Furthermore, Taskers can’t invoice for less than one hour on any task since there is a one-hour minimum.
11. Online reselling.
Do you have clothes you don’t wear anymore in your closet? You can resell them online through platforms such as Poshmark or ThredUp. Alternatively, you can resell vintage finds at flea markets or thrift stores.
12. Selling crafts or printables.
Do you have a creative side? Consider turning your hobbies into a source of income. Handmade crafts, digital designs, and printables can be sold on online marketplaces like Etsy or Society6.
13. Sell stock photos.
Sell your photos on stock photography websites such as iStockPhoto, Dreamstime, Shutterstock, or 123RF. These sites allow you to sell photos quickly, easily, and at an affordable price.
14. Give music lessons.
If you have musical talents, you can share them and profit from them online or in person. TakeLessons.com, for example, connects you with students seeking guidance.
15. Data entry.
Companies often outsource data entry tasks, which can be an easy way to earn extra money.
16. Online survives.
While the payout per survey is usually small, if you dedicate a short period of time to them each day, it can add up. You can earn money by joining sites such as Swagbucks or Survey Junkie.
17. Testing a website/app.
People are always needed to test companies’ websites and apps and provide feedback. Besides earning some extra cash, you’ll be helping improve websites and apps on sites like UserTesting and Test.io.
18. Design t-shirts.
Etsy, Zazzle, and Redbubble are great places to sell T-shirts with your art, words, or anything else you like.
19. Online mock juror.
During an online mock jury on sites like eJury, you can watch videos, view photos, and read transcripts. When you review the trial documents, you must answer questions or give your verdict. Even though online mock juries may not be as expensive as live mock juries, many people enjoy the convenience of doing the work from home.
20. Play the stock market.
It may seem surprising, but investing in stocks and running a business are closely related. In a Startup Grind article, it is stressed that investors should have a systematic approach and a plan. Furthermore, it recommends automating tasks and understanding investors’ weaknesses.
Final Thoughts
In order to succeed, side hustles require consistent effort. Set aside a certain amount of time every day to focus on your side hustle, whether it’s during your lunch break or after the kids go to sleep. By doing this, you can build momentum and see results more quickly.
Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio; Pexels
