Think you require a stacked resume or high-level credentials to make some extra money? Think again. Opportunity isn’t knocking in today’s gig economy; it’s kicking down the door.
A Bankrate 2023 survey found that close to two of every five U.S. adults (39%) have a side hustle, and they make $810 on average a month. That’s rent, food, or vacation money. And the best news? Most side hustle ideas require zero experience to begin.
If you’re between jobs, stuck on a career plateau, or just looking for something different (and maybe even fun), there are legal things to do to make money that don’t involve punching the clock at a typical 9-to-5.
Some take nothing more than your time, a computer, and a decent internet connection.
Here are four surprisingly easy ways to start making money from nothing, from low-paying hobby jobs to ones that can make you up to $39 per hour.
1. House Sitting: Get Paid to Chill (and Maybe Water Some Plants)
It sounds too good to be true, but house sitting is actually a job. It’s sort of like babysitting, only for houses. Side hustle coach Latasha Peterson says house sitters often collect mail, water plants, tidy up, and even care for pets while the homeowner is away.
The house sitters can earn up to $39 an hour, depending on location and responsibilities, says Care.com. That’s more than most part-time retail work pays, and you don’t even need to wear a uniform.
Peterson, owner of the blog Arts and Budgets, suggests looking for gigs on trusted websites like TrustedHousesitters, Rover, or Care.com.
If what you need is something local, use Facebook groups or Nextdoor to offer your services to your neighbors. It is one of the home side hustles spare change hunters should definitely consider.
House-sitting suits introverts or individuals who prefer being alone. It also fits the lifestyle of a digital nomad or remote employee who can do their job from anywhere.
One more perk is that many house-sitting opportunities also include a free house, meaning saving on rent and earning money.
2. Online Focus Groups: Get Paid Right Away for Expressing Your Opinion
If you’ve got opinions (and who doesn’t?) you can make money on the Internet. Market research companies will compensate you for your opinions on everything from snack foods to shoes.
Peterson also conducted a survey about sandals in Mindswarms, a website that pays for short video responses. She made $50 through PayPal after a 20-minute video describing what she thought about a pair of sandals.
Other legitimate websites you can trust are Find Focus Groups, Respondent, and Fieldwork.
Most of these surveys you can fill out from your couch and don’t require any technical skill at all. This is “online work from home” at its best. If you need something to do to make money between classes or between breaks, this is one of those no-brainer side hustle ideas.
Most of them let you choose topics you are interested in, so the experience is even more enjoyable. You may do a few surveys during lunch or when you watch your favorite show. Some even generate a consistent side income stream by joining a number of sites at the same time.
3. Affiliate Marketing: Similar to Posting on Social Media? Make It Pay
If you’re already posting product hauls or beauty hacks on TikTok, you might be leaving money on the table. Affiliate marketing gives you the means to get paid when someone buys a product because they saw you endorsing it.
Side hustle instructor Julie Berninger, co-founder of podcast Gold City Ventures, adds that you don’t need a large following. “You just film yourself with popular products that you already love,” she says.
Consider Amazon finds, Target staples, or ShareASale to find options for affiliate marketing.
It’s easy to monetize: just join these sites’ affiliate programs. Add your own links in your TikTok bio or YouTube bio, and the passive income begins. Peterson made almost $100 in one month on ShareASale with only a few posts.
This ranks near the head of the list of best side hustles for women if you already enjoy creating content. It’s an opportunity to earn money that can add up with frequency and a dash of personality.
You don’t even need to be an influencer because genuine recommendations by real people perform better. Through experience, you can refine messaging and boost conversion rates. In the long term, affiliate links can generate passive income with little added effort.
4. Selling Printables on Etsy: Low-Cost Passive Income That Adds Up
Think you have a design or organizational talent? Etsy might be your new best friend. One of Berninger’s highest hustles is the sale of digital printables, like planners, trackers, holiday cards, or celebration games.
She makes approximately $1,000 a month in passive income selling digital downloads.
“It’s very low-cost to begin,” she says. “All you really need is Canva and an Etsy account.”
Start with brainstorming what people would be searching for: think about spring wedding planning templates or August back-to-school checklists. Use platforms like Pinterest to see what the trending concepts are, then add your own spin on it using Canva.
The keyword is to optimize your listings with keyword-packed titles and tags, and use tools like Ubersuggest to make sure that you show up on Etsy search pages.
This is one of those fun jobs for women who require flexible hours and creative freedom. It’s also a great option as part of the best side hustle ideas for moms, especially those with a day job or childcare. Since everything is digital, there is no shipping and no packing, just passive income.
As time passes, most sellers start diversifying their shops with sets, seasonal products, or custom orders.
Your designs can cater to niche needs, such as parents, educators, or entrepreneurs. Combined with some understanding of marketing and excellent reviews, your Etsy shop can become a decent source of passive income.
Why These Hustles Work (And Who They’re Great For)
All four options share one secret ingredient: low barrier entry, flexible hours, and little initial investment. No coding skills, certifications, or degree in marketing are required. Just the willingness to do something new.
For working moms who balance work and family, these mom side hustles can be completed on a nap-time schedule. For college students, these remote side hustles are great since they don’t require a commute. These are also side hustles for teens who want to earn some pocket money.
For anyone who wants more money making ideas without another boss breathing down their necks, these side hustle ideas at home to make extra money give you control and independence.
They also appeal to women who want exciting jobs for women that break monotonous activities. From recording a review of a favorite shampoo to designing a printable party to-do list, these easy side hustles for women can be artistic endeavors that happen to pay.
A Word of Real Talk: It’s Still Work
They’re not “get-rich-quick” ideas. Like with any work, they require time, effort, and a bit of trial and error.
Your first Etsy listing will fail. Your first survey will only pay $5. But persevere, make adjustments to what you’re doing, and you can be making steady, reliable cash within a few weeks.
Furthermore, success stories are not mythical unicorns. Individuals such as Peterson and Berninger transformed these easy jobs into six-figure enterprises. That’s evidence that with some hustle, even beginner-friendly work can be scaled into something significant.
So if you have doom-scrolled through ideas for side hustles and done nothing about it, here is your wake-up call. You don’t require any special skills to make money today. In fact, one of those hustles could end up being more than you thought.
When the best female-friendly side hustles are the focus, the best weapon you have at your disposal is the one you already have is a willingness to start.
So do it. House sit. Give your opinion. Share that affiliate link. List your first printable. These aren’t side hustles, they’re stepping stones.
And whether you’re looking for some extra money or plain freedom, you don’t have to wait. These side hustle ideas are yours to seize immediately.
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