9 Side Hustles You Can Start TODAY

The cost of living is going up and millions of Americans have no emergency savings. My friend, it never hurts to diversify your income sources, especially in today’s economy. No job is secure as the economy is expected to enter a difficult phase. 

Whether you recently lost your job or are looking for an additional source of income, starting a side hustle could be a great thing to do! 

We picked 9 side hustles that you can start today with little to no INVESTMENT that can easily earn an extra $1,000 per month. Here’s our list: 

1. Become a virtual assistant 

Virtual assistants have become a cool side hustle (and even a full-time job) as the workspace has become more fast-paced and technology has made remote work more convenient than ever. 

As companies are hiring more freelancers compared to full-time workers, there is an increasing demand for virtual assistants. It’s a diverse job - some companies need social media managers while others are looking for administrative assistance or email marketers. 

The remote nature of the work can help you earn up to thousands of dollars every month from the comfort of your home with just a few hours of work a day. 

2. Start freelance content writing 

Do you love to write and be creative? Did you know a freelance content writer on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr can easily earn between $20 to $50 an hour? 

Yes, you may not get those high-value projects immediately after signing up, but you have to start somewhere. If you have technical ability and a pulse of what your clients need, you can easily scale up your freelance writing career with time. 

Find a domain (business writing, academic writing, or technical writing) that you can ace, and then dive into freelance content writing. The dollars are going to start flying in sooner than you expect. 

3. Become an online tutor

If you are an expert in any subject under the sun, you can always find people who are going to pay you to tutor them. The more in-demand your expertise is and the better you are at explaining concepts, the more you can expect to earn.  

Online tutoring may look like a highly competitive marketplace, and it is to some extent.  So, you need a bit of strategizing here - pick a domain in which you have deep expertise and there is less competition. 

For instance, if you have expertise in a language, platforms like Preply can connect you with thousands of language learners. Moreover, you can find hundreds of domains for online tutoring on sites like Chegg, TutorMe, and Wyzant. 

4. Take paid surveys 

Have some free time? You can probably spend it in a better (and more rewarding) way by filling out online forms or replying to surveys (rather than watching Insta Reels, haha). 

Online survey platforms like Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie have plenty of surveys to keep you busy. The only investment you need here is your time and reliable Internet. 

5. Rent out your home/room on Airbnb

As the Covid-19 pandemic is ending, people are traveling like never before. A new breed of travelers (a bulk of which is made of Gen Zers and Millennials) prefer the more authentic and personalized experience of Airbnb hosts over traditional hotels. 

Here’s a crazy statistic: In 2023, over 448 million Airbnb nights and experiences were booked - almost double of what it was before the pandemic.  

So, if you have a spare bedroom or more at your home, listing it on Airbnb can generate extra thousands of dollars every month. But please, take good pictures of your place before you market it.

6. Become a freelance make-up artist 

If working with foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick is your thing, consider becoming a freelance make-up artist. You can source your clients from anywhere - your FB or Instagram page, referrals, or even part-timer at a local salon.  

Build up your portfolio with friends and family and start sharing before and after photos on a business social media profile. A freelance make-up artist can earn $10-$30 an hour, and if you are good at what you do–and market it well online–you can definitely demand more of a premium. But be careful, some states require a certification first, so be sure to research this before marketing your services.

7. Earn money by testing apps and games 

No, I am not kidding! You can actually earn money by playing games or exploring mobile apps. If you have a knack for the latest games and applications, this one's for you. 

Also, this is probably the most entertaining hustle on the list.  

Before launching cool new games and apps, companies get them thoroughly tested for bugs and usability. Get into a platform like UserTesting and Test IO and start earning today from anywhere, anytime using any device. 

8. Become an affiliate marketer

If you already have a large social media following or can build one (with time), you can monetize it using affiliate marketing. It involves creatively promoting the products of a seller (for instance, Amazon) and driving traffic to their site. 

When customers make a purchase using your link, you get a commission. For example, Amazon's affiliate marketing program helps you earn a 1-10% sales commission for every qualifying purchase. And if you're a macro- or mega- influencer, you can even charge per post on top of a generous commission!

Being an affiliate marketer is a great side hustle option for bloggers, vloggers, YouTubers, or social media influencers. 

9. Design and sell your own T-shirts

Have a passion for design? You can use awesome platforms like Prinitfy or Printful to design cool t-shirts with trending quotes (here is a favorite: Alexa, skip to the weekend) or awesome graphics. 

You can even take the help of free-to-use AI apps to come up with hundreds of new designs instantly. Take customer orders online (Facebook Marketplace works fine for beginners), get t-shirts printed on demand, and ship them to the customers. 

On-demand print means you don't need to keep a large inventory. 

Remember that as living costs keep increasing, having diversified income is a great stress reliever. Smart financial education is all about having a mix of active and passive sources of income to maximize savings and build wealth faster. Don’t fall for the myth that you don't need to save now.  

At uThrive Academy, we have curated a comprehensive 6-module course for young people looking to accelerate their wealth creation journey. These modules are full of practical insights, tips, and strategies to maximize earnings, manage finances, and have better control over money. Check out the course below.