In addition to all the ways we’ve mentioned so far, you can also consider making money the old-fashioned way with some extra hustle. Most of these work options have been around for centuries, but in some cases, new ways to tap into them have just emerged in the past decade. Here are 10 ways to earn extra cash the old-fashioned way.
Deliver for Postmates. Download the free Postmates app for Android and iOS and come online whenever you want to make money. Make up to $40/hour by delivering food, drinks, retail, and more. There are no time commitments or fees, so you will take home 100% of what you earn each and every time you make a Postmates delivery.
Drive for Uber or Lyft. If you have a reliable vehicle, a clean driving record, and a smartphone, driving for a car-share company is a real possibility. By working during peak travel times and optimizing your car for ideal gas mileage, you can make up to $25/hour on your own schedule.
Related: How to Make Money Driving for Uber
Try Uber EATS or DoorDash. Uber EATS offers part-time work that’s similar to driving for Uber or Lyft. Instead of picking up passengers, however, you will pick up food orders and deliver them in your area. Pay works similarly, letting you earn a per-job rate plus tips. DoorDash works similarly, letting consumers order food from restaurants and connecting drivers to pick up and drop off their meals.
Work in grocery delivery. Instacart is a company that will pay you to pick up grocery store orders in your spare time. The entire purchase and order takes place through the Instacart app, making it easy for you to pick up the groceries your customers wants and get paid. Like other food delivery jobs on this list, Instacart lets you earn a per-trip rate plus tips. Shipt is another service that will pay you to shop for groceries and deliver them to consumers in your area, so make sure to see if they’re available where you live.
Mow lawns or plow driveways. If you’re willing to mow yards or shovel or plow snow in the winter, you could easily start your own snow removal and lawn mowing business on the side. While you can usually find work by reaching out to your local community via word-of-mouth, flyers, or online message boards, the website Plowz & Mowz allows you to set up an online profile and reach more customers in your area.
Salvage and resell. Do you love antiques or have a knack for finding valuables at flea markets or yard sales? If you do, it might be time to consider salvaging items for resale – or even scouting out antiques to sell for a profit. While you’ll need to spend quite a bit of time searching for prospects and spend some money buying upfront, you could easily turn a profit if you know what you’re doing.
Get a part-time job. If you’re hard-up for cash, it might be time to consider a part-time job. Fortunately, retail, restaurant, and manual labor industries are almost always looking for workers willing to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Find seasonal work. Depending on the season, local businesses may be looking for part-time help. This is especially true during fall and winter when retail stores rely on seasonal workers to get through the busy holiday rush. And during the summer, temporary work opportunities range from manual labor outdoors to pool lifeguards and golf caddies.
Monetize a hobby. While some hobbies actually cost money, others can be transformed into a profitable business venture. Ultimately, it depends on what your hobby is and how talented you are. You could turn your love of photography, for example, into a part-time gig taking family portraits and wedding photos or selling prints on Etsy or at arts fairs.
Related: 11 Fun Things to Do That Can Actually Make Money
Ask for a raise. If you’re unhappy with your compensation at your 9-5 job, asking for a raise is one way to beef up your bank account. Most employers offer an annual review of your work – which could be the perfect time to negotiate a higher salary or ask for better perks. If your employer doesn’t offer such an opportunity, it might be time to initiate a review yourself.
Related: How to Negotiate Salary and Juggle Job Offers
Ask for overtime at work. Have a job that offers overtime? Let your boss know you’re interested in the opportunity. Meanwhile, it might be wise to let co-workers know you’re willing to pick up any extra shifts they don’t want or need.
Start a bed and breakfast. If you live in a popular resort area or own a historic property, a B&B might be the perfect side hustle. Not only can you work at home with this career, but you’ll also score some tax write-offs in the process — although most innkeepers caution that the profession requires a lot of hard work and is more of an attractive lifestyle than a money-making pursuit.
Related: The Ultimate Work-at-Home Job: Running a Bed and Breakfast
Start a small business. Have a skill you can monetize? If you know how to mow grass, paint a room, or bake cakes, starting your own business is a great way to earn quick cash. Depending on the type of business, you could even do it in your spare time. If you want to browse for more options, check out 50 Side Businesses You Can Start On Your Own.
Create passive income. If you have money saved, you can utilize this as a nest egg to create passive income. There are many ways to create passive income, with the easiest being to open a high interest savings account, which offers a much higher return than a normal savings account. Investing in stocks can also provide you with a passive income, but requires up front research and stringent monitoring of your portfolio.