Make Money Outside 9-5: Side Hustles for Full-Time Workers

Are you a full-time worker looking for a way to make extra money?

Side hustles are becoming increasingly popular among full-time workers looking to supplement their income.

From freelancing to selling products online, there are plenty of ways to make some extra cash without quitting your day job.

However, once you start earning good money from your side hustle, you should form an LLC with doola for flexible taxation.

It will reduce your self-employment tax by paying yourself through a salary and distributions. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best side hustle ideas for full-time workers.

3 Reasons Why You Should Start a Side Hustle Even With a Full-Time Job

Starting a side hustle while working a full-time job can bring several benefits and opportunities. Here are three reasons why you should consider starting a side hustle:

1. Additional Income

One of the primary reasons people start side hustles is to generate extra income. A side hustle can provide a financial cushion, allowing you to pay off debt, save for future goals, or simply have more disposable income.

It provides an opportunity to diversify your income streams and reduce reliance on a single source of earnings. Having multiple income streams can also increase your financial security and flexibility.

2. Pursue Your Passions

A side hustle allows you to pursue your passions and interests outside your regular job. It provides a creative outlet and the opportunity to explore areas that you may be passionate about but are not a part of your main career.

Whether it’s writing, photography, crafting, or offering a specific service, a side hustle allows you to express yourself and engage in activities that bring you joy.

3. Skill Development and Personal Growth

Starting a side hustle can be a valuable learning experience. It offers opportunities for personal growth and skill development. You can acquire new skills, improve existing ones, and gain hands-on experience in areas that may not be available in your full-time job.

The challenges and responsibilities of managing a side business can enhance your problem-solving abilities, time management skills, and decision-making capabilities. This newfound knowledge and experience can benefit your career and personal development in the long run.

Additionally, a successful side hustle can provide a sense of accomplishment, boost self-confidence, and open doors to new opportunities, such as networking with like-minded individuals or transitioning into a full-time entrepreneurial venture if desired.

26 Best Side Hustles for Full-Time Workers

Here are some additional income opportunities to consider alongside your full-time job:

1. Sell Products Online

Having an online store can be a great way to earn extra money, whether you’re selling handmade crafts, vintage items, or services.

You can use sites like Etsy and eBay to get started, and you don’t need any special skills or tools to get started. Plus, you can work on your store in whatever spare time you have.

2. Become a Virtual Assistant

Being a virtual assistant is another great side gig for full-time workers. You can find freelance opportunities for virtual assistant jobs on sites like Upwork and Freelancer.

This involves completing administrative tasks like data entry, scheduling appointments, and managing email accounts for companies or individuals.

When you earn at least $600 through virtual assistance, your client will send you a 1099 form.

At this point, forming an LLC is recommended to deduct the cost of equipment and materials used to assist clients.

Contact a professional such as doola for more information.

3. Make Deliveries

With the rise of food delivery apps such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates, anyone with a car or bike can make extra money by delivering food to customers in their area.

The great thing about deliveries is that you can work when it’s convenient for you. You can also choose how many hours you want to work and easily adjust your schedule.

4. Become a Photographer

If you have a passion for photography and are looking to make some extra money while still working full-time, becoming a photographer could be the perfect side gig.

As a photographer, you can offer your services to friends and family and start building your portfolio. You could also start an Instagram account or a website showcasing your work or even sign up with platforms like Thumbtack to find paying clients.

5. Start a Blog

Starting a blog could be the perfect side hustle for full-time workers. With the right strategy and dedication, you can make money from your blog in no time.

You could start by writing about topics that interest you, such as lifestyle, travel, or fitness. Then, you can monetize your blog through affiliate marketing or selling your own products or services.

6. Become a User Tester

User testing is an easy and potentially lucrative side hustle for full-time workers. It involves testing websites, applications, products, or services in exchange for payment.

Companies typically pay anywhere from $10 to $50 per test, and it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete a single test. User testers provide feedback on the product’s design, usability, and functionality.

This is a great way to make extra money on the side and help improve the products of tomorrow.

7. Tutor Online

With technological advancement, the internet has opened a whole world of opportunities to make money on the side.

Tutoring online provides flexibility and convenience that can easily fit into the schedule of someone already working full-time.

Tutors have various options when it comes to providing their services, including one-on-one tutoring sessions or group classes.

You can also sign up with platforms such as Tutor.com and Wyzant to find clients needing your help. 

8. Be a Tour Guide

If you’re looking for a side hustle that offers the opportunity to meet new people and share the knowledge of your city, then being a tour guide might be the perfect job for you.

As a tour guide, you will be responsible for taking groups on walking tours of your city’s most popular attractions, providing them with interesting facts and stories about the area throughout the journey.

To get started, you’ll need to research your city’s attractions and be comfortable speaking in front of an audience. You can find tour guide jobs on sites like ToursByLocals or GetYourGuide.

9. Become a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is a great side gig for full-time workers. It involves going undercover at a store or restaurant to evaluate the customer service and overall experience.

Mystery shoppers are typically paid by the company they are evaluating, usually in the form of cash, gift cards, or other rewards.

Mystery shopping can be an ideal side hustle for full-time workers because it’s flexible and can be done on your own schedule.

You can find mystery shopping opportunities on sites like BestMark or Market Force.

10. Offer Handyman Services

Providing handyman services is an excellent side hustle that doesn’t require much investment, just your time and skills.

If you already have experience in carpentry, plumbing, or other home repairs, offering handyman services could be the perfect side hustle for you.

This type of work is often in high demand, and you can find jobs by advertising your services on sites like Craigslist or Nextdoor.

11. Become a Transcriptionist

Are you looking for a way to make some extra money without giving up your full-time job? Becoming a transcriptionist could be the perfect side hustle for you.

Transcriptionists help turn audio or video recordings into written documents, and many opportunities are available online for experienced and new transcriptionists alike.

Transcription is an in-demand skill that can be done from anywhere in the world, and it’s a great way to make some extra money on the side.

12. Join a Focus Group or Take Surveys

Focus groups typically involve individuals gathering together to discuss and evaluate a product, service, or concept.

Companies often pay participants with free products or cash rewards for their time and opinions.

You can find focus groups by searching online or signing up with a platform such as Respondent.io.

Another option is to take surveys in exchange for cash rewards, gift cards, or other prizes.

Sites like Survey Junkie and MyPoints offer easy ways to make money from the comfort of your own home. Just sign up and answer some questions.

13. Offer Web Design Services

Web design is an evergreen industry, with businesses of all sizes needing websites for their operations. You can find freelance web design jobs on sites like Upwork and Freelancer.

Whether it’s designing a single-page website for a small business or developing a full-fledged e-commerce site, web design offers an opportunity to make some extra money.

14. Teach English

Teaching English abroad or online is a great side hustle for full-time workers. Teaching English as a second language (ESL) can be a very rewarding experience.

It is also an excellent way to make extra money on the side and gain experience in teaching. For those looking to teach English as a side gig, many options are available.

One option is to teach English online through platforms such as VIPKID and Cambly. You can also look for opportunities to teach English abroad in countries like China and Japan.

15. Rent Your Home or Spare Room on Airbnb

Airbnb has become a popular side hustle for full-time workers looking to make some extra cash by renting out their home or spare room.

With Airbnb, you can rent out your entire home or just one room and control how much of the house guests have access to.

Depending on the size and location of your property, you could earn anywhere from $50 to $200 per night through this side hustle. 

16. Help with Home Staging

Home staging is the art of making a house look presentable and inviting by arranging furniture, art, and accessories in an attractive way that appeals to prospective buyers.

Home staging involves more than just rearranging furniture, so you’ll need to be creative and have an eye for design. You can find home staging jobs on sites like HomeAdvisor or Craigslist.

17. Dog Walk or Pet Sit

With many people working from home now, the need for dog walkers and pet sitters has only increased.

You can start by putting up flyers in your neighborhood or signing up with a platform like Wag.

You can also consider becoming a pet sitter and offering to watch people’s pets while they are away on vacation or business trips.

Sites like Rover allow you to sign up and find clients needing your services. 

18. Clean Houses

Cleaning houses is one of the top side hustles for full-time workers, as it typically requires minimal effort and can be done on your own schedule.

It’s usually charged by the hour, and you can even offer additional services like window washing or carpet cleaning for an additional fee.

Sites like TaskRabbit and Care.com can help connect you with potential clients in your area.

19. Offer Music Lessons

If you are a full-time worker looking to make some extra money on the side, consider offering music lessons.

Whether you play guitar, piano, violin, or any other instrument, you can easily set up a business teaching private lessons.

Teaching music is a great way to help others hone their craft and also earn some extra income for yourself.

You can charge by the hour or for a series of lessons, and you can even offer group lessons if you prefer.

20. Become a Freelance Writer or Proofreader

Freelance writing and proofreading can be a great way for full-time workers to make extra money on the side.

With the rise of digital media, there is a high demand for content writers, editors, and proofreaders.

Whether you’re looking to expand your professional skills or just want to make some extra cash, freelance writing and proofreading can provide an opportunity to do just that.

You can find freelance writing and proofreading jobs on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr.

When earning $600 or more through freelancing, forming an LLC is recommended to deduct the cost of equipment and material used to assist clients.

21. Sell Baked Goods

If you want to make some extra money on the side, selling baked goods is an excellent option.

You could start by making specialities like cupcakes or cookies, or you could offer an array of baked goods for customers to choose from.

Once you have your recipes perfected, you can start selling online or in local markets or shops.

22. Become an Event Planner

As an event planner, you are responsible for organizing and managing all aspects of an event, from conception to completion.

This could include everything from finding the perfect venue and arranging catering services to hiring entertainment and managing the budget.

If you have a knack for organization and are looking for a creative side hustle, event planning could be the perfect fit.

23. Create a YouTube Channel

Creating a YouTube channel is an excellent side hustle for full-time workers, as it requires minimal overhead costs and offers potentially high returns.

With the right combination of creativity, marketing savvy, and audience engagement, a successful YouTube channel can generate hundreds or even thousands of dollars in revenue.

The first step to creating a successful YouTube channel is choosing your topic. Think about what kind of content you want to share and what type of audience you want to attract.

Once you know what your channel will be about, you can start creating videos and building an audience.

24. Sign Language Interpreter

Sign language interpreters provide communication services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

You interpret spoken language into sign language and vice versa so that both parties can understand each other.

You must be highly trained and proficient in sign language, and you must also be comfortable working in a variety of settings.

This side gig can be very lucrative, with interpreters often making up to $50 an hour or more. You can find sign language interpreting jobs on sites like Upwork or Freelance.

25. Affiliating Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money on the side without having to invest much time or money in the process.

You can monetize your website or blog, as well as make passive income through commission-based sales with minimal effort.

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products and services that you believe in through links on your website or any other online platform.

When visitors purchase the product or service through your link, you receive a commission.

26. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an increasingly popular side gig for full-time workers who are looking to make extra money and don’t want the hassle of a traditional business.

Dropshipping allows individuals to create an online store without having to carry inventory or ship products themselves.

Instead, drop shippers partner with a third-party supplier who will ship products directly to customers.

The drop shipper simply markets the products and collects payment from the customers. This side hustle is relatively easy to start and can be very lucrative if done correctly.

How to Start a Side Hustle with Full-Time Work in 5 Steps?

Starting a side hustle while working full-time can be an exciting and fulfilling way to explore your passions and generate extra income. Here are five steps to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Interests and Skills

Think about your interests, hobbies, and skills. Identify what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. This could be anything from graphic design to writing, coding, tutoring, or crafting.

Choose something that aligns with your strengths and brings you joy.

2. Research and Validate Your Idea

Once you have a general idea, research the market to determine if there’s a demand for your product or service. Look for competitors and evaluate their offerings.

Identify what makes your idea unique and how it can solve a problem or provide value to potential customers.

3. Plan and Set Goals

Create a solid plan for your side hustle. Define your goals, both short- and long-term, and outline the steps required to achieve them.

Consider aspects like pricing, marketing strategies, target audience, and the resources you’ll need. Set realistic goals that align with your available time and energy.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Balancing a full-time job with a side gig requires effective time management. Assess your schedule and identify pockets of time that you can dedicate to your side hustle.

It could be early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Prioritize tasks and create a schedule to ensure you’re making consistent progress toward your goals.

5. Start Small and Scale Gradually

Begin your side hustle on a small scale to test the waters and gain experience. It’s important to start with manageable commitments that won’t overwhelm you.

As you gain traction and confidence, gradually expand your offerings, invest more time, and explore new opportunities.

Be open to learning from your experiences and adapting your strategy along the way.

Remember, starting a side gig requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. Generating substantial income may take time, so be patient and stay focused on your goals.

Maximize Side Income Opportunities with doola

While side hustles offer the potential for increased financial stability, they may require some extra effort and time commitment to ensure your gig is compliant and ready for tax season.

However, if you’re managing both a full-time job and a side hustle, it can be a challenge to find time for everything. Luckily, you can successfully launch and manage your side hustle business with doola.

Get started with our business formation services to set up a separate legal business entity and enjoy benefits like limited liability, flexible management, and pass-through taxation.

If you want to reduce your administrative burden and paperwork, doola Bookkeeping is perfect for stress-free income and expense recording, as well as assistance during tax season.

Consult our Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) for more information about pass-through taxation and credits for enhanced tax savings.

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