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If you need extra money now — not next month, not next quarter, but this week — you need the best side hustles that don’t require a degree, certification, or significant startup investment. You need options you can launch immediately with skills and resources you already have.
I’ve always believed that relying on a single income source is one of the riskiest financial positions you can be in. That’s why I’m a strong advocate for side hustles — not just as a way to earn more, but as a way to build financial resilience. As I write in my how to make extra money guide, what happens when your one income source stops? Having even a modest side hustle changes your entire financial posture.
The best side hustles share three qualities: they require minimal startup cost, they can generate income quickly, and they build on skills or resources you already have. Here are 12 that meet all three criteria.
Service-Based Side Hustles: Earn This Week
These are the fastest path to cash because people are willing to pay for services immediately. No product development. No audience building. Just skill meets demand.
1. Freelance Writing
If you can write clearly, businesses will pay you for it. Blog posts, website copy, social media content, email newsletters — the demand for written content is enormous. The best side hustles for writers include pitching to small businesses directly, signing up on Upwork or Fiverr, and creating samples that demonstrate your ability.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $50 to $500+ per article
2. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Pet owners need reliable people to care for their animals — during work hours, vacations, and holidays. Rover and Wag connect pet sitters with pet owners in their area. You set your rates, availability, and the types of pets you’ll care for.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $15 to $30 per walk, $25 to $75 per night for sitting
3. Tutoring
If you’re knowledgeable in any academic subject, test preparation, music, or language, tutoring pays well and has constant demand. Start by posting on community boards, school parent groups, and platforms like Wyzant or Tutor.com.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 week Earning potential: $25 to $75 per hour
4. Cleaning Services
Residential cleaning is one of the most reliable best side hustles because the demand never stops. You need basic cleaning supplies (which most people already own) and the willingness to do thorough work. Start with people you know, then expand through word-of-mouth and local advertising.
Startup cost: $0 to $50 (supplies you may already own) Time to first payment: This week Earning potential: $25 to $50 per hour
5. Handyman and Task Services
Assembling furniture, mounting TVs, helping people move, yard work, pressure washing, painting — TaskRabbit and local community boards connect people who need help with people who can provide it. You don’t need to be a licensed contractor — basic competence with common tasks is enough.
Startup cost: $0 to $50 (tools you may already own) Time to first payment: This week Earning potential: $20 to $60 per hour
Selling-Based Side Hustles: Turn What You Have Into Cash
These hustles convert items or skills you already possess into immediate income.
6. Sell Unused Items
Every home contains hundreds of dollars in items that aren’t being used. Clothing, electronics, furniture, books, kitchen gadgets, fitness equipment — list them on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, or Craigslist. This is the fastest way to generate cash because you’re selling what you already own.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: This week Earning potential: $100 to $1,000+ depending on what you have
7. Reselling and Flipping
Buy undervalued items at thrift stores, garage sales, or estate sales and resell them at a profit online. Clothing, vintage items, electronics, and collectibles are popular categories. The key is knowing what sells — start by researching completed sales on eBay to understand market prices.
Startup cost: $20 to $100 (initial inventory) Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $200 to $2,000+ per month
8. Sell Baked Goods or Prepared Food
If you can bake or cook well, local markets, workplace orders, and social media sales can generate steady income. Specialty items — custom cakes, meal prep packages, cultural cuisine — often command premium prices because they fill a niche that restaurants don’t.
Startup cost: $20 to $50 (ingredients) Time to first payment: This week Earning potential: $200 to $1,000+ per month
Digital Side Hustles: Best Side Hustles for Earning From Home
These options require a laptop and internet connection but can be done from anywhere.
9. Online Surveys and User Testing
Platforms like Prolific, UserTesting, and Respondent pay for completing surveys, testing websites and apps, and participating in research studies. The pay per task varies widely, but user testing typically pays $10 to $60 per test and takes 15 to 60 minutes.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $100 to $500 per month
10. Virtual Assistance
Many small business owners and entrepreneurs need help with email management, scheduling, social media posting, data entry, and customer service. Virtual assistant work is flexible, remote, and in growing demand. The best side hustles in this category come from direct outreach to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $15 to $35 per hour
11. Transcription
If you can type quickly and accurately, transcription services need people to convert audio recordings into text. Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript are entry-level platforms that don’t require previous experience. Pay increases significantly as you build accuracy and speed.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $10 to $30 per audio hour (beginners) to $50+ (experienced)
12. Social Media Management
Small businesses know they need a social media presence but don’t have time to manage it. If you understand how to create engaging content, schedule posts, and grow an audience, you can manage accounts for multiple clients. Start by offering to manage accounts for local businesses you already frequent.
Startup cost: $0 Time to first payment: 1 to 2 weeks Earning potential: $300 to $1,500+ per client per month
How to Choose Your Best Side Hustle
With 12 options, the key is picking one that matches your situation:
Need cash this week? Sell unused items, offer cleaning services, or sign up for task platforms. These generate income fastest.
Have a marketable skill? Freelance writing, tutoring, virtual assistance, and social media management pay the most per hour. Read my guide on how to make money freelancing online for a deeper dive.
Want flexibility? Pet sitting, online surveys, and transcription let you work on your own schedule with no client commitments.
Want to build something bigger? Reselling, freelancing, and social media management can scale into substantial income streams over time.
Don’t try to do five side hustles at once. Pick one, commit to it for 30 days, and evaluate. If it works, keep going. If it doesn’t, try the next option.
Managing Your Side Hustle Income
Earning extra money only helps if you manage it wisely. Without a plan, side hustle income tends to disappear into general spending.
Direct it toward your financial priorities. As I recommend in my budgeting guide, channel extra income toward your emergency fund first, then high-interest debt, then investments. Don’t let lifestyle inflation absorb the extra earnings.
Set aside money for taxes. Side hustle income is taxable. Reserve 25% to 30% of your earnings for tax obligations so you’re not caught off guard.
Track everything. Keep records of your income and expenses for each side hustle. This makes tax time easier and helps you evaluate which hustles are worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best side hustle for someone with no special skills?
Selling unused items, cleaning services, pet sitting, and task-based work (TaskRabbit) require no specialized training. These are the best side hustles for anyone who’s willing to put in effort — the barrier to entry is low and income can start almost immediately.
How much can I realistically make from a side hustle?
It depends on the hustle, your time investment, and your skill level. Service-based hustles (cleaning, tutoring, freelancing) typically earn $20 to $75 per hour. Selling-based hustles generate lump sums depending on what you’re selling. Digital hustles like virtual assistance and social media management can produce $500 to $2,000+ per month with consistent effort.
How do I find time for a side hustle with a full-time job?
Start with 5 to 10 hours per week using evenings, weekends, or early mornings. Consistency matters more than volume — even 1 to 2 hours per day can generate meaningful income. Choose a hustle that fits your energy patterns and schedule rather than forcing one that conflicts with your primary job.
Do I need to register a business for my side hustle?
For casual, small-scale side hustles, formal business registration usually isn’t required. However, if your side hustle generates significant income (over $600 per year in the US), you’ll need to report it on your taxes. As your hustle grows, consider registering as a sole proprietorship or LLC for liability protection and tax benefits.
What are the best side hustles with the highest earning potential?
Freelancing (writing, design, development), social media management, and tutoring have the highest per-hour earning potential among accessible side hustles. Reselling and digital product creation offer the highest scalability — meaning income can grow beyond the hours you put in. The best side hustles combine high earning potential with skills you enjoy using.
The Bottom Line
The best side hustles are the ones you can start quickly, require little investment, and match the skills and time you already have. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity — start with what’s available this week and build from there.
Even a modest side hustle generating $200 to $500 per month transforms your financial position. It builds your emergency fund faster, pays off debt sooner, and gives you the income diversification that protects against financial uncertainty.
For the complete guide to earning more and managing it wisely, read my how to make extra money guide.
Toyin Onagoruwa is the founding editor of BrokeMeNot. With over five years of experience in personal finance writing and a background in financial services, he helps everyday people navigate credit cards, budgeting, and smart money management. Connect with him on LinkedIn.