Some Side-Hustle Ideas to Help You With All That Money Anxiety

If the talk of rising debt, cost-of-living increases, and, now, President Trump’s tariffs has you breaking out into a cold sweat, you’re not alone. It seems like everyone is worried about what a recession could mean for them, including, according to one survey, layoffs, businesses closing, and feeling even more burned out. Which is why, probably, you ended up here looking for ideas on how to make some extra cash on the side. Relatable!

The concept of side hustles has been around forever, but in recent years, they’ve especially popped off. Eliana Goldstein, a career coach and the founder of Eliana Goldstein Coaching, explains that the pandemic awoke this desire. “People started asking deeper questions: What do I actually want out of my work? Is this it? Am I really okay trading this much time for something that doesn’t light me up?” And thanks to remote work and more flexible schedules, Goldstein says, more people had “the time and mental space to explore other passions and interests and develop other income streams.”

Now that we’re a few years out of lockdown and fully into return-to-office orders, Rachel B. Garrett, ICF-certified career and leadership coach, points out that many companies have become quite toxic as they try to rebuild corporate culture, often prioritizing productivity and profits over people. But side hustles give bored, stuck, lost, or broke employees a chance to feel agency. “Side hustles are something they can own,” Garrett says, “where they have authority, decision-making power, and opportunities for creativity — all without walking away from the security of a full-time gig.”

The good news: There are plenty of ways to make it happen. So if having autonomy and creative control sounds good to you, check out these opportunities for you to hustle on the side.

1. Ghostwriting (this can be blog posts, newsletters, LinkedIn posts, or books, says Garrett). You can upload a profile to a site like UpWork and Fiverr to start finding clients and projects.

2. Participating in paid online surveys and focus groups.

3. Creating skill-sharing courses and training programs based on your expertise (this could be anything from teaching calligraphy to mastering iPhone photography, says Goldstein).

4. Monetizing content. (YouTube, TikTok, IG, FB, Discord, Twitch — if you’ve ever looked at an influencer and thought I could do that, now is your chance.)

5. Entering contests or giveaways.

6. Consumer-product testing.

7. Connecting or career matchmaking. (This is a growing market: “Many folks I meet do not have the skills to build a professional network that will get them access to the right rooms and roles,” shares Garrett. “If you’ve always been a connector, have a broad network, or are an expert at curating matches, this could be an untapped revenue stream for you.”)

8. Dog walking. (It may shock you, but this can make you a lot of money, says Goldstein.) If you’re not sure where to start, make a profile on Rover or Wag!

9. Closet or home organizing.

10. Executive functioning coaching and tutoring. (This is another untapped opportunity: “As children and adults continue to receive ADHD diagnoses and are navigating how to move through a complicated world, trained EF Coaches offer tools, skills, and systems to help,” says Garrett. “It’s one of the most requested referrals for services I receive from clients and my wider network.”)

11. Note taking (yes, getting paid to take notes).

12. Miscellaneous odds and ends (plenty of platforms, like Taskrabbit, can help you get started with anything from picking up party decor to mowing lawns).

13. Creating templates for big events (think save-the-dates, baby-shower invites, bachelorette-weekend schedules).

14. Flipping on Facebook Marketplace. (For the DIY-ers: There is a treasure trove of free and cheap furniture on FB — pick it up, fix it up, and then sell it for profit.)

15. Renting storage space (attic, basement, spare bedroom, garage, etc.). Try making a post advertising your space in your local neighborhood Facebook group.

16. Launching a paid newsletter (a weekly roundup of job leads or maybe biweekly insights from growing your personal business). Look into Substack or Medium (though many people prefer Substack because it has fewer limitations).

17. Coaching and mentoring. (You can guide first-generation students through the college-application process and essay writing, support new parents with sleep-training routines, or help early-career professionals prep for presentations and talks, says Goldstein.) Career Contessa is a great resource for job-related coaching, or you can sign up with the International Coaching Federation, which offers certification and focuses on multiple industries.

18. Speech writing (think maid of honor/best man speeches or a welcome speech for a corporate event). Upwork is also great for this, or you can apply to Essay Service.

19. Content creator for a wedding. (Many couples are opting for more casual candids versus traditional photography; if you’re social-media savvy, this could mean big bucks.)

20. Graphic or visual design (pitch decks, brand guides, logos, etc.).

21. Social-media management.

22. Temping for a hospitality agency — working games or concerts as a ticket taker, ID checker, server, etc. (plus: free entertainment). Indeed, Taskrabbit, and Instawork are all great resources for one-off or repeating events.

23. Virtual assistant. Fiverr is a great option, or try perusing Virtual Vocations for listings.

24. Marketing (digital content strategy, SEO strategy, pay-per-click advertising, etc.).

25. Proofreading and editing (résumés and cover letters, ebooks and self-published works, audio and video transcripts). You can sign up for Creative Circle, where it matches you with aligned projects.

Now, before you start raking in millions, we have some parting wisdom from our experts:

“A worthwhile side hustle feels like an ‘I want to’ rather than an ‘I should,’” says Garrett. “If you’re going to spend your leisure and rest time on more work, it will only be a success if it feels energizing, empowering, and like something that brings you pride.”

And if you’re still a little hesitant to begin, Goldstein urges you to just start. “If it’s on your mind, go for it. Don’t wait until you feel it’s perfect or fully fleshed out — it’s a side hustle! It doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s better to have a messy start and then iterate on it.” Good luck out there!

Stay in touch.