Best Side Jobs to Increase Your Income
Whether you want to increase your income to save for a dream trip, put down a deposit on a home or improve your lifestyle in general, the extra money that you will make by taking on a side job will afford you more financial freedom and life opportunities. In this article, you can learn the best side jobs to help work toward your financial goals.
Best side jobs that are convenient and easy
There are many options available to you if you are considering a side job. No matter your skills, circumstances or needs, you are sure to find a side job, whether it’s babysitting, delivering pizzas, house cleaning or evaluating search engines.
Here are some examples of convenient and easy side jobs:
Rideshare driver
Average salary: $14.43 per hour
Rideshare is a popular mode of transportation that replaces traditional taxi services in some cases. Two of the most commonly known rideshare companies are Uber and Lyft. Rideshare drivers use their own cars. They pay a percentage of their earnings to the company, which is called a service cut, in exchange for access to jobs. One of the main benefits of ridesharing is the flexible hours, which allows drivers to work when it suits them. However, the best times to be on the road are during peak hours, called ‘surge hours,’ when drivers are more likely to get more jobs but can also charge higher rates. Other benefits of the job include low overhead costs and convenience, as the whole transaction takes place on a mobile application.
Some of the basic requirements for a rideshare driver:
- A minimum age of 21 years
- Pass all background tests
- Car must pass inspection tests
- Car insurance should be under the name of the driver
- A smartphone that can run the application
Online English teacher
Average salary: $10 – $30 per hour
There is a demand for online English teachers. Online clients can either be school children, adults who want to improve their English, or business people who require English lessons to improve their ability to speak with clients. The teaching environments vary, ranging from one-on-one lessons to large classes with clients being from a different country.
Most companies offer some form of training, whether it is a PowerPoint presentation or in-depth online training. Online students mostly require lessons from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights, or on weekends. Because of the time differences between countries, you will establish a time that works for your schedule and your employer’s. However, hours are still flexible and the job does not have any real overhead costs.
Some of the basic requirements for an online English teacher:
Requirements vary from company to company and depend on factors like the level of English you teach and the size of the classes. If you are going to teach business English, for instance, some companies may require a bachelor’s degree in English. However, most companies require that teachers have Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification and some teaching experience. You will also need a computer or laptop, a quiet space and a Wi-Fi connection.
House sitter/Pet sitter
Average salary: $25 – $35 per hour
If you have a lifestyle that allows you to be away from home on a regular basis, house sitting is a convenient and easy way to make extra money. House-sitting jobs range from short-term positions that last a few days or weeks to long-term arrangements that may last months. Homeowners may only need you to visit their house a few hours daily, or may require you to stay in their home for the whole time. Duties may include watering indoor plants, gardening, overseeing house staff, collecting mail and feeding and walking pets. House sitting is a convenient way to make extra money, as it has no overhead costs.
Some of the basic requirements for a house sitter/pet sitter:
There are no requirements to become a house sitter. However, because homeowners are trusting you with their homes and animals, they may prefer house sitters who have experience and references. If you have no experience, you can gain references by house sitting for friends. Or you can join a website that matches homeowners with house sitters.
Freelance worker
Average salary: $10 – $30 per hour
The are many opportunities on the internet to find freelance jobs. Freelance writers, for example, can choose from a wide variety of online writing jobs that include copywriting, blogs, articles, academic papers, technical documents and ghostwriting. The internet also provides freelancing opportunities for many other professionals, such as website builders, graphic designers, transcribers, translators, programmers, animators and game developers.
Freelancers can find work in a variety of ways, including bidding against other freelancers on relatively low-paying jobs, joining online companies that outsource freelance services, or finding an online client that requires your skills. You could also start your own website and build your own client base. Freelancing work is convenient, as you can usually do it from your home. Overhead costs are also minimal.
Some of the basic requirements for a freelance worker:
Requirements vary from job to job, with some clients or online companies requiring bachelor’s, or even post-graduate degrees, while others may only be interested in your ability. Some online companies may also require prospective freelancers to pass a test before accepting them onto their freelancing teams.
Waiter/ Bartender
Average salary: $11.25 per hour
Some of the duties of service-industry staff include welcoming customers, taking drink and food orders, providing recommendations, clearing tables and being friendly and helpful at all times. The amount of money you make will vary among jobs. However, if you gain employment at a popular or fine-dining establishment, you may be more likely to earn higher wages and tips.
Some of the basic requirements for a waiter/bartender:
Most establishments do not require any qualifications and will provide serving staff with a few days of on-the-job training. Fine-dining establishments, however, may require serving staff to have experience.