8 Ways to Earn Extra Cash This Year

Everyone wants their dollar to stretch, but the cost of goods and services is out of our hands. Some people turn their focus on making extra money to give their bank account more cushion.

Working a second job can feel daunting and not worth the sacrifice of spending more time away from family. A part-time side hustle, however, allows you to use flex time, existing skills and creativity, or your space to bring in more income. 

We’ve gathered a few examples, along with estimated earnings, for you to consider this year. 

Rent Extra Land for Vehicles

If having visitors in your home doesn’t appeal to you, consider renting your land or even your driveway. 

Rental companies like STOW IT connect people who need to store their extra cars, RVs or boats with property owners. People may need temporary space due to HOA restrictions or to store their boat during the winter. If you have the space, you could be bringing in extra cash with minimal effort. 

According to STOW IT, people can earn $50-90 per month. Renters can charge additional money for security features including lighting and gates. 
 

Deliver Food and Groceries

Becoming a delivery driver not only allows you to use your own vehicle, but it also offers great flexibility. Perhaps you are saving up for home repairs or a family trip. Consider driving for DoorDash or Instacart 2 nights a week. 

Once you meet the minimum requirements, you can begin earning quickly. Companies typically offer a base pay or hourly rate, with the option to earn tips from customers. 
 

Learn a Profitable Skill for Free

Beginning a side hustle from scratch isn’t easy if you don’t have experience or a skill set. Learning a new skill, however, is free on YouTube. Creators from all backgrounds provide detailed videos on making and selling products that are in demand. 

The wide variety of videos available means you can learn to make home décor, concert clothes, holiday gifts and thousands of other creative outlets. Once you find and master a skill you enjoy, find a local market to sell your wares or open an online shop on Etsy. 

For those more mechanically minded, YouTube can help you learn how to repair and install appliances, build furniture and much more. Now you have a handyman side hustle you can use on the weekends. YouTube can even teach you how to build a client base through referrals and reviews.

Borrow Supplies from Your Library

As community needs shift and change, so do local library systems. They offer classes, meeting space and unlimited resources in book, digital media and other forms. 

Did you know you can also borrow tools, hobby equipment, cake decorating supplies and even podcasting gear for free? Like checking out the latest BookTok release, a Library of Things offers patrons a variety of items to rent. 

Spending money on expensive equipment to test the viability of a side hustle puts you in the red immediately. Instead, check out items from your local Library of Things and allow yourself time to save up money to invest in supplies.
 

Deliver for Amazon

The demand for delivery drivers is higher than ever for everything from online orders to groceries. Did you know you can deliver Amazon packages with your personal car? 

Through Amazon Flex, decide when and where you deliver. You can also view estimated earnings and delivery timeframes when signing up for a route. 

Being a delivery driver offers payments when you need them, either on a specific day or right after completing a route. Delivering during the peak holiday season can be a great option for you if you want to make extra money and pay off Christmas gifts quicker. 

According to Amazon, drivers earn $18-$25 per hour. Driving 2 hours a day each weekday, perhaps after the kids are in bed and your partner stays home, could net you $200 a week. That’s an extra $800 a month.  
 

Use Your Skills

Do you have graphic design skills that aren’t being used at your full-time job? You can create designs for online platforms to earn money without having to worry about production schedules or manufacturing costs. Sites like TeePublic and Redbubble welcome artists of all skill levels. Creators simply upload their designs and receive a share of the profits when a buyer purchases their designs on a sticker, mug, shirt or hat. 

As a bonus, many sites don’t require a monthly subscription fee or charge you to upload designs. Creators’ monthly profits vary, but if your designs are popular, it’s passive income you can make from anywhere. 
 

Rent Out Your Home

Similar to rideshare driving during peak times, renting out your home on select dates can bring in much-needed cash. 

Do you live near a popular concert venue or annual sporting event like the Masters? If you have a place to crash for a night, consider becoming an Airbnb or Vrbo host for people coming to town for the big event. You could also convert a garage space or configure a room in your home with a private entrance if you want to host more frequently. 

Airbnb can help you estimate your profit based on your location and the number of nights. 

Put Away Money for Tomorrow

Your schedule may not allow you to pick up a side hustle, so making your current income work harder is vital. Putting aside even a few dollars a month toward retirement or in a savings account allows you to build wealth slowly but surely.

Stretching your monthly budget is just one part of the puzzle when it comes to financial health. Looking ahead to the future is essential so your family can be prepared for healthcare costs, college tuition, emergencies and much more.

Not sure where to start with financial planning? Talk to one of our knowledgeable advisors.