Whether you’re saving for something special or just want a financial cushion, a side hustle is a great way to make extra income while maintaining your full-time job.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 ways to make money while working full-time that fit your skills and lifestyle.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Key takeaways
- Focus on monetizing your skills, hobbies, and interests to earn extra money while working full-time.
- Anyone can pick up side hustles – you don’t need a four-year degree to start earning.
- Some side hustles don’t require upfront investments, like filling out surveys, freelancing, Print on Demand, or pet sitting.
- Focus on passive income streams like selling digital products or starting a print-on-demand business for ongoing revenue.
- Consider renting out your assets, like your property, a car, or tools that might be useful for other people.
20 ways to make extra income while working full-time
For some, side hustles are a financial necessity, while others see them as a way to make extra cash while working full-time and learning new skills.
No matter your goal, here are 20 ways to make extra money with a full-time job.
Quick tip
Not every side hustle will be a great fit for you. Carefully consider your strengths, weaknesses, and available resources before settling on a choice that may require long-term commitment.
1. Open an online store with Print on Demand
Print on Demand (POD) is an online business model to make money online by selling custom products without investment, inventory, or managing logistics.
It’s a modern order fulfillment method for entrepreneurs to create, design, and sell one-of-a-kind apparel, accessories, decorations, and lifestyle products. The supplier does everything else – printing, packaging, and shipping directly to the customer.
With the right marketing strategy, selling t-shirts with just a few designs can generate impressive additional income.
Advantages of Print on Demand using Printify:
- Beginner-friendly
Print on Demand is a beginner-friendly business model that’s easy to start, manage, and scale. Anyone can design and sell custom-printed products. - Low investment, low risk
Pay for the products only after you make a sale. Don’t worry about losing money – there’s no need to invest in inventory or storage space. - Easy passive Income
After setting up a store and choosing product designs, all you need to do is manage online marketing. As long as you’re promoting products successfully, the business continues to generate revenue. - Largest selection of products
Sell various print-on-demand products, from apparel and accessories to pet supplies, appealing to a vast global audience. - Endless personalization
Stand out by creating original products. Make money with exclusive designs, whether you design them yourself or commission professionals.
Quick tips
If you want a side hustle that can bring in as much income as a full-time job, learn how to start a print-on-demand business.
While passive income ideas require initial effort, they pay off in the long run.
Find inspiration from success stories of people who use Print on Demand to earn money. For example, Christina Umerez earns thousands per month with evergreen designs.
Start a print-on-demand business today!
2. Become a freelancer
Freelancing is a great way to earn extra income while working full-time. Many companies and other businesses hire experienced writers, designers, and other professionals for freelance work like copywriting and social media marketing.
Some online marketplaces for freelancers include:
- Fiverr. A simple platform connecting freelancers with businesses. Ideal for writers, editors, and designers.
- Upwork. Freelancers can bid on jobs or market their services to clients. Great for building long-term working relationships.
- Printify Experts. Graphic designers and web development specialists can offer services to Printify store owners.
- 99designs. A global online marketplace for freelance graphic design work.
Freelancing provides flexibility and the freedom to complete projects in your spare time. It’s a fun way to engage with your creative passions, build your portfolio, and earn money on your own terms.
3. Create an online course
The global e-learning market will reach almost $400 billion by 2026, making it a profitable option to monetize your expertise through structured on-demand lessons. Create the course once, upload it, and cash in when learners purchase your material.
Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and Teachable let you easily upload your course, reach a massive audience, and start earning extra income.
- Skillshare. Earn money by creating short, creative classes in your area of expertise using an intuitive and modern platform.
- Udemy. Reach millions of students and leverage the platform’s Market Insights tool to find profitable topics.
- Teachable. Create, sell, and market online courses or coaching services from one streamlined platform.
- ProProfs Training Maker. Easily create, customize, and sell online courses with ready-made templates, automated tracking, and built-in assessments.
4. Rent out property
While not an option for everyone, those with property or spare rooms to rent can use it to earn passive income.
These are the most popular platforms for renting private accommodation:
- Booking.com. Reach a global audience with one the world’s largest travel platforms for renting out property.
- Airbnb. The most popular online rental marketplace with more than 1.5 billion guest arrivals worldwide to date.
Renting out a property comes with risks – difficult tenants, property damage, and legal issues. Carefully screen potential tenants, draw up a clear rental agreement, adhere to short-term rental laws in your region, and have insurance.
5. Participate in online surveys
Participating in online surveys is a fun way to make extra cash with minimal effort. All you need is spare time to earn money on your phone.
Companies pay for feedback through surveys to understand what the target audience thinks about their products or services.
Here are two popular survey sites:
- Swagbucks. Earn rewards for answering surveys and watching videos, and redeem your bonus points for gift cards or cashback.
- Survey Junkie. A top-rated site to do paid surveys and earn extra money through PayPal or virtual gift cards.
Make sure the effort is worth your time by researching and reading reviews before signing up for any paid surveys to ensure legitimacy.
6. Drive for Uber or Lyft
Driving for ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber offers flexibility to work in your free time. But keep in mind that as a side hustle, the income can be modest, especially after accounting for gas, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.
If you have time to dedicate, register for these two platforms:
- Lyft. Offers driver bonuses, in-app tipping, and higher earnings during peak hours.
- Uber. Has more ride requests, particularly during high-demand periods with surge pricing.
The earning potential depends on when and where you drive, with peak hours in busy areas being the most profitable.
7. Make and sell crafts online
Industry forecasters value the global arts and crafts market at $50.9 billion in 2024, providing opportunities for monetizing your handmade goods.
If you dream of having a creative side hustle, making money on Etsy is the perfect option. With over 96.48 million active buyers in 2023, finding a lucrative niche is possible.
If you’re looking to sell original merchandise instead, design, create, and sell on Etsy with Printify. We offer seamless Etsy integration, making it easy to set up and connect your store in minutes.
Quick tip
Unlock a new revenue stream by learning how to start selling stickers on Etsy.
8. Become a tutor
If you’re good at a particular subject and love working with people, tutoring others is a rewarding way to earn extra cash.
Popular tutoring platforms include:
- Preply. Teach languages online to new students, with convenient payment methods and professional development webinars available.
- Wyzant. Join this multi-subject tutoring platform connecting teachers with students worldwide, providing a hassle-free way to teach and get paid.
Tutors have the flexibility to work in their own time, fitting sessions and preparing lesson plans around their full-time job.
Quick tip
Carefully research platforms before settling on a choice – read third-party reviews, tutor experiences, and the platform’s policy to verify that it’s reputable.
9. Sell photos online
If photography is already your hobby, selling photos online is a side hustle idea that can generate income with little to no upfront cost.
Many companies need licensed photos for their social media, eCommerce stores, and advertising campaigns.
Here are a few platforms to start:
- Shutterstock. Connects photographers with a massive audience of potential clients looking for content.
- Getty Images. A renowned platform for premium-quality photos with higher payout potential.
- iStock. Offers opportunities to sell stock images to businesses and creatives.
Focus on specific niches or trending topics to increase your chances of getting noticed and earning money online through photography.
10. Sell digital products
Selling digital products is a straightforward side hustle idea that empowers you to make extra money in your free time.
If you’re skilled in creating digital art, planners, or designs, this is a perfect way to generate passive income without needing physical inventory.
Sell digital art like high-quality prints on posters, canvases, and various products with Printify. Simply upload your artwork while Printify handles production and shipping, letting you focus on creating and marketing.
11. Become a food delivery driver
Food delivery is a convenient way to earn extra income. If you have a means of transportation and some flexibility, it’s possible to make good money by delivering meals to customers.
Popular apps include:
- Uber Eats. Simple sign-up, work whenever you want, and receive direct payments.
- Grubhub. Select delivery shifts that fit your own schedule for optimal earnings.
Food delivery is one of those side hustle ideas that yields the best results during peak times like after work or on weekends.
12. Rent out your car
If you have a car sitting unused in the driveway, renting it out is a viable side hustle. Earn extra income while offsetting costs for upkeep, insurance, and cleaning.
Create listings for your car on:
- Turo. A popular platform that connects car owners with local drivers.
- Getaround. A platform to rent out your vehicle hourly with trip liability insurance.
Make sure your car is clean and road safe to adhere to each platform’s policies before listing it for potential renters.
13. Become a streamer
Streaming has become a very profitable side hustle. Whatever you enjoy – from playing games to commentary – streaming is a good way to monetize your creative ideas.
- Twitch. Stream your games or other special-interest content like food and music and have viewers support you through donations.
- YouTube. Monetize your YouTube channel and make money through Super Chats. Viewers pay to highlight their message during your streams.
Once you have a devoted following, earn money on Twitch or YouTube through brand partnerships and selling fan merch.
If you make music, consider earning money on Spotify and other streaming platforms to supplement your income.
14. Rent out tools and equipment
If you have unused tools or equipment like camera gear or construction appliances, consider renting them out to make extra money.
While you can sell old tools on Facebook Marketplace, this side hustle lets you list your equipment on rental websites for hourly, daily, or weekly use. Rather than making a one-time sale, use these items to generate recurring income.
- Loanables. A platform that connects tool owners with those looking to rent.
- Fat Llama. Rent out equipment to people in your area and make passive income.
Many rental websites cater to various niches, so it’s easy to start renting out your sports equipment or party furniture.
15. Become an event planner
Event planning is a great side business if you’re organized and want to get your creative juices flowing by offering services to clients.
Whether it’s weddings, corporate functions, or parties, start small and gradually build your client base.
With time and the right social media marketing strategy, this could turn into a steady income source.
16. Start a pet-sitting business
If you love animals, pet sitting or dog walking is a rewarding way to earn income while working full-time. Pet owners often need someone trustworthy to watch their furry friends when they travel.
To find a part-time job pet sitting, join platforms like:
- Rover. Connect with pet owners who need sitters or dog walkers in your area.
- Wag!. Offers flexible dog-walking gigs and pet care services.
17. Become a mystery shopper
Want to know how to earn extra income while working full-time? Become a mystery shopper and provide feedback about your experience in a company’s store. Typically, it involves purchasing items and completing a survey.
It’s a perfect money-making pastime activity as companies always strive to improve the shopping experience through focus groups and mystery shoppers.
Find local businesses that hire mystery shoppers with a quick online search. Make sure to verify their legitimacy before signing up.
18. Do tasks for people
Completing everyday tasks or odd jobs for others is a simple way to make money on the side. Many people need help with errands, cleaning, or assembling furniture, which they’re willing to pay for.
Find jobs by signing up on platforms like:
- TaskRabbit. Connects you with locals who need help with jobs like moving, cleaning, and repairs.
- Thumbtack. A platform to find freelance work for things like house repairs and administrative tasks.
19. Start a blog or YouTube channel
If you enjoy creating content, writing a blog or starting a YouTube channel are great ways to make extra money with a full-time job. There are multiple great blogging platforms to start with.
Once you build a loyal following, start earning money from ads, affiliate marketing, and subscriptions. To have success, brush up on your search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, and marketing knowledge.
20. Become a virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant, you’ll complete administrative jobs like managing schedules and data entry. Many professionals in the corporate world outsource these tasks, letting you work remotely.
Find virtual assistant roles on job boards or freelance platforms. Good organization and communication skills are a few ways to make more money with a full-time job in this field.
Start a print-on-demand business today!
Day job vs side hustle income
As living costs rise and many look for side income streams, 44% of Americans resorted to picking up a side hustle in 2022, earning an average of $473 a month.
If your day job doesn’t provide sufficient income, a side hustle makes sense for a variety of reasons:
- Additional income for living expenses
- More savings for unexpected events
- Extra disposable income for activities
- Faster debt payoff
To keep up with your main occupation, find a side hustle that aligns with your interests, financial goals, and free time.
Start making extra money with Printify
Printify is the perfect hands-off way to earn money while working full-time, with the potential to earn big. Start a profitable side hustle without any upfront investment, inventory, or logistical issues.
Step 1: Sign-up for a Printify account
Sign up and get access to over 1,000 high-quality products.
Step 2: Design products
Start designing one-of-a-kind merch using our Product Creator.
Step 3: Add products to your store
Connect to the biggest eCommerce sites and publish products in a few clicks.
Step 4: Start selling
Market your products, make a sale, and let us take care of your orders.
FAQ
There are many ways to make money on the side with a full-time job, like freelancing, pet sitting, or participating in paid surveys.
Start with tasks that fit your schedule and use any spare time to generate extra income through online side hustles.
If you’re wondering “how can I make extra money while working full-time?,” consider high-demand side jobs like online tutoring, freelance work, or selling digital products. By dedicating regular hours to make extra cash, it’s possible to reach your financial goals faster.
Combine multiple ways on how to make extra money while working full-time, such as freelancing and selling custom products through print-on-demand services.
Printify empowers you to create and sell products with minimal upfront costs, helping you generate passive income while managing your day job.
Closing thoughts
Carefully weighing side hustle options is key to finding the best approach to make extra income while working full-time. Not every opportunity is a good fit, so let your unique combination of skills, interests, and strengths guide you.
With the right mindset, anyone can discover multiple ways on how to make more money with a full-time job and work towards securing their economic future.
