You’re online trying to figure out resourceful ways to earn money and mostly what you’re finding are ways to make money ONLINE. Which of course is fine, and I’ve had multiple online side jobs myself, but what if you don’t WANT to make money online? If that’s your situation, then this post is written for you!
The ideas listed in this post are all tried and true ways to make extra money that’s aren’t online. These are all things either I’ve done myself, Madi has done/currently does or people we personally know do!
Server or Bartender
There’s a reason many college graduates get done with school and end up serving in restaurant! When you factor in tips, servers make way more money than many entry level college graduate positions. Work in a nicer restaurant, and we’re talking HUNDREDS of extra dollars for a couple weekend shifts.
Madi’s has had a couple of server positions to help make ends meet, many servers work part-time and just a couple 4-5 hour shifts per week. She was surprised at how many grandmas add on serving to supplement retirement income!
A budgeting tip from Madi: She works multiple jobs and relies on her paychecks to pay the bills. She uses her TIP money to build up an emergency fund and save for extras like concert tickets or mini vacations.
Event Help
Madi cold called numerous event planners in the area and eventually lined up a temporary job serving at weddings for a local wedding planner. So far it’s been 1-2 weddings per month, but it’s a great way to earn extra money if you have server experience and need extra cash. With tips, the last wedding she helped paid $18/hr.
Seasonal Jobs
A good friend just got a super fun temporary job helping out with fall events at a large apple orchard! They also have kids activities, sell pumpkins, and make their own cider and spirits. This is just a 6 week part-time position, but what a fun way to do something different and festive!
Another mom I know works as a banking loan officer full-time but works part-time at Pier 1 during the holidays to help pay for Christmas gifts. How fun is that?! So many retail stores need temporary extra help during the holidays, even if you don’t want a year-round retail job, working during the holidays is the BEST time to work retail!
Brand Ambassador
Madi had an amazing temporary side job last year working with La Croix Sparkling Water helping to promote their brand and with testing of potential products. This is a GREAT extra job for anyone who can’t do it regularly but has time 1-2 times/month to help with a company’s marketing. These often pay $20-$25/hr since they aren’t consistent shifts and you might need to travel out-of-town.
Most of her shifts were within 1 1/2 hrs away, but one time was 4 hours away (they paid for gas and travel time) and for another she was flown down to L.A. to help out for the weekend! The company buying a plane ticket for under $200 was cheaper than training a new person and she was able to stay with someone she knew.
Since this experience, I’ve seen brand ambassador positions advertised in our community for other beverages, chocolate, alcohol and grocery stores.
Elderly Assistance
I honestly think helping elderly with odds and ends is an untapped way to make extra money. You’ll meet amazing people and in the process, be of huge assistance to someone who needs it.
My suggestion is to go to the senior park office to get approval to post whatever your services are! I see flyers like these every time I go to my mom’s senior park office for people offering services such as yard care, cleaning or for someone needing a handy-man.
My mom’s disabled and has to hire out for many things whether it’s trimming back plants, cooking a couple of meals, running errands or light housekeeping. To hire a professional would cost $18-$25/hr (depending on the task), so instead she pays Madi and my son $10-$15/hr to help out as needed. This is a win-win for everyone since it saves my mom money, the kids make extra cash, my mom doesn’t have to deal with strangers in her home and it’s good for the kids to spend more time with grandma.
Make Money from Hobbies
If you’re crafty, making something like soaps, creating dried herb mixes, macrame wall hangings, painted signs, etc and selling it at a local market or holiday bazaars is a great way to make extra money and at least pay for your hobbies!
A close friend of mine is a stay-at-home-mom and also talented photographer, she makes a little side money taking senior portrait photos.
Uber Driver
Before you instantly say “no, no, no I’m not being an Uber driver,” keep in mind you get to pick which rides you accept! The riders have a passenger rating based on experiences other drivers have had with them. If someone has anything other than a high rating or no rating at all, skip them!
I know a stay-at-home-mom who drives for Uber and she ONLY accepts passengers when she’s already out running family errands and ONLY during the weekday, which are usually business people or people needing to go to the airport. No late light drunken crazies for this savvy mom!
Coach
Whether you were an athlete in your own youth or just a very involved sports parent, paid coaching positions are great way to earn extra money while helping with your child’s team or other kids in the community. Some coaching positions are volunteer, but check on your local school’s district employment website, with the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club or club team about paid positions.
I was recently a high school level cheer and dance coach for 4 years making $300/mo with no prior dance and cheer experience. My experience came from all of the PTA work I did for the schools and by being a helpful parent while Madi did both competitive cheer, gymnastics and high school cheer and dance.
This is a GREAT (and FUN!) way to be involved with your kids and other kids. Some coaches get paid much more than this based on their sport, especially high school Varsity teams and private club teams.
Walk Dogs
If you’re a dog lover, this is an easy one! So many professionals love their pets too and need someone they can trust and rely on to walk their dog. See if you can post an add at your pet’s vet, other vet’s in the area, at kennel’s, or advertise through word-of-mouth on social media.
Babysitting or Nanny
This is a GREAT way to make extra money as either a stay-at-home mom or a college student. When I started staying home after my son was born, this was my very first “side hustle!” A close friend paid me to watch her toddler daughter 12 hrs/week while my friend taught in the mornings at a preschool.
I also know a mom who started a small daycare in her home and got paid to watch 3 other kids full-time that were a good mix with her own kids.
If you don’t have time to do these regularly, many nanny services have the option to sign up for periodic shifts, like for a couple needing child care one time for a date night.
House Cleaning
One of Madi’s side hustles is cleaning 1-3 hours a week, it isn’t a regular job, but she gets $15/hr to help these two families as needed.
I had a stay-at-home-mom friend who turned house cleaning into a full-time job as her kids got older. She enjoys cleaning and organizing, plus it was something she could plan around her kids’ schedules.
Consignment Shops
I admit I don’t sell things at consignment shops as much as I should. My friend drops clothes off regularly and makes and extra $30/month from this simple task. I was an eBay Power Seller for years and still prefer to sell clothes online, but this is a post about side jobs off the internet, so won’t talk about eBay here 😉
Deliver Newspapers
I had a friend in college that delivered newspapers, he had to get up at 4;45 AM, but was done with his shifts by 7 AM before he started his 8 AM classes. This would also be great for a mom as long as another parent is still at home; you’d still get back in time to get the kids out the door!
House Sitting
Of course this probably wouldn’t be a regular side income source, but many people you know would probably benefit from having someone get their mail, check on the house, water the yard or to help with pets. Whenever we leave town, we always hire someone for these tasks. Paying someone we know to help with our dogs, costs WAY less than the kennel and keeps our pets happier too.
What a great idea to call around for local events to serve at weddings! I used to cater back in school and it was tons of fun. The even flys by and its pretty easy money!
Hi Chanele! Agreed! Many of those businesses need extra help just temporarily and usually rely on word of mouth, so why not be proactive and reach out first haha!
What a great idea to call around for local events to serve at weddings! I used to cater back in school and it was tons of fun. The event usually flys by. It’s pretty easy money!