When I first started dabbling in side hustles, it was mostly for fun—something to keep me busy during college and COVID, and make a little extra money. Over time, however, side hustles turned from a casual pastime into a significant contribution to my income, especially as I began traveling and living in different places both in the U.S. and abroad. Side hustles became not just a way to supplement my income but, at times, the primary source of it.
I've done loads of research, fallen into more than a few traps, tried various avenues, and even lived solely off money earned from side gigs. So, I understand both the struggle and the benefit of finding one—or many—that work for you.
Below, I want to share with you the best and worst side hustles I've tried, starting with my favorites.
The Best Side Hustles:
Rover (Pet Sitting and Dog Walking)
Rover has been my most consistent and reliable side hustle, especially during my travels. Over the past few months, I've been earning around $100 per month from dog walking and drop-ins, but during peak times (especially in the summer), I’ve made as much as $500 per month by offering house-sitting and boarding services.
I’ve noticed some differences between countries: in Germany, for instance, people seem to prefer boarding their pets rather than house-sitting, which was the opposite of my experience in the U.S. If you have the space, boarding is definitely worth it. Not only do you get a decent paycheck, but you also get to spend time with adorable pets without traveling away from home, which is a major bonus if you’re an animal lover like me!
The platform is user-friendly and easy to set up. My advice? Start by setting your prices low and building up your reviews. Once you get those in, the requests will come pouring in, and I'm being absolutely serious. Then once you're established, you can gradually increase your rates as you gain more experience.
Brand Ambassadorship
My second most profitable side hustle was being a Brand Ambassador, particularly with GoPuff. It’s not as fun as playing with pets, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it pays off.
During my ambassadorship, I made over $100 per month, and it didn’t take more than about five hours a week. Yes, it does require you to “sell out” your social media platform to some extent, but you can do it in a tasteful way that doesn’t scream commercial overload, if that is something that matters to you. If you’re someone who enjoys social media, this side hustle is a solid way to make extra money with minimal effort.
Entrepreneurship (Building Your Own Business)
This one was naturally the hardest but also the most gratifying side hustle I’ve done. To be fair, my experience with entrepreneurship was prompted by a university class, but it ended up being one of the most fun and profitable side gigs I’ve ever taken on. If you have a great idea, a passion for your product, and about 20 hours a week to dedicate to it, I say go for it!
My venture was selling tea-infused cookies, and in just two months of selling, my small business made over $1,200 in profit. The satisfaction of seeing something you’ve created grow into a success is unmatched. It’s definitely more time-consuming and risky than other side hustles, but if you’re ready for the challenge, it can be incredibly rewarding.
The Worst Side Hustles:
Surveys
Surveys are a huge time-waster for very little return. I’ve spent hours completing surveys (or worse, just trying to qualify for them), only to make less than $5 in total or not get selected at all.
While some sites advertise the potential to make good money, it’s rare to find consistent high-paying surveys. You might earn $10 here or there, but it's hardly worth the time and effort. Unless you’re bored on a random day and don’t mind killing time, I’d steer clear of this one.
Narrating Jobs
Narrating might sound like an interesting side hustle, but in reality, it’s a lot more complicated than it seems. You can spend hours auditioning, going through interviews, and recording samples, only to never land a job or get paid very little for the work you do.
Unless you’re an experienced voice actor or have a professional setup, narrating isn’t the quick-money gig it’s made out to be. For those looking for a casual side hustle, there are better ways to spend your time.
Food Delivery (DoorDash, UberEats, etc.)
I tried food delivery during COVID when it seemed like everyone was using apps like DoorDash and UberEats. While it was relatively easy to get started and I did make some money—about $5 per order—there were always unexpected issues, from long waits at restaurants to wrong addresses to accidentally ending up on a toll road that cancelled out all my earning.
Even after spending entire evenings delivering, I found that I’d only made around $20 for about four hours of work, and that was before gas. To really make money in food delivery, you’d need to be in a wealthy area where tips are higher, or drive an electric vehicle to save on gas. Otherwise, it’s not worth the time and I recommend that you steer clear. Literally.
Ultimately, side hustles can be an excellent way to supplement your income, but not all of them are created equal. While some, like Rover and brand ambassadorships, have been both fun and profitable for me, others like surveys and food delivery were more trouble than they were worth. The key is to find what works for you and your lifestyle, and not be afraid to try new things until you hit on the right hustle.
Best,
Hailey
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