8 mins read
Have you noticed that prices are going up left, and right? You might also notice that your income is no longer enough for the usual activities and stuff that you can afford before. It is not a secret that US Inflation Rate is at 3.48%, compared to 3.15% last month and 4.98% last year according to Ycharts. https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_inflation_rate#:~:text=Basic%20Info,month%20and%204.98%25%20last%20year.
Maybe you are someone who is looking for another source of income or a student who is looking for a side line to earn money. Here are some ideas to consider:
Mowing the neighbor’s lawn
Did you know that you can earn $30 to $100 per house by mowing your neighbor’s lawn? The amount you can earn depends on the size of the lawn and where you live. Back in 2008, during the recession, it was tough to find a job, especially for people like me who had little experience and struggled with English. After trying different jobs and attending a few interviews, I got lucky when my father offered me the opportunity to help him renovate our neighbor’s backyard. Since I was familiar with manual labor, having helped my stepdad with similar work at my house, I took up the offer. My father paid me $50 for eight hours of labor, but I realized later that I was underpaid. After that project, I started assisting my stepbrother in mowing our neighbor’s lawns, and I got paid $20 per client for edging and cleaning. Each client paid us $50, and some preferred to have their lawn mowed every weekend, while others every other week. With rising prices, you can now earn $500+ in less than 8 hours by mowing 6 to 8 houses.
Babysitting
The minimum age for babysitting varies depending on your location (https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/legal-babysitting-age-by-state). Some places have no age restrictions, while others require babysitters to be at least 12 years old. According to Care.com (https://www.care.com/cost/babysitters/philadelphia-pa), the hourly pay rate for babysitting depends on your experience and where you live. It usually ranges from $12 to $26 per hour. The schedule is flexible and depends on the family’s needs, which may also vary seasonally.
Babysitting is a rewarding part-time job, but it requires preparation and responsibility. I highly recommend getting CPR and First Aid certification from the American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org) This certification not only equips you with life-saving skills, but also shows your commitment to the safety and well-being of the children you look after.
I used to offer babysitting services to single mothers and low-income parents, which allowed me to earn an extra $600 to $1000 every month without even stepping out of my home. It’s amazing how we can utilize our skills and help others while also making a meaningful contribution to our own lives.
Whether you’re looking for additional income or a student wanting to earn money by working 16 hours a week, you can earn between $192 and $416 from babysitting.
Dog walker/sitter
If you have experience with dogs or cats, you may want to consider offering pet care services as a side hustle. Depending on your client and your experience, this can be a lucrative opportunity. According to Timetopet.com (https://www.timetopet.com/dog-walking-rate-calculator#:~:text=Dog%20walkers%20typically%20charge%20between,to%20see%20other%20service%20durations%3F), the average cost of a 30-minute dog walking service in the US is $24.84 in 2022. You can use their website to calculate how much you should charge for your services. Alternatively, you can offer dog sitting services, which can be occasional or seasonal, depending on when your clients need to go out of town or require a pet sitter for other reasons. Thumbtack.com estimates that overnight dog sitting can cost between $75 and $85. It’s important to visit both websites to determine accurate pricing and ensure that you’re offering fair prices for your services.
Klook.comCaregiver
If you’re a compassionate and patient person, offering your services to care for older people can be a fulfilling part-time job. You don’t need a nursing assistant certificate to start, as agencies can place you with clients who are compatible with your skills. Some elders require companionship, while others need help with daily activities like eating, hygiene, laundry, light housekeeping, and transportation.
The average salary for this job varies depending on your location. In San Diego, CA, you can expect to earn an average of $19.85 per hour, depending on your experience and whether you work one-on-one or in a facility. Working 16 hours per week, you can make between $1200 to $1600 per month. https://www.indeed.com/career/caregiver/salaries/San-Diego–CA
To get started in this side hustle, you’ll need first aid and CPR certification, as well as a biometric scan. Some agencies will pay for these requirements. This job can be an excellent opportunity for personal growth and learning, especially for healthcare students like nursing students. It provides firsthand experience with patients and a chance to develop your caregiving skills.
House sitting
Did you know that there are people who get paid to watch over someone else’s house? It’s like babysitting or dog-sitting, but instead, you’re responsible for looking after the house when the owner is away. This is a great opportunity for people with flexible schedules during weekdays and weekends. While you’re required to stay at the house, you’re allowed to leave as long as you maintain its safety and cleanliness. According to ZipRecruiter (https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/House-Sitter-Salary–in-California#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20House,California%20is%20%2414.88%20an%20hour.), you can make anywhere from $13.75 to $22.54 per hour for house-sitting gigs. For instance, if you agreed to work for $15 per hour and the owner is gone for three days (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), you could earn a total of $1080. No experience is necessary, but you must be responsible for maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the house.
I remember my friend and I were once asked to watch over a house for two days in Texas, and we split the earnings in half. Our tasks were to feed the chickens, water the plants, feed the dogs, and keep the place tidy. It wasn’t difficult to do, and it was actually fun because I had my friend with me. Nowadays, house-sitting seems like renting an Airbnb, but in this case, you’re the one getting paid.
Klook.comHousekeeper
Since we’re already on the topic of houses, let’s consider house cleaning. Have you ever thought about how much people are willing to pay to have their house cleaned? Even if you don’t have a team or a business to advertise, if you enjoy cleaning, you can offer your services to people who are looking for a more affordable option. All you need are your cleaning materials and some elbow grease. According to Jobber (https://getjobber.com/academy/cleaning/how-much-to-charge-for-house-cleaning/#:~:text=House%20cleaning%20hourly%20rate%3A%20%2420,in%20a%20single%2Dfamily%20home), you can charge between $20 and $50 per hour, or a flat fee based on the size of the house. For instance, if you agree with a client to clean two bathrooms and the kitchen for $25 per hour, and it takes you four hours to complete the job, you will earn $100. Alternatively, you could consider a flat fee, such as $50 per room. For example, cleaning three rooms would earn you $150, regardless of how quickly you work.
You can also charge extra for basic carpet shampooing or for additional services requested by the client. While it may be challenging to find clients for this part-time job, it’s definitely worth a try. If the schedule suits you, you could also consider applying for a part-time position with a cleaning company.
Deliveries and Rides
Ordering something online or requesting a ride is no longer a novel concept unless you’ve been living under a rock. You can work as an independent contractor for various companies such as Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Uber Drive, Amazon Flex, and more, all with just the tap of your hand. Simply download the app for the specific company you want to work for on your phone.
Working part-time for these companies has been the most flexible and liberating experience of my career. I won’t disclose which company was more profitable for me, but I can assure you that it allowed me to choose my work and switch apps when one was less busy.
While the flexibility to take a day off or not needing extra money is a perk, it’s important to note that some of these apps don’t deduct taxes from your earnings. It’s essential to factor in a tax percentage to the amount you earn, a lesson I learned the hard way in my first year.
You can apply for all of them simultaneously and have 4 to 5 part-time jobs. They all have different requirements and easy tutorials on how to start. You can also go to YouTube and check out their how-to videos.
Here are seven part-time jobs that you might want to consider if you are looking for one. Whether you are doing this as a short-term solution or a long-term one, these are proven jobs that I have experienced and recommend. In addition, if you ever end up trying everything, these are skills that you can use anytime, especially when an emergency comes. Good luck, and I hope you enjoyed reading!
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