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A Word About Commitment (No, Not That Kind)
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According to Zety’s 2025 State of Gig Work report, 88% of gig workers have taken on multiple jobs due to skyrocketing living costs. How thrilling! And almost half admit they rely on gig work for over half their earnings. That’s right, financial crushes are no longer exclusive to that dramatic romance movie you pretended not to cry at. Adding to the charm, 33% of gig workers reported feeling so burnt out that their souls might as well be the new toast.
While crafting a side hustle could potentially help you throw a little more cash into your savings jar—or hurl it at those looming debts—it’s vital to recognize that time is like a diva: hard to manage and always demanding. If your daily schedule resembles a frantic circus act, adding a side gig might just make you feel like one of those poor clowns trying to juggle knives. So, is it worth it? You’ll have to wear your thinking cap on that one.
The following suggestions are stellar side gigs perfect for those pressed for time but still clinging to their ambition like a caffeinated squirrel straddling a power line:
Freelance Work: Because Who Doesn’t Need More Emails?
Baris Zeren, our resident side hustle savant, informs us that freelancing is a splendid option if flexibility is your middle name. With platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, you can ply your trades in writing, design, or social media management during those brief, cherished moments between work and Netflix. Because what better way to wind down than by cranking out copy while anxiously waiting for the next episode?
Online Tutoring: Informing Future Geniuses (Or At Least Trying)
Zeren suggests online tutoring platforms like VIPKid, where you can share your wisdom, or at least attempt to, on your own schedule. Rapid-fire lessons mean you can earn steady income without compromising your favorite prime-time shows. Plus, those platforms do the marketing—because nothing says “I’m smart” like an app doing all your selling!
Performing Odd Jobs on TaskRabbit: For When You’ve Run Out of Netflix Episodes
Enter TaskRabbit, an app that lets you perform various gigs according to your skills (or lack thereof) whenever you feel like it, from furniture assembly to fixing mysterious kitchen appliances. It’s like being an adult version of MacGyver, except with slightly fewer explosions.
Nola Rodgers, a Tasker, explains how she started out taking rad pictures of her completed tasks to curate a portfolio. Apparently, if you can set up a shelf without losing your sanity, you could pocket a tidy sum right out of the gate—between $1,000 to $1,500, she claims. Just remember: the secret to success is a good attitude and a handful of YouTube tutorials.
Pet or House Sitting: Because Fido Needs a Friend
If you’re stuck at home but still want to turn your living room into a cash register, consider pet sitting through platforms like Rover. It’s like going on a vacation—only it’s your living room, and the only creature you’re responsible for is a chubby cat who has been secretly judging your life choices. This gig allows you to collect paychecks while still typing furiously on your laptop.
Real Estate Rentals: An App to Room Choices
“Renting out property may sound like a full-time job, but with a dash of technology, it can be as easy as opening a can of soda,” Ryan Barone, real estate sage, suggests. Imagine managing your property while lounging on the couch, only to have the app do the heavy lifting. Long-term tenants or short-term rentals can usher a delightful extra revenue stream with minimal effort.
So there you have it. Side hustles suited for busy bees (or slightly chaotic squirrels) keen on raking in some extra cash without sacrificing too much of their precious leisure time. Choose wisely, and may the odds be ever in your favor—unless you’re betting on a horse named “Burnout.”
