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Did you know you can use side hustles to pay off debt? It’s a tough spot to be in, if you’re struggling with debt and it seems like your income isn’t enough — you need more money.
But at the same time, that makes it harder for you to get out of debt because even though you might manage to scrape up a bit more cash here and there, it’s quickly used up by your creditors.
The good news is that there are a lot of ways to make some extra money on the side, and many of them can help you pay off debt more quickly or save for the future. Here are some examples…
26+ Side Hustles to Pay Off Debt
Here are a bunch of options for side hustles to pay off debt that you can consider. Dive in!
1. Website flipping
Website flipping is one of my favorite side hustles to pay off debt! I’ve been doing this for years and I absolutely love it! Get paid to flip websites on the side. This is a fulfilling and fruitful side hustle. I’ve made over $100,000 doing website flipping, building and flipping small to large sites.
This is great if you have a computer and a desire to learn how to flip sites. You don’t have to be tech-savvy or know coding. The last website I flipped was a simple starter site that took a few hours to create and sell, earning me $250. Rinse and repeat on 10 sites for $2,500? Or, 20 sites for $5,000? The sky’s the limit!
If you want to learn more, get the $21 ebook here or click here to check out the full course on website flipping!
2. Part-time job
If you can’t get a raise at your full-time job, the easiest way to bump up your income is to take on extra work. Look for an after-hours gig in sales, marketing, recruiting or consulting and you’ll quickly add thousands of dollars to your annual salary.
Find part-time jobs locally from job postings or flyers in your community. Go to job boards or job search websites to research part-time positions, too, like:
- Indeed
- WeWorkRemotely
- Wellfound
3. Get paid to review products or services
More and more companies are looking for people to review their products and services, and they’re willing to pay for it. Sign up with a site like UserTesting or ReviewStream.com and start making money by giving your opinion on everything from cars to restaurants. You can also look into mystery shopping where you’re an undercover shopper and get paid to shop stores. Each mystery shop campaign is different but, it’s not unusual to get free stuff AND get paid!
4. Offer your skills as a consultant
Are you an accountant, web designer, marketing guru or day trader? You can use your skills to help other people start businesses and grow their organizations.
Take on a couple of clients for some extra cash.
5. Get paid to run errands for busy professionals
If the idea of being the go-to person for someone else’s business sounds good, look at Red Butler or TaskRabbit.
They provide personal assistants and concierge services to customers to meet a wide range of needs — from lunch runs to pet sitting — at rates as little as $25 an hour, plus tip. If you’re up for doing these kinds of tasks, this might be something to look into!
6. Make extra cash as a mystery shopper
Here’s another one that requires you to do something you’re already doing anyway. If you have an Internet connection, chances are there are mystery shopping sites looking for people just like you to visit certain stores or restaurants and then report back on your experience.
You’ll get paid for your time and can even get free products. Now that’s a win-win.
7. Find local jobs online
You’d be amazed how many seemingly small services need employees, but the jobs aren’t always easy to find in the paper or online job boards because they’re often posted under “home based.”
The best way around this is to get started with FlexJobs (and get 30 percent off a subscription) — it’s a site that specializes in finding legitimate telecommuting, freelance and contract jobs from around the country.
8. Do odd jobs on TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a website and app that connects people who need things done with people who are looking for ways to make money on the side. I mentioned this a bit up above.
From assembling Ikea furniture to waiting in line for the newest iPhone, there’s a wide range of tasks available — and you set your own rates.
9. Sell your stuff online
If you have any spare items lying around the house that you no longer use, sell them online!
Sites like eBay and Craigslist are ideal for selling everything from clothes and electronics to furniture and cars. You can also take it one step further and sell your stuff directly on Amazon.
10. Sell your unwanted gift cards online
It’s called gift card flipping and yes, it’s a thing!
Sometimes, you get a gift card for a store you don’t really like or an amount that’s too small to do anything with.
But many websites will buy those unwanted cards off you at a discount, sometimes upwards of 90 percent of the total value! Check out sites like Cardpool or Giftcard Granny to get cash back from your plastic without the hassle of trying to sell it yourself.
11. Earn money from your old tech devices
If you have any old gadgets lying around that are still in good condition, consider selling them online rather than letting them gather dust in a somewhere — especially since technology changes so quickly these days.
While you’re at it, check out sites like Gazelle.com, which will buy iPhones and other smartphones directly from you for up to $300, depending on the model and condition of the device.
12. Hold a yard sale or host a garage sale (at your house)
If you have the time and space to clean out your closets before someone else can do it for you, there’s nothing quite like your own yard sale.
Of course, it helps if you live in an area where people are likely to actually come out and get some decent deals (i.e., not my house during our last sale), but even putting fliers up around town can help drum up interest in what you have to offer.
13. Petsitting
There’s no question that people love their pets, and as the saying goes, “when one door closes, another one opens.” If you’re an animal lover with some business acumen, consider starting your own pet-sitting or custody service.
This can be a great option if you live near a lot of people who travel for work or are just too busy to take care of their furry friends themselves.
Check out:
14. Offer professional home cleaning services
This is another one that can be done on your own schedule, and it definitely pays well if you’re good at it. Home cleaning services are always in high demand, and there are a lot of people who are willing to pay top dollar for a spotless home.
15. Offer professional yard work services
Just like with home cleaning, there’s always a high demand for quality yard work.
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty and enjoys being outdoors, this could be a great option for you. Just make sure you have your own equipment (or know someone who does) and that you’re clear about what services you’re offering and what your rates are.
16. Offer professional moving services
This is another service that can be in high demand, especially around moving season (i.e., now). Not only do people hate packing and unpacking their belongings, but they also hate having to move them all themselves.
If you have a truck and some muscle, consider starting your own moving company.
17. Offer professional organizing services
This is another task that can be done on your own schedule, and it’s definitely in high demand among busy professionals and parents alike.
Professional organizers can help people declutter their homes, offices, and lives, and they’re often able to do it in a way that’s customized to the individual client’s needs.
18. Offer professional event planning services
If you love throwing parties and coordinating events, then becoming a professional event planner could be the perfect side hustle for you. This is a great option if you live near a busy city, since you’ll likely have more potential clients to work with.
19. Offer professional photography services
Everyone loves great photos; there’s always a high demand for quality pictures of people (especially if they’re professional head shots), special occasions, or the perfect shot of the food you just made for dinner.
If you’ve got some decent equipment and can create magic with your camera, consider offering your services as a photographer to others who need them.
20. Provide tutoring/tutoring services
This is one that should be left up to those who are good at it — especially if the thing they’re tutoring others in is something like math or science (and not writing). Tutors can be in demand at almost any age level, and they can make a nice chunk of change during after-school hours.
21. Provide proofreading/editing services
If you’re really good with grammar and punctuation, consider putting those skills to work as a proofreader or editor.
A lot of people don’t realize how important it is to have their writing checked before sending it out — and there are plenty of businesses and individuals who will pay someone else to do it for them (in fact, I’ve hired several proofreaders on Upwork over the years).
Plus, if you live near a college or university that offers English courses, this could be an even more lucrative option for you.
22. Offer professional training services
This is another service that you should only consider if you’re really great at it (or the topic of professional training). Whether this is in leadership, business, or some other area of expertise, people are willing to pay top dollar for those who can train them and/or their employees.
23. Create informational products
If there’s something you know a lot about and love teaching others, one way to make money online (and fast) is with an informational product like an e-book or online course — something that provides a ton of information and gives buyers the opportunity to dig into the material at their own pace.
This could be on anything from fly fishing to planning your next family vacation or how to start a business on a shoestring budget.
24. Offer your design skills
If you’re good at designing things like logos, websites, or social media graphics, consider offering your services to others who need them.
A lot of small businesses and bloggers don’t have the time or resources to design everything themselves, so they often outsource this work to freelance designers.
25. Start a blog/YouTube channel
This one might take a little more time and effort up front, but it can definitely be lucrative in the long run.
My first blog went zero to $20,000 in 9 months!
The key is finding a topic that you’re passionate about and then creating content that’s both helpful and engaging for your audience.
Once you’ve got a decent following, you can start monetizing your blog/channel with things like affiliate links, paid sponsorships, or even selling your own products and services.
Click here to read the free guide on how to start a blog and make money.
26. Do some freelance work
If you’re not quite sure what you want to offer as a service, or if you just want to dip your toes into the freelancing world, then doing some freelance work could be a great option.
This could be anything from copywriting and social media management to designing websites and creating graphics.
The best part is that there are plenty of online marketplaces (like Upwork) where you can find freelance gigs pretty easily.
27. Food and Beverage Services
If you enjoy cooking or bartending, you can earn extra money by providing catering or bartending services for events. You can find clients through sites like Thumbtack or Craigslist.
We had a family friend who would rent a booth at local fairs and carnivals and sell popcorn from his popcorn machine. I know a number of people who would sell BBQ plates for fundraising, too.
For cooks or food lovers, this might be a fun side hustle to consider.
Tips for Starting a Side Hustle
Starting a side hustle can be a great way to pay off debt and achieve your financial goals. However, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Identifying Your Skills and Interests
The first step in starting a successful side hustle is to identify your skills and interests. Consider what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. This will help you choose a side hustle that you will enjoy and be successful at. Make a list of your skills and interests and brainstorm ideas for side hustles that align with them.
Setting Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals is important when starting a side hustle. Determine how much time you can realistically commit to your side hustle each week and set a goal for how much money you want to make. Be realistic about how much time and effort it will take to achieve your goals. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and burnout.
Creating a Business Plan
Creating a business plan is essential for any successful side hustle. Your business plan should include your goals, target market, pricing, marketing strategy, and financial projections. It doesn’t have to be a formal document, but it should be a clear roadmap for your side hustle.
Marketing Your Side Hustle
Marketing is key to the success of your side hustle. Determine who your target market is and how you can reach them. Social media can be a great way to promote your side hustle, but don’t overlook more traditional marketing methods like flyers and business cards. Be creative and think outside the box.
Managing Your Time and Money
Managing your time and money is essential for the success of your side hustle. Set aside specific times each week to work on your side hustle and stick to your schedule. Keep track of your income and expenses and set aside money for taxes. Use tools like spreadsheets and accounting software to stay organized.
Starting a side hustle can be a great way to pay off debt and achieve your financial goals. By identifying your skills and interests, setting realistic goals, creating a business plan, marketing your side hustle, and managing your time and money, you can set yourself up for success.
Maximizing Your Earnings and Paying Off Debt
If you’re serious about paying off your debt, you’ll need to find ways to maximize your earnings. Here are some strategies to help you do just that.
Strategies for Saving Money
One of the easiest ways to maximize your earnings is to cut back on your expenses. Start by creating a budget and tracking your spending. Look for areas where you can cut back, such as eating out less or canceling subscriptions you don’t use. Consider negotiating your bills or switching to a cheaper provider. Every dollar you save can go towards paying off your debt.
Prioritizing Your Debt Payments
It’s important to prioritize your debt payments to make the most impact. Start by making at least the minimum payments on all your debts. Then, focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This will save you money in the long run. Once that debt is paid off, move on to the debt with the next highest interest rate.
Tracking Your Progress
Tracking your progress can help you stay motivated and see how far you’ve come. Use a debt payoff calculator to see how long it will take you to pay off your debt based on your current payments. Update it regularly to see how your progress is changing. You can also create a visual representation of your progress, such as a debt payoff chart or graph.
Staying Motivated
Paying off debt can be a long and difficult journey. It’s important to stay motivated along the way. Set small goals for yourself, such as paying off a certain amount of debt each month. Celebrate your successes along the way, such as paying off a credit card or hitting a milestone in your debt payoff journey. Surround yourself with supportive people who will encourage you and keep you accountable.
By implementing these strategies, you can maximize your earnings and pay off your debt faster. Remember, every little bit helps. Stay focused and committed, and you’ll be debt-free before you know it.
Recommended Resources to Increase Your Income and Save Money
Legendary Marketer
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