For many people, a regular 9-to-5 job just isn’t enough anymore. A report by Market Watch states that in the past year, over half of Americans have taken on side hustles to help with rising expenses, and for Gen Z, it’s nearly 3 out of 4. About 51% of Americans worked a side hustle in the last year, and 72% of Gen Z did the same.
What do you think the reason can be? Yes, the top reason? To save more money (27%). The second biggest reason is simply to cover everyday living costs (24%).
Now, we all know it is really hard to rely on one income in 2025. That’s why we have side hustles out there that pay more. Let’s talk about these hustles more in the article below.
The Side Hustles That Actually Work
The side hustles that we are going to talk about are easy to start. But, some can take time and effort before you see real money coming in. So, you have to be clear and realistic about these things.
- Be The Guide
You are probably wondering, what kind of a side hustle can this be? No, problem if you haven’t heard of it? But you are aware that people stay in suburban homes or book places through Airbnb, now, they surely want to quickly learn about the area they’re visiting.
That’s where you come in! You can give them a local tour and share interesting things about your neighborhood. To make it more fun and unique, you can choose a theme, like food tours, history tours, ghost stories, or even tours about local celebrities. What a nice start to be a side hustler, isn’t it?
- Online Tutoring
You know you are a master of certain things, so why not teach them to others? So, here we have online tutoring for you, which is a great way to make money, especially for students. Can you imagine the stats of Research and Market?
The e-learning market was worth $250 billion in 2023, and it’s expected to grow to around $490.20 billion by 2029. That means it’s growing fast, about 12% every year.
Where To Start?
There is not much effort that you will have to put into; you can use platforms like:
- GetResponse
- Preply
- Learn to Be
- TakeLessons.com
- Tutor Ocean
You can teach anything there, like languages, school subjects, skills, or even help people prepare for tests or improve in their jobs. Tutoring can be done through live video calls on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.
- Etsy your Saviour
You have heard about Digital products, now they are things you can download or stream. They don’t need to be shipped, which makes them easy to sell. And if you are creative and want to work from your laptop, then it’s a sweet deal. Here’s how.
There are several websites, just like Etsy.com, that have made it super easy for anyone to sell their handmade or creative products online. So if you have a hobby, like:
- Crafting
- Painting
- Sewing
- Making jewelry
You can turn it into a way to earn money.
If you have a skill, then you can also make:
- Educational ebooks
- Custom music or graphics
- Ready-to-use templates for work or school
If you’re a graphic designer, think about making cool fonts or layouts, websites, and businesses are always looking for ways to stand out.
- Make Money with Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the easiest way to get money, which just requires you to promote the products or services. You will simply earn a commission every time someone buys something through your special link. Affiliate marketing is the best way to earn extra income if you stick with it and choose the right niche!
You can start by finding affiliate programs in popular and profitable areas like:
- Software and online tools
- Online shopping (e-commerce)
- Finance
- Tech products
- Pet supplies
Now, what’s your effort in this? You have to use your free time to search for affiliate programs. You can find lists of companies offering affiliate deals on Google. Then, pick a brand you like and check out their offer.
- Make Money by Selling Your Photography Skills
Now, fr this, you can use the photos you clicked or provide the services. This can be done in many ways. For example, people like certain images on their products, so you can sell a copyrighted picture there. Or you can also sell it to stock photos platforms like Shutterstock and Getty Images, buy photos to use in ads, websites, and other projects. You can either display your pictures there, or you can also sell your photos as printed art, or put them on products like:
- Mugs
- T-shirts
- Phone cases
You only have one pending task to do if you really love taking pictures that is to create a portfolio to show off your best work. This could be a personal website or even an Instagram page where people can see your style and book you.
Wrapping UP
Living in the US, UK, or Canada offers many opportunities, but with rising costs, mindful money management is key. Whether you’re building a budget, slashing subscriptions, or picking up a profitable side hustle, every small step counts.
You don’t need fancy degrees or a big paycheck to start saving. What you need is consistency, clarity, and a plan. Just plan your future today.
