11 Worst Side Hustles and 9 Better Options to Earn Extra Money

Best and Worst Side Hustles

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Best and Worst Side Hustles
Cheapism / Wikimedia Commons / iStock

A Little on the Side

With high prices still an issue for the average consumer, more and more people are looking for ways to make money on the side. However, there is a big difference between a lucrative side hustle and one that will simply end up costing you money.


Read below for the best and worst side hustles.  

Uber/Lyft Car
Wikimedia Commons

Worst: Driving for a Rideshare Company

Driving for a rideshare company might seem like an obvious side hustle, but it might be a lot less lucrative than you think. First, if you don’t have separate commercial insurance, you could be out of luck if you get into an accident. It’s just not worth the risk. 

DoorDash
DoorDash

Worst: Delivering Food

Just driving for a rideshare company delivering food might seem like an easy side hustle. But tips aren't guaranteed, and some customers will make you wait a while before getting their food. Finding a place to park might also land you a ticket. 

Transgender influencer streaming online makeup video tutorial on social media at home - Lgbt, gay, gender fluid concept
Vanessa Nunes/istockphoto

Worst: Affiliate Marketing

If you have ever been on social media and seen a post saying: Use my link or special code to buy this item. Then you know what affiliate marketing is. 


Unfortunately, it's one of the worst ways to make money. You need a large social media following to earn any real amount, and that can take years to build. 

Blood Donor Giving Blood in Medical Clinic
coldsnowstorm/istockphoto

Worst: Donating Plasma

If you don’t have a lot of monetizable skills, donating plasma might seem like a good side hustle. The hard part about donating plasma is that you don't know if you'll be accepted until you get there. And you might have to spend a lot of time in the waiting room because most places don't have appointments. 

Plan Your Driving Schedule Strategically
pabst_ell/istockphoto

Worst: Renting Out Your Car

Renting out your car can seem like a good way to make some money if you don't drive that often. However, you're taking a big risk with letting someone else use your vehicle. 

Rental Sign
dcsliminky/istockphoto

Worst: Being a Landlord

It’s one thing to rent out a room in your house on Airbnb, but becoming a real landlord can be much more difficult. Having a rental property can ruin you financially if you have to evict a tenant or pay for expensive repairs. 


Still want to go down this route? Make sure you have a hefty emergency fund, a solid lease and extensive background checks for all potential tenants. 

House Renovation
House Renovation by Brad Holt/ Flickr (CC BY)

Worst: Flipping homes

These days, everyone wants to be a real estate mogul. But it's a lot harder than it looks. You need a lot of startup money, and if you don't know how to fix a problem, you'll end up outsourcing labor and paying more than just expenses. 

Woman buying item at yard sale
David Sacks/istockphoto

Worst: Flipping Items

A few years ago, you could go to a yard sale, buy a few things and sell them for more on eBay or Facebook marketplace. But now that everyone and their mother is trying to do that, it's harder and harder to make a profit. You really have to know how to fix things to make flipping profitable. 

Man with headphones attends an online course at home
damircudic/istockphoto

Worst: Starting an Online Course

A few years ago online courses were all the rage. It seemed like a great way to make money, especially if you had some kind of special knowledge or skill. But the online course marketplaces have become too saturated lately. 

Vlog Movie Equipment Blurred in the Foreground with Two Senior Woman Having Fun Cooking in a Home Kitchen in the Background
amriphoto/istockphoto

Worst: Vlogging

Starting a YouTube channel might seem like an easy way to make a few bucks, but it can take months — or more likely — years to make a decent income. And even then, you’ll have to spend a lot of money on equipment just to get started as a vlogger.  

Concentrated young business woman working with computer in the office.
nensuria/istockphoto

Worst: OnlyFans

Making money on OnlyFans might seem worth it, but it’s become oversaturated very quickly. Plus, you can risk losing your regular day job if your boss finds out. 

Writing about one problem at work.
nortonrsx/istockphoto

Best: Freelancing or Consulting

Freelancing or consulting on the side is often the best side hustle because you can charge premium rates if you’re an expert in your field. And even if you’re not, you can often begin freelancing with few start-up costs. 

Cute african kid child girl showing homework talking to remote teacher distance learning during virtual online class on video conference call with tutor and school children group at home on computer.
insta_photos/istockphoto

Best: Tutoring

If you were a star student in high school, now's your chance to make some money. You can tutor kids on the side and get a decent rate. Once you build up a solid client list, you can start getting referrals from past students. 

Male bartender preparing colorful cocktail drink serving to customer on bar counter at nightclub.
CandyRetriever /istockphoto

Best: Bartending

Bartending might seem like an old-school way to make extra money. You can make a lot of money in tips if you’re willing to work weekends. However, be prepared for your income to fluctuate depending on the time of year. 

Man shoveling heavy snow in the driveway
Kristen Prahl/istockphoto

Best: Mowing Lawns or Shoveling Driveways

Some of the best side hustle ideas are the ones you did as a kid. Mowing lawns or shoveling snowy driveways are simple, yet still effective. Even if you don't have your own lawn mower, you can try to find homeowners that already have one. 

Umpires and Referees
Matt_Brown/istockphoto

Best: Refereeing Sports Games

Refereeing a game can be a good way to make money on the weekends. You'll get paid per game and the amount may vary depending on the week. It’s best to choose a sport that you already know how to play, so you're familiar with the rules. 

Tourist woman packing the suitcase before leaving
martin-dm/istockphoto

Best: Renting Out a Room

Most people think that to make money on Airbnb, you have to rent out a whole apartment or house. But you can still make a decent amount by renting out a single room. Try to capitalize when major events are happening in your town. That's when you'll likely earn the most. 

Shot of a young man relaxing on a chair at home
Adene Sanchez/istockphoto

Best: House Sitting

House sitting is one of the easiest ways to make money. The most you might have to do is water some plants and bring in the mail. And if you can get enough house sitting gigs you may not even need to rent your own place. 

dogs walking outdoors and enjoying with dog walker
LuckyBusiness/istockphoto

Best: Dog Sitting

If you love animals, pet sitting can be one of the most fun ways to earn an extra buck. It’s even better if you can stay at the owner’s house, so you don’t have to worry about the pup or cat ruining your own furniture. 

Dog walker strides with his pet on leash while walking at street pavement
alexei_tm/istockphoto

Best: Dog Walking

Dog walking can be a great way to make some extra money, while also getting some exercise. If you can get a reputation as a reliable dog walker in your neighborhood, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on gas or wear and tear on your car. 


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