Make Money Side Hustles

13 Lucrative Side Hustles if You Only Have 10 Extra Hours per Week

Boost your income with just 10 hours a week.

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Updated May 28, 2024
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Side hustles are all the rage these days. More Americans are picking up work on the side to make some extra cash. However, not every aspiring side hustler has a lot of time to dedicate to these gigs.

Following are 13 side gigs to consider if you only have 10 free hours per week. They can help you get started on a potentially lucrative side hustle that won’t eat up too much of your time.

Earn money online by taking surveys

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Teach English online

Milica/Adobe english teacher sitting on couch at home wearing headset while giving online classes using laptop

If you only have a few hours per week and are a native English speaker, you might be able to get work teaching English online.

There are several companies, such as VIPKid.com and SayABC, that hire English speakers to teach classes to children overseas at a solid hourly rate.

Some companies have additional requirements for their teachers, such as a bachelor’s degree or experience teaching.

Pet-sit or walk dogs

hedgehog94/Adobe woman walking in park with dogs on leash

Pet-sitting and walking dogs can be lucrative gigs, and you don’t have to spend too much time on them to make money.

If you work from home, you may be able to pick up a few gigs walking dogs each week. Pet sitters can also make good money hanging out with clients’ fur babies while the owners are on vacation.

Sites such as Rover.com let you hook up with potential clients and set your own rate.

Tutor or coach

BullRun/Adobe multi ethnic colleagues working together in office

If you have a particular skill, you might be able to leverage that ability into a side hustle.

Tutoring and coaching don't have to be limited to academic subjects. People who offer lessons in piano, guitar, tennis, ice skating, and more can set high hourly rates.

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Flip furniture

AntonioDiaz/Adobe woman using brush to polish furniture at home

If you have an eye for design, you may be able to make extra cash flipping furniture, even if you only have a few extra hours per week.

Many flippers find pieces to work on at garage sales or thrift shops. Then, they clean, repaint or stain, and flip the products for a profit on websites such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Do yard work

amyinlondon/Adobe male gardener standing in garden clearing out autumn leaves

If you enjoy working outside, you may be able to make good money by offering yard services locally — such as mowing lawns, trimming hedges, cleaning up leaves, or gardening.

You can advertise your services online in local Facebook groups or on community bulletin boards.

Transcribe

Anna/Adobe female translator-sitting-at table using computer for work

Are you a fast typist who also has a sharp ear? If so, get a solid side hustle going by working for transcription companies such as Rev or TranscribeMe.

The work can be tedious and it’s not as easy as it sounds, but it can also be quite lucrative. Zippia reports that when starting out, the average freelance transcriber makes between $15 and $25 an hour.

Deliver food

SFIO CRACHO/Adobe man giving away food delivery package to woman in street

If you live in a densely populated area or close to one, you can make good cash delivering food during peak hours through services such as Grubhub or DoorDash.

Some people in larger metropolitan areas even make deliveries on foot, bike, or e-bike, which reduces wear and tear on your car.

House-sit

rh2010/Adobe woman scrolling through smartphone while sitting on couch with laptop

For peace of mind, some people planning long trips hire sitters to care for the traveler’s home.

Potential clients might want someone to come in and water plants, keep the house clean, or simply keep an eye on the property.

You may be able to score house-sitting gigs locally. When starting out, house-sitting for people you know is a great way to get references or attract clients on a site such as House Sitters America.

Take online surveys

Bussarin/Adobe man reviewing 3D questionnaire

While not always an especially lucrative gig, taking paid online surveys is another way to turn 10 hours a week into a regular income stream.

You can create a profile on survey sites such as Survey Junkie or Swagbucks and begin participating in studies immediately.

While the typical survey doesn’t pay a lot (as little as $5) it’s easy work, and you can rack up points and get paid through a service such as PayPal. In other cases, you might earn gift cards.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Sell crafts

pressmaster/Adobe senior female artist sitting at table using laptop for work

If you enjoy crafting — such as making candles, crocheting, printing stickers, creating designs on T-shirts, or even making jewelry — you can turn that hobby into cash.

Plenty of people sell their creations on sites such as Etsy and have been able to turn something they love doing into another income stream.

Rent space in your home

fizkes/Adobe couple holding brown box while moving into new house

You don’t have to own a second home to rent out space on Airbnb. Many travelers are happy with a comfortable room to crash in.

You may be able to rent out other spaces as well. Do you have an extra parking space in an area where spaces are tough to find or room for storage in your garage? People may be willing to pay a premium for space you’re not using.

Pick up odd jobs

Win/Adobe woman sitting on floor reading manual for assembling wooden furniture

If you want to start a side hustle but are having trouble deciding which route to take, why not try offering to do odd jobs for cash?

Apps such as TaskRabbit connect those looking to make a few extra bucks with people in the area who need help with odd jobs — like home repairs, shopping, or building IKEA furniture.

Rent out your car

ViDi Studio/Adobe man in white formal shirt doing thumbs up sign while coming out of car

If you work from home or have a car that you simply don’t drive often, turn that vehicle into a side hustle by renting it out on a site such as Turo.

There are some requirements to rent your vehicle on Turo — it generally can’t be more than 12 years old, for example. But if your car meets the standards, this is a great way to earn passive income.

Companies such as Turo may offer protection plans. But if you're renting out your car and do not have this option, you might need to purchase a commercial car insurance policy.

Make sure you shop around so you both save on car insurance and get the coverage you need.

Bottom line

Seventyfour/Adobe african american man sitting at table reviewing papers while working from home

Taking on a side hustle doesn't have to feel like starting a whole new career. Keeping side-gig hours to 10 or less per week can help you build wealth while avoiding burnout.

Many people simply think of their side gig as a new income stream, something that allows them to save, take an extra vacation every year, or meet other financial goals. Try one of these lucrative side hustles and see if it works out for you.

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Author Details

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore is a seasoned freelance writer who also teaches writing courses at Rutgers University. She's based in Jersey City and enjoys travel, live music and, of course, spending quality time with her pup.