15 Lucrative Side Gigs That Won’t Get You in Trouble at Your Day Job

In today's world, you don't actually need to level up at a traditional job to build your wealth. More people than ever before are choosing to take up side hustles, freelance gigs, and other ways to earn more money.

The tricky part is people are generally more comfortable making more money by getting a new job with a higher salary, but that's not necessarily the easiest or most convenient option.

Here are 15 ways you can earn more income without starting a new job.

There are several different types of paid market research you can do. For example, brands or companies pay people to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and even give opinions on drugs or medical treatments.

How much you get paid depends on the type of research you're participating in. If you have some free time, market research can be a great way to earn extra cash and get ahead financially.

There are plenty of apps and companies dedicated to selling specific items online. 

If you want to clean out your closet and make cash in the process, consider selling clothes on apps like Poshmark or Depop. Use sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace to sell non-clothing items.

House-sitting and pet-sitting usually don't involve a lot of effort. People might hire house-sitters to keep their homes clean and water plants while they're away. Pet-sitting might involve walking and feeding pets.

These roles are technically be considered jobs, but they offer enough flexibility that they rarely feel like work. 

Aspiring house-sitters can find gigs through sites like Housesitter.com or Nomador. Dog-walking sites such as Rover also offer pet-sitting services.

If you have a niche interest or talent, you might make money creating video content on YouTube, TikTok, or by creating a podcast. This route likely will require some time and work to grow your audience.

Renting out a property is a popular way to make money in your sleep. This passive income can be great, but becoming a landlord has its own unique set of challenges.

Those considering purchasing an investment property should research average rent prices in their area, mortgage rates, real estate law, and other factors.

Companies often look for people to give them feedback about their websites.

You can sign up through a service such as UserTesting and then pick up work. You might scroll through websites and share your opinion on what worked, and what didn't.

With a quick Google search, you'll find many stories about people who make good money selling custom clothing online. You don't even have to be a fashion aficionado to do so.

Start by designing and selling T-shirts on a site like Printify. You can also nab your own T-shirt heat press online for cheap and sell your products on sites like Etsy.

If you don't mind browsing grocery aisles, you can make decent money shopping for other people.

Sites such as Instacart are growing in popularity. If you happen to work in a densely populated area where many people shop for groceries online, high demand will mean you can schedule a few orders in one day — and then take a few days off.

If you want to earn money and trim your waistline in the process, there are websites and apps that pay you to lose weight.

Companies such as HealthyWage let you set your goal weight and bet a specific dollar amount that you'll reach it. If you are successful, you'll earn some cash.

If you have a car that often sits idle, rent it out for quick cash. Websites such as Turo let you hang out at home while your car makes money for you.

There are some basic requirements cars need to meet to be eligible for Turo. For example, to get started, your vehicle generally cannot be more than 12 years old or have more than 130,000 miles on it.

Do you have a collection of unused gift cards piling up in your junk drawer? If so, another quick way to earn cash is selling those cards on a website like CardCash or GiftCash.

Most gift cards remain valid for a few years after they are purchased. So, if you have some from stores or restaurants you don't plan to visit, it's worth it to try trading them in.

If you have a spare room or vacation home, rent it out when you're not using it on a site such as Airbnb or Vrbo.

This is another great way to make passive income. All you have to do is list the property, communicate with guests, and ensure that your space is cleaned and serviced between each stay.

Credit cards and cash back apps can help you earn money when shopping.

Keep in mind that companies offer cash back perks to keep customers shopping and spending more. However, as with couponing, if you can figure out how to work the system, you can earn serious rewards.

Even if you don't have a full room to rent, you can still make cash renting out your extra space. Many people need storage, so you might be able to rent out space in your garage or shed.

If you have a parking space — particularly if you live in a city where parking is in demand — you can make money renting that out as well.

While it's certainly labor, you can make money offering landscaping services, like mowing lawns or trimming hedges. You can also offer other services, such as shoveling snow or blowing leaves.

These are all great ways to earn money while getting a good workout in. This can help you keep both your physical and financial fitness in good health at the same time. 

If you want to boost your bank account fast, many of the items on this list can help you get there. Additionally, they may become profitable long-term businesses if you put in enough time and effort.

Trying out different side hustles is a great way to create a new stream of income and find something you enjoy doing in the process.