10 Side Hustles That Don’t Require Learning Any New Skills

Side hustles aren’t just driving for Uber or starting a dropshipping business. Many offbeat talents and interests can help you earn extra money — if you know where to look.

Check out these 10 part-time gigs with a ready-made market, and find out how you can start raking in some unexpected bucks.

If you can cry on cue and have a naturally solemn demeanor, there may be a side gig for you as a funeral-goer. Many cultures value having a large crowd to honor the deceased and you can actually be paid to show up.

For true professional mourners, the craft may require studying the deceased person’s backstory, learning the names of relatives and friends, and being directed to show grief in a specific way.

Do you have a MacGyver mindset or find you’re handy at picking locks? With a little time spent learning a new trade, locksmithing might be the right side hustle for you.

With only a few months of training, you can legally help people break into their own cars or homes — and charge for it. Locksmiths can make thousands monthly, especially in emergency scenarios.

If you have nice handwriting and enjoy crafting, dust off that calligraphy set. Hand-lettered art is still popular for inspirational art, invitations, custom signage, and more.

Many handwriting artists find customers at local art shops or on Etsy. You could even open your own calligraphy business.

If you’ve got an eye for vintage treasures, you can flip these thrift store finds on Etsy. It’s a great place to find a large audience who will pay top dollar for the right aesthetic.

Many sellers earn several thousand dollars a year through this marketplace. And you may not have to look far to find flippable goods: your attic may have piles of goods people are willing to pay for just gathering dust.

If you’re good at de-escalating conflict or playing family referee at Thanksgiving dinner, then being an online moderator may be a side gig worth checking out.

Online communities need moderators to manage forums, chats, and social media threads to keep things civil and ensure everyone follows community guidelines.

Internet companies often hire freelance moderators and pay them an hourly wage.

General tour guides are a dime a dozen, but if you’ve got a niche interest you can tie it to, then you’re a standout. Into the occult? Show tourists the supernatural side of your city. 

Love eating at local hidden gems? Host a gastronomic walking tour where you point out the sites and enjoy a meal at a farm-to-table restaurant.

You can find and post guide work on online marketplaces like Viator or GetYourGuide, or even create a dedicated website.

If you’re got skills raising chickens, there’s a side hustle for you. Urbanites seem to love sustainable living, especially farm-fresh eggs — or at least they think they do. 

It turns out many ovo-enthusiasts want to be sure they’re ready to commit before bringing home a baby chick of their own.

Poultry owners can rent out their egg-laying chickens for extra income. Explore sites like RentACoop or Rent The Chicken to get started.

Have an old typewriter that you keep humming along? Then consider using those skills on other people’s old products. Repair services are lucrative in the collector and nostalgia markets, where people want working versions of their favorite devices.

There’s a growing market for old technology, and you can list your services on eBay, Facebook groups, and Etsy to get started.

If you’re handy with figuring out new devices and patient with doing the same task repeatedly, consider selling services for digitizing old VHS tapes, photos, and slideshows.

If you don’t already have the gear, you can buy affordable tools such as VCR file converters, film scanners, and bulk photo scanners that let you digitize thousands of photos per second.

If you have an eye for photography, your iPhone photos could make money. Sites like Foap and EyeEm allow you to upload your pictures and earn royalties when they’re used.

From selfies to artistic shots, there’s demand out there for a wide range of images. It’s a great way to monetize your creativity.

Not every side hustle needs to be about freelancing platforms or rideshare and delivery services. Some of the most unique gigs are the most fun and can boost your bank account.

Go and pursue what makes you happy. With a little creativity and digging on the web, you can turn any oddball interest into a little extra cash.