Make Money Side Hustles

18 Sweet Side Hustles You Can Still Try This Summer for Extra Cash

Summer may be the perfect season to turn some of your spare time into sweet cash.

 freelancers using laptop computer sitting near swimming pool
Updated May 28, 2024
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It’s summer, which means you might looking for legitimate ways to make some extra cash. But where should you start?

Depending on your skill set, there can be plenty of opportunities to find a great side hustle. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Landscaping

Smole/Adobe applying turf rolls in backyard

Summer brings green grass, leaves on trees, and lots of weeds. See if you can make cash around town doing everything from basic work like weeding and spreading mulch to bigger projects like planting trees, shrubs, and flower beds.

Junk removal

Monkey Business/Adobe Two Teenagers Clearing Garage For Yard Sale

Warmer weather inspires many people to start cleaning out the basement and throwing away junk, papers, and other items they no longer want. Offer your truck or your muscle to help haul away all that junk, and maybe haul in a little cash along the way.

Pool cleaning

GDM photo and video/Adobe utility worker cleaning the swimming pool with vacuum equipment

A pool can be a high-maintenance project for homeowners. Enter pool cleaners, who visit a homeowner’s property on a regular basis during the summer to make sure chemical levels are balanced. You will also remove trash and debris from the pool.

Housesitting

Dominika//Adobe Woman hands opening a door with keys

With so many people headed out for vacation for the summer, there are plenty of homes that need someone to keep an eye on them. Offer services such as mail and package pickup, or simply check in to make sure there aren’t any issues with a home while the owner is gone.

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Lifeguarding

WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe female lifeguard holding rescue can at poolside

Everything from public pools to private clubs needs lifeguards on duty to keep everyone safe. You may need to be certified for CPR, so find out your options for an affordable certification process.

Tutoring

AntonioDiaz/Adobe confident mother reading book to girl at table

Tutoring is a great summer option for teachers, who can make their own hours and set their own rates. Even if you aren’t a teacher, you may have a skill set that will be in demand for parents who want their kids to stay on track during the summer.

Petsitting

stokkete/Adobe Woman cuddling her cat

With so many people going on vacation, pet sitters may be in high demand to take care of furry friends. Check with local pet stores, shelters, or doggy daycares, for example, to see if they may have any leads on people in need of sitters for their pets.

Camp instructors

Sidekick/Adobe Happy camp counselor

You can be a camp instructor even if you have no clue about the outdoors. Some local camps run by schools or youth organizations need instructors to teach things like art, sports, and other fun activities to kids. You could also help organize classes or after-camp care to help out parents.

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Babysitting

Svitlana/Adobe little girl spending time with african american baby sitter

It can be hard to work from home while the kids are constantly bugging you about lunch or what shows they can watch. Some parents need a full-time babysitter for the summer while others just need someone to offer a few hours of freedom, so the parent can focus on work or run some errands.

Renting your home

Daniel Krasoń/Adobe Woman is installing Airbnb application on Lenovo tablet

If you’re already going to be out of town for a few days here or there on your own vacation, rent out your home through Airbnb or a similar service to make some extra cash.

Before you list the property, however, make sure your local city or municipality allows owners to rent their space on a short-term basis.

Delivering groceries

motortion/Adobe delivery worker holding grocery bag with fresh tasty goods

One of the great things about a grocery store is that it’s usually cool on a hot summer day, which makes grocery shopping as a side hustle the perfect hot-weather retreat.

Check in with companies like Instacart or Shipt to see if you qualify to be a shopper. Then, set your own hours based on your shopping availability.

Selling your stuff

Kathy images/Adobe yard sale

Need to get rid of your own junk? Find different options to cleanse your space of old stuff. Think about setting up a garage sale or look at places to sell items online, such as Facebook or Craigslist.

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Mystery shopping

nicoletaionescu/Adobe woman shopping with big sunglasses

Sign up online with a local marketing company to become a mystery shopper. Mystery shoppers usually go to a store or retail space and pretend to be real customers, asking questions of employees and checking out the space for any issues.

Sports referee

.shock/Adobe rear view of female american football referee

With so many kids signed up for summer sports, being a referee can be a good option to make a quick buck. Check with your local sports departments to see if they are in need of referees and how much training you might need. It’s a good way to be outside and to get paid for watching sports you like.

Blogging

VAKSMANV/Adobe female hands typing on laptop while sitting at office desk indoors

Have some time this summer to sit down and write? Consider starting a blog, which could help you make some extra cash if you remember to monetize it with advertising. If you would prefer a video blog, that’s also a possibility.

Crafting

iana_kolesnikova/Adobe female ceramics maker working with pottery wheel

Summer may be a good time to finally get some projects done with your sewing machine, woodworking tools, or any other type of crafting you like to do. Check with local sites or major retailers like Etsy to sell your hand-crafted wares for cash.

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Moving

Gorodenkoff/Adobe courier takes out cardboard box package from opened delivery van

Summer is a busy time for people to move from one place to another, particularly when it comes to local moves. Look into jobs with local moving companies in your area that need someone to help pack and move items so you can earn a little extra cash during this busy season.

Baking

exclusive-design/Adobe chocolatier preparing chocolate bonbons

The summer might be filled with graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and more. If everyone loves your delicious cookies and cupcakes, think about offering your services for cash to help others celebrate, or just to provide them with something to bring to their next summer picnic or barbecue.

Bottom line

Nikolai Sorokin/Adobe Chaise longue made of money and beach shoes

If you’re looking for ways to crush your debt this summer, a side hustle can help you start to move out of the red and into the black. So, look at your interests and skill sets and see if you can find a side hustle that might put cash in your pocket.


Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.