Good Side Hustles to Make Money

Amidst the recent COVID-19 outbreak, more than 3.3 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the span of a single week.

As a growing number of companies are forced to close their doors, countless Americans are likely going to lose their jobs in the coming weeks — at least temporarily.

Unfortunately, the bills might not be stopping any time soon. As we struggle to pay utility bills, student loans, and rent payments, many out-of-work individuals will struggle to make ends meet.

But even those who have been given a stipend as they are stuck at home might be overwhelmed by the amount of free-time they suddenly have. Now that many of us are stuck inside, there’s no better time to look for good side hustles to make money.

Here are some lucrative ideas for side hustles that you might want to consider if you’ve been twiddling your thumbs.

Good Side Hustles to Consider:

For those with too much stuff

Perhaps the only good thing about the coronavirus outbreak is that it has happened when most people have started spring cleaning. If you have found yourself with a surplus of goods, why not consider selling these items online?

You don’t have to have countless name-brand goods to turn a profit. There are more reselling sites than ever and many people are looking to pass their time by shopping online. Between Ebay, Craigslist, the growing Facebook marketplace, and clothing sites like Poshmark, there’s a site for everyone.

Whatever you do, be sure to take great photos. If the photos are poor-quality, most potential buyers will assume the product is poor, too. Ensure your lighting is good and that there is more than one photo to represent the product. If the product has a flaw, the last thing you want to do is hide this: be up-front with your sellers and you’re sure to earn their respect in spite of any defects.

You can also sell old electronics you have lying around on reseller sites, too. Shops like Gazelle are always looking for old smartphones. While these won’t often yield high payments, it’s better than cluttering up your home with old electronics.

The best quality in a gig like this is that you don’t need to undergo a lengthy onboarding process. Just like 66% of schools perform background checks, many side hustles will also have you undergo a criminal background check. Luckily, selling items online is a simple and fast process, akin to setting up a yard sale from the comfort of your own home.

Start tutoring online

Speaking of school, many students have been forced to stay at home during this pandemic. Unfortunately, parents aren’t always the best people to teach their children math and science. If you have a background in education or are an expert in a certain area of study, you might do really well as a tutor.

Popular tutoring site, Varsity Tutors, has even unveiled a new tutoring program designed to draw in online tutors. Dubbed Virtual School Day, the lessons for children are aired free of charge. However, the tutors are paid up to $40 per hour through the program.

“They have to propose a range of lesson plans and how to make it interactive for 100+ students,” explains Brian Galvin, Varsity Tutors’ chief academic officer. It might sound like a tough job, but many teachers are already prepared.

“Classroom teachers have been saying ‘I have these awesome lessons I didn’t get to cover this year, can I bring them to Virtual School Day?'” Galvin explains. He also notes that shy children often feel safer to speak up and ask questions when interacting with others virtually.

There’s no telling how long gigs like these will last. After all, up to 70% of business partnerships fail, and partnering with an online tutor site likely has a similar expiration date. But for the time being, a skilled educator will certainly be able to find a niche where they are needed. When you’re looking for good side hustles to make money, this option is top-notch.

Get interested in online businesses

It’s no surprise that the e-commerce industry has boomed since the coronavirus outbreak began. With so many people staying home, a growing number of consumers have relied on e-commerce sites to shop, whether that be for groceries, games, or technology for remote working.

You can work on the back-end of the sales funnel by programming selling platforms or you can become the middleman between investors and your clients. There are an estimated 17,000 investment firms throughout the United States today, many of which are operating solely online.

If you’re good with marketing or social media management, these are two more options that can land you serious cash when you’re in a bind. While not everyone is built to be a freelancer, the autonomy and freedom you have with choosing customers and projects is a huge draw for independent people.

If you’re trying to earn a little extra money during this trying time, there are some good side hustles to make money. Consider these options when you’re thinking about earning a few extra bucks.