Looking to start a side hustle, but not sure what it should be? Here are 10 side hustle ideas for ways to earn a little extra income with not much hassle or fuss.
Whether you want to earn a bit of extra cash on the side or your aim is to eventually make your side hustle your full-time gig, here are some of the ways you can get started today, after hours, from your home. Ready? Let’s go!
10 side hustle ideas and how to make them happen:
1. Sell your preloved items online
From gently used clothes to furniture that’s taking up too much space or items that are getting dusty in your cupboards, there’s never been a better time to list them online. That’s right – sell them! Budgets are tight but people still enjoy shopping, and what you no longer want could be just the thing someone else is looking for.
How to make it happen:
Do some research into where your community is looking for goods online and the average prices that they’re selling at and start listing your stuff. Next, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces. You want them to look as good as possible. There are dedicated marketplaces on Facebook that you can join and a host of sites, such as www.olx.co.za and www.gumtree.co.za where you can list your goods for free. Just remember to practice caution when making the exchange of cash for goods. Arrange to meet in a public space and don’t go alone if you can avoid it.
2. Take online surveys to earn extra income
This is something you can do in the mornings before you go to work, while you’re on your way to your day job (if you take public transport), and even just before you go to bed. All you need is a smartphone and some data.
How to make it happen:
Sign up to survey sites, such as Swagbucks, Survey Junkie and InboxDollars, and start giving your feedback. Brands are always researching their potential customer bases, testing new products and trying to figure out what you’re interested in (and what you don’t care about) – and they’re willing to pay you for your opinions: win-win!
3. Make lunches for people in your office block
If you’re a whizz in the kitchen this is something you can do in the evenings that will make you extra cash the next day.
Many people don’t enjoy making themselves lunch or they simply don’t have the time. If you work in an office park or a busy area during the day, you can pre-make healthy, hearty meals and then sell them during your lunch hour.
How to make it happen:
You’ll need a bit of upfront cash for ingredients and it’s worth asking people what they’d love to be eating for lunch, and then take it from there. Keep your packaging simple but pay attention to the presentation of your lunches – your customers are more likely to buy food that looks good. Once people know you’re doing this regularly, you might even score some pre-orders.
4. Watch online videos
That’s right – businesses will pay you to watch videos. The catch is that you won’t be watching your favourite movies or Youtube channels, but you’ll still be making money in your free time, and with a smartphone and some data, you can watch videos at any time, from anywhere (including a taxi!).
How to make it happen:
Sign up on a platform such as Swagbucks (that’s right, you’re already making cash taking surveys with them), make sure you have data or access to a steady internet connection, and get started! (Data is generally cheaper from midnight to dawn if you want to maximise your early mornings and travel time).
5. Become a translator
With 11 national languages, there are many opportunities to put your bilingual abilities to work in South Africa and make some extra money on the side.
How to make it happen:
Sign up on freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, list the languages you’re fluent in and start getting some experience. The more experience you have, the more you can charge. The great thing about freelance work is that you can do it after hours, so it’s the perfect side hustle if you still have a full-time job.
6. Become a voice-over artist
Television, radio, IVR (phone messages), news reading, radio presenting, documentary narrations, movie trailers, walk through games, boxing announcing and sport and traffic for radio. Because we have so many languages, there’s always a need for more Sesotho, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Setswana, Tshivenda voices.
How to make it happen:
Start reading out loud every opportunity you get, record yourself and become comfortable with your own voice. There are many voiceover artist studios across the country. All you need to do is record a demo, list yourself on their books and wait for work to roll in.
7. Bake up a storm
People love hand-made and gourmet baked products, but most of us aren’t very good at making cakes and cupcakes for special occasions that taste good and look amazing! If this is one of your skills, maybe it’s time to make some extra cash from it?
How to make it happen:
Set up a Facebook page, let your friends and family know what you’re doing and start baking! You’ll need to buy some ingredients and think about themed cakes and cupcakes, but other than that, nothing is holding you back! You can find some great ideas online, and make sure you take well-lit photos of all of your creations to post on your social media account.
8. Sewing and alterations
You’d be amazed how many people no longer have this skill. If you’re handy with a sewing machine and know how to make basic alterations to clothing, this could be the side hustle for you.
How to make it happen:
Use social media and word of mouth to let your friends and family know that you’re open for business and ask them to let their wider circles know as well. Everyone has clothes, which means everyone in your community is a potential customer.
9. Become a driver
If you’ve got your own set of wheels this is a great side gig because you can drive people around or deliver food after hours. Food deliveries in particular have picked up and you can control your own schedule.
How to make it happen:
Apply to join one of the many food delivery or ridesharing services in South Africa. Visit their websites to make sure you meet the minimum requirements and then hit the road!
10. Save and invest in your future
Yes, this one isn’t exactly an extra income earner, but it’s an excellent way to build a better future for yourself and your family. To get started, try to save at least 5% of your income every month (more if you’ve launched one of the side hustles ideas we’ve mentioned), and try to grow this up to eventually put 20% into savings and investments.
How to make it happen:
Start a GoalSave today with TymeBank. GoalSave is a powerful savings tool that you can activate when you open an EveryDay account with TymeBank.
- GoalSave is a free savings tool linked to your EveryDay account
- Start 10 different GoalSaves for 10 different goals
- Earn more the longer you save.
Get as much as 10% interest a year. Find out more about how to switch to an EveryDay account today to get started.
