So, you’re looking for a side hustle. Maybe you need to pay off some debt, boost your savings, or just want to find something that feels a little more rewarding than your 9-to-5 gig. Side hustles are everywhere these days—advertised all over social media, suggested by friends, or popping up in your news feed like the next best thing. But here’s the real question: Which ones are actually worth your time? Is it worth burning the candle at both ends for an extra few bucks, or can you find something that really makes it all worthwhile?
In this blog, we’re diving into the ultimate side hustle showdown. We’ll compare different hustles in a fun, game-show style to figure out which ones deserve your time and energy. Ready? Let’s get started!
Round 1: Time Investment
First up, let’s talk about how much time you’ll actually need to spend on each side hustle. We’ve all got busy lives, right? Between work, family, social commitments, and trying to squeeze in some downtime (because, hey, we all need it), you don’t want to be stuck in a side hustle that demands more hours than you can spare.
So, let’s break it down:
Delivery Driving (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash)
If you’ve got a car and a smartphone, delivery driving can be a quick way to make extra cash. You can set your own schedule, which sounds great, right? But here’s the thing: the hours can be unpredictable. Some days you might barely get any orders, while others, you might be driving around for hours to make a decent amount of cash.
Time commitment: Flexible but not always consistent. If you’re looking for a side hustle that you can fit into your schedule, this might work, but it could also eat up more time than you expect.
Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, Web Development)
Freelancing is a fantastic option if you’ve got a marketable skill. Whether it’s writing, graphic design, or web development, you can make money on your terms. The catch? It can take time to land clients, and the more skilled you are, the more time-consuming the projects might get. Freelancing also involves a lot of admin work (invoices, emails, marketing yourself), so the hours can add up quickly.
Time commitment: Flexible, but you’ll need to invest time in building your portfolio and marketing your skills if you want to see consistent income.
Selling Online (Etsy, eBay, Poshmark)
Selling stuff online can sound like an easy gig, especially if you’ve got a knack for crafting or finding vintage treasures. The problem here? It can be very time-consuming to set up listings, take great photos, and ship out your products. Plus, you’ll need to stay on top of inventory and keep track of sales.
Time commitment: High, especially if you’re building an inventory or crafting products from scratch. The upside? You can automate parts of the process, like packaging and shipping, once you get the hang of it.
Tutoring or Coaching
If you’re an expert in a subject or skill, tutoring can be a rewarding side hustle. Whether you’re teaching a language, coaching for SATs, or offering fitness classes, tutoring usually allows for flexible hours. You get to decide when you’re available, and you can do it all from the comfort of your home if you’re doing virtual sessions.
Time commitment: Flexible. You decide how many students you take on and when to schedule sessions. However, if you want to build a strong client base, it will take time.
Round 2: Earning Potential
Okay, so now you know how much time each hustle requires. But what about the money? Can you really make enough to justify the time you’re putting in? Let’s break down the earning potential for each hustle:
Delivery Driving
Earnings here can be wildly inconsistent. During rush hour or peak times, you might pull in a decent amount of cash. But outside of those hours? You might be lucky to make minimum wage. Plus, don’t forget about gas, maintenance, and wear and tear on your car.
Potential earnings: Around –/hour, depending on demand and location. But after expenses, the actual take-home pay might be much lower.
Freelancing
Freelancing can pay pretty well, especially if you’ve got a strong portfolio and are skilled in high-demand areas. Writers, for example, can earn anywhere from to 0+ per hour, depending on their niche and experience. The trick is, it can take time to build up a client base. Once you do, though, the earning potential is pretty high.
Potential earnings: –0+/hour, depending on skill level and demand. However, you may need to work your way up before you can consistently charge higher rates.
Selling Online
How much you make selling online really depends on what you’re selling and how efficiently you manage your shop. If you’re selling handcrafted goods, the sky’s the limit, but you might only make a few dollars per item. However, if you’re flipping items (buying at low prices and reselling at higher prices), the profit margins can be pretty sweet.
Potential earnings: Varies widely based on the product, but generally around – per sale. If you can scale your operation, the earnings increase.
Tutoring or Coaching
Tutors and coaches can charge anywhere from to 0+ per hour, depending on their area of expertise. And the best part? It’s mostly passive after the lesson, so once you’ve built your client base, the income can be relatively stable.
Potential earnings: –0+/hour, but you’ll need to establish your reputation first. Once you do, it can be a highly profitable side hustle.
Round 3: Skill Requirements
Now, let’s talk about the skills needed for each hustle. Are you going to need a bunch of certifications, or can you dive right in with minimal experience?
Delivery Driving
Not much skill is required here. As long as you can drive safely, use a smartphone, and know your way around town, you’re good to go. The only thing to keep in mind is that your time on the road can be stressful, especially during rush hours or in unfamiliar areas.
Skill level required: Low. If you can drive and use a GPS, you’re set.
Freelancing
Freelancing is where your skills really come into play. If you’re a writer, designer, or developer, you’ll need to have a solid foundation in your field. For some gigs, you’ll need a portfolio, and for others, you might need to take a few courses to brush up on your skills.
Skill level required: High. You need to be proficient in your craft and willing to learn and adapt.
Selling Online
Depending on what you’re selling, the skill level can range from low to high. If you’re selling second-hand items, you don’t need much expertise. But if you’re creating handmade products or running a boutique shop, you’ll need a solid understanding of design, marketing, and customer service.
Skill level required: Moderate to high. You need good product knowledge and, ideally, some basic e-commerce skills.
Tutoring or Coaching
Tutoring requires expertise in your subject area, but the good news is that you don’t necessarily need a degree to get started. If you’re good at math, languages, or even fitness training, you can turn that into a profitable side hustle with little to no formal education.
Skill level required: Moderate to high. You need to be knowledgeable and able to explain concepts clearly.
Round 4: Risk & Stability
Every side hustle has some level of risk, whether it’s financial, reputational, or just the risk of burnout. Let’s see how each of these stacks up.
Delivery Driving
The main risks here are car-related—accidents, breakdowns, or just the wear and tear that comes with constant driving. Also, because you’re technically an independent contractor, you don’t have any job security or benefits.
Risk level: Moderate. The main risks are physical (your car, accidents, etc.) and financial (no benefits, no job security).
Freelancing
Freelancing has its ups and downs. Sometimes you’re booked solid, and other times, you’re wondering where the next gig is coming from. It’s a risk if you’re not consistently hustling to find clients.
Risk level: High. There’s no steady paycheck, and no guarantee that clients will keep coming back.
Selling Online
Selling online can be risky, especially if you invest a lot of time or money upfront into inventory. There’s also the potential for your items not to sell or for you to deal with customer complaints.
Risk level: Moderate. You’re at the mercy of the market, but the risk can be managed with good planning.
Tutoring or Coaching
Tutoring and coaching are pretty stable once you’ve built a client base. The risks are minimal, especially if you’re doing it part-time. The only downside is if you lose a client or two, which can affect your earnings.
Risk level: Low to moderate. Stability increases once you’ve got a regular stream of clients.
Round 5: Enjoyment Factor
Last but not least, let’s talk about enjoyment. Sure, the money’s great, but if you hate what you’re doing, is it really worth it?
Delivery Driving
This one can be hit or miss. Some days you’re cruising, blasting music, and raking in cash, and other days, you’re stuck in traffic, delivering to people who don’t tip. If you enjoy being on the road, it can be fun. But if you don’t, it can feel like a chore.
Enjoyment factor: Moderate. Some people love it, some people hate it. It depends on your personality.
Freelancing
Freelancing can be really enjoyable, especially if you love your craft. The downside? The constant hustle to find new clients can sometimes take the fun out of it. But if you can build up a client base and focus on the work you love, it can be deeply rewarding.
Enjoyment factor: High (if you love your field). It’s a mix of creative freedom and self-discipline.
Selling Online
Selling online can be really fun, especially if you have a passion for creating or curating products. But it can also be tedious. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that takes away from the fun of making sales.
Enjoyment factor: Moderate to high. It’s satisfying to sell something you’re passionate about, but it can get repetitive.
Tutoring or Coaching
Tutoring and coaching can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you see your clients improve. It’s personal and can make a big impact. Plus, you’re working one-on-one, which can make the job feel more rewarding.
Enjoyment factor: High. You’re helping others, which can be very satisfying.
The Winner’s Circle
So, which side hustles came out on top? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something with flexible hours, delivery driving might work but be prepared for some unpredictability. Freelancing can pay really well, but you’ll need to hustle hard to build up a stable income. Selling online is a good option if you’ve got a product or niche you’re passionate about, but it’s a lot of work. Tutoring or coaching is fantastic if you want a stable, rewarding side hustle.
