{"id":16498,"date":"2025-12-17T13:37:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=16498"},"modified":"2026-02-04T16:54:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T22:54:42","slug":"side-hustles-and-passive-income-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/side-hustles-and-passive-income-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Side hustles and passive income ideas: Your guide to making extra money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A full-time job isn\u2019t always enough to achieve your financial goals. That\u2019s why nearly 36% of U.S. adults have a side gig, according to a 2024 Bankrate survey<\/a>. Making extra money <\/strong>can help you pay off debt, save to buy a house, or catch up on retirement savings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there\u2019s a wide range of side hustles and passive income streams that can help you tackle financial to-dos or even take your wealth to the next level, says financial blogger Kelan Kline. A side hustle is typically an additional job a person can take to earn extra money to supplement their primary income. On the other hand, passive income can be income that requires little or no effort to maintain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kline should know. When he and his wife Brittany were saddled with student loan debt, they launched a blog focused on side hustles and money management tips to help them earn extra income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt became a full-time business that allowed us to quit our 9-to-5 jobs in law enforcement and helped teach us to fast-track our financial freedom,\u201d Kline says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

While most secondary gigs won\u2019t turn into new careers, they can add a spark to your savings. So, what are some side hustle and passive income ideas that can help you make extra money? Read on to see which types of side hustles and passive income ideas can inspire you to accelerate your financial targets\u2014and learn how your new income streams can work together to generate even more cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a side hustle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A side hustle is any income-generating work outside of your primary job\u2014anything from food delivery to selling items online. People use the extra income to improve their financial health, from building up savings to preparing for a big purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some side hustle ideas?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo find a side hustle, you should think about your existing skills and interests to narrow down what kind of opportunity you’re looking for,\u201d says Randa Kriss, small business writer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve collected some side hustle ideas you can try without too much previous experience to help you make extra dough\u2014or even find a new job<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(All earnings information courtesy of <\/em>ZipRecruiter<\/em><\/a>:)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ride-sharing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ride-hailing or ride-sharing apps make it easier for people to get around on demand, while creating a market for drivers and their cars. For many ride-share drivers, this is their primary source of income, but it can also be a convenient side hustle option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDriving for a ride-sharing service is a great way to make some extra money,\u201d Kline says. \u201cIt allows you to be your own boss and set your own hours, which can be especially beneficial for people who have a flexible schedule or want to supplement their income.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $19 an hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delivery driving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t want to drive strangers around? Deliver food instead. Many delivery service apps need drivers to drop off grocery hauls and restaurant takeout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDelivery driving is a great way to earn some extra money on the side, while also having some time to decompress,\u201d says Jacqueline DeMarco, a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. \u201cDriving can be stressful, but it\u2019s a lot less stressful without passengers in the car. You can even listen to podcasts or audiobooks to make it feel like less of a chore.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $18 an hour<\/em><\/strong>     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grocery shopping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grocery delivery services also need people who can shop for items before they\u2019re delivered. Once you sign up and choose a nearby supermarket, customer orders will pop up on your phone. Efficient shoppers who can quickly navigate local stores are making extra money by filling up shopping carts\u2014and you could, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnjoy the free air conditioning while you fulfill grocery orders,\u201d DeMarco says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even take care of your own grocery needs once your customer orders are fulfilled. You may be less tempted to order expensive takeout if you\u2019re already in a supermarket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $17 an hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tour guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you love your area and have an engaging personality, become a local tour guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a tour guide can be a great way to meet new people and show them a city or neighborhood you\u2019re passionate about\u2014all while making extra money. You might need to pass a test to work for certain organizations, and many tours use a pay-what-you-like model so the income can be inconsistent. But it\u2019s a side hustle with growth potential, DeMarco says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can learn the ropes working for a tour guide company or app, then eventually take that knowledge and start your own tour guide business,\u201d she says. \u201cThat way, you don\u2019t have to share the profits.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $19 an hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual assistant <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Virtual assistants aren\u2019t algorithms or chatbots\u2014they\u2019re real people. Virtual assistants can work from almost anywhere in the world as they perform digital tasks like scheduling, fielding emails, and even managing social media for companies or individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an excellent option for people who have administrative and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently,\u201d Kline says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $24 an hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babysitting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re trustworthy, responsible, and enjoy working with kids, babysitting is a great opportunity. And once you start establishing solid relationships with parents, it can evolve into a regular gig that provides a stable income. You can list your services on online platforms catering to babysitters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When DeMarco was a babysitter, she also worked on freelance writing assignments while the kids slept, which helped her to maximize her side income opportunities. \u201cIf you love kids, it\u2019s a fun way to earn extra cash,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximate earnings: $18 an hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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“To find a side hustle, you should think about your existing skills and interests to narrow down what kind of opportunity you’re looking for.”<\/p>\n