Ways to Earn More on the Side and Knock Out Your Money Goals Fast

What’s the big goal you’re going to tackle this year?

Are you looking to pay off some debts, maybe a credit card or two or get rid of your car loan?

Would you like to save up, perhaps filling out that emergency fund or get the ball rolling on your next vacation or a down payment for the house?

Want to really plan ahead and contribute more towards your retirement? All of these are fantastic goals to take on, but for many, one of the biggest hurdles is getting that extra money to put towards those dreams.

When your current budget is tight, and you don’t have much wiggle room sometimes the answer is to find more money by earning more money.

5 Side Hustles and Projects to Earn More Money

Whenever I suggest to a member in the community that they should look at bringing more income, a few push back, thinking they have to get a second job that will eat up what little free time they have.

That doesn’t have to be the case - there are ways you can earn more money without spending a significant amount of time and work it around your schedule and what you enjoy.

Here are five ways you can earn some extra money to knock out your money goal faster.

We’ll start with small, easy ways to get started and move up to ones that require more effort and consistency but can really earn you some serious cash on the side.

Sell Your Stuff

Having a garage or yard sale is a wonderful way to unload your stuff and get to know some of your neighbors in the area.

If yard sales aren’t for you - maybe you don’t have the space for it or perhaps it’s too much to do at once, then you can go digital.

Selling online, whether it’s Craigslist, Offeredup, Facebook Marketplace, or Ebay can allow you to sell a few things at a time and may get you a better price.

Flea Market Flip

Did you know besides making money by selling at a yard sale, you can make money buying there?

It’s true. Depending on what’s available, if you have an eye and some talent with restoration, you may be able to make some good money flipping your flea market and yard sale finds.

Become a Driver

You’ve probably seen Uber and Lyft drivers around in the area. While you can certainly earn money helping people get around, you can also deliver groceries and food from local restaurants to earn money too.

Some popular options I’ve seen in the area are Shipt, GrubHub, and Instacart.

You can set aside time in the evenings to make a few deliveries or shop or reserve for weekends only. This flexibility can make the gig much easier and allow you to earn some extra bucks.

Just remember that since you are earning income while driving, you should check with your insurance company to make sure you’re properly covered.

I’d hate for you to have an incident while working that isn’t covered by your policy.

Pet or House Sitting

If you love animals and have some free time, you may be able to earn some extra income by becoming a pet sitter and/or dog walker. You can do this independently or use an app like Wag or Rover.

You can set your own schedule and select what services you want to do. Perhaps you’re only interested in walking dogs or maybe you’d be willing and able to house sit.

Freelance Your Talents

If your job allows it, you may be able to take on freelance projects occasionally to supplement your income.

Knocking Out Your Money Goals Faster

Once you’ve earned that money, it’s time to put it to work for you!

First off, always keep good records of the money you earn with these projects and side hustles as that still counts as income.

Talk it over with a financial professional so you’ll get tailored advice not only for your side income but your overall finances. It’s a relatively small investment of time that can really pay off!

If you’re paying down debts, go ahead and set up your bill pay so you’re making those extra payments consistently.

If you’re saving up for a goal like an emergency fund, family vacation, or a down payment for a house, then schedule an automatic transfer.

It’s an easy and wonderful way to make sure that your hard-earned money is stashed away.

However you do it, I hope you find the best and most enjoyable way to earn more and reach your money goal faster!