I grew up as the daughter of a business owner. My mother started her own daycare business out of our childhood home and eventually grew it to care for over 140 children in a brand-new building that she and my dad built from the ground up. They were my models for what I imagined work-life balance to be like. My mother worked hard, but once the business was up and running, she could come and go as she pleased. She planned meetings, shopped for toys, and managed the business all on her own terms. That is the kind of career flexibility I have always desired.
Fast forward to today. I’ve found a way to create a life that mirrors that vision, though the journey wasn’t always smooth. After my husband passed away, I had to find ways to supplement my income while working as a homeschool teacher or during my 9-to-5 job. Below are four side hustles I did to make extra cash. You could also build up some of these ideas to turn the side income into a full-time hustle that will free up your time and allow you to create the life you imagine.
Surveys
While surveys won’t make you a fortune, the small amount of money they do provide can build up over time and take some burden off. Anyone can do online surveys. They are simple, accessible, and take minimal commitment. You can do them while waiting for appointments, or like I did, waiting in the car to pick up your kids. You can fit them in when you have brief moments of time, and before you know it, you might have an Amazon gift card or a small cash boost waiting for you when you need it. By participating in surveys, you provide valuable feedback to companies and researchers while getting compensated for your time and opinions. While I wouldn’t count on it to replace any income, it’s an easy and low-effort way to supplement your earnings, especially if you enjoy sharing your thoughts on products and services.
Here are some platforms I have personally tried and benefitted from1:
Online Microtasks
Microtasks involve completing small, often short-term tasks like data annotation, transcription, or participating in research projects. I worked with a company called Appen, which specializes in data annotation and AI training services. They help businesses improve their machine learning models by offering services like data labeling, data collection, and AI model evaluation. However, not all of their available tasks would be considered microtasks in my opinion.
I joined a job working for one hour a day rating ads for different products. I had to commit to the hour a day, but I could do it on my own time. The perks were that the tasks can be flexible and remote, allowing me to work from anywhere, even while on vacation to visit to my mom in Bar Harbor. While the pay wasn’t always high—about $11 an hour at the time—the flexibility and the small income boost were helpful.
Private Tutoring
Given my background in homeschooling my kids and my ease with academics, tutoring was a natural fit. I took on various tutoring roles. I worked for a program through a local college tutoring college students on website building and refreshing math skills for Praxis tests. I also taught elementary math through Mathnasium and joined online tutoring platforms like Wyzant. Tutoring offered the flexibility that I needed and allowed me to set my own rates. Although it wasn’t a full-time income for me, it’s possible for others to build a successful tutoring business. The time and effort you put into building your tutoring business will determine your success. For me, it worked great as a side hustle to create additional income.
One of the biggest pros for me was the ability to positivity impact students’ lives. Seeing student’s lightbulb moments were always a highlight for me. I felt like I was doing something rewarding with my time. Another positive is the number of options you have when choosing what to tutor. You don’t have to focus on the traditional subjects like I did. If you have any special skills or expertise, you can help others. With the rise of online platforms, tutors can reach students all over the world from any location, making it easier than ever to integrate into a busy schedule. Overall, it’s a fulfilling way to earn extra money, contribute to others’ success, and can be tailored to your expertise and schedule.
Classes / Lessons
Teaching classes or lessons is similar to tutoring but involves creating your own lesson plans. As a former music teacher, I offered instrumental band lessons both at home and at students’ houses. This was a lucrative way to leverage my skills and one of the options I found most worthwhile.
The possibilities for hosting classes have only expanded since that time. Platforms like Outschool provide opportunities to teach live, online classes on a variety of subjects, from academics to arts and hobbies. While planning and scheduling require effort, Outschool’s flexibility allows you to design courses that fit your interests and engage with students worldwide. This option can easily be built up to provide a full-time income. However, even as a side-hustle, it is possible to integrate teaching into your life.
Overall, finding ways to supplement your income while managing other responsibilities is entirely feasible with the right side hustles. Each of these options—surveys, microtasks, tutoring, and teaching classes—offers unique benefits and challenges. By choosing the ones that align with your skills and lifestyle, you can achieve greater financial stability and enjoy the flexibility that allows you to live life on your own terms.
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Work at Home Widow 