A lot of folks want extra income, but don’t want to give up all their free time or take a second job with a full-on schedule. That’s where side hustles come in small, steady earners you can run on your terms.
And yes, $500 a month is realistic. It’s not passive, but it’s doable without pulling all-nighters or burning out.
Here are five ideas that actually work no courses to sell, no gimmicks. Just ways to make solid cash using skills you already have (or can pick up quickly).
1. Freelance Writing or Editing
If you can write clearly, fix typos, or turn messy notes into clean sentences, there’s work out there for you.
Small businesses, bloggers, and online stores all need content and many are happy to pay for help. You don’t need to be a novelist. You just need to be reliable and able to follow directions.
Where to start: Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or direct outreach on LinkedIn can get things rolling. Set a fair rate and build a few samples to show what you can do.
How this hits $500/month: Five short writing gigs at $100 a pop (or ten at $50). Totally manageable with a few hours a week.
2. Reselling Stuff Online
Got things around the house you never use? Old clothes, books, electronics? Start by listing them on eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari.
Once you get the hang of it, you can even flip thrift store finds, garage sale scores, or clearance rack deals for a profit.
Why it works: You’re turning stuff that’s collecting dust into cash. And if you like the hunt, it can be pretty fun too.
How this hits $500/month: Sell five to ten items a week at a $10–$20 profit each. Keep reinvesting some of the money to grow your inventory.
3. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
People love their pets and they’ll pay well to make sure they’re cared for. If you enjoy animals, this one’s a win.
You can sign up on apps like Rover or just offer your services locally through flyers or social media.
Pro tip: Weekends and holidays get busy fast. That’s where you can book multiple clients and earn more in a shorter time.
How this hits $500/month: A few overnight stays or regular weekly walks can easily add up, especially if you’re handling more than one pet at a time.
4. Print-on-Demand Design
If you’re creative (or even just know how to use Canva), you can design t-shirts, mugs, phone cases and never touch a box or pack a thing.
Sites like Redbubble, Teespring, and Printful handle the printing, shipping, and customer service. You just upload designs and earn a cut when they sell.
Why it’s great: Once your designs are live, they can keep earning in the background.
How this hits $500/month: Aim to create a small collection of products even 20–30 items. A few consistent sellers can bring in regular income over time.
5. Offer a Microservice on Fiverr
What’s one thing you’re good at that others find tricky? Formatting resumes? Making Canva templates? Editing short videos?
You don’t need to offer everything. Just pick one thing, package it clearly, and deliver it fast.
Why it works: People are always looking for help with small tasks they don’t have time (or energy) to do themselves.
How this hits $500/month: Ten $50 gigs or twenty-five $20 gigs. Once you build reviews, people will start coming to you.
Start With One
Don’t try all five at once. Pick the one that sounds easiest to try this week not the one that might work someday.
Run with it, see what happens, and build from there. The first $100 you earn on your own feels different. After that, $500 doesn’t seem so far off.
