Best Side Hustles That Can Make You $500+ per Month (Even If You’re Starting From Scratch)
Hey friend,
Let me just start by saying this: I know what it feels like to be stuck. Staring at your bank account like it’s playing hide and seek with your money, wondering if the numbers will magically double by the morning (spoiler: they never do). I’ve been there. Broke. Frustrated. Tired of hearing people talk about “multiple streams of income” like it was some elite club I wasn’t invited to.
But let me tell you a little secret: side hustles saved me.
Not in a grand, Hollywood-movie kind of way. More like in a slow, steady “I can finally breathe at the end of the month” kind of way. And that’s powerful.
So today, I want to walk you through real, doable side hustles that can make you at least $500 a month, even more if you stick with it. This isn’t gonna be one of those lists full of scams or “take surveys online for pennies” kind of crap. I’m talking about side gigs that real people are doing. People like you. People like me.
Let’s dive in. But first…
The Day I Realized My 9-to-5 Wasn’t Enough
Quick story. A few years ago, I was working a decent job. It paid the bills, kind of. But when my car broke down and I needed $800 to fix it, I had exactly $36 in my account. Thirty-six freaking dollars. I remember sitting in the parking lot of a gas station, just staring at the steering wheel, feeling completely helpless.
That was the moment I knew, I needed more than just my job.
That’s when I started side hustling. It wasn’t glamorous. It was messy, uncertain, and awkward at first. But now? I’ve built multiple streams of income, and I genuinely want you to feel the freedom I’ve found.
So here we go, real talk, real side hustles, no BS.
1. Freelance Writing – Tell Stories, Get Paid
Let’s start with what saved my butt when things got tight: writing.
You don’t need a journalism degree or to have written a novel. If you can write emails, tell stories, or explain stuff in a way that makes sense, you can get paid.
I started on Upwork with zero experience. My first gig paid $50 to write product descriptions. I thought I hit the jackpot. Fast forward, and I’ve had months pulling in $1,000+ just from writing blogs and copy for small businesses.
How to start:
- Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.
- Write a killer bio (talk like a human, not a robot).
- Offer to write samples or do 1-2 small gigs at a discount to get reviews.
- Specialize, blogs, emails, product descriptions, etc.
Earnings potential: $25–$100/hour once you build up.
2. Flipping Stuff Online – Turn Trash Into Cash
Okay, this one’s fun. And kinda addictive.
You ever walked through a thrift store and thought, “Someone would totally pay more for this online”? You’re right.
People are making serious cash flipping thrift store finds, yard sale gems, or even freebies from Facebook Marketplace.
One weekend, I found a vintage Polaroid camera for $5. Sold it on eBay for $80. Boom. $75 profit just for recognizing value. My friend Jamie turned it into a side hustle and now makes over $1,500/month reselling sneakers alone.
How to start:
- Browse garage sales, thrift shops, or clearance racks.
- Check completed listings on eBay to see what stuff sells for.
- Clean it up, take nice pics, and list on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari.
Earnings potential: $200–$2,000/month depending on hustle.
3. Virtual Assistant – Be Someone’s Right Hand
Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Some people are rockstars at organizing, managing schedules, replying to emails, and just getting stuff done behind the scenes.
That’s where virtual assistants (VAs) shine.
My cousin started this gig after being laid off. She now works part-time as a VA for three clients and brings in around $1,200/month, from home, in her pajamas, on her schedule.
Tasks include:
- Email management
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Research
- Data entry
- Social media support
Where to start:
- Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph, Freelancer, Belay, or create a profile on LinkedIn.
- Join Facebook groups for entrepreneurs, they’re always looking for VAs!
Earnings potential: $20–$50/hour.
4. Pinterest Management – Get Paid to Pin Pretty Things
No joke, this is a real job.
Bloggers, small business owners, and coaches are always looking for someone to manage their Pinterest accounts. If you’re already on Pinterest scrolling for recipes or decor ideas, why not turn that into cash?
I managed a client’s Pinterest for $350/month and only spent about 5 hours per week scheduling pins using Tailwind.
What you do:
- Design pins (Canva is your BFF)
- Schedule pins using tools like Tailwind
- Create Pinterest strategies to grow traffic
Where to learn:
- YouTube tutorials
- Pinterest courses on Skillshare or Udemy
- Join blogging communities, they often post Pinterest jobs.
Earnings potential: $300–$800/month per client.
5. Print-on-Demand – Sell Cool Stuff Without Inventory
This one’s a little more passive once it’s set up, and it’s perfect if you’re creative (or even mildly clever).
You design t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, etc., upload them to platforms like Redbubble, Teespring, or Etsy (with Printful), and they handle the rest, printing, shipping, customer service.
A friend of mine made a series of sarcastic cat mugs. No big expectations. But one went viral on TikTok, and she made $3,000 in a single month. Wild.
Tools you need:
- Canva or Photoshop
- Printful, Teespring, or Redbubble account
- Etsy store (optional but great for sales)
Earnings potential: $100–$1,000+/month depending on how much you promote your designs.
6. Babysitting or Pet Sitting – Old School, Still Gold
Don’t sleep on this one. People are desperate for help, especially with their pets or kids.
I babysat two evenings a week for a neighbor when I was in college. Easy $200/week. No stress, and I usually just watched Netflix after the kids went to bed.
If you love animals? Pet sitting or dog walking is a game changer.
Where to start:
- Ask friends, family, neighbors.
- Join Rover, Care.com, or post in local Facebook groups.
- Leave flyers at vet clinics or dog parks.
Earnings potential: $15–$30/hour.
7. Tutoring – Teach What You Know
You don’t need to be a teacher to tutor. If you’re good at math, writing, science, or even know a second language, there’s someone out there who’ll pay for your help.
My friend Sam made $500/month tutoring high school algebra for just 4 hours a week. He did it over Zoom, no commuting, and worked with just two students.
Where to start:
- Wyzant, Chegg Tutors, or even Facebook groups.
- Post in your local community or parent groups.
- Offer the first session free to get your foot in the door.
Earnings potential: $20–$60/hour.
8. Blogging – The Slow Burner That Can Explode
Okay, blogging takes time. Let’s be honest. You won’t make $500 overnight.
But if you stick with it and treat it like a real side business, it can change your life.
I started a blog about budgeting when I was broke. I wrote at night, shared posts on Pinterest, and slowly built traffic. After 8 months, it started making money. In my second year, I crossed $1,000/month in ad revenue alone.
How to start:
- Buy hosting (like Hostinger or Bluehost)
- Pick a niche, something you care about
- Write 1–2 posts a week
- Focus on SEO + Pinterest for traffic
Earnings potential: $0 to $10,000/month (no joke)
Final Thoughts: Choose One. Start Now.
I know, reading a list like this is one thing. Doing it is another.
But you’ve made it this far, and that means you care. You’re hungry for change. You’re tired of waiting on life to get better “someday.” You want that right now kind of energy. I feel that.
Here’s what I’d say if you were sitting across from me right now:
👉 Pick ONE side hustle. Just one.
👉 Give it 30 days.
👉 Learn as you go.
👉 Don’t quit when it feels awkward. That’s just the beginning.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
You’re not alone in this. I believe in you. I really do. Because if someone like me, who once had $36 in their bank account and a broken-down car, can start making $500, $1,000, and more… you absolutely can too.
Let’s make it happen. 💪