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Whether you’re a college graduate with student loans to repay, a house hunter who needs a down payment, or a traveler who’s looking to cover the tab for your next big trip, there are plenty of ways to turn the longer hours of sunlight this summer into more money in your wallet.
Part-time gigs and side hustles abound for those who are willing to work. And the best part is, you may be able to do most of them with minimal upfront investment. They include:
According to a recent survey by LendingTree, 38 percent of Americans have a side hustle, down from 44 percent in 2022. The most popular are delivering food or groceries (15 percent), online freelancing (15 percent), and part-time or seasonal work (14 percent). Side hustlers reported that they earned an average of $1,215 monthly, though the median was just $400.
Gen Z and Millennials, who tend to have higher debt levels due to student loans and new mortgages, are most likely to have a side hustle, often in addition to their regular jobs to bring in extra money.1
Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular ways to make money over the summer.
Sell your stuff
Online selling remains a popular side job, which is not surprising given the growing number of digital platforms that make it easy to conduct business online.
Using online marketplace websites like eBay, Craigslist, and now Amazon, you can potentially unload your unused electronics, clothes, sports gear, or household items for whatever price the market will bear. Those who have an eye for quality and know what’s trending can also curate items that are in demand and attempt to resell them at a higher price. Or, they can potentially sell handmade and refurbished goods.
Digital gigs
You can also make extra cash from home by taking online surveys through consumer sites like SurveyJunkie or Opinion Outpost, which reward participation with cash or gift cards.
If you own a computer, you can perform data entry work remotely. The Work At Home Wife blog lists a number of data entry jobs on its website.
And if you’re organized and computer savvy, you might be able to become a virtual assistant. According to Frugal Rules, entry-level virtual assistants earn from $15 to $20 per hour, while more experienced virtual assistants can earn upward of $30 per hour.
Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If the digital platform requires you to make a sizable upfront payment, it’s likely a scam.
Tutor
Depending on your education, location, and experience, you may be able to charge anywhere from $15 to $80 per hour for tutoring, depending on the subject and degree of expertise, according to Workee.net.2
In higher-cost markets, like New York and Los Angeles, the most-skilled tutors can potentially earn double that amount teaching math, music, or science.
Post an ad in your local community newspaper and start building a client base. Or, try an online tutoring platform. VIPKID, which hires online tutors with at least a bachelor’s degree who can teach English remotely to children in foreign countries.
Drive
There’s no shortage of people who need rides to the airport, business meetings, or evening events. If you own your own car and have a smartphone, you can be their driver. Ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft give you the digital tools to make money in your free time.
According to a 2020 analysis by TheStreet.com, the average ridesharing service driver (for Uber, Lyft and others) makes an average of about $9 an hour after expenses.
Rent your rooms
If your kids have moved out or you’ve got more space than you need, you might also consider renting spare rooms (or your whole house while you’re on vacation) to travelers through online rental markets such as Airbnb, VRBO, or Kindred. Some hosts in certain markets claim they earn more than $1,000 per month renting a private room.
You’ll make the most, of course, if you live in a desirable location — by the beach, in a city, or near a national park. If you don’t want travelers living with you, you can also rent your entire house out for a week while you’re away. Or you could barter. You can trade a week or two at your house for vacation time at another property on sites like HomeExchange either at the same time or on different dates, which eliminates or drastically reduces the cost of housing on your next getaway. That can potentially save you thousands.
Put your talent to work
If you’re handy with a paintbrush, able to build websites, or willing to mow lawns, you can also bring in extra money on nights and weekends.
Not your thing? Try pet sitting. Or, if you have the experience, hold yoga classes in the park or give surf lessons as time allows. You are limited only by your imagination, skills, and spare time.
Summertime side gigs may not make you rich, but they can provide the extra savings you need to reach your financial goals. You just need to know where to look.
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Medicare pitfalls in retirementThis article was originally published in June 2017. It has been updated.
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1 Lending Tree, “2025 Side Hustle Survey: Nearly 2 in 5 Americans have a Side Hustle, With 3 in 5 Saying the Income is Essential,” March 10, 2025.
2 Workee, “Private Tutor in 2024: Guide to Earnings and Strategies for Maximizing your Tutoring Income,” March 27, 2024.
