Sideline jobs to boost your income!

[redtea]

I wrote this article to show what other jobs you can do other than your regular day job in order to produce some extra change. Let me know if you find it interesting! Thanks :




In the race to have it all, or at least have more of it all, many people turn to a sideline job to supplement their income. If you're going to trade in your free time, part of your life that you can never get back, then you should at least be well compensated for that time. Another option I try to get people to consider is to running their own sideline business. Not only can you make extra money, but you have a source of cash you can fall back on if you lose your day job.

Whether you launch out on your own business or accept the limitations of working for someone else is up to you - but the one common goal is to maximize your income. Here are my five picks for part-time jobs that pay well and are in constant demand. The goal was to slant this list toward jobs that didn't require extensive education though, in some states, some of these jobs may require a license of certification.

Personal Shopper

The commodity in shortest supply is time, and a personal shopper is someone who will free those with more money than time from the drudgery of chores like shopping for clothing, picking up dry cleaning, running to the bank, and buying groceries. According to SimplyHired, personal shoppers can build up to an income of around $33,000 - and it's a business you can start on a shoestring. One word of caution, don't get caught trying to stretch your personal car insurance to cover errands for hire. A better idea is to look into getting commercial auto insurance.

Fitness Instructor

For those who have been successful at keeping themselves in top shape, it may be possible to turn that knowledge and training into a sideline career that pays a living wage. According to Salary.com, fitness instructors can average $43,000 a year, with the top 25% earning in the mid- $60,000 range. To go much beyond that you'll need a degree in exercise physiology or nutrition, but $30 an hour is not a bad deal for getting paid to stay in rock hard good shape.

Tutor

Your mom always told you that paying attention in math class would pay off, and here's the proof. PayScale.com says tutors make an average of $15 an hour, which is not bad for part-time work. If you specialize in helping students prepare for standardized tests like PSAT, SAT and ACT the pay scale can top $50 an hour.

Massage Therapist

This job may require a license and certification and in some areas, but how many part-time jobs are out where you can charge by the minute and still get tips? According to PayScale.com, the national average salary for massage therapists is around $20 an hour; but here in South Florida it's closer to $60, with some as high as $75 for those working independently. If you've got the hand strength for the job of breaking up those hard knots of muscles, you can do pretty well and set your own schedule.

Dog Walker

People trying to have it all sometime have pets - and many are willing to pay someone to visit their pet and take them for a walk while they're at work, which is still cheaper than doggie daycare in most cities. Dog walkers can make anywhere from $10 to $30 an hour, according to DogWalker.com. A savvy walker can boost his or her income by grouping customers in particular neighborhoods, and walking more than one dog at a time.

If you're going to invest your time and effort in something, at least get some value out of that time. It's also your opportunity to find efficiencies and squeeze money out of the same amount of time. Once you get really good at one of these sideline business, you might find that it's your day job that's optional.






-Redtea
Independent News for the Right-Minded American





redteanews

[disneysteve]

Your mom always told you that paying attention in math class would pay off, and here's the proof. PayScale.com says tutors make an average of $15 an hour

I wish tutors only made $15/hr. Around here, the going rate is $50-70.

After tutoring my daughter through Physics last year, I was only half-jokingly saying that I was going to hire myself out as a Physics tutor. If I had the time, I'd seriously consider it.

[bjl584]

Some of what you listed requires a license and proper certifications here in PA.

Not that that is a huge deal, but for someone looking to make some quick side money the hassle of taking classes, taking tests, and paying fees could be a deal breaker.

[hamchan]

I am a massage therapist, and most of the MT's I know do it as their main job, though it's not uncommon to have a second job that is not massage related. It's a lot of effort for something to be used as a side income. In most states it takes 6 months to 1 year of full time school to get licenced. You also have to spend hundreds of dollars each year on liability insurance and continuing ed, plus another 90 annually to renew your license. School itself cost me 13k. I only know of two states that don't require a license.

Also, nobody is pocketing their entire hourly fee. For every hour of hands on massage you do there is another hour of laundry, paperwork, marketing, and other unpaid work that must be done. Not to mention the overhead. Unless you live in an area where home studios are legal, and have the space for it, or do mobile massage, you will have to pay rent on a massage space. Then there are other expenses for supplies that many of which have to be replaced or refilled frequently. If you are mobile you have to have a reliable vehicle that will fit your table and accessories, and you have to factor drive time in.

DH is a certified personal trainer, though he is not yet working in the field. You don't have to be in top physical condition to do that. There are needs for fitness instructors of varying body types. That cert required eight Saturday classes, a written and practical test, a CPR class, and an internship. It cost about 700 total. You have to take additional classes to certify to teach most group classes also.

[redtea]

I'm sorry, guys, most of my research is based on California guidelines seeing as how I reside here. But, thanks for your insight!

[disneysteve]

Certainly there are things you can do on the side to pick up extra cash. Dog walking doesn't require any special certification as far as I know. Lawn mowing is an old favorite. You can pick up a used mower on craigslist and get back your cost in a month or so. Snow shoveling if you live in an area where that's needed.

And I wasn't downing tutoring. That's a great gig and you can earn really good money. Of course, if you are not a teacher, you will need to be able to sell yourself and show that you're competent.

The best way to start many of these types of things is through word of mouth, friends, family, and coworkers. If you can start with 2-3 customers who know you and are willing to give you a shot, they become your marketing department when they tell their friends and neighbors.

[hamchan]

Personal training works pretty well as a side job too, I think. The certification is not super expensive or time consuming, and it's a pretty low barrier to entry. Weekends and evenings are pretty lucrative as well.