How To Make Extra Money With Just A Few Hours To Spare Each Week

There are many reasons why you might want to earn a little more cash, but don’t have much time to commit to the endeavor. It could be that you are a stay-at-home mom or dad, and you couldn’t manage more than a few hours a week as your time is spent taking care of your family. Alternatively, you may have a full-time job but need to make a little extra on your side. Or maybe you are retired, and just need a little extra to supplement your pension.

On the other hand, it may be that the job you currently have doesn’t feel like the future for you, so you may be looking to explore a few other avenues but without committing to making a big change just yet.

“Whatever your reasons, making a little extra on the side is, in some ways, easier than ever before with everything that technology allows. Sometimes even from the comfort of our own home, there are options which may allow you to supplement your earnings without getting in the way of your existing lifestyle,” enthuses Bethany Quested, a small business owner at WriteMyX and BritStudent.

Here are some great business ideas you can start with just a few hours a week available:

Writing

Writing is a great way to make a bit of extra income, and there are almost no overheads other than your time. Proofreading, copywriting and content writing services are on in high demand, and joining a freelance site is a great way of dipping your toe into the water and starting to build a reputation which can see you climb up the pay ladder. 

Driving with the likes of Uber or Lyft

Driving a few hours a week may not lead to a total career change (although it could) but has become a staple of those wishing to make a bit of extra income on the side. And the best part is you can set your hours, only accepting jobs you want to take on. As well as giving people rides, there are other options such as UberEats where you deliver food, or Amazon Flex where you deliver other goods. Many people are using these options to support themselves through college, for example, and it could just lead to a nice bit of relatively hassle-free income for you too.

Dog walking, or pet sitting

Believe it or not, in urban areas these types of services are also in high demand. You also need little-to-no experience, although it does depend on the client. You can also take on multiple clients at the same time, although it’s important to be upfront if this is what you are doing, as not everyone will be happy with this approach.

“In terms of pet sitting, there are different options available, such as going to the owner’s house, to taking the dog, or potentially another type of pet, into your own home. Other options include popping in just to feed the animal in question. You’ll be surprised with the possibilities that are out there,” says Thomas Wolf, a business writer at 1day2write and NextCoursework.

Virtual assistant

Another option for making a few extra dollars on the side, but with a surprising ability to pick and choose your hours, is offering up a service as a virtual assistant. There are several different options available once again, but tasks may include taking messages, responding to emails and organizing schedules as requested. You could also be asked to post content on various social media sites. You get the chance to sell your services in different types of packages too, depending on the number of hours you’d like to work. If secretarial skills are your forte, this is a nice way to earn a bit extra.

Cleaning

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but again in urban areas, there is a huge demand for a cleaning business. Clients are looking for cleaners to give houses and even commercial spaces a once over, perhaps once a week. Again, you can be very selective regarding the number of hours you commit, and choose convenient locations. You can also pick up work in the early mornings as well as later in the evenings, so flexibility is a key consideration here.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the variety of work that is available out there, even on a limited-hours basis. Freelance sites offer up projects to almost every profession imaginable, and it is worth exploring your options.

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