25 great ways to earn money on the side | members only

WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? If you aren’t tech-savvy or don’t like to be on camera, this gig may not be for you. It also often requires a commitment and a more structured work schedule.  9. SERVE

ON A MOCK JURY When lawyers want to try out their arguments before they enter the courtroom, they sometimes hire a mock jury to hear the case and provide feedback. Websites such as eJury 

and OnlineVerdict will pay you — roughly $5 to $10 per case — to read and respond to arguments lawyers in your community are preparing. Ejury estimates that it takes roughly 35 minutes or

less to read each case. Most mock juror positions let you work from home. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? If you currently or recently worked in a legal field or some insurance roles, you may not be

eligible for some mock juror jobs. Also, mock juries tend to be less common in rural communities, so your opportunities may be limited if you live in the suburbs or exurbs. Sites like

TaskRabbit, Handy and Thumbtack will connect you to people who are willing to pay for your helping hand. Sam Island 10. HELP PEOPLE WITH HOUSEHOLD PROJECTS If you enjoy household tasks

such as assembling furniture, fixing cabinets, hanging artwork or other handyman duties, sites like TaskRabbit, Handy and Thumbtack will connect you to people who are willing to pay for

your helping hand. The amount you can earn varies by project. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? Both Handy and Thumbtack require users to have at least some previous paid experience, though that does

not need to have been full-time work. These jobs typically involve physical labor, which sometimes can become more difficult or dangerous than expected. Consider your capabilities before

taking on one of these tasks. 11. BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT If you’ve ever worked as an administrative assistant or office clerk, virtual assistant positions let you use those skills while

working remote with flexible hours. Job responsibilities will vary, but you should be comfortable using software such as Microsoft Office, PowerPoint and QuickBooks, for example. You can

find openings for these jobs on FlexJobs, LinkedIn and Upwork, among other sites. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? Many employers look for candidates who have at least one or two years of

administrative experience on their resume, so this may not be the right role if you lack that credential. 12. TRANSCRIBE MEETINGS AND OTHER RECORDINGS Full-time jobs as transcriptionists

are in danger of disappearing as new technology takes over the role, but there are still opportunities to make money on the side in this field. Law firms and other businesses that prefer to

keep their meetings confidential sometimes hire transcriptionists for freelance work. You can find opportunities on Rev, TranscribeMe and Quicktate, among other sites. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS?

Your typing and listening skills need to be strong to meet the requirements of the job. You also should be comfortable with meeting deadlines. 13. PUT YOUR WARDROBE TO WORK Take some time

to declutter your closets, and you might find some income opportunities in there, too. Thrift stores and secondhand clothing shops have become a booming business. An estimated one-third of

clothing items sold between August 2023 and August 2024 were secondhand, according to a report from Capital One. Places to try selling your garments include Facebook Marketplace, eBay, 

Poshmark and local consignment shops. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? There’s a resale appetite for all types of clothing, from workwear staples to high-end fashion, but garments typically need to

be in good condition. If your clothing is so worn out that you wouldn’t buy it, you probably won’t be able to sell it.  14. SHARE YOUR RIDE In the more than 15 years since Uber launched,

ridesharing has become a popular way to get around. Driving for a rideshare service like Uber, Lyft or others can be a fast and flexible way to make money. It can also be an easy way to

meet and talk to new people. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? In general, you’ll need to be a licensed driver for at least one year, and own your own car that meets the service’s requirements. For

example, with Uber, your car must be a 4-door vehicle that is not more than 15 years old. You must have a clean driving record and should expect situations when riders may not be at their

best, such as riders who are intoxicated, in a hurry or otherwise upset.  Millions of households own dogs and cats. Take advantage and consider pet-sitting and dog-walking gigs. Sam Island

15. WALK A DOG OR PET-SIT According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 59.8 million households owned dogs and 42.2 million owned cats in 2024. That’s a lot of pets that need

attention when their humans are at the office or on vacation. If you’re good with animals, dog-walking offers flexible hours, furry companionship and light exercise. Sites that offer

pet-sitting and dog-walking gigs include Care.com, Rover and Wag! WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? Just because you have a great relationship with your own pets doesn’t mean that you'll hit it off

with other people’s, too. Make sure you have experience with a variety of different pet personalities before you take on this job.  16. BECOME AN INFLUENCER If you’re social media savvy,

as many “grandfluencers” are, you can turn your connection with your audience into cash. According to a 2024 report from Influencer Marketing Hub, if you have 10,000 or fewer followers

(“nano-influencer”), you can earn roughly $195 on average for a sponsored post. The price can jump to $1,221 for a post if you’re a “midtier influencer,” with between 10,000 and a million

followers. WHO SHOULD SKIP THIS? It can take a while to attract followers to your account. Also, you typically must do the initial outreach to sponsors. As a result, this may not be the

fastest way to earn money on the side. 17. DELIVER FOOD AND GROCERIES If you have a car but don’t feel comfortable driving for a ride-share service, food delivery services such as

DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, Postmates or Uber Eats may be another option to earn spare cash. One 50-plus DoorDash driver told AARP, “Dashing, for me, is not really about the money. I

drive in silence, using the time as a break from the world, even in the midst of the controlled chaos of each delivery cycle. The sights and sounds I wouldn’t have seen and heard otherwise

have been rewarding.”