Corporations taking over side hustles seems to be screwing over people, since they take such a large cut and flood the market for that hustle.

But the ones I’ve personally seen people do that work pretty well (in USA) are:

Stay at home mom watching another kid (legally dubious depending on state/situation. But I ain’t no narc.)

A neighbor of my mom’s sends out a menu saying what she plans on cooking each night for that week, and for $X will deliver you some as well (Legal in Utah due to special laws, other states could be dubious. )

People who go pick up free furniture that is pretty trashed, and then refurbishes it and sells it. Or people with trucks who are like “Will deliver furniture for $30 in X area” is also pretty life saver for people without cars/trucks. Was able to get a super cheap/nice coach because of this.
People who just flip free stuff or stuff from thrift stores without doing any improvements annoy me greatly though. We broke and you’re just driving up the price!

None of these generate a ton of cash, but I like that they take very little up front cost, aren’t disruptive, and mostly take labor.

So what side hustles have you seen work out?

  • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    0·
    1 month ago

    My Etsy shop hit a very niche market and was pulling around $3k a year. I didn’t put any effort into advertising, it kinda did that on its own

    I’m also a performer which is a great side hustle for my creative fulfillment, but pays nearly nothing

    • MrVilliam@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      By “performer” do you mean musician? Playing bars or coffee shops here and there? I’ve done that for a free drink or two here and there. I think that would be one of my retirement activities if I had loads of free time, but it takes a lot of energy to set it all up and be “on” regularly while also working full time.

      • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        0·
        1 month ago

        I’m a fire and sideshow performer weirdly enough, we’re a dying breed. I mostly do shows at bars and host my own, but every now and then I get a nicer gig that pays a bit more, like at a faire.

        • ericbomb@lemmy.worldOP
          0·
          1 month ago

          Curious! Is your main market other fire dancers, joke gifts, or weird sex thing?

          Or do you just not ask questions and happily take your little bit of cash?

          Cause 3k a year ain’t nothing to sneeze at. $200ish a month if you are only clearing your bills by $50 can make a WORLD of difference.