Top 10 Side Hustles to Boost Your Income and Beat Rising Costs
It’s no secret—living costs in the U.S. and Canada are higher than ever. Groceries, rent, fuel, utilities, and even basic services are becoming more expensive. For many families, this means budgeting isn’t enough anymore. No matter how carefully you cut costs, there comes a point where you need to increase your income.
That’s where side hustles come in. A side hustle is any type of work you do outside your regular job to earn extra money. Unlike traditional part-time jobs, side hustles are usually flexible, can be started with little to no upfront cost, and often give you control over how much you want to work.
In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 side hustles in 2025 that can help you beat rising costs, save for your goals, and even build long-term financial stability.
1. Freelancing Online
Freelancing has exploded in popularity, and for good reason—it’s flexible, global, and high paying if you have marketable skills. Whether it’s writing, graphic design, video editing, coding, translation, or digital marketing, there’s a client out there who needs your services.
- How it works: Sign up on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer and create a profile showcasing your skills. You can start by taking smaller jobs to build reviews and credibility.
- Income Potential: $15 to $100+ per hour depending on your expertise. Skilled developers and designers can charge even higher.
- Pros: Work from anywhere, choose projects you enjoy, scalable to a full-time business.
- Cons: Takes time to build a client base, income can be inconsistent in the beginning.
- Example: Sarah, a Canadian college student, started freelancing as a virtual assistant on Fiverr. Within six months, she was earning $1,000 per month working evenings.
2. Driving for Rideshare Apps
If you own a car, driving for Uber or Lyft can be one of the quickest ways to start making extra cash. People always need rides, especially in big cities, during weekends, or near airports.
- Income Potential: $15–$25 per hour after expenses like gas and maintenance.
- Best For: People who enjoy driving and want flexibility.
- Pro Tip: Focus on peak times—Friday/Saturday nights, holidays, or major events can double your earnings.
- Cons: Wear and tear on your car, gas prices cut into profit.
- Example: In Toronto, many drivers work part-time on weekends, earning an extra $600–$800 a month.
3. Food & Grocery Delivery
Apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart make it simple to earn money delivering food or groceries. Unlike ridesharing, you don’t need passengers—just pick up and drop off orders.
- Income Potential: $10–$25 per hour (tips can boost this).
- Best For: People with cars, bikes, or scooters in urban areas.
- Pro Tip: Sign up for multiple apps so you always have available orders.
- Cons: Earnings depend on demand, weather, and location.
- Example: A part-time delivery driver in New York City reported making around $1,200 extra a month working evenings.
4. Selling Printables & Digital Products
Digital products are one of the best passive income side hustles. You create something once—like a budget planner, printable calendar, or kids’ activity sheets—and sell it online repeatedly.
- Where to Sell: Etsy, Shopify, or your own blog.
- Income Potential: $100–$1,000+ per month depending on niche and marketing.
- Best For: Creative people who like design.
- Pros: No shipping, no inventory, customers buy automatically.
- Cons: Requires upfront time to design products and learn basic marketing.
- Example: A U.S. mom created printable homeschooling worksheets on Etsy and now makes $2,000 per month passively.
5. Tutoring or Teaching Online
Education is a global market, and online tutoring is booming. Parents want extra support for their kids, and adults are learning new skills like English or business subjects.
- Platforms: VIPKid, Cambly, Wyzant, or even self-promotion on social media.
- Income Potential: $15–$50/hour. Specialized tutors (SAT prep, advanced math) can earn more.
- Pros: Rewarding, flexible hours, work from home.
- Cons: Requires knowledge in your subject, consistency needed for repeat students.
- Example: James, a teacher in the U.S., tutors English online for 10 hours a week, bringing in an extra $800 monthly.
6. Content Creation (YouTube, TikTok, Blogging)
This is one of the most exciting side hustles, but it requires patience. Content creators can make money through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products.
- Platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, personal blogs.
- Income Potential: $100–$10,000+ per month (varies with audience size).
- Best For: People who enjoy creating videos, writing, or sharing knowledge.
- Pros: Unlimited earning potential, builds long-term brand.
- Cons: Slow to grow at first, requires consistency.
- Example: A Canadian finance blogger started writing simple budgeting tips and now earns $3,000 per month through ads and affiliates.
7. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
With so many busy professionals and families traveling, pet care is always in demand. Apps like Rover or local Facebook groups make it easy to connect with pet owners.
- Income Potential: $15–$30 per walk, or $25–$75 per overnight stay.
- Best For: Animal lovers.
- Pros: Fun, flexible, great repeat clients.
- Cons: Responsibility for pets’ safety, requires trust-building.
- Example: Emma, a student in Vancouver, walks dogs daily and earns around $500 extra per month.
8. Renting Out a Room or Property
If you have extra space, Airbnb can bring in serious income. Even renting out a basement, garage, or storage space can help offset living costs.
- Income Potential: $300–$2,000+ per month depending on location.
- Pros: Passive, steady income.
- Cons: Requires property management, regulations vary by city.
- Example: A couple in Los Angeles rents their guest room on Airbnb and earns $1,200 per month, which covers half their mortgage.
9. Selling Items Online
From clothing and electronics to handmade crafts, online marketplaces are thriving. You can declutter or even turn it into a reselling business. It becomes a huge business nowadays. you can sell everything, that is digital or physical .start your e-commerce business and sell whatever you want and make money online this is easy way to earn online.
- Platforms: Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, Depop.
- Income Potential: $100–$1,000+ monthly.
- Best For: People willing to hustle and learn what sells best.
- Pros: Quick way to earn money, low entry barrier.
- Cons: Requires time for shipping and customer service.
- Example: A student in the U.S. buys used clothes at thrift stores and resells them online for profit.
10. Remote Customer Service Jobs
More companies now outsource customer support, offering flexible remote positions. These roles involve answering calls, emails, or live chats.
- Platforms: Indeed, FlexJobs, Remote.co.
- Income Potential: $15–$25/hour.
- Best For: People who want stability without commuting.
- Pros: Reliable work, no physical effort.
- Cons: Requires a quiet space, repetitive tasks.
- Example: A stay-at-home parent in Canada works 20 hours a week as a remote customer service rep, making around $1,600 per month.
According to me:
Rising living costs are a challenge for everyone, but side hustles provide a practical solution. Whether you’re a student, parent, or working professional, there’s an option that fits your schedule and skills.
The key to success is to start small and stay consistent. Don’t try to do all 10 at once.pick one that matches your lifestyle and commit to it for at least a month. Even an extra $200–$500 a month can help cover bills, build savings, or pay off debt faster.
And who knows? With dedication, your side hustle could grow into something much bigger—a full-time income, a business, or even financial independence.So, which side hustle will you try first?