The start of the new year has many of us looking through our finances with a fine-tooth comb.

From medical bills to monthly payments, millions of Americans are looking to jump-start businesses that’ll catapult them into financial freedom, lessening the burden of what 2020 has left behind.

Side hustles are one of the best ways to accomplish your income goals of paying off debt, saving for large purchases, and buying your dream home.

But where do you begin?

With the recent surge of business coaches and subscription services promising a quick ROI, it’s difficult to determine where to invest your time.

Especially when it comes to taking on another job.

The best side hustle ideas are the ones that provide flexibility and competitive pay based on the work you’re doing.

Not so good side hustles are the ones that leave you depleted with minimum compensation to show for.

No matter your reasoning for wanting a second gig, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best side hustles that are worth your time.

1.) Food and Grocery Delivery Service

By far my favorite side hustle of 2021 is delivery service apps like Doordash, Instacart, and Postmates. Post-COVID, studies have suggested that people are willing to pay more for delivery services than to shop in-stores.

Which makes it great for those looking to make extra money on the side.

What I love most about these apps is that they’re easy to set up, and navigate once on the road.

If you’re looking to rack up the big bucks on delivery service apps, try using multiple platforms at once to make up to $25+/hour.

2.) House Sitting/ Pet Walking

Staycations have taken on a new meaning with the help of online sites like Rover and Housesitter.com.

For dog lovers, Rover is a service used to help pet owners find individuals who are willing and able to take care of their pets when away.

Pay varies depending on where you live. You’ll be paid more if you live in an urban area, which can be around $20 per walk or $80 for overnight stays.

Housesitter is another platform that provides a similar service, yet you’ll have the responsibility of caring for clients’ homes, whether it be watering plants or daily cleaning.

You’ll create your own base pay ranging from $15-$30 depending on the length of stay.

3.) Rideshare Driver

This side hustle has been a go-to since the start of ridesharing apps Uber and Lyft.

Before you get started in signing up, you want to make sure that your license and registration as well as car insurance policy is up to par.

Many people enjoy rideshare side hustles because it doesn’t feel like much work.

Not only are you making passive income, but you’re also meeting interesting people along the way.

4.) Selling items on eBay/Etsy/Poshmark

Are you hoarding a pile of unworn clothing or household products? You may want to clear out space by selling them online.

Unlike other marketplace sites, eBay, Etsy, and Poshmark all have unique selling tools based on the items that you are looking to sell.

If you have a knack for making crafts, Etsy provides a space to showcase your unique gifts to prospective buyers who are looking for something different.

Poshmark is great for selling gently worn contemporary fashions while eBay is phenomenal for selling electronics, musical instruments, and furniture.

5.) Freelancing

Working as a freelancer is a legit side hustle if you have a marketable skill. Whether it be writing, landscaping, photography or videography, freelancing your services to help others is worth your time this year.

I highly recommended becoming a freelancer if you are already tasked with a full-time job. Not only can you create a flexible schedule, but you can generate a good source of income if your services are priced correctly.

Try searching Upwork for your first round of freelance opportunities as a way to get started before marketing yourself on social media.

6.) Teaching English Online via VIPKid

2020 has placed a hold on international travel. But you can still experience another country by choosing a side hustle that is rewarding in more ways than one.

With the help of VIPKid, a website that connects its teachers to young Chinese students, you’ll have flexible hours and a workload that requires ZERO lesson plans or certified teaching experience necessary.

To start teaching through VIPKid, you’ll submit an application and go through an interview process that involves doing a practice lesson online.

You will need to have experience working with children which can include:

• Working at a daycare
• Tutoring
• Babysitting

7.) Virtual assistant

In the past, becoming a virtual assistant has got a bad rap.

Not any more.

With careers shifting towards online technologies, now is the perfect time to test the waters and add virtual assisting as your lucrative side hustle.

Many VA’s help small businesses manage tasks like:

• Bookkeeping
• Project management
• Blog management
• Website updates
• Researching
• Preparing reports
• Social media management
• Content creation
• Event planning
• Digital marketing 

What you’ll love about this side hustle is that it’s extremely flexible – with just a laptop and an internet connection, you’re able to work from just about anywhere.

8.) Become a social media manager

Now more than ever companies are in search of proficient social media managers to manage their brands,

It’s not enough to know the basics of uploading and captioning a photo, instead, you’ll need to understand how to create Instagram reels, TikTok videos, and coordinate videos to exact time stamps.

That’s why making this a side hustle to bring in the coins is a no brainer.

9.) Cleaning Houses

Not the fanciest of all the side hustles, but cleaning houses will allow for a nice chunk of change if networking is involved.

Start by asking co-workers or friends if they are in need of cleaning services. What works well with this side hustle is being professional and on-time when working in clients’ homes.

If that’s too much work, create an account on Care.com to search through a host of profiles who are looking for house keepers.

10.) Find a Part-time Job

If all else fails, finding a part-time job that has the same flexibility and compensation as the side hustles listed above will still put you on track for your 2021 goals.

I personally take on serving or bartending jobs when looking for part-time work. The money is fast and I can achieve financial milestones in a short amount of time.

Here are a few other part-time jobs to check out:

• Boutique sales associate
• Front desk gym host
• Receptionist
• Bookstore clerk
• Local museum

Keep in mind that a part-time job shouldn’t be strenuous nor stressful. So stay away from jobs that add more to your plate.

The Wrap Up

Not all side hustles are created equal. Don’t just take our word for it.

Do your research, read every review, and above all else, find the best side hustle ideas to make your goals happen.

Good thing’s come to those who work for it.