In today’s economy, side hustles aren’t just about making a little extra cash—they’re a legitimate path to financial freedom. With the right approach, many claim you can earn up to $500 daily from various side gigs.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m diving deep into 15 side hustles, testing their potential, and sharing my findings on what it actually takes to make substantial income from these popular options.
What Are Side Hustles?
Side hustles are flexible, often remote jobs that provide additional income. Unlike traditional 9-to-5 roles, they offer flexibility in time, location, and effort. This is why many people are pursuing side gigs as a means to build wealth, achieve financial independence, or simply enjoy a more flexible lifestyle.
So, can you really make $500 daily with side hustles? I put several to the test, evaluating their potential, ease of use, and income-earning ability.
1. Human Microbes – Selling Stool Samples for Research
It may sound unusual, but platforms like Human Microbes pay individuals for stool samples to support research in gut health. Yes, it’s a real thing! This side hustle is restricted to people in the USA and Canada, which unfortunately ruled it out for me since I’m based in Europe.
Still, if you qualify, Human Microbes could be a unique way to make significant money for a short time commitment. Compensation varies, and while it’s not a “work-from-anywhere” option, it’s worth considering for eligible individuals.
2. Stock Photography on iStock – Earn from Your Photography Skills
If you’re a traveler or photographer, selling photos on platforms like iStock can be a profitable hustle. Photos of popular landmarks, unique perspectives, or candid shots often fetch premium prices on iStock, with some selling for up to $300 per image.
I uploaded 180 photos to test the waters. Although my images didn’t sell right away, it’s common for photographers to see sales over time as their portfolios grow. This hustle works best for those with a collection of high-quality, unique images and patience as sales build gradually.
3. Virtual Friendship through PawPaw – Offering Companionship Online
Platforms like PawPaw allow you to be a “virtual friend” for individuals seeking companionship, especially for people feeling isolated. You can earn money through virtual calls or chatting, making it a low-effort option to earn hourly income. However, PawPaw was unavailable in my location, so I couldn’t try it.
For those with access, this could be a flexible way to make money while genuinely helping people. Rates vary, but some users earn upwards of $20 per hour, depending on engagement and demand.
4. Cashback Apps – Get Paid for Everyday Purchases
Cashback apps, like Rakuten and Dosh, offer cashback rewards on purchases you’d make anyway. With deals on groceries, gas, and even travel, these apps can provide a small but steady stream of income. Although I couldn’t fully benefit from gas rewards due to not owning a car, cashback apps are highly recommended for regular shoppers.
Pro Tip: Stack cashback deals with rewards from your credit card or other programs for maximum earnings! With this setup, you could earn back a percentage of your spending with minimal effort, which adds up over time.
5. Field Agent – Complete Tasks at Local Stores
The Field Agent app offers quick missions like photographing products or checking prices in local stores. This is perfect for those who enjoy short tasks and don’t mind a little in-person work. I tried a Dutch equivalent in my area, which paid me $5 for photographing tomatoes in a grocery store.
Field Agent tasks generally range from $3 to $12 per mission, making it an easy side hustle if you’re comfortable with a bit of public interaction. It’s best suited for those who live near multiple stores or are willing to travel to complete more missions.
6. Study Pool – Sell Your Notes and Class Materials
Study Pool allows students to sell their notes and class materials to help others with similar courses. While this wasn’t an option for me as a non-student, students or recent graduates could monetize their hard work.
This is especially valuable for those with detailed, organized notes. Top earners on Study Pool reportedly make thousands per month, making it a viable option for academic high achievers. It’s also a great way to passively earn from material you’ve already created.
7. YouTube Thumbnails – Create Engaging Thumbnails for Content Creators
Many YouTubers need professional-looking thumbnails, and they’re willing to pay well for them on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. This gig is ideal for anyone with basic design skills and a knack for visually appealing content.
Since I lack graphic design experience, I wasn’t able to dive into this side hustle. However, experienced designers can charge anywhere from $5 to $50 per thumbnail, depending on their portfolio and clients’ budgets. It’s a lucrative niche with high demand.
8. Scooter Rentals – Charge Scooters for Quick Earnings
If you live in a city with scooter rental services like Lime, charging and recharging scooters can be a relatively easy side gig. Lime pays people to collect, charge, and redeploy scooters to designated locations. However, scooter rentals aren’t allowed in my area, so I couldn’t test this one.
For those in scooter-friendly cities, this hustle could bring in $5 to $20 per scooter, and some “juicers” make hundreds on weekends alone. It’s a decent option for anyone with access to transportation, though it does require some physical work.
9. Creating Low-Content Books
The low-content book industry on Amazon KDP is thriving, especially for items like journals, planners, and workbooks. While I didn’t have time to create a new book, I leveraged my existing Notion productivity templates, which have been popular with followers.
Creating low-content books is ideal for people looking to make passive income, as once a book is published, it can generate ongoing sales. Using tools like BookBolt simplifies the creation process, making it accessible even for beginners. This side hustle has a high passive earning potential and is perfect for creatives or writers.
10. Micro Tasks on Toloka
Toloka is a platform where you can earn money by completing small tasks such as labeling images, categorizing content, or even validating AI work. It’s simple work and can be done from anywhere with an internet connection.
The pay per task is small, often just a few cents, but for those who can dedicate a few hours each day, Toloka can provide a steady, flexible income stream. Pro tip: If you’re multilingual, you might find higher-paying tasks available in different languages. This is ideal for those looking for a no-commitment side gig to do on their phone or laptop during spare time.
11. Google Opinion Rewards – Earn Money by Answering Surveys
Google Opinion Rewards is a popular app where you earn small amounts of cash or Google Play credits by answering brief surveys. Each survey typically takes a minute or less and pays around $0.10 to $1.00, depending on its length and topic.
This side hustle may not make you $500 a day, but it’s a quick, consistent way to add some pocket money for minimal effort. Since it’s a passive task, you can answer surveys while waiting in line or on a break. It’s also a no-pressure option that anyone can use to supplement other income streams.
12. Be My Eyes – Help the Visually Impaired for Financial Rewards
Be My Eyes is an app that connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for real-time assistance via video calls. While the volunteer work itself is not paid, companies sometimes hire people through the app for customer service and accessibility tasks, offering monetary compensation.
Alternatively, you might be interested in Aira, a similar service where “agents” get paid to assist visually impaired users. This can pay $10 to $20 per hour, providing a fulfilling way to make money while helping others.
13. Tutoring Online – Share Your Skills and Knowledge
With the rise of online learning, platforms like Chegg, Tutor.com, and Wyzant allow knowledgeable individuals to tutor students in subjects ranging from math and science to languages and the arts.
Tutoring can pay well—many platforms start tutors at $20 an hour, and depending on your expertise, you could charge even more. This is a high-potential hustle, especially if you’re skilled in a high-demand area. Bonus: building a strong reputation as a tutor could lead to private clients, which may increase your hourly rate further.
14. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking with Rover
If you’re an animal lover, Rover is a great way to make money while spending time with pets. You can offer services such as dog walking, pet sitting, and even overnight boarding in your home. Many pet sitters earn up to $50 per day, making it a profitable and enjoyable side hustle for animal enthusiasts.
The flexibility of Rover is appealing, as you set your schedule and rates. Plus, this side gig doesn’t require any upfront investment besides a love for animals and a bit of availability. For city dwellers, where demand is high, Rover can be a solid income stream that easily complements other gigs.
15. Freelance Writing – Get Paid for Your Words
If you have a knack for writing, there’s high demand for freelance writers across various platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and ProBlogger. Clients pay for anything from blog posts and website content to product descriptions and social media copy.
Rates vary widely—while entry-level writers might earn $10 to $20 per article, experienced freelancers can charge $100 or more. Building a portfolio takes time, but if you enjoy writing, this is one of the best-paying side hustles available.
The Reality Check – Can You Actually Make $500 a Day?
Exploring these side hustles reveals that while $500 a day might be a high target for most, it’s not entirely impossible. Some hustles, especially those requiring specialized skills like writing, tutoring, or design, can bring in a significant income if pursued consistently. Others, like pet-sitting or cash-back apps, provide steady supplemental income that, when combined with higher-paying gigs, could push you closer to that goal.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Patience and consistency are crucial. Some side hustles won’t make big money right away, but with time, they can create reliable income streams.
- Multiple streams work best. No single hustle was a “magic bullet” for $500 daily, but stacking several lower-paying ones adds up.
- Leverage your skills in writing, tutoring, or design if you have them; these are often the highest-paying gigs.
In the end, while making $500 a day with side hustles is a stretch for most, a thoughtful, multi-pronged approach can definitely enhance your earnings and create a reliable side income. If you’re strategic and patient, side hustles can be a valuable path toward financial freedom. Good luck, and happy hustling!