10 Side Hustles You Can Start This Weekend

Why Start a Side Hustle This Weekend?

With the cost of living rising and economic uncertainty, having multiple income streams isn't just smart—it's essential. The best part about modern side hustles is that many can be started with nothing more than your smartphone, laptop, and a weekend of focused effort.

These 10 side hustles require minimal upfront investment and can begin generating income within days, not months.

1. Freelance Writing ($25-100+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Write blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions, and marketing materials for businesses and websites.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently
2. Write 3-5 sample articles in niches you know well
3. Set competitive rates ($15-30/hour as a beginner)
4. Apply to 10-20 jobs by Sunday evening

Income Potential:

• Beginner: $15-30/hour
• Experienced: $50-150/hour
• Specialists (finance, tech): $75-200/hour

Required Skills:

• Strong writing ability
• Basic research skills
• Understanding of SEO (bonus)
• Ability to meet deadlines

2. Virtual Assistant Services ($15-50+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Handle administrative tasks, social media management, email management, scheduling, research, and customer service for busy entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. List your skills (organization, communication, tech-savvy)
2. Create profiles on Belay, Time Etc, and Fancy Hands
3. Set up a basic website showcasing your services
4. Reach out to local businesses and entrepreneurs

Services You Can Offer:

• Email Management: $15-25/hour
• Social Media Management: $20-40/hour
• Lead Generation: $25-50/hour
• Project Management: $30-60/hour

3. Online Tutoring ($20-80+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Teach students in subjects you're knowledgeable about through video calls and online platforms.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up on Preply, iTalki, Wyzant, or Tutor.com
2. Create your profile highlighting your expertise
3. Set your rates based on subject and experience
4. Complete platform training and verification

High-Paying Subjects:

• Test Prep (SAT, GRE, GMAT): $40-100/hour
• Programming/Coding: $30-80/hour
• Business/Finance: $25-60/hour
• Languages (Native speakers): $15-40/hour

4. Food Delivery Optimization ($15-30+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Deliver food using strategic optimization techniques to maximize earnings per hour.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub simultaneously
2. Complete vehicle inspection and background checks
3. Download optimization apps like Para or Gridwise
4. Study your local market to identify peak times/areas

Optimization Strategies:

• Multi-app strategy: Run multiple apps simultaneously
• Peak hour focus: Work during high-demand times
• Hot zone targeting: Stay in high-order density areas
• Order selection: Choose short distance, high-tip orders

Income Potential:

• Basic delivery: $12-18/hour
• Optimized strategy: $20-35/hour
• Peak hours/events: $25-50/hour

5. Social Media Management ($300-2000+ per client)

What You'll Do:

Manage social media accounts for small businesses, creating content, engaging with followers, and growing their online presence.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Learn one platform deeply (Instagram or Facebook recommended)
2. Create sample content for 2-3 business types
3. Reach out to 20 local businesses with poor social media presence
4. Offer a free audit of their current social media

Services to Offer:

• Content creation: $15-25 per post
• Account management: $500-1500/month per client
• Paid ad management: $1000-3000/month + ad spend
• Social media audit: $150-500 one-time

6. Handyman/Home Services ($40-100+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Provide home repair, assembly, mounting, and maintenance services to busy homeowners and renters.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up on TaskRabbit, Handy, and Thumbtack
2. List your skills (furniture assembly, mounting, basic repairs)
3. Set competitive rates in your area
4. Complete your first few jobs to get reviews

High-Demand Services:

• Furniture Assembly: $35-75 per hour
• TV Mounting: $75-200 per job
• Home Organization: $25-50 per hour
• Basic Electrical/Plumbing: $50-100+ per hour

7. Pet Services ($15-50+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Provide pet sitting, dog walking, and pet care services for busy pet owners in your area.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up on Rover, Wag, and Care.com
2. Create an appealing profile with photos and experience
3. Set competitive rates for your services
4. Offer discounted first-time services to build reviews

Service Pricing:

• Dog Walking: $15-30 per walk
• Pet Sitting: $25-75 per day
• Overnight Sitting: $40-100 per night
• Dog Boarding: $30-80 per night

8. Rideshare Driving ($15-40+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Drive passengers to their destinations using your vehicle and apps like Uber or Lyft.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up for both Uber and Lyft
2. Complete vehicle inspection and background check
3. Learn surge pricing patterns in your city
4. Start driving during peak hours (evenings, weekends)

Maximizing Earnings:

• Drive during surge periods (2x-5x normal rates)
• Focus on events (concerts, sports, festivals)
• Airport runs (longer trips, better tips)
• Late night/early morning (less competition)

9. Online Surveys and Microtasks ($5-20+ per hour)

What You'll Do:

Complete surveys, data entry, content moderation, and small tasks for market research companies and businesses.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Sign up for Swagbucks, UserTesting, Clickworker
2. Complete profile surveys to get better-matched tasks
3. Set up direct deposit for faster payments
4. Dedicate specific hours daily for consistent income

Best Platforms:

• UserTesting: $10-60 per test (website/app testing)
• Swagbucks: $1-5 per survey
• Amazon MTurk: $0.50-20 per task
• Clickworker: $9-15 per hour

10. Sell Items Online ($50-500+ per weekend)

What You'll Do:

Sell items you own, flip thrift store finds, or source products to resell for profit on online marketplaces.

Getting Started This Weekend:

1. Inventory your home for items to sell
2. Research prices on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari
3. Take quality photos and write compelling descriptions
4. List 20-30 items to start generating sales

What Sells Well:

• Electronics: Phones, tablets, gaming equipment
• Designer items: Clothes, handbags, shoes
• Collectibles: Sports cards, comics, vintage items
• Books: Textbooks, rare books, popular titles

Flipping Strategy:

• Thrift stores: Find underpriced brand name items
• Estate sales: Quality items at low prices
• Clearance sections: Retail arbitrage opportunities
• Facebook groups: Local buy/sell opportunities

Weekend Action Plan

Scaling Your Side Hustle

Month 1: Foundation

• Goal: Earn $200-500 while learning the ropes
• Focus: Quality work, building reviews, understanding the market
• Time: 10-15 hours per week

Month 2-3: Growth

• Goal: Reach $500-1,500 monthly income
• Focus: Increase rates, get repeat customers, expand services
• Time: 15-25 hours per week

Month 4+: Optimization

• Goal: $1,500+ monthly, consider transitioning to full-time
• Focus: Premium services, outsourcing, passive income elements
• Time: 20-40 hours per week

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying too many hustles at once: Focus on 2-3 maximum
• Underpricing your services: Research market rates and price fairly
• Inconsistent effort: Treat it like a real business
• Poor time management: Set specific hours for side hustle work
• Not tracking finances: Keep detailed records for taxes

Tools and Resources

Essential Apps:

• Time Tracking: Toggl, RescueTime
• Finance: QuickBooks Self-Employed, Wave
• Communication: Slack, Zoom
• Project Management: Trello, Asana

Tax Considerations:

• Track expenses: Mileage, supplies, equipment
• Set aside 25-30%: For taxes (no employer withholding)
• Quarterly payments: May be required if earning $1,000+ per quarter

Your Next Steps

The key to side hustle success is starting immediately and staying consistent. Choose 1-2 side hustles from this list that align with your skills and available time, then commit to launching them this weekend.

Remember: Every successful business started as a side project. The skills, connections, and income you build through side hustles can eventually become your primary source of income and path to financial freedom.

The best time to start was last weekend. The second-best time is this weekend. Take action now!