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Side Hustles – Turning Spare Time into Spare Cash
Times are tough, and many families are feeling the squeeze. Whether it’s rising living costs, higher grocery bills, or simply wanting a little extra for Christmas, school expenses in the new year, or summer holidays, a side hustle can be the perfect way to boost your budget. A side hustle is simply an extra way to earn money outside your regular job or main source of income. It doesn’t have to take over your life, but it can make a big difference to your financial situation — and in some cases, it can even grow into a thriving small business.
Why Start a Side Hustle?
There are plenty of reasons to start one. Perhaps you want to:
• Pay down debt faster.
• Build a savings buffer for emergencies or bills.
• Cover back-to-school or Christmas costs without using credit.
• Fund hobbies or family activities.
• Build confidence and skills that could open new opportunities.
Even a small amount of extra income each week — say $50 to $200 — can add up quickly. That’s $200–$800 a month that could go towards bills, groceries, or savings.
Why Start a Side Hustle?
There are plenty of reasons to start one. Perhaps you want to:
• Pay down debt faster.
• Build a savings buffer for emergencies or bills.
• Cover back-to-school or Christmas costs without using credit.
• Fund hobbies or family activities.
• Build confidence and skills that could open new opportunities.
Even a small amount of extra income each week — say $50 to $200 — can add up quickly. That’s $200–$800 a month that could go towards bills, groceries, or savings.
Creative & Handmade Side Hustles
If you enjoy making things, your hobbies could be worth cash.
Soap making: Handmade soaps are always popular gifts and market sellers. You’ll need a soap licence if you’re making hot or cold process soaps, but no licence is required for melt-and-pour soaps. Package your soaps neatly, label them clearly, and include your contact details.
Card making: If you already make beautiful handmade cards, start selling them! Price them similarly to shop-bought cards — people will happily pay for something unique and personal. Package them in clear cellophane bags to keep them clean, and don’t forget to include your name and contact information on the back.
Scrapbooking: If you’re a scrapbooker, you could make custom albums for weddings, babies, holidays, or Christmas. Many people love the idea of preserving memories but don’t have the time or creative flair to do it themselves — that’s where you come in.
If you enjoy making things, your hobbies could be worth cash.
Soap making: Handmade soaps are always popular gifts and market sellers. You’ll need a soap licence if you’re making hot or cold process soaps, but no licence is required for melt-and-pour soaps. Package your soaps neatly, label them clearly, and include your contact details.
Card making: If you already make beautiful handmade cards, start selling them! Price them similarly to shop-bought cards — people will happily pay for something unique and personal. Package them in clear cellophane bags to keep them clean, and don’t forget to include your name and contact information on the back.
Scrapbooking: If you’re a scrapbooker, you could make custom albums for weddings, babies, holidays, or Christmas. Many people love the idea of preserving memories but don’t have the time or creative flair to do it themselves — that’s where you come in.
Baking and preserving: Homemade cakes, slices, jams, relishes, and pickles are always in demand at local markets. Just remember, to legally sell food you’ll need to check your local council’s registration and kitchen requirements. Once approved, present your goodies attractively and label them properly with ingredients and allergens.
Photography: if you take beautiful photos, perhaps you could sell your services as a photographer for special occasions. Or if you take gorgeous photos, turn them into photo books and sell them. Or print your best photos onto canvas and sell them.
Sewing and quilting: If you can sew, mend, or quilt, there’s always work available. You could make and sell items like table runners, aprons, bags, or baby blankets, or offer simple mending and alteration services. Quilters can even make or finish quilt tops for others.
Photography: if you take beautiful photos, perhaps you could sell your services as a photographer for special occasions. Or if you take gorgeous photos, turn them into photo books and sell them. Or print your best photos onto canvas and sell them.
Sewing and quilting: If you can sew, mend, or quilt, there’s always work available. You could make and sell items like table runners, aprons, bags, or baby blankets, or offer simple mending and alteration services. Quilters can even make or finish quilt tops for others.
Garden & Outdoor Side Hustles
If you love the outdoors, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money right from your garden or neighbourhood.
Flower growing: If your garden produces an abundance of flowers — like roses, lavender, or dahlias — consider bunching and selling them at a local market or roadside stall.
Plant sales: Propagate and pot up your plant cuttings to sell. Lavender, succulents, and herbs are easy to strike and sell well. Raspberry canes transplant and reproduce abundantly, and they can be sold for $10 each!
Seeds & bulbs: If you save seeds from your plants, package the extra seeds in pretty envelopes (they're easy to make) and sell them. If your plants produce new tubers or bulbs each year (dahlias produce tubers, daffodils produce bulbs) keep what you need and sell the others.
Lawn mowing and garden maintenance: Simple jobs like mowing, edging, weeding, and trimming can bring in steady cash, especially for older clients or those short on time.
Window washing: A few regular customers can create a solid income stream.
If you love the outdoors, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money right from your garden or neighbourhood.
Flower growing: If your garden produces an abundance of flowers — like roses, lavender, or dahlias — consider bunching and selling them at a local market or roadside stall.
Plant sales: Propagate and pot up your plant cuttings to sell. Lavender, succulents, and herbs are easy to strike and sell well. Raspberry canes transplant and reproduce abundantly, and they can be sold for $10 each!
Seeds & bulbs: If you save seeds from your plants, package the extra seeds in pretty envelopes (they're easy to make) and sell them. If your plants produce new tubers or bulbs each year (dahlias produce tubers, daffodils produce bulbs) keep what you need and sell the others.
Lawn mowing and garden maintenance: Simple jobs like mowing, edging, weeding, and trimming can bring in steady cash, especially for older clients or those short on time.
Window washing: A few regular customers can create a solid income stream.
Services You Can Offer
Sometimes your skills are more valuable than products. Think about what you already know or do well.
Tutoring: If you’re good at maths, English, or another subject, you can tutor students online or in person. Parents are often willing to pay well for a reliable tutor.
Music lessons: If you play an instrument, offer lessons from home or online.
Dog walking and pet sitting: Pet owners are often looking for trustworthy help, especially during holidays.
Ironing: Taking in ironing can earn around $35 per basket, and many people are happy to outsource this chore.
Cleaning: Residential or commercial cleaning can pay surprisingly well. A single 3–4-hour weekly cleaning job can bring in $70–$95 per hour. Even one or two clients can add hundreds to your monthly income.
Delivery driving: Apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Menulog are flexible — you choose your hours and work when it suits you.
Pamphlet drops: Simple, flexible, and a good option if you like walking or want to involve the family.
Tech help: Are you a tech genius? Offer your expertise to technologically challenged people and help them set up their devices or update programs, fix glitches etc.
Sometimes your skills are more valuable than products. Think about what you already know or do well.
Tutoring: If you’re good at maths, English, or another subject, you can tutor students online or in person. Parents are often willing to pay well for a reliable tutor.
Music lessons: If you play an instrument, offer lessons from home or online.
Dog walking and pet sitting: Pet owners are often looking for trustworthy help, especially during holidays.
Ironing: Taking in ironing can earn around $35 per basket, and many people are happy to outsource this chore.
Cleaning: Residential or commercial cleaning can pay surprisingly well. A single 3–4-hour weekly cleaning job can bring in $70–$95 per hour. Even one or two clients can add hundreds to your monthly income.
Delivery driving: Apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Menulog are flexible — you choose your hours and work when it suits you.
Pamphlet drops: Simple, flexible, and a good option if you like walking or want to involve the family.
Tech help: Are you a tech genius? Offer your expertise to technologically challenged people and help them set up their devices or update programs, fix glitches etc.
Selling at Markets or Online
Local markets, craft fairs, and even online marketplaces like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace are great places to sell your creations or services. Presentation matters — package your goods neatly, use clear labels, and price your products fairly. People are willing to pay for quality, handmade, and local products, especially when they’re well presented.
Garage sales are another quick way to make cash. They help declutter your home while earning some money for things you no longer need. Advertise them everywhere - do letterbox drops, use social media, tell people you're having a garage sale. Make sure you advertise you're only taking cash so there's no confusion.
Local markets, craft fairs, and even online marketplaces like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace are great places to sell your creations or services. Presentation matters — package your goods neatly, use clear labels, and price your products fairly. People are willing to pay for quality, handmade, and local products, especially when they’re well presented.
Garage sales are another quick way to make cash. They help declutter your home while earning some money for things you no longer need. Advertise them everywhere - do letterbox drops, use social media, tell people you're having a garage sale. Make sure you advertise you're only taking cash so there's no confusion.
Keep Good Records
Whatever side hustle you choose, remember it’s still income. Keep accurate records of what you earn and spend. Track your expenses — materials, packaging, registration fees — so you can calculate your profit and meet your tax responsibilities. Even if you only earn a small amount, it’s important to be transparent and organised from the start.
Turning a Side Hustle into a Small Business
Many full-time businesses start as side hustles. Once you find something you enjoy and that people want to buy, the possibilities grow. If you treat your side hustle seriously — keep it professional, deliver quality work, and maintain good customer relationships — it can easily evolve into a full-time income source.
A side hustle isn’t about working yourself to exhaustion — it’s about using your skills, time, and creativity to ease financial pressure. Whether it’s baking, crafting, gardening, or offering services, small consistent efforts can make a big impact on your household budget. In tough times, a little extra income can provide peace of mind, cover the unexpected, and even help you enjoy the special moments — like Christmas, holidays, or back-to-school season — without added stress.
Whatever side hustle you choose, remember it’s still income. Keep accurate records of what you earn and spend. Track your expenses — materials, packaging, registration fees — so you can calculate your profit and meet your tax responsibilities. Even if you only earn a small amount, it’s important to be transparent and organised from the start.
Turning a Side Hustle into a Small Business
Many full-time businesses start as side hustles. Once you find something you enjoy and that people want to buy, the possibilities grow. If you treat your side hustle seriously — keep it professional, deliver quality work, and maintain good customer relationships — it can easily evolve into a full-time income source.
A side hustle isn’t about working yourself to exhaustion — it’s about using your skills, time, and creativity to ease financial pressure. Whether it’s baking, crafting, gardening, or offering services, small consistent efforts can make a big impact on your household budget. In tough times, a little extra income can provide peace of mind, cover the unexpected, and even help you enjoy the special moments — like Christmas, holidays, or back-to-school season — without added stress.
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