11 Easy Side Gigs You Can Start Today That Can Make You Rich in 2024
If you already have a full-time — or even part-time — job, the last thing you may want to do is take on more work to increase your income in 2024.
Yet if your goal is to get rich, that money has to come from somewhere. Side gigs can be great ways to launch yourself to a new financial level without leaving your current job.
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GOBankingRates asked experts for easy side gigs that can help you move beyond your current financial picture.
Buy and Sell Storage Units
If you’ve ever watched the show “Storage Wars,” you know there’s money to be made in what people leave behind. Real estate agent Shawn Ousley and his wife have been buying and selling storage units for the past four years.
“We really dove into it over the summer, when I parted ways with my 8 to 5 and turned storage flipping into an almost full-time gig,” he said. In one stretch, they bought three units for $350, $340 and $350 and made over $1,500 on each unit within a month of buying them.
He recommends using websites such as StorageAuctions.com and StorageTreasures to do the bidding.
For people who are worried that they would need a truck in order to get the items out of the storage units, Ousley suggested, “You do not need a truck to flip storage units; you just have to have access to a truck. While in Shreveport, we have done most of our cleanouts with our SUV and a small trailer.”
To sell the items, they mainly use Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark.
See: 7 Unconventional Ways To Boost Your Income With AI
AI Prompt Engineering
In the exploding AI field, prompt engineering stands out as a particularly lucrative niche, according to Aaron Kennedy, owner of Aaron Kennedy Marketing and a director of marketing at Braiones LTD.
“As AI technology advances, more companies are looking to integrate AI into their operations,” he said. “However, developing and maintaining AI systems, especially the language models, requires a specific skill set that many companies don’t possess in house. That’s where freelance prompt engineers come in.”
People in this side gig help companies fine-tune their AI’s language capabilities, develop custom applications or even train their AI to understand and respond in industry-specific jargon, he explained.
“The demand for these skills is skyrocketing, but the supply of qualified professionals hasn’t quite caught up, making it a highly profitable area for freelancers. Moreover, this field offers a fascinating blend of technical skill and creative problem-solving, making each project a unique challenge.”
Personal Concierge for Seniors
A way to both earn extra money and do some good in the world, according to Michael Reynolds, a CFP with Elevation Financial LLC, is to help seniors with personal concierge services.
“Older people often need help running errands, picking up prescriptions and handling small chores around the house,” he said. “Develop a regular clientele and help them live life more comfortably.”
Lightweight Property Management
If managing property sounds like a lot of work, Reynolds suggested that doesn’t have to be the case.
“While traditional property management companies often charge high fees for a full service approach,” he said, “[not] everyone needs this level of service.
“Some people just need someone to be on hand to monitor their rental, coordinate with service providers or house-sit their vacation home. They will happily pay a lower fee for someone to provide lighter services.”
Academic Tutor
If you excelled at one of the subjects in school that often needs tutoring support, such as math, English or science, Reynolds recommended, “Offer your skills to high school students who need to get their grades up as they think about college. You can provide tutoring services out of your home, virtually or by meeting at your local library.”
Online Dating Consultant/Profile Editor
You don’t have to be a trained therapist to help people navigate online dating, Reynolds insisted.
“Online dating can be difficult for many. It’s hard to come up with a great profile when you’re stuck in your own head from over-thinking,” he said. “Offer a simple service in which you evaluate your client’s online dating profile as an objective third party, spice it up with compelling narrative, and give tips on interacting with potential matches.”
Virtual Real Estate Tours
If you have an eye for capturing the essence of homes and spaces, real estate agents and sellers would appreciate your skills, according to Erica Brenning, a real estate investor and owner of Cash Buyers.
“Help potential buyers explore properties online by creating immersive virtual tours,” Brenning said. “It’s like handing them the keys to the house without them leaving theirs. Platforms like Matter port and Zillow 3D Home make it a breeze for you to create captivating virtual experiences, making you a valuable asset in the competitive real estate market.”
Stock Photography
In a related vein, if you just enjoy snapping pictures and want to turn your hobby into a side gig, consider sharing your photos on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock or Getty Images, Brenning said.
“Whenever someone buys the rights to use your photos, you pocket a commission. Focus on taking stunning, top-notch shots — themes like business, tech, lifestyle and nature are always a hit.”
Staging Houses
Whether you already work as a real estate agent or not, staging houses can be a lucrative side gig for creative types.
“Staging prepares houses for sale by making them look sharp, which can seriously boost the sales price and sell them faster,” Kennedy explained. “So, by sinking time into buying properties and dolling places up, agents create multiple income streams and get even more dialed in on real estate. They learn the ins and outs to get an edge in their careers.”
Virtual Assistant
In this highly digital age, where more people work remotely, you can leverage your skills into being a virtual assistant, especially if you’re highly organized and tech savvy, Reynolds said. “This can be done from your laptop and is in demand by many business owners.”
Mobile Notary Public
A notary public license is easy and affordable to get, and the service is typically in high demand, Reynolds said. “Offering this as a mobile service is super convenient, since many people don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving to the bank.”
If you really want to get rich quickly, you might even be able to take on several of these side gigs at once.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 11 Easy Side Gigs You Can Start Today That Can Make You Rich in 2024
