No one needs to make an extra buck more than college students. We’re in this ‘in-between’ age where we’re still dependent on our parents but we have that itch to leave the nest and do something on our own. There is no better way to do so than by exploring the best side hustles today.
In this guide, we’re going to dive into the deep end and take you through some of our favourite side hustles that are popular with teens in 2024 – the Gen Z era is certainly hard to please so buckle up.
Take Online Surveys
If you’re like me and you love to give your opinion on everything, why not get paid to do so? There are quite a few sites that actually pay you to take surveys for them – but what’s their benefit?
You see, these surveys are usually conducted for professional reasons – perhaps a research project or to understand the market sentiment. Since teens are literally the future, people genuinely want to know what they like so they can cater best to the upcoming generation of consumers and tycoons.
I want to add here that taking these online surveys won’t get you enough money to move out. You probably won’t even make enough to pay the utility bills. But what it can help you with is buying takeout every now and then, getting some new shoes, or even a Christmas gift for your siblings.
Play Games Online
If there’s one thing we are sure of, it’s that Gen Z takes their games very seriously. Online games are not just a fun way to pass the time. It’s how this generation shows their craftsmanship and skills.
Is there really a better, more fun way to make money as teens than playing games online? Imagine having fun and getting paid to do so. I really can’t think of a better life. With countless games getting popular every day, you have quite a lot of options to choose from – the ball is in your court.
If you ask us, the best way to make money by playing games online is to live stream the entire time. You’ll get a lot of viewers who can’t wait to know what happens next and will even pay you for your time and efforts. If this is too much of a hassle, you could always upload these videos on YouTube.
On the other hand, if you like a game so much you want to invest in it, you might want to seek advice from financial sites like Seeking Alpha to know if it is a good idea.
Help Your Neighbours
One of the best ways to make money as a teen is usually right under your nose and you don’t even know it. Most of the time, your neighbours require some help around the house and they don’t have the time nor the energy to look for someone to hire. This is exactly where you can come in and help.
If you live in a safe neighbourhood, we recommend knocking on the doors of some of your neighbours and asking them if they’d like their lawn mowed or walls repainted. Ask them if they need some groceries delivered or someone to look after the house while they’re gone. The sky’s the limit.
Become a Nanny
Do people ever tell you that you’re good with kids? Why not turn that into a side hustle? In the past, there was always one person in the household to stay back and care for the kids while the other went to work. With inflation on the rise, both people in a couple have to go to work to afford a living.
Take advantage of this situation. Offer your services to those in need in your neighbourhood. You’ll be surprised by the number of families who want to get back to their normal routine without worrying about caring for their kids back at home. You can help them out and get paid to do it too. If you’re over 18, you can also sign up on websites like Care.com, Sittercity, or UrbanSitter to connect with families in your area who are in need of childcare services.
Offer Pet Services
In 2024, plants are the new pets, pets are the new kids, and kids are now an exotic species that very few can afford. There isn’t a business that is thriving more than the business of pet services.
As a teen who is looking to have a good side hustle, you can offer your services to people with pets. Most people don’t have time to walk their dogs. You can become a dog walker and offer this service to them. You can also offer pet-sitting services to care for their pets while they are away from home.
I’ll let you in on a little secret – people who can afford to have pets tend to have a high household income. They won’t mind paying you a little extra so long as you’re good at what you do and their pets are really happy with you. Take advantage of this and use this side hustle to save your income.
Create Unique Artworks
It is rare to see someone have a pure raw talent for art. Someone who didn’t need to go to school to learn the skills but just always knew they had magic in their hands since they were born.
If this sounds like you, what are you achieving by storing away your unique artworks just for them to gather dust? Why not sell them? Did you know that people actually pay quite a lot of money to have something unique and gorgeous hanging in their home? Something that just brings it all together.
Everything depends on your marketing skills. If you’re just looking to make a quick buck with pieces that don’t take you too long to make, you should set up a stand in your neighbourhood or local market. But if you’re looking to make it big, consider creating a brand and website for this hobby.
Become a Delivery Driver
I can’t even count the number of food deliveries I’ve had this week – most of whom have been tipped in cash. As a teen, seeing that green money in your hand, you’ll feel on top of the world.
Keep in mind that this is no easy job. You’ll be in the heat and snow all year trying to make that extra buck. But you do get paid in tips along with your basic rate which makes all the difference. If you have a bike or even a bicycle already, you won’t have to spend extra on this capital expense.
While most people would assume being a delivery driver means delivering food, it can be a lot more. You can be the medicine delivery driver for a pharmacy or even a package delivery driver for Amazon. The latter is usually the best option as you’d be in a van away from the heat or cold.
Test Out Websites
If you’re a tech geek, you’re in high demand. In 2024, you’ll see tech giants rolling out with latest updates and they’ll need someone to test out the programs. This is where you come in.
You’ll be given different websites, software, and programs to test out. You’ll usually be testing to see if it is user-friendly with good functionality. They want to know if a teen would be able to easily scroll through the program without facing any glitches, errors, or other troubles along the way.
You can always keep your eye out for new startups who might need this service by checking out websites like Investing.com or Yahoo Finance.
Offer Tutoring Services
Have you always been really good in school? We’re not thinking of just the class topper. We’re also looking at someone who gets good grades but not enough to draw too much attention. These are usually the students who are great at helping others and can also be a good tutor if asked.
If you have a good tolerance towards errors and you don’t see yourself losing your patience easily, you might want to offer tutoring services to those who need it. Start out with children in your own family or relatives before venturing out to tutor other children at school or in your neighbourhood. Word-of-mouth referrals, school bulletin boards, or online tutoring platforms like Chegg, Skooli, or Wyzant can help you find tutoring opportunities.
Become a Freelance Writer
Did you know the author of this guide is a freelance writer? We may be biassed but we certainly think this is a great side hustle for teens in 2024. You can help brands market to their target audience by delivering content that speaks directly into their hearts and souls – and of course their pockets.
If you have a good typing speed and a creative mind, offer your services to your local businesses as a test drive. If they like your work, you’re officially part of the freelance writer gang and you can venture out and offer services to other businesses – they may even come running after you. Platforms like Freelancer.com, Fiverr, and Medium provide opportunities for freelancers to offer their writing services.
And who knows? You might even write for Forbes someday!
What is the Best Side Hustle for You?
At the end of the day, no one knows your schedule better than yourself. Only you know which side hustle can be accomplished while keeping in mind your other duties as a teen, including school and chores. That being said, we don’t doubt you’ll be able to make it work if you put your head to it.
