Last week, we shared some awesome side hustle ideas, and today I have got some more for you! If you want to share your unusual, weird, unheard of or well paying side hustle with my readers, please drop me a line at tdmpauline at gmail dot com, thank you!
Lawn mowing and rototilling
In 2002, I was getting laid off. I was a tech worker and many of my friends were losing their homes or having to move out of state. I knew I needed something to do that could not be shipped overseas, or done remotely. I looked at the equipment, knowledge and skills that I already had. I was determined to do something to at least keep the ‘ball in the air’ until the economy recovered.
I had a large lawn mower and a rototiller already, so I put a “Lawn Mowing and Rototilling” sign on my truck, with my phone number. My girlfriend did not even want to ride in the truck with me with the sign on. After all, we were both professionals, and she wanted me to get another tech job. I got plenty of work that summer mowing, and even more in the years after.
I started to advertise for snow plowing soon after, and after I had several contracts, I bought a new truck and a snowplow. I eventually did get a tech job, and was only out of work for a weekend. But I still have the lawn mowing and plowing business, but I subcontract out most of the work.
– Eric from No Nonsense Landlord
Lawn mowing #2
One of my strangest/most awkward side-hustles was mowing lawns. This doesn’t sound strange right off the bat, but 1) I was using an old-fashioned, non-motorized reel lawnmower that I bought off of Craigslist for $30, and 2) I was mowing my nephew’s yard and my sister’s rental yard. It was somewhat odd to mow my nephew’s yard for sure (especially when it came time for payment), but within just a couple of months, I earned over $100 for only 5 or 6 hours of work.
– Derek Sall, LifeAndMyFinances.com
Online blogging and staff writing
My favorite way to make extra money is by blogging. I help my sister (Michelle at MakingSenseofCents.com) with staff writing, virtual assistant work, and more. I enjoy working for my sister because she makes it easy for me by allowing me to have a flexible schedule. I can work ahead of time and complete work weeks in advance so that I am still making the same amount of money but can work in my own time.
-Alexis Schroeder from www.FITnancials.com
Online freelancing
I’m all for side hustling! My best paying side hustle all revolves around online freelancing. It was such a great side hustle that I decided to leave my day job last year to pursue it full-time as a self-employed person. I staff write, manage websites, manage social media, and more. I mainly received all of these online freelancing jobs through my Making Sense of Cents website. The last month where my online freelancing were just side hustles was in September of 2013 and I made approximately $12,000.
Michelle Schroeder at MakingSenseofCents.com
Online empire 
I began making money on the side through my website, Narrow Bridge Finance. What I didn’t plan was that running my own website would lead to freelance writing, website design, WordPress management, and social media gigs. That led to the founding of Narrow Bridge Media. I now earn about 20% of my income online, and it all started from my blog!
– Eric from Narrow Bridge
Pet sitter and Chick-Fil-A mascot
My main side hustle is pet sitting. It brings in around $1000 a month and keeps me busy.
My weirdest side hustle was being a Chick-Fil-A mascot cow for more than a year. I was the Kid Cow, dressed up when I was called in, and made $10 an hour to play around with guests and take pictures with people. I got the job by showing up to an open interview for open mascot positions. I was outgoing and fit into the Kid Cow suit, so I was hired. I only made about $30 per job since they don’t want to keep you in the suit for too long. Overall, I made less than $400, but it was fun!
– Crystal Stemberger from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff
How do YOU hustle? Please get in touch and share your unusual side hustle! tdmpauline at gmail dot com. Thanks!
Thank you for the mention! Sometimes,. side hustles are not as fun as actual ‘fun’ is, but it is money. And it accumulates so that you can invest for your next, bigger side hustle.
Great job every one!
No Nonsense Landlord recently posted…My Air Conditioner Does Not Work. Help!
I always wonder what I would do if I got hired by a company I loathe like chick fil A. For $10 an hour, I would pass, but what if it were a several thousand dollar commercial campaign?
Stefanie @ thebrokeandbeautifullife recently posted…Would You Share Your Private Information for a Discount?
Yeah, I didn’t know about their social and political stances when I started. It was a factor when I quit.
Crystal recently posted…Not All Fun Activities End Up Being Fun…
$10/hr for being in a hot costume? I’d pass… I do have a friend who is the mascot for a local pro sports team and makes more than 10X that amount when he works.
It was indeed hot, but it was quick and I got to hang around with sticky kids without minding at all! 🙂
Crystal recently posted…Not All Fun Activities End Up Being Fun…
I have made so much money through the years with side hustles, it is hard to know where to begin when listing them all. Perhaps my favorite, and the one that paid best on a $’s per hour basis, was acting. I tried out for one TV commercial, got the part and the commercial ran for years, paying me thousands each time it was renewed.
Brad @ How To Save Money recently posted…Avoid Impulse Buying
I likes Eric’s idea to focus on something that can’t be shipped overseas. I also love that he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. We need more people like him.
George Meszaros recently posted…300 Million Domains – Does Yours Stand Out Or Gets Lost
I have started a lawn mowing business to make some extra cash, but my go to is eBay, buying and selling.
Like the idea Paula for the side hustles! If I win this year I’m counting fantasy football as a side hustle.
Even Steven recently posted…4 Things You Must Do to Retire Early
Thanks for the mention. =)
I love side hustles. I run a conference as a side hustle- Spark Sessions- it’s taken on a life of its own with 250 bloggers getting together in Toronto.
Marissa (@Thirtysixmonths) recently posted…4 Neighborhoods to Stay in When You Visit San FranciscoÂ
I am impressed that Eric jumped right in to lawn mowing and rototilling and was able to make a go of it so quickly, that’s fantastic.
Anne @ Money Propeller recently posted…Jet Setter Interview – Abigail of I Pick Up Pennies
Those are some impressive side hustles! I like how people aren’t afraid to get down and dirty and nothing is above them. Great showcase!
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I love this series of side hustle ideas on your blog Pauline! Always inspiring to see how other fellows do 😉
Simon Cave recently posted…5 Tools Every Internet Entrepreneur Should Have – The Last One Will Blow Your Mind
Wow that’s some serious freelance income from Michelle! I also like Eric’s point about how it all started with a blog. Once you get in the habit of writing and sharing your ideas on a regular basis, you never know what can happen!
Nick Loper recently posted…Everyday I’m Hustling – Wear It With Pride
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
There is nothing wrong with being a lawn mower, especially if you have another job as well. It’s an easy source of quick cash, and you are appreciated by most people. Like me, I have massive allergies to grass and such, so mowing the lawn myself is not fun for me at all.
I LOVE this blog post! What a great round up, thank you for this.
What I’ve found to be an AMAZING side hustle is Brand Ambassador/Promo work.
It’s a very flexible, fun, and lucrative side hustle if you have a friendly and outgoing personality. Basically you represent your favorite brands at awesome events (e.g. handing out Red Bull or demoing new products at high foot traffic areas) and it pays $18-$45/hr depending on the event.
I created an entire resource website on how to succeed in this industry called “Brand Ambassador World”. It has everything from resume designs, to super helpful tips and tricks, to where to find promo gigs, to a comprehensive list of agencies, etc.
You can check it out at:
http://www.brandambassadorworld.com
I hope you all find it helpful and feel free to let me know if you have any questions at all!
Kenny Azama recently posted…How Being a Brand Ambassador Adds Years to Your Life
Those are some noteworthy side hustles! I like how individuals aren’t reluctant to take care of business and nothing is above them. Awesome showcase!
$ 10 per hour can make a difference to me, then I would do it … great article!
Several People underestimate the amount of money you can make mowing lawns and shoveling snow (if you live in a cold part). Nice List. Freelancing is a nice touch as well. Thanks for Sharing!
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