How to Make $3K a Month: Use These 9 Side Hustles to Boost Your Income

Figuring out how to make $3K a month is possible, but you must get creative. Whether you’re stringing together multiple side hustles, going all in on freelancing, or finding ways to start or grow a small business, making this amount is doable. However, it can take a lot of extra work, especially if you continue to work a full-time job while starting your side hustle.

Let’s look at various ways you can earn an extra $3K a month and some important things to consider before you sign up to increase your income.

How to make $3K a month: 9 potential opportunities

Making $3,000 a month in additional income will take some trial and error. Although there are multiple money-making options, what will work for you depends on your interests, skills, and available resources. The best route may be taking on multiple opportunities to maximize your income. Consider the nine opportunities below to help you get started.

1. Provide in-demand professional freelance services

You can earn extra money through online and local job boards if you have in-demand skills like marketing, digital design, programming, or software development.

Upwork and Fiverr are both online job boards that connect freelancers with clients. Each offers a variety of job postings, including traditional freelance jobs like writing or graphic design, as well as coding, transcription services, translation help, software development, accounting, and customer support.

Signing up and creating a profile on Upwork and Fiverr is free. However, you often have to pay to boost your profile and possibly even submit work proposals, which can be frustrating.

One benefit of using these platforms is that they handle the administrative and payment parts of your side hustle. This lets you focus on delivering quality work to your clients. Generally, you can set your rates, propose projects to clients, and remove the hassle around getting paid.

However, both sites have a lot of competition, and you may find yourself in a race to the bottom to get work, especially when you’re starting on the platform.

In addition, Upwork charges a 10% fee on all earnings, including hourly, fixed-price, and catalog projects. Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% service fee, so for every $100 you earn through there, you’ll only take home $80 (not including taxes).

The amount you’ll make depends on the projects you pursue, how much time you put in, and your skill areas. People with IT or software development backgrounds will likely earn more on these platforms than those who offer customer service or administrative support.

Read our Upwork review | Read our Fiverr review

If you use a local job board to advertise your services, check out community centers or job fairs to connect you with people looking for your skills. Just be sure to use a contract, set a fair but profitable rate, and communicate with your client throughout the project.

2. Start a small business

If you have ambition and patience, consider starting a small business. While small businesses come in multiple types, shapes, and sizes, some of the most popular options include:

Business consulting: In this field, you could help business people meet their goals or share your experience that could help them navigate difficult times. You can set your rates, decide when you’ll work, and pick the services you’ll provide. However, you may have difficulty finding clients if you don’t have an established network.

Personal trainer: You could offer personal training services to help busy people make time to exercise. Options include offering in-person sessions or creating an online community that connects people through meetups, app partnerships, and various forms of media. You’ll likely need to invest in certifications and specific credentials. Plus, if you offer private sessions, remember to include mileage and expenses in your hourly rates.

Cleaning services: If you like to clean, you might really clean up (heh) as a small business owner. It’s common for cleaning companies to start with just one or two employees, and you’ll likely only need to invest in some cleaning supplies. However, depending on where you clean and what people have in their homes and offices, consider getting an insurance policy that covers any accidental damages.

Developing a small business takes time and probably isn’t great for people who have trouble with self-motivation. Investing in some business administration and management classes is also wise, especially if you plan on hiring employees. Whatever small business you decide, remember to research the field and slowly build up over time.

3. Become a seller or reseller

Learning how to make money can happen in lots of ways. If you love a good deal, selling or reselling items can be a great option.

Local marketplace sites

Selling new or gently used items like furniture, home goods, toys, or clothing on sites like your local Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can help you clear clutter and make a little cash.

While this method generally offers the most flexibility, it can also be risky since you can’t guarantee items will sell or have much recourse if a sale falls through. Be cautious about giving out your personal information, and always meet potential buyers in a safe location.

Etsy and craft fairs

Consider selling items on Etsy or at local craft fairs if you’re a crafter.

Etsy is often considered a jewelry or crafts site, but you can also sell computer software, spreadsheet templates, or AI prompts through the platform. While Etsy helps you expand your customer reach, you must also pay various fees — like a 6.5% transaction fee and a $0.20 listing fee for each item — to post and sell through the site.

Craft fairs generally offer exposure to just a few people by comparison. However, they typically have fewer fees, though you usually have to pay for a booth or table rental and any travel costs for getting to the fair.

Major e-commerce websites

eBay can be a great option if you enjoy shopping for vintage items, memorabilia, or collectibles and reselling them for a profit. However, like Etsy, eBay charges fees to list and sell items through its platform. Depending on what you’re selling, you’ll likely pay 3% to 15% of the sale price, plus an insertion fee for some items.

If you have experience reselling items on a larger scale, consider using Amazon to help you handle shipping and inventory management. You can choose the Individual plan, which costs $0.99 for each product sold and any selling fees, or the Professional plan, which costs a flat $39.99 monthly in addition to selling fees.

However, thoroughly research your potential market before investing in products to resell. Otherwise, you might have paid for merchandise just taking up space in your garage or basement.

4. Rent out part of your place

A site like Airbnb or VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) can be a good way to earn extra cash. These platforms generally handle the administrative work of booking and contracting, helping to ensure a smooth payment process.

While Airbnb also supports private and shared room rentals, VRBO only lets you rent out your whole house. How much you make depends on factors like where you live, the type of property you’re renting out, and the different platform fees charged.

You’ll usually pay a 3% fee per Airbnb booking, but you could pay as much as 16% with some listings. VRBO hosts pay a 3% payment processing fee and a 5% commission for each booking.

Another option is advertising locally to rent out a spare room, basement, storage space, or garage. If you go this route, ensure you have a contract with clear payment terms and methods. You should also check with your homeowner's insurance to see if you need additional coverage or a special policy for having other people (or their things) in your home.

5. Be a delivery driver

If you like driving but don’t want passengers, signing up to deliver packages, groceries, food, or other items could help you reach your $3,000 monthly income goal.

Food delivery

Well-known food delivery sites like Uber Eats and DoorDash often make the list of best side hustles. They typically offer a base pay rate, tips, and a flexible schedule. However, you generally have to cover expenses like gas, and your earnings can be unreliable. Plus, you must pass a background check, have a valid driver’s license, and provide proof of car insurance.

Both companies pay your earnings on a weekly schedule via bank transfer. If you want to access your money faster, you can do so for a small fee.

Visit Uber Eats | Read our Uber Eats review

Visit Doordash | Read our Doordash review.

Walmart Spark

Walmart Spark offers shopping, delivery, and return services through its app. After you complete an enrollment form and confirm you meet the driver requirements, you can sign into the Spark app for work. However, Spark may require a background screening that looks at your criminal history and motor vehicle records.

You can get your pay daily or weekly through direct deposit, an online banking platform, or a digital wallet (which is subject to fees). Your earnings depend on the size of the order, the distance you must travel, and other factors. Spark also offers different driver incentives, like an extra $24 for completing six trips.

Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is a package delivery service that allows you to use your car instead of one of the big Amazon delivery trucks. However, you must have an eligible vehicle (no motorcycles or scooters allowed) and an Android or iPhone that meets specific criteria.

You can get paid daily or weekly, depending on your preference. Amazon says the typical pay is $18 to $25 an hour. Keep in mind your earnings will depend on several factors, including your location, tips, and delivery speed.

If you decide to try any delivery app, remember that you usually must factor in hidden costs, such as vehicle wear and tear, gas, and any extra insurance requirements. Plus, don’t forget about the time spent in traffic.

6. Invest to make passive earnings

Using an investing app can be a great way to help you passively earn money. However, unless you’re starting with a considerable amount, it will probably take quite some time until you earn $3,000 per month in passive investment income.

But every little bit helps, and building an investment portfolio doesn’t have to require a large initial investment. Some of the best micro-investing apps let you open an investment account with as little as $1.

Robinhood is an online brokerage platform that lets you trade U.S. exchange-listed stocks, ETFs, options, and even some cryptocurrencies.¹ <p>Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the <a href="https://cdn.robinhood.com/assets/robinhood/legal/Characteristics%20and%20Risks%20of%20Standardized%20Options.pdf">Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options</a> before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.</p> <p>Robinhood Financial does not guarantee favorable investment outcomes. The past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Customers should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing in options. Because of the importance of tax considerations to all options transactions, the customer considering options should consult their tax advisor as to how taxes affect the outcome of each options strategy. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.</p> <p>Financebuzz is compensated by Robinhood to produce this content.</p> ² <p>All investments involve risk including loss of principal. Interest is earned on uninvested cash swept from your brokerage account to program banks. Robinhood is not a bank. For margin enabled customers, to earn interest through the cash sweep program, a cash balance is needed. If you have a margin balance, there is no cash balance to earn interest.</p> Signing up is free, and Robinhood doesn’t charge commissions. However, you’re still responsible for paying any applicable investment fund fees. You can set up automated investing to help your balance grow over time.

Visit Robinhood | Read our Robinhood review

Alternatively, Stash is an investing and banking app that requires a $4 initial investment ($3 for a basic monthly subscription and $1 for an investment account deposit).³ <p>Paid non-client endorsement. See Apple App Store and Google Play reviews. <a href="https://www.stash.com/start-investing/financebuzz10">View important disclosures.</a></p> <p>Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Nothing in this material should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security. All investments are subject to risk and may lose value.</p> <p>Advisory products and services are offered through Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.</p> You can set up automatic transfers from each paycheck to invest a little bit at a time. Its Smart Portfolio is a robo-advisor that helps you create a diversified portfolio based on your specific goals and timelines.⁴ <p>Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. Offer is subject to T&Cs</p>

You can also use Stash’s self-directed investing features to invest in U.S. stocks and ETFs. Stash costs $3 monthly for the basic Stash Growth account or $9 for Stash+.⁵ <p>Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee</p> ⁶ <p> For a complete list of fees please see the <a href="https://cdn.stash.com/disclosures/stride-deposit-account-agreement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deposit Account Agreement</a> for details. </p>

Visit Stash | Read our Stash review

Your potential passive earnings depend on how much you have to invest, what you invest in, and general market conditions. Using an app is a good way to get your feet wet and get used to investing without committing large amounts of money.

However, all investing involves risk, and making a profit or even keeping your principal investment amount isn’t guaranteed. Be sure to research each investment carefully to help you avoid losing the money.

7. Sign up for rideshare driver apps

If you have a reliable vehicle and like people, driving with Lyft or Uber can be a great side gig.

Before driving, you must sign up with either app (or both) and ensure you meet the requirements. Both Lyft and Uber require you to fill out an application, provide proof of insurance, and complete a background check before you begin driving.

Uber requires you to meet your location’s minimum driving age requirement and have at least one year of driving experience (three years if you’re under 25). Lyft requires its drivers to be at least 25 years old. You’ll also need to have an eligible four-door vehicle for either platform.

While being a rideshare driver can be a good side income source if you like driving, there are some drawbacks. Like when using food and package delivery apps, you’re responsible for fuel costs, wear and tear, and vehicle upkeep. Although both Uber and Lyft offer extra insurance coverage when you’re using the app, you might want to consider adding rideshare insurance to your auto policy for additional protection if you’re in an accident while driving a passenger.

8. Help take care of pets

If you’re an animal lover, finding pet-sitting clients through platforms like Rover, Care.com, or advertising in your local papers or job boards could be an ideal way to earn extra income. You may have a hard time reaching $3,000 a month through dog walking alone, but if you have the time, caring for pets can supplement other side hustle work.

Rover

Rover is a marketplace focusing on pet sitting, dog walking, and other pet-related services. It lets you choose when you work and the types of animals you work with. Rover also offers up to $25,000 in vet care reimbursement and access to a vet for consultation through the platform.

This platform requires potential pet sitters to pass a background check. Clients may also request a meet and greet to ensure you’re a good fit for their furry friend.

While you get to set your rates, Rover charges you a 20% to 25% service fee per booking, which factors into your earnings potential. Once you’ve provided the service, Rover pays you two days later and transfers money from the site to your bank account via Stripe.

Read our Rover review

Care.com

You can also look for pet-sitting work on Care.com, a platform connecting people needing assistance with various helpers, including pet care. You can sign up for a free profile, and after passing a background check, you can begin browsing job listings.

Care.com allows you to set your rates. However, it says that most payments happen outside the platform via the most convenient method for the client. Although that might help you save the processing fee that Rover charges, you don’t have as much recourse if there’s a problem or a client refuses to pay.

Visit Care.com

9. Try various money-making apps

Although you might struggle to make $3,000 a month using only cash back or discount apps, every little bit helps. Various apps and websites can help you earn cash back on everyday purchases or get paid for taking surveys or playing games.

Shopping rewards apps

Fetch awards points whenever you take a picture of your receipt through its app or respond to personalized offers. Once you have enough points, you can request a store gift card from various retailers.

Read our Fetch review

Comparatively, Rakuten uses a browser extension and website that encourages users to shop directly through its site. When you do, you’ll earn cash back that you can redeem for a physical check, Amex Membership Rewards, or PayPal deposit.

Rakuten will pay out earnings within 15 days of your first purchase and then quarterly after that. You must earn at least $5.01 every three months to receive a payout.

Read our Rakuten review

Survey and game apps

If you like taking surveys or playing games, consider an app like Survey Junkie or Bingo Cash.

Survey Junkie is an online platform that connects companies looking for market research with consumers. After filling out a demographics and interests profile, Survey Junkie will match you with brands looking for feedback. By completing surveys, you’ll earn points, which you can trade for payment via PayPal or gift cards to various stores.

Visit Survey Junkie | Read our Survey Junkie review.

If you like online games, check out Bingo Cash to earn cash prizes by entering and competing in tournaments. You’ll receive part of the prize pool if you finish in the top three. However, each game costs a cash entry fee, and you’ll likely need to deposit money to enter the bigger tournaments faster.

Winnings are refunded using your original deposit method, and if there is any additional balance, you’ll receive it via PayPal. If you don’t like bingo, other legit money-making game apps are available for iPhone and Android.

Visit Bingo Cash | Read our Bingo Cash review.

Creating a plan to meet your $3K side income goal

Jumping right in might feel like the best way to start earning as much as possible with your new side hustle. However, spending some time planning first can help you decide what you want your side hustle to look like and give you a better understanding of your earning potential.

When I started freelancing, I knew I wanted to experiment with finding extra work, but I wasn’t ready to give up my day job. So, I started writing and made a little bit of money.

I didn’t initially create a plan with goals to follow, but I wish I had. As I’ve gotten busier, balancing working full-time, writing, and growing my business has become more challenging.

About a year after starting my side hustle, I finally went back and created a plan for myself. If I had done this from the beginning, many of the things I struggled with, like marketing and administrative tasks, would have been much more manageable.

To help you start your side hustle better than I did, consider the tips below.

Use your interests and skills

There are many ways to make money with a side hustle, but not all will be the right choice for you.

There’s nothing wrong with signing up for something that will earn you money immediately and help you cover your bills. However, you’re more likely to stick with the side hustle and earn more if you enjoy it.

Create a list of potential side hustle options and research the pros, cons, and time commitments. While some gigs only require a few hours each week, others take much more time, and you’ll have to balance them with other areas of your life.

Set daily and weekly goals

As part of your research, determine how long it will take for your top two options to provide you with $3,000 (or more) monthly. Once you have that rough figure, divide it into weekly and daily goals so that you have tangible steps to follow.

For example, it takes me about 40 hours a month to earn $3,000. With that in mind, I can complete my projects and hit my monthly goals if I work 10 hours a week or roughly two hours every weekday.

Of course, sometimes things take longer or problems arise, but having a rough target helps me know I’m staying on track.

Remember to keep your goals realistic so you don’t burn out. The goal isn’t just to hit $3,000 for one month (though that’s a good place to start); you ideally want to find something that sustainably adds to your monthly income for years.

Understand what you’re signing up for

Many people like the idea of making extra money but don’t understand the time and physical commitments involved with working a side gig.

If you have physical limitations, there are better options than being a package delivery driver, which often requires lifting heavy things. Similarly, I still work a full-time job, so the last thing I want to do after a long day is to go grocery shopping for someone else. Therefore, I can eliminate personal shopping or delivery driving from my list of side hustles.

Before you go all in with one side hustle, try multiple options to better understand the type of commitment and earnings potential for each.

Embrace the challenge

While you want to choose a side hustle based on your interests, it’s also good to challenge yourself. Being (a little) unsure or uncomfortable is a good way to grow and learn new skills that connect to your existing ones.

When I started side hustling, I knew how to write. However, I was new to pitching, handling administrative tasks, and running a business. I still have to force myself to do these tasks each week, but with time, they’ve become less intimidating, and I’ve learned new skills that support my small business.

Find balance

Balancing a full-time job and your side hustle is challenging. I’ve had to get used to early mornings and late nights as I (try to) keep all of my projects moving forward.

Sometimes, I have to pay more attention to one project than another. However, no matter the deadlines approaching, I always try to carve out some time for myself. I often walk, get some sunshine and fresh air, or read a book to recharge between projects.

Tips for maximizing your side hustle earnings

Some of the best gig economy jobs provide greater flexibility and earnings potential than some standard 9-5 jobs, but getting the gig is just part of the equation. Since making $3K per month takes a lot of work, especially when starting, finding ways to make it worthwhile is essential.

To help you make the most of your side hustle, consider these tips.

Pick the right opportunities

Although these side hustle ideas have money-making opportunities, some will be worth more than others. Consider how much you can reasonably earn from each (and the amount of time required) to have a realistic expectation.

Manage your time

Adding a side hustle to your life can lessen your time for other activities or work. As part of your planning process, lay out a weekly schedule that allows you to accomplish your work and side hustle while still sleeping and being with your family.

It's hard to stay disciplined, and the schedule may slip sometimes. However, in the end, making a little progress every day is generally better and less stressful than trying to cram several hours' worth of work into the weekend.

Track your expenses

Generally, you must make some upfront or ongoing investments to start a side hustle. Some side gigs put more miles on your car, while others require new tools, classes, or certifications to help you gain more clients. Keep a list of your ongoing expenses to help at tax time and know exactly how much you’ve made.

Account for taxes

Remember to set aside money for taxes as part of your expense tracking. Most side hustles don’t deduct federal and state income tax from your payments like a regular W-2 job does.

Instead, you’re responsible for tracking your income and paying the correct quarterly taxes. Set aside 20% to 35% of everything you make (to cover income and self-employment taxes) and hold the funds in a separate bank account. That way, you can avoid a surprise tax bill.

FAQs

Bottom line

Learning how to make $3K a month may take time, but having multiple income streams can be invaluable. Be sure you pick a side hustle that interests you and fits your lifestyle.

Do your research on different industries and try to put skills you already have to use to make additional money. Don’t just settle for the easiest side hustle that comes along. Instead, think about what you’d like to do and use this to test your ideal work. Create a plan to help you capitalize on your skills and earn the most from your chosen work.

Author Details

Kate Daugherty

Kate Daugherty is a professional writer with a passion for providing others the head start they deserve on their financial journeys. Largely self-taught, Kate relied on books, blogs, and trial-and-error to learn how to budget and save for the future, all while working to pay back about $15,000 in student loans.