The gig economy has opened up a world of opportunities for people to make extra money on their own time and schedule. With just a smartphone, anyone can sign up for popular gig platforms like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Rover, TaskRabbit and more to start earning cash quickly. The flexibility of gig work means you can choose when, where and how much you want to work, allowing you to be your own boss.
This article will highlight 30 of the most lucrative and easy-to-start local side hustles that allow you to tap into the growing gig economy right from your phone. Whether you want to earn a little extra spending money or are looking to generate a full-time income, these smartphone-based gigs provide an excellent way to put your free time to profitable use.
The gigs covered range from driving services like Uber and Lyft to delivery jobs with Instacart and DoorDash. Task services like Handy and TaskRabbit offer ways to monetize skills like handyman work, furniture assembly, and more. There are also gigs for walking dogs, tutoring online, doing virtual assistant tasks and much more.
Each gig listed comes with information on how much you can expect to earn, what’s required to get started, and tips for how to maximize your income. By joining the gig workforce, you can start taking control of your schedule and making great money – all on your own terms. So read on to discover 30 awesome gig economy jobs you can start today!
Popular Gig Economy Apps & How To Make Money With Them
Swagbucks –
This app pays you to take surveys, watch videos, play games, shop online, and more. You earn “SB” points which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash. The more activities you do, the more you earn.
DoorDash –
Become a delivery driver for restaurants and other businesses with DoorDash. After being approved, you can start accepting delivery orders through the app and earn money for each successful delivery. You keep 100% of tips.
Fiverr –
Fiverr is a freelance services marketplace where you can list gigs based on your skills and talents. Offer services like graphic design, writing, video editing, programming and more. Earn money when buyers purchase and you fulfill your gigs.
Decluttr –
Scan the barcodes of CDs, DVDs, books, and games you no longer want with Decluttr’s app and receive instant price quotes. Then mail your items to Decluttr and get paid the day after they receive them.
Turo –
Turn your car into a rental car by listing it on Turo. You set your own rates, availability, and approve all rentals. Turo’s insurance also covers your vehicle when booked so you can earn spare cash.
Nielsen –
Get paid to share information about your internet browsing and TV watching habits. By installing the Nielsen app on your devices, you’ll earn rewards just for your everyday media interactions.
Honeygain –
This app lets you sell your unused internet bandwidth to researchers, websites, and more. Just install it on your devices and it will passively earn you money as you go about your day.
Survey Junkie –
Take surveys through this app and earn points you can redeem for cash via Paypal or gift cards. Survey Junkie vets each survey provider to ensure quality. Surveys typically pay between $0.50-$5.00 each.
Ibotta –
Earn cash back rewards for your everyday shopping with Ibotta. Add offers to your Ibotta account, make eligible purchases, scan your receipts, and receive your earnings via PayPal or gift cards.
TaskRabbit –
List yourself as a tasker on TaskRabbit to get hired for same-day jobs like furniture assembly, handyman tasks, moving help, delivery services and more. Set your own rates and schedule.
Each one of these side hustles provides flexible ways to leverage your time and existing assets to make extra money from your smartphone. With so many options, you can mix and match apps to build lucrative side income streams.
Lyft/Uber –
Did you know that Uber charges 45% while Lyft only charges 25%? It’s true! Driving with lyft is one of the fastest ways to make money from your phone, and more profitable than Uber. It’s probably the fastest way to earn a full time living from an app on your phone also. Anyone can do it! Just drive people around! Pretty simple. There are also lyft surges where you get bonuses from Lyft (beyond the ride, and the ride tip) for completing a certain number of rides in a row. Use this referral code: JOE41883 and this will allow you to get a $500 BONUS from Lyft starting out. Make sure to enter that code when getting started as a driver in the app.
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In Conclusion –
While working a traditional 9-5 job has benefits like stability, structure, and predictable wages, pursuing side hustles and building multiple income streams can provide even greater advantages. The gig economy gives you the flexibility to be your own boss, work when and where you want, and tap into many money-making opportunities at once.
Some of the biggest pros of side hustling include freedom over your schedule, unlimited earning potential, and diversified income sources to protect against the risks of relying on one job. You can work full-time hours across multiple side gigs or just do them periodically for extra cash – it’s up to you. And there are no caps on how much you can earn if you take on more or higher-paying gigs.
However, the 9-5 job structure also has some pluses. With a single steady job, you generally get a fixed, reliable paycheck, benefits, and clearly defined expectations. Side hustling can be unpredictable, forcing you to constantly find new opportunities to replace lost income streams. It can also be challenging to manage taxes across multiple gigs.
Ultimately, the ideal scenario may be a combination of both traditional work and side gig income. Maintain the stability of a regular job while pursuing high-earning side hustles for a level of flexibility and income growth no single job could provide. With smart planning, you can build multiple revenue streams to achieve new levels of financial and lifestyle freedom.
