4 Ideas for Making Money on the Side

The ubiquity of the internet has made it much easier for people to pursue side hustles even in the comfort of their own homes. Filipinos, being second on the list of the most active social media and internet users globally, have maximized the economic opportunities that the internet offers. Many have made a serious effort to convert their spare time to cash and earn on the side while maintaining a full-time job.

Getting a side hustle is a great way to earn additional funds and secure your finances amid unpredictable economic scenarios. For one, a sideline provides you with a way to put together a financial cushion for emergencies. For another, it can help you gain additional industry experience in case you want to improve your career options or become a consultant later on.

If you’ve decided to use your skills or knowledge to start a side hustle, here are some ideas on how you can use your spare time to generate extra income:

Turn Your Skills into Freelance Gigs

Freelancing is one of the most popular ways for Filipinos to earn extra income. It’s also a common way to build a professional portfolio, especially for creative jobs like graphic design, content writing, and video editing. Other lucrative freelancing opportunities include web and software development, data encoding, social media management, and virtual assistant services.

But before applying for a freelance gig, you should remember that having the right equipment is often a prerequisite for such projects. A lot of high-paying, home-based gigs require high-speed internet connections and powerful laptops to ensure a smooth working experience, especially if you’ll be working with clients from the other side of the globe.

However, a state-of-the-art laptop can be hard to afford if you’re just starting in whatever freelance industry you’ve chosen. As a beginner freelancer, though, buying a second hand laptop for sale at a trusted local seller may actually be a more practical option. This is a great way to meet your prospective job’s minimum equipment requirements without breaking the bank.

Participate in Online Buy-and-Sell Activities

Besides using your skills to earn extra cash, you can also make money by selling any personal belongings you no longer need or want.

There are plenty of avenues where you can sell your wares on the internet, such as buy-and-sell websites, social media groups, and e-commerce sites, to name a few. Some of these platforms are even designed for the buying and selling of specific kinds of items, with some only allowing listings for handmade items, second-hand items, or electronics, for example. From ukay clothes to hard-to-find memorabilia, the possibilities for online selling are limitless.

That said, it would be best to choose a platform with a reputation for security and efficiency. A reputable platform assures you that your transactions are safe and that you’re interacting with trusted buyers and sellers.

Monetize Your Hobbies

The pandemic has introduced us to a slew of homemaking hobbies, from making ube cheese pandesal to brewing dalgona coffee. If you’ve cultivated your hobbies well enough to garner a solid reputation among your social circles, you can try your luck at putting up your own small business based on your passion.

Are you into arts and crafts, for example? Some income-generating activities you can easily do at home include making jewelry, creating embroidered apparel, and selling customized t-shirts, to name a few. You can then sell your finished work online or start a makeshift shop near your home. Are you into gaming? You can start building a following by streaming your playthroughs and connecting with the gaming community.

If you have a knack for talking about your hobbies, travels, or anything under the sun, you can take your storytelling skills to the next level and set up a blog, vlog, or podcast about them. Once you gain a following, you can get sponsorships and earn revenue through paid ads.

Rent Out Your Available Space

Real estate is one of the most common ways to get passive income. Indeed, leasing your space can be lucrative if you live in areas with a large student population or high tourist traffic. If you have a large property or extra space in your home, you can rent it out or flip it for homestays. You can also market it to staycationers looking for hotel alternatives.

Don’t have an extra house or room to rent out? If there are times of the year when you’re away from home, such as for vacations or business trips, consider putting your living space up for rent during these periods.

Don’t Be Afraid to Do the Hustle!

Filipinos are no strangers to having multiple streams of income. From running sari-sari stores to taking on transcription jobs, there are a lot of opportunities that resourceful Filipinos can pursue. But even with a lack of resources, you shouldn’t get discouraged from trying to achieve a more comfortable life through various means of earning money. With enough grit, determination, and luck, you can start building a sturdy financial bedrock from your side hustles—and potentially nurture your talents along the way.