12 Pandemic Proof Side Hustles to Make an Extra $1,000 a Month
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With unemployment rates at an all-time high, what better time is there than now to find new creative ways to earn income? Now is the time to expand your thinking and learn to make money in a few non-traditional, but (legal) ways. If you are tired of people recommending the same old scammy work-from-home, remote jobs, and side hustles, then you need to keep reading these 12 pandemic-proof side hustles which can be done separately or together with your spouse. So, let’s just go ahead and jump right in.
1. Sell your Poetry
If you have the gift of writing poetry, then consider selling some of your original work to online sites such as Sun Magazine, Poetry Foundation, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Rattle, and Boulevard Magazine. Some of these sites are paying as much as $250 for one submission. However; each site has different submission guidelines and payment terms. Some of them even accept multiple submissions. So be sure to check them out.
2. Charge for Ad Space
If you have a large audience on your own personal or business platform, then offer promo ads for businesses who are trying to grow. The business could write the ad and then you can promote it on your website, social media pages, etc. and charge a fee. Because it would be your own business, you could charge what you want. This is one of the 12 pandemic proof side hustles that will never go out of style!
3. Create a Neighborhood Homeschooling Pod
People have been homeschooling for years, but now there is an additional need for homeschooling teachers due to parents not wanting to send their children back to school with the very real threat of kids getting sick. Creating a neighborhood homeschooling pod will provide children with the learning support they need during this unprecedented time.
Offering a homeschooling pod for kids of essential and remote working parents might be a God-send for some parents because kids will be with families who they know and will still get the opportunity to be in an environment with an actual teacher. This will require some planning. However; it can be done. So, get together with a few moms or dads in the neighborhood and see who is up for the challenge. Earning potential will be based on the number of students enrolled in the pod.
4. Sell Supper Plates
People are always up for a good meal and are more than willing to pay for one. For those who can whip up a mouth-watering meal, selling supper plates might be a great side hustle for you. Supper plates can consist of a variety of different food items such as baked macaroni, chicken, green peas, and potato salad. There are also healthier options typically offered as well. Start by creating weekly menus. Then begin taking pre-orders via social media. Make sure you set up some sort of PayPal, Square, or Stripe account to accept payments securely.
5. Get Rid of your Clutter
We all have items in our homes that are just laying around collecting dust. If this sounds like you, then why not sell these items? Go through your closets, garage, and attic to find items to sell on platforms such as NextDoor or Facebook Marketplace, etc. Do this once per month until you run out of things to sell. Remember, what they say, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”
6. Become a Virtual Friend
Do you enjoy meeting and hanging out with new people? If so, then Rent a Friend is a site that allows you to do just that, while also getting paid for it. People on this site are looking for friends to play sports with, attend parties, or important gatherings, sightseeing, shopping, Facetime, text, talk on the phone, etc. Just so you are clear, this is NOT a dating site or escort service!
According to the website, this is a site that allows you to rent local friends from all over the world. Please note that you must negotiate your own rates, as the site does not handle payment arrangements. However; if you decide to become a virtual friend, please do your due diligence, read reviews, and ensure that everything checks out before partaking in this pandemic proof side hustle!
7. Work as a Courier
Many of us have long-standing relationships with delivery companies such as Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Instant Cart, etc. However; there’s a new kid on the block. Since people no longer want to leave their homes to partake in adult beverages, the perfect opportunity awaits you via the Saucey app. If you are up for the challenge, you can earn cash by becoming a courier for Saucey and delivering adult beverages after midnight. Since they are pretty new to the delivery game, this company is only providing on-demand delivery service in a few of the major cities such as Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Miami to name a few. However; they are actively expanding.
8. Test Websites, Software, and Apps
Everyday companies are looking for people to test certain websites, software, and applications. If you are interested in making the web a better place, then why not answer questions about the functionality, usability, and design of websites and apps! Sites like Userbob, WhatUsersDo, and Trymyui will pay you to do just that! This gig can certainly bring in a few dollars. However; because there are significantly more testers than customers, you may not qualify to test a bunch of sites every day.
9. Become an Online Juror
If you enjoy shows such as Law & Order, then this might prove to be the perfect side-hustle for you! To become a juror with Online Verdict, you must be a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 with a completed juror profile. Jurors who successfully complete a case will receive anywhere from $20-$60 per case. You will receive a 1099 form if you are paid more than $600 in one year from Online Verdict.
10. Process Mail Online
The mission of US Monitor is to provide the best mail monitoring and list protection service to its customers. They monitor millions of pieces of mail and protect mailing lists for some of the nation’s largest direct mail users which includes some of the following industries: catalogers, publishers, credit cards, financial institutions, insurance, nonprofit organizations, etc. If this sounds interesting to you, then consider becoming an agent for US Monitor. Agents spend an hour or less each day processing mail online.
11. Sell Art and Illustrations
We can’t forget about all of the folks with artistic talent. There’s something for you too! If you can draw, paint, etc., try selling art online to sites such as RedBubble, Amber Lotus Publishing, Caspari, Bayview Press, Gina B Designs. These sites all have different guidelines and payment terms. Some require you to send in your documents via snail mail, while others require you to use their online form. Be sure to check out the various submission requirements and submit your artwork today!
12. Narrate Audiobooks
If you have a good speaking voice and can read well, then sites like Upwork have multiple postings for Audiobook Narrators. Many of these gigs are paid hourly and can vary in price depending on the length of the project. Some of the companies might require you to submit an MP3 audio sample. However; if this is something that sounds interesting, then you may want to give it a try!
Final Thoughts
You have now been given 12 pandemic-proof side hustles you need to try now in order to start making some money. For 8 of these side hustles, you won’t even need to leave your house. If you are looking for ways to make extra income, these are definitely jobs that you might not have thought of. Take some time to set up your profiles and try these side hustles out today. Happy Earning!
