Does your job take precedence over your wellbeing? That may have been the case a couple of years ago, but the majority of the workforce in 2024 has shifted its priorities. According to the 2024 Endpoint Ecosystem study, personal wellbeing has emerged as the primary concern and priority for 83% of workers, surpassing even job satisfaction. This marks a significant 10% increase from the sentiments expressed by workers in 2022.
Given this current state of affairs, it is only natural that employees are seeking solutions that accommodate their number one priority of enhancing or improving their wellbeing while working. With the number of hours worked each week being a central factor in workplace wellbeing, individuals are now seeking side hustles and passive income streams that do not require excessive time commitments, thereby avoiding burnout.
If you are a professional looking to boost your salary without having to work excessively long and unsociable hours, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that the side hustles discussed below are not only highly lucrative but also only occupy a fraction of your time. This allows you to devote a greater share of your time to what matters most: taking care of your overall wellbeing.
1. Freelance Writing
Of course, a list of side hustles would be incomplete without some mention of freelance writing. You can pick up gigs to write copy, be a ghostwriter, or write articles and stories as a freelance journalist or contributor, spending as little or as much time as you'd like each week. This is highly flexible, and what you put in is what you get out.
2. Proofreading And Editing
You can get paid to proofread student work or proofread and edit documents or communications relating to your specialism (for example to review and edit grant applications, a white paper, or a press release).
3. Selling On eBay
Do you have any pre-loved items taking up space in your loft, storage, or garage that you no longer need or use? If they are in a saleable condition—or can be renovated without costing too much money—why not sell them for a profit on online marketplaces such as eBay?
Customers bidding for your goods on eBay can significantly raise the value of your goods, especially if it is highly competitive (however, this is not always a guarantee).
4. Renting Assets
Sometimes you may not want to completely give away your goods, but you may not use them often either. In between uses, you could make money by renting them out on platforms such as Fat Llama. Some ideas of what to rent include tools, cameras, and spare laptops in useable condition.
5. Public Speaking
Public speaking is an excellent high-paying side hustle that can yield thousands of dollars for only a few hours of work—most of which is spent in the prep for the speaking engagement, which can be delivered on occasions such as a conference or training event.
Some people, especially as newbies or if not so popular in their industry, make around $1,000 at the entry level, and others who are more seasoned industry experts or speakers can command speaker fees of as much as $10,000 and above.
6. Coaching
Coaching is another side hustle that only takes a few hours of your time each week, depending on how many clients you decide to take on, of course. Coaching actually helps you to improve your own wellbeing, because it empowers you to practice the mindfulness, self-reflection, and goal-setting that you are teaching others.
7. Affiliate Marketing
If you run a blog or vlog as a hobby, you can maximize your earnings by including affiliate links to other products or services from other companies, that complement your topic.
Just remember to include a disclaimer, for the sake of transparency, so that others know that you will receive some compensation if they click and purchase the product. Once set up, this takes hardly any time at all.
8. Notary Public
Notaries are typically used to authenticate documentation, such as an affidavit, which is used in court for legal proceedings, and in other matters where certified genuine legal documentation is necessary.
On Upwork, freelance notaries are listing their notarizing services for as much as $100-$250 per hour. According to the National Notary Association, you'll usually need to meet state requirements, which can include an application, training from a vendor, and passing a state exam.
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from if you're looking to make money while cutting down on working endless hours. With these eight side hustles, you can ensure you are not becoming a slave to time, trading your time for money, but instead, will be more in control of your work schedule, being flexible on your own terms.