Working your regular 9-5 job isn't always enough to cover the bills in this day and age. If you're a 21 year old looking for ways to make some extra cash on the side, look no further.
In this blog, we'll look at four side hustles that can help you beef up your bank account as a 21 year old. So what are you waiting for? Let's get right into it!
Blogging
Blogging is one of the most popular side hustles available to 21 year olds. With the advancement of technology, blogging has become a viable way to make money without requiring any long-term commitments or expensive investments. Many experienced bloggers are making money online by simply creating blogs, providing helpful content and monetizing it.
This passive side hustle can be as simple as starting a blog and writing about topics that you’re passionate about and have knowledge in. Or it can be more complicated with things like inserting custom ads, optimizing for search engine optimization (SEO) and creating products like e-books to be sold online.
You will need some basic technical skills like web design, HTML and setting up hosting accounts but this does not have to cost much money or take too much time for you to learn. Once the website is created, you need to focus on generating quality content which can be done via blog posts, video tutorials etc. You can then monetize your blog through affiliate marketing or Google AdSense advertising amongst other avenues.
Overall blogging has become an increasingly popular activity as more people become interested in starting their own business online with minimal effort and costs associated. As you gain experience your income potential will increase while giving you flexible hours that allow freedom of choice in how much or how little you want to work on your blog at any given time. This makes it the perfect side hustle for 21 year olds who might not have much free time available due to school or part-time job related commitments yet still want some extra income earning opportunity available whenever they have free moments for extra cash flow!
Paid Surveys
Side hustles for 21-year-olds are an excellent way to make extra money on the side. Even if you don’t have a traditional job, there are still numerous opportunities that can help to supplement your income while providing convenience and flexibility. One of those options is completing paid surveys online.
These surveys are one of the simplest ways to make money as a 21 year old, offering a great opportunity to earn some extra cash with minimal effort. Each survey normally pays between $2-5 and most can be done in 15 minutes or less. All you have to do is provide honest feedback on products, services and even your shopping habits.
Some of the best sites for taking online surveys include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie and InboxDollars. These websites offer users access to a wide range of daily surveys, including product tests and opinion polls on topics like politics, business and entertainment. They also give cashback for referring new members or completing tasks like website searches or creating content reviews.
Other platforms partner with market research companies that conduct research for big brands like Unilever or Gap so you could be asked to participate in focus groups or shop online and provide feedback about the experience afterwards in exchange for rewards points that you can cash out for PayPal credit or gift cards from your favorite retailers.
By dedicating just a few hours each week towards taking paid surveys, you can easily complement your income without leaving home!
YouTuber
If you’re a 21 year old looking for a side hustle to make some extra money, consider becoming a YouTuber. This option has been on the rise in recent years, and many people have become successful YouTubers. It does require work and dedication, but it is a great way to create your own online business and make some extra money.
Before creating a YouTube channel, log in with your Google account. This will allow you to access all the features YouTube offers and give you the ability to monetize your content if desired. Then decide on a topic for your channel – it can be about anything that interests you or likely will entertain viewers. Once your topic has been established, create video content around that topic – research relevant topics, film yourself talking about them, or create short informational videos with images or graphs as visuals. Make sure each video is edited with high-quality audio and video editing software as this can drastically improve how viewers perceive the overall quality of your production.
You can monetize certain videos once your channel reaches 1,000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time within 12 months through Google Adsense which runs ads before or during each video you post so that when viewers watch those ads they are paying for someone else’s services (including yours). As more people view your content throughout the year, more views bring more revenue (the money earned from advertisements between each respective view.) Post regularly – aim for at least 3 times per week as well as engaging comments on other YouTubers’ videos or social media platforms like Twitter/Instagram since they could potentially visit you back having noticed that interaction – this way you can extend yourself up to other view points outside of just who visited already subscribed (reaching out farther than just what’s already present). All in all, if done right – turns out creating engaging full-time YouTube content can potentially earn around $500-$3000 per month!
Freelancing
For ambitious 21-year-olds looking to make some extra cash while they figure out their career path, freelance writing provides a great side hustle. Freelance writing offers the freedom to work remotely and set your own schedule and rates.
As a freelance writer, you can specialize in your area of interest—whether that’s ghost writing, technical writing or copywriting. You can also branch out into other forms of creative work such as blogging, ebook creation, resume building etc.
When it comes to finding paying gigs as a freelancer, the best option is often to start locally with businesses that need content for websites and brochures. You can also reach out to digital outlets such as magazines, newspapers and blogs that run written pieces. Depending on the outlet’s requirements you may even be able to submit an article without having any previous experience as a freelance writer.
Social media platforms are another great way to promote yourself and connect with potential clients; create an impressive portfolio website or blog that showcases some of your past work so people can quickly get an idea of who you are and what kind of services you offer.
When setting your rates as a freelancer it’s important not to undervalue yourself; price your services according to the industry standard rate for similar work but be sure not to overprice yourself either or risk losing out on potential clients due to cost.
Bartender
At 21, many young adults are looking for creative ways to start earning an extra income and a lucrative side hustle is a great way to do that. Bartending is one of the most popular side hustles for 21 year olds as it can provide a steady stream of income and is relatively easy to learn. Through proper training and obtaining the applicable certifications, you can increase your skillset which can help boost your earnings.
Bartenders typically earn money from tips as well as hourly wages which vary depending on the individual location. The number of hours bartending also varies depending on where you work, but most bartending positions offer flexible hours so you won’t be locked into strict shift times. In addition, many bartending locations also provide discounts or complimentary meals for staff members which helps reduce costs associated with working late evenings or weekends.
If you’ve been considering becoming a bartender, there are several resources at your disposal that will guide you in learning the necessary skill sets required for any successful bartender position. Whether it’s signing up for online classes or finding a local mentor to guide you along the way, there are many opportunities available to help enhance your knowledge of drink making techniques and customer service skillsets.
Moreover, bartenders must have exceptional memory capabilities when it comes to storing cocktail recipes in their head. If you enjoy working with other people and serving drinks in high energy environments this could be an ideal fit! For ambitious 21 year olds looking to start their first side hustle or simply maximize their current earning potential, bartending could be a perfect option to explore further.
Pet Sitting
If you’re looking for a unique side hustle that allows you to take advantage of your love of animals, then pet sitting may be the perfect gig. Pet sitters provide daytime and overnight care to pets while their owners are away. This could include walks, baths and grooming, playtime, administering medications and other needs or duties specific to the animal's needs.
Being a pet sitter can be a rewarding experience – not only will you get the satisfaction of caring for animals, but you’ll also get paid for it! Payment for pet sitting varies greatly depending on your location and services offered; however, most pet sitters make between ten and twenty dollars per hour with some earning as much as thirty dollars per hour.
If you're under 21 years old, there are still ways that you can get involved in pet sitting. Several websites allow pet owners to find trusted pet sitters in their area – like Rover or Care.com – so this could be a great way to start out on your own as an independent contractor. You can also seek out opportunities through local shelters or community centers where adults may need assistance with animal care while they go about their day-to-day activities.
Pet sitting is an incredibly flexible job option and something that will benefit not only your wallet but also the furry friends around you who need someone reliable that they can trust!
Delivery Driver
Delivery Driver is a great side hustle option for 21 year olds. With food delivery services booming, it can be an easy and flexible way to make money. Popular delivery services, such as Doordash and Instacart, allow you to sign up and start delivering with no minimum hours or commitment. You are able to create your own schedule and choose when and where you want to deliver.
This can be particularly beneficial for students or young people who might not have the ability or time to take on a more traditional job with set hours. Furthermore, these services provide a variety of ways to make money through extra bonuses, tips from customers, and even referral programs which allow you to earn extra cash for referring new drivers or customers.
For those interested in becoming a delivery driver, there are few requirements. You must be at least 21 years old and possess an up-to-date license (for some services public transportation may also be accepted). Additionally, if you’re using your car you must have proof of vehicle insurance that meets the minimum state requirements. Most importantly though is availability — being able to show up when orders are placed by customers is essential in earning good ratings within the companies’ systems.
Overall, being a Delivery Driver is a great option for making additional income while having the flexibility of creating your own hours. It requires minimal investment in terms of requirements and preparation — all that is needed is reliable transportation (or access to public transportation) — making it ideal for those who don’t want or need traditional employment but still need an income boost every now and then
Final Thoughts on Side Hustles for 21 Year Olds
There are plenty of side hustles for 21 year olds to make money on the side.
Whether you're still on college, or you're just finished – you can use these side hustle ideas to make extra cash on the side.
Looking for more side hustles? Check out these ways to make $150 a day!
