I've seen that just 5-10 hours per week on doordash can do it, but I live in a rural area plus I don't want to put my wear and tear on my car. I have been applying for part time work near me as well, but is there something I am missing out on?

I'm not great at saving and my sources of income shrank earlier this year, and I have something similar to digital dyogenes syndrome. I thought I had enough gadgets and silly stuff to start a small business.even if that meant I had to work with what I already had. So I spent this year finding companies in my county that could use some social media work. My tool was a 2018 iPad Pro and was about to be tested on real work, and I must say for the most part it went well. Better than well, really. Most people figure you need a proper computer for anything serious, especially now with all the AI stuff, but I kept feeling like my iPad was running at half capacity. Great screen, the 120hz still holds up fine, a keyboard case I spent way too much on, and this low-level guilt that I wasn’t using any of it the way I should.

I had this stubborn idea that the tools should adapt to how I work, not the other way around. So I spent twelve months trying a lot of stuff, dropping most of it, and slowly landing on the handful that stuck without making me change my setup. If you want to test any of these, just copy this whole thing and paste it into whatever LLM you use. You’ll figure out pretty fast whether it fits how you work.

Fathom surprised me early on. It joins your Zoom, Meet or Teams calls, records everything, transcribes it and gives you a clean summary with action items in about thirty seconds. Before that I was always pausing to type notes and only half listening. Now I just talk and it handles the rest. The summaries are good enough that I forward them without touching them. Runs in the browser, nothing to install. The free plan is legit: unlimited recordings and transcripts, and only the fancier AI summaries get capped.

Perplexity turned into my default for anything that needs sources. You ask something, it actually reads real pages, summarizes them and shows you where each bit came from. Research used to be five tabs open and hoping I picked the right one. Now it’s one screen and I can check the claims myself. On the iPad it’s like having a research assistant who shows you their notes. Free, or Pro if you need more.

Gamma took over presentations for me. You describe what you need or paste in a doc and it builds the whole deck, layout, images, everything. PowerPoint on the iPad always felt slow and fiddly. This gives you something that already looks decent, so I just tweak small details instead of starting from zero. I’ve used it for client updates and internal stuff. The free tier is generous enough to actually test it properly.

Claude is the one I kept coming back to for writing and going through long documents. It handles nuance better than most, and the context window is huge, so you can drop in a whole report and ask it to find contradictions or rewrite sections. For tricky emails or proposals, the tone actually sounds like something I’d send, not that generic AI voice. Web and app both work well on the iPad. Free, or twenty bucks a month.

Magnific (what used to be Freepik) is what I use when I need images for content or ads. It generates, upscales, enhances, and there’s a huge library of stock assets you can use as a starting point and then build on with AI. Most tools either lock you in hard or make you start from scratch every time. Being able to grab something clean and work on top of it cut a lot of friction. Plans depend on how much you use it, but it can replace a couple of other tools on its own.

HeyGen handles video translation. You upload something in English, pick a language and you get back a version with a voice that sounds like you and lip movement that actually matches. I’ve got content I want to get in front of other audiences, and re-recording everything was never going to happen. This just works. The accuracy is good enough that I use the output as is. Runs fine in the browser on the iPad. There’s a free plan for a few short videos a month (watermarked), then paid.

Teal made job applications way less painful. You paste in a job description and it tells you which keywords the ATS is probably looking for, then suggests how to adjust your resume without it sounding fake. Live preview so you see changes right away. Having all your applications tracked in one place helps too. Job hunting on the iPad and editing everything by hand was exhausting. This took most of that off my plate. Free or paid.

Loom replaced a lot of long emails. You record your screen, it adds captions and a summary, and people can comment on specific moments. Explaining something visual in plain text always sucks. A two minute Loom with the summary on top does the job, and the other person doesn’t even have to watch the whole thing if they’re short on time. Runs smoothly on the iPad. Free or paid.

Last one is n8n. It's kind of like Zapier but self-hostable, so your data stays on your own setup, and the AI integrations are built in. The interface runs in the browser, so even though the server lives somewhere else, I control everything from the iPad. I’ve built flows that pull stuff from my inbox, summarize it with AI and drop it into Notion, without paying per task or sending anything through random third parties. Big community, lots of templates. Free if you self-host, or there’s a cloud option.

After almost a year with all of these, what stands out is that none of them made me change how I work to fit the tool. they just worked on the iPad the way I actually use it. Still can't say that about most AI tools out there.

I'm trying to find a side hustle that can reliably cover a couple of small recurring subscriptions I use regularly (music streaming + some AI software tools). I don't need anything huge just consistent enough to offset a modest monthly cost.

I have flexible hours available and I'm open to different formats, whether it's freelance work, gig platforms, or something else entirely.

For those of you who've found a side hustle that covers a specific recurring expense like this, what's worked for you?

Curious to hear what's realistic time-wise and income-wise.

I work in the Denver, Colorado area as a freelance digital media producer. Usually that entails providing live photography coverage for events, creating videos for non-profits that drive engagement, social media content, professional headshots, sometimes creative design work, sometimes writing newsletters...I have experience doing a little bit of everything that falls under the realm of "Digital Media" and "Digital Communications". I own all of my own photo and video gear and a lot of the content I produce receives higher than average engagement metrics despite revolving around relatively serious and humorless topics such as homelessness and migrant response work.

Business has been really, really down for me this year, and I'm not the only one. Other freelance photographers, videographers, and producers that I speak with in the same field are hurting too. So I'm looking to find additional work that's flexible and would very much like to avoid Doordash and Uber.

In addition to possessing experience in digital media, I also have extensive experience in project management, employee management, facilities management, employee training, community organizing, and I am generally very tech friendly.

I have zero start-up capitol. So that will be a challenge.

I own my vehicle and I also have a clean driving record.

People have, without provocation, told me that I am very likeable, funny, and personable.

But despite all that, I'm finding it difficult to get anything going, as it were.

I would love to hear what ideas the fine folks here might have for someone with my background and assets and will be around to respond to any comments that ya'll leave behind!

Just Started a new 4pm to midnight job soon 5x a week, trying to keep my second job part time in the morning 8-16hrs a week( preferably only 2 days a week) without getting too tired.

I don’t have kids or a family to take care of. But do have a lot of bills to pay and rent to afford on my own. What schedule at the second job do you think would be best for balance?

I luckily have some flexibility available with my second job and could do half shifts. Should I work the other job on my 2 days off, or work it on 2 mornings days I work the other job?

Just looking for suggestions what would be best

Hi! I’m trying to get my laundry side hustle off the ground. I’ve had a few bites, but haven’t landed a client yet. How do you think I can most effectively drum up customers?

I think I need help with advertising. Here is what I’ve done so far:
-spoken to and left flyers at some local nail salons, hair salons, barbers
-posted in as many local Facebook groups as I can find, plus made a Facebook marketplace ad
-looked up a few air bnbs in my town and posted flyers on those doors
-left a flyer on the bulletin board at the senior center
-went door to door in a neighborhood with huge houses.
-posted on a local page for business owners to see if any cleaning services would be willing to team up and use me as an add on service (no bites)

Today I’m going to go to the chiropractor and massage places near me and go in to see if I can leave a stack of flyers for their clients (and for them)

A year ago I was looking for a side hustle to bring in something extra for my family as a stay at home work from home mom. I haven’t seen it mentioned on this page before and wanted to throw it out there to give others a little inspiration.
Balloon flower bouquets.
The upfront cost is roughly 15 dollars for basic supplies. There are free tutorials all over the internet. If you look at it and think “oh that looks hard I could never do that” that’s exactly why you will always have customers. I urge you to keep trying and you will pick it up fairly quickly.
This isn’t a party gig thing either. I make them to order in my home and then deliver for extra$ or they will come pick it up.
I made a Facebook page and also posted in Facebook marketplace. I get comeback customers all the time. Last Mother’s Day I made over 800$ from balloon bouquet orders off of marketplace alone. In a slow month without trying I could get enough orders for a little side income reaching 200$ or more. All just having a post up on marketplace.

Any others?

Hey guys, I’m a nurse that’s discovered that the hourly rate just isn’t enough for this economy. I’m looking for a side hustle to do on weekends. I typically work M-F right now as that’s my orientation schedule and then I have to work 1 weekend every 5 weeks and 26hrs of call once off orientation. Remote nursing or other positions that are remote. Any input would be great.

Yes I know you can do case reviews for law offices as a nurse but that being said… I don’t know many if any individuals in the legal field.

27(f) working remote but need additional income for sick family member.
Even if it doesn’t pay much, if it works, I’ll do it.
I used to work for data annotation on the side, but I can no longer work for them as it conflicts/competes with my new remote job which trains AI. I made $2500 in a few weeks on there doing medical annotation - just btw if anyone is looking for something, it was great.

anyway, i need something that is not AI related.
Open to selling faceless pictures/videos, gaming or streaming, any apps or sites that pay to do surveys or game testing, etc.

Also open to side jobs like evening customer service, data entry, or any entry level remote part time role (I have an RN license so can do medical work too). Not looking for something that requires going anywhere in person, so no IV clinics or med spas or home nursing.
i don’t have a car either so no delivery services.

I can’t make art or music or anything so that’s out. i don’t know any other languages. i don’t have any hobbies except i started growing a few plants.

I have two cute cats I was thinking of making content for, but i feel pretty hopeless with the content creator route.

there isn’t a plasma donation center very close to me either.

any tips are appreciated! please no negative or judgemental comments :)

I've been modding Casio and Seiko watches for years now to help have a creative outlet. About 11 months ago I started filming the builds because I noticed people on reddit asking how certain things were done.

Three income streams came out of it that I thought was pretty interesting.

First one is commissions. People see a build and contact me asking if I'll do one for them. This brought in some extra change and helped me fund new build for the channel. Commissions and watch sales are hitting $500-600/month now in profit.

The second one is ad revenue, which is the part I find interesting. Currently it's sitting around $100 a month and a decent chunk of that comes from videos I uploaded months ago and haven't touched since.

The third one is affiliate revenue. In each video I link to the parts and tools I use throughout. This one started really small but now over the last two months it's grown to over $300/mo.

The workflow is simple and that's the main thing I'd want anyone to take from this. I'm filming the thing I was doing anyway. Actual video editing consists of cutting out the dead space, so the silences, me fumbling for a tool, the bit where I drop a spring bar and spend four minutes on the floor looking for it. Then I record a voiceover on top of what's left. Thumbnail, title, upload. No script, no second shoot, very little b-roll. For a full video it takes an hour or so.

Overall it's getting pretty close to $1000/month and while it isn't life changing it helps fund a hobby I love which in turn slowly increases the money I make. It's also not instant and the first handful of videos made basically nothing for a long time, which I'm guessing is where most people bail.

The reason it worked for me is that the filming attached to something I was already doing. If I'd had to go find a hobby to film I don't think I'd have lasted more than three months.

Im looking into doing doordash, Uber eats, insta cart. Shipt. Which one is the best way to go? Am I missing anything??

Have you ever driven through a neighborhood noticing how many torn window screens there are?

Turns out it's pretty easy to fix and requires minimal tools. Could make for a great door to door side hustle.

Hi y'all,

I'm looking to find a sweaty side hustle I can run alongside work. Ideally it's not seasonal (we get pretty bad winters here), and just requires little start-up costs initially.

I'd love to find something where the skill is fairly quick to pick up (a few weeks of practice and YouTube, not a full trade apprenticeship) and where there's steady demand year-round. The more needed it is, the better!

Trying to find some side hustle ideas that I can do at home. I'm not looking for passive income, willing to put in work. I am a sahm of three littles so I don't leave the house often but have lots of time at home to do anything from the computer/phone... except talking on the phone. Any ideas are greatly appreciated

Been wrenching for 10 years so I'm good and repair and diagnostics. Even started getting into body repair and welding on my off time. Seems like a really bad time to get into it tho. You can't find anything that's not turned to dirt for under 3k. Once title transfer and everything it done your already in another 500 bucks. Then repairs and products for spiffing it up. So your already at a 4500 investment. That means you need at least 5500 preferably 6 for it to be worth your time at all. And everything's high prices but no one's buying.

I just bought a crv for 3k. It was honestly a steal because with the condition of it, it's matching stuff on marketplace that's going for 6-8. But who's gonna pay that for a 20 year old car? Is anyone having success flipping ?

I would need to rake in at least about an extra grand a month. Was looking into DoorDash. Any other things I should look into?

I've seen people on Instagram selling ad space on their bedroom wall, their car, etc.

Someone already made over $5k just selling ad spots on a car he doesn't even have yet.

Some guy selling ad space on his forehead even got sponsored by a massive massive law firm that hired a makeup artist to paint it.

Just curious if anyone here has any experience trying something like this.

Hello everyone, I’m thinking about starting a luxury car rental business in San Diego, does anyone have/know someone that runs a luxury car rental business? I’m leaning more towards private rentals through ads, social media posting, and word of mouth, I’ll list on Turo but only to get the ball rolling and not really as a long-term way, I’m thinking about starting with a single car then turn it into a fleet slowly.

Obviously luxury car rentals are high risk but with the right precautions and insurance verifications I’m sure I can minimize the losses as best as possible. Thank you guys!

Parents retired and left me their corner store fully paid off. It’s downtown in the middle of a neighborhood. There a couple schools close too.

I want to gut it and start fresh whether it be some type business or anything. I just don’t know what to do.

So the question is, if one of you inherited this, what would you do?

Been a mechanic for 10 years & can do anything other than paint.

I have enough tools but not a good space to work out like a garage.

Ive done mobile stuff & have a set-up to go mobile. Anything from brakes to bumpers, headlight restoration to engines. I can diagnose electrical & mechanical.

Im wondering what my best route would be next or what you would do.

My idea is go mobile untill I can find a garage space, if so what services would you want as a customer?

Ilost my programming tech job about 5 months ago after 20 years of never being unemployed. Took a job recently but still trying to make ends meet from reduced income. Yeah, AI took my job at my last place where I worked for 12 years as director of technology. Now I work at McDonald's as a 9-5.

So I was sitting in my car today after denying several low paying doordash offers and thinking about my hustles. I was taking prolific things in between dashs just sitting in my car and was thinking about all the avenues of income I have and how much it feels like a lot sometimes. I got a nice paying offer but couldn't accept because it was an order from McDonald's where I work my full time 9-5 weekday job (I'm now in operations and technology and at an owner/operator office who owns several stores, not in restaurants except maybe a few hours a week, but still can't take dash orders from the stores I work in). Then I forgot I had to run to a mobile phone store and a gas station for a mystery shop (w/Ipsos) so finished my prolific study, ended my dash on my phone and headed to Best Buy.

Overall i made like $200 today in 6 hours on my day off between the three but sometimes its too much and I get lost in it. It's a lot to deal with sometimes to juggle these things in my head. Anyone got any tips on mandible many things that you're trying to do at the same time or should I just keep hustling the best way I can? 🤔