There were millions of people who lost their jobs since businesses started to temporarily shut down in 2020. The unemployment rate grew to 14% as reported by Pew Research. This number is greater compared to when the Great Recession in the 1920s occurred. The report also revealed that although the country is slowly getting back on its feet, there is still a long way to go. The labor market is not yet expected to rise back up again.
Whether you’ve been affected by the loss of many jobs or not, you may still be struggling financially because of the pandemic. Everybody has. So, what can you do about it? Get an extra job.
You can earn extra income by accepting jobs on the side. In this article, you can learn about a few gigs and hustles that can help you get the additional money you need. Try to explore the possibilities with each of them.
Start with Freelancing
If you have a talent in writing or know how to do research, you can try freelancing. There are many websites that offer freelancing gigs for writers. Focus on a niche to help you land a project faster.
Offer Babysitting or Childcare Services
Schools have shut down, preschools and daycare included. When will they open, nobody knows for sure yet. And with many parents remotely working now, the demand for babysitting and childcare services is mounting up. They are finding it hard to work at home and take care of their children at the same time. Childcare solutions are now one of the best side gigs to start with.
If you don’t have a child, but you love kids, this will be perfect for you. You have the time to take care of somebody else’s child and be paid for it. If you’ll consider this, keep in mind a few things. While you can’t practice social distancing for this type of job, it’s best to accept only two kids max. Wear a mask always when you’re around them and wash your hands frequently. And of course, have fun!
Offer Pet-sitting or Grooming Services
If you’re not into kids, but love pets, this one’s perfect for you. Why not try taking care of others’ pets? You can also provide grooming services if you know-how.
If you’ll take this route, make sure that you take only the number of pets you can take care of at the same time. You also have to consider the temperament of the pets you’ll be taking care of. For example, it’s not good to take care of two highly energetic dogs. You might not be able to handle the rowdiness. It’s also not okay to pair a ferret with a Jack Russell terrier. Jack Russells are known to be feisty and may nip on creatures smaller than them. A ferret would surely be injured if it’s with a Jack Russel.
If you’re allergic though, but still can’t resist dogs, inform your clients. Or you can choose to take care of hypoallergenic dogs only. There are many kinds of dogs for you. Great examples are the maltese, Schnauzers, and Bichon Frise. Crossbreeds such as Bernedoodle puppies and Labradoodles are perfect, too.
Provide Personal Services
Personal services are also in demand today. With many choosing to stay home, the need for personal services is starting to become a necessity. You can run errands, clean houses, organize closets and cabinets, and fix appliances. If you can, provide driving and repair services, too.
Capitalize on the Current Need
Because of the pandemic, certain industries grew better compared to others. The logistics and e-commerce industries, for example, have received huge growth since last year. With the shutdown of businesses and establishments, people had to rely on online stores and restaurants. People’s buying habits have shifted from visiting physical shops to ordering through the internet instead.
With this current need came other ones that you can take advantage of. According to Entrepreneur magazine, you can start a small business related to online learning, virtual healthcare, and contact-less technology. Although this kind of business would require a bigger capital compared to providing services mentioned in this article, there are others that you can try.
Janitorial side jobs are now on the rise. Many establishments are starting to open up. They would need a good cleaning service. You can also try providing medical supplies to elderly people who can’t leave their homes. And, if you have a knack for creating apps, why not launch an app that provides entertainment to people. You can start a gaming, dating, or reading app.
Options are Everywhere
The decision is now in your hands. Do you want to start a small business or work in one? Or perhaps you prefer to provide services and be self-employed? Weigh the capital and effort you need to get started.