According to official statistics, unemployment in the Netherlands stands at just over 3 percent, in the UK at almost 5 percent, and in the US at around 6 percent. While this is a vast improvement on last year’s Covid-19 unemployment numbers, many have reduced their work hours and remain anxious about job stability.
And with market uncertainty, more and more people are choosing to set up hustles they can run in their spare time. Running a side business from home is easier than ever, highlights Anika Visser from SWEETESTHOME.nl. “Today’s workforce is increasingly more mobile, with more people having the luxury of setting up a home office and working their main job from home. This makes running a side business far more realistic since you can take care of your urgent side hustle tasks between 9 and 5, if necessary,” she says. “Side businesses also come with numerous benefits including extra money, personal satisfaction, and new skills.”
Whether you are looking to supplement your current income or hope to one day turn your side hustle into a full-time gig, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Sell items on Ebay, Craigslist, or Esty
If you no longer need items, such as household appliances and furniture, selling them online can be a great money maker. Once you get the hang of platforms such as Craigslist and Ebay, you can even sell items for other people with a small commission for every sale. Just be sure to take high-quality photos of each item you put on sale. If you are into arts and crafts, you can also sell handmade goods on Etsy.
Become a Tutor
Whether it is a foreign language, math, or science, you can share your skills with others by becoming an online tutor. Why not put up flyers at your local school? You can also use platforms such as Craigslist for advertising your skills. Alternatively, marketplaces like AllCourse hire online teachers and connect them with schools that need to fill vacancies and are in need of specialized tutors in a broad range of subjects.
If you are interested in teaching English as a Second Language, start by earning your TEFL degree, a prerequisite for most online jobs. There are many schools around the globe looking for native-level English teachers to conduct private online lessons.
Rent Your Spare Room on Airbnb.
There are many travellers and digital nomads out there looking for a place to stay for a few nights, few weeks, and even months at a time. Depending on your living situation, you can make good money by renting one of your rooms to them on Airbnb. The payment usually comes through as soon as 24 hours after each guest’s check-in.
