Dave Ramsey: 10 Side Hustles That Pay More Than You'd Think
Dave Ramsey's never been shy about pushing side hustles. He's even curated a list of everyday gigs he recommends that pay more than most people assume.
We ran his picks by industry experts to see if the math actually holds up, and the verdict? Mostly yes, with a few real-world caveats Ramsey left out. Here's what to know before you dive in.
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1. Online Tutoring Services
Average earnings: $18.80 per hour
Paul W. Carlson, a certified public accountant (CPA) and the managing partner of Law Firm Velocity, agreed with Ramsey that online tutoring is a great side hustle “as the profit margins are extremely clean.”
“When you sell specialized knowledge via a simple internet connection, you don't have any up-front product costs nor any significant travel-related expenses taking away from your profits,” added Carlson.
2. Food Delivery
Average earnings: $18.45 per hour
While Carlson expressed that delivering food has great schedule flexibility for individuals needing cash quickly, he highlighted something Ramsey missed: how operating costs cut into “profits.”
“It's important to document all miles driven, the exact amount of fuel consumed and your vehicle's depreciating value,” Carlson noted. Otherwise, you might overestimate what you're actually making.
3. Perform Odd Jobs
Average earnings: variable, depends on how much you charge
According to Carlson, odd jobs are another opportunity if you possess a legitimate skill, such as furniture assembly or wall painting, which is why it made Ramsey’s list in the first place.
“By being able to price your work based on the level of difficulty of the job, your maximum earnings potential is significantly greater than most typical app-based gig work,” said Carlson. “Focus on the highest-demand home-based tasks that require specialized skills to increase your hourly wage.”
4. Rent Out Your Home
Average earnings: variable, depends on location and rental type
Ryan Barone, co-founder and CEO of RentRedi, seconded Ramsey’s advocacy of renting out a living space, but advised anyone doing this to think outside the box.
“Using your home or the extra space in it for long-term rentals will produce a much steadier source of income and overall better returns,” Barone stated. “There are many spaces in a home that can be used and rented out for storage, such as basements, attics, closets and storage sheds. Even an expansive, well-appointed yard can be rented out for events, photo shoots or filming locations.”
5. Writing and Graphic Design
Average earnings: $23.27 - $34.67 per hour
Carlson and Ramsey are on the same page when it comes to selling your creative talent via freelance sites. For example, Carlson called Fiverr “a fantastic way to monetize your writing or graphic design skills.”
“To turn this into a highly profitable venture, freelancers should transition from lower-priced one-time gigs to establishing long-term relationships with stable corporate clients to secure regular monthly retainers,” said Carlson.
6. Ridesharing
Average earnings: $21.12 per hour
“Riding with passengers during peak-demand weekends can produce a significant, quick influx of funds,” explained Carlson. However, he also pointed out that just like food delivery, rideshare drivers must keep track of operation costs.
He said, “Make sure to drive only during peak hour surges, such as Friday night rush periods, to maximize your profit per mile."
7. Pet Sitting
Average earnings: $16.05 per hour
Carlson and Ramsey also agree that pet sitting can be a great side hustle because watching pets is easy and low risk with little to no overhead costs.
“Because of pet owners' loyalty to trustworthy pet sitters, they'll willingly pay a premium for peace of mind while traveling,” Carlson added.
8. Vehicle Detailing
Average earnings: $16.17 per hour
Detailing cars is another overlooked opportunity with low starting costs, according to Carlson. You just have to be able to pay for your basic cleaning supplies.
Carlson noted, "The perceived value of providing a complete detail service to a busy vehicle owner is huge." Because of that, you can command premium prices for on-site detailing services.
9. Rent Out Your Vehicle
Average earnings: $874 per month renting with Turo
“Renting out your vehicle through peer-to-peer services such as Turo can provide impressive returns, especially since many vehicles sit idle during weekdays,” said Carlson.
There is a caveat, though, that Carlson pointed out: “You must include accelerated depreciation and increased insurance risks in your calculations.”
10. Grocery Delivery
Average earnings: $38.41 per hour
Generally speaking, Carlson pointed to the fact that grocery delivery yields a slightly higher average return than standard fast-food delivery services because consumers usually tip more for larger grocery orders.
Carlson advised gig workers delivering groceries to plan efficiently and accept grocery orders only during non-peak hours to save time.
Editor's note: All average earnings figures sourced via ZipRecruiter unless otherwise stated.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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