Suck at money? Congrats. You’re part of the 99 percent of people in their 20s floundering when it comes to finance. Adulting is hard, and money is harder—especially when it’s your own and not your parents. My Two Cents is here to break down everything you need to know about finance, business, and entrepreneurship. We’ll tackle all the basics, from how to get a business permit to how to invest in stocks, to educate the fledgling adults on how to not go broke.
Welcome to the idiot’s guide to money. Lesson #15: Profiting off sideline jobs.
The reality is, sometimes the nine-to-five job just doesn’t cut it when it comes to bills, payments, and daily expenses. That’s why the side hustle was created as a means of helping people earn more money without having to give up their main source of income. The modern economy has evolved to allow you to juggle multiple jobs and responsibilities, and we’ve listed down a couple of sideline jobs that you can do in your spare time, without distracting you from your main career.
The trick to the side hustle is finding something you’re good at and capitalizing on this skill, whether it’s something as simple as patience (perfect for Grab drivers when it comes to traffic) or something a little more specialized (like graphic design or programming).
As writer Anais Nin once said, “Good things happen to those who hustle.”
1| Grab driver
For those who have shorter work hours—and already have a car—you can spend your spare time helping all the stressed commuters of Manila as a Grab driver. This is particularly handy for those with a night shift, so they can service commuters during daytime rush hours, which usually has the highest fares. If you can pitch in about three hours a day, you could potentially earn up to P2,000 per day.
2| Airbnb host
Becoming an Airbnb host is one lucrative way of earning passive income, which means you can make money even as you sleep. You’ll need your own property to become an Airbnb host, and depending on the location and quality of your abode, you could make around P1,500 or more per night.
3| Online shop vendor
If you’re a natural salesman, setting up an online shop might be the best way to profit off your skills. With Shopee, Lazada, Facebook Marketplace, and even Instagram, it’s become easier to sell products online. Find something only you can specialize in, like hard-to-find skincare products from abroad or tech accessories, and start your small online shop. Depending on what you plan to sell, we estimate an online shop can earn about P4,000 per month in profit.
4| Writer
Having a knack for writing is one of the most useful tools to have in your career. It’s a skill that can be applied to almost every type of sideline job. You can apply for project-based jobs that might require you to write an advertising slogan, public relations press release, business report, website content, and various types of content creation. If you have a talent for storytelling or reporting, you could even contribute to well-known publications. For this to work, freelance writers will need to develop a strong network of connections. You can also try websites like Upwork and Outsourcely. Income will depend on the project and the client, but we estimate you could earn about P5,000 on a month-long project.
5| Event planner
If you have the patience and temperament to deal with bridezillas, screaming children, and grumpy clients, becoming a part-time event planner might be the right course of action for you. Like freelance writers, you’d need to develop a strong network of clients and connections. This sideline job is perfect for those who pay attention to detail, are skilled in logistics, and can keep track of multiple tasks happening all at the same time. It’s a tough, high-stress job, but if you can pull it off, event planners can earn, for every day they spend planning an event, around P2,000 for birthdays and corporate events and up to P5,000 for weddings. And that’s just for a production assistant.
6| Vlogger
Popular YouTube vloggers are known for making millions just off video advertisements and sponsors. But it took them years to build their video business after creating connections and slowly growing their audience base. If you want to be like them, you have to start at the bottom. Find a topic only you can discuss, and go for something substantial and marketable, like tech unboxing or financial tips. After a few videos, you could be earning around P3,000 a month and even more if you put the time into it.
7| Graphic designer
If you’ve got an artistic side, graphic designers are in high demand nowadays. It’s a job that can be done from anywhere, so this sideline job can be done from the comfort of your home. Websites like Upwork and Outsourcely also list part-time jobs and project-based jobs related to graphic design. You can also try out DesignCrowd. The fee depends on the project, but we’d estimate it’s around P5,000 per project.
8| Virtual assistant
Websites like PhilTeamFinder are catered to those who need home-based jobs, particularly single mothers. Working completely online part-time will require a certain number of hours, and your employer will depend on what your capabilities are. It’s a pretty convenient side hustle to have, especially since you can earn around P10,000 per month.
9| Caterer
If people have commented before on the (good) quality of your cooking, why not capitalize on your skill and create a small catering business. Filipinos love fiestas, gatherings, and parties, so the demand for good food in large servings will never diminish. Depending on the frequency of the orders, you could earn about P2,000 per month.
10| Web and mobile developer
Some of the most in-demand specialized jobs right now are in the field of web and mobile development. The good thing is these projects can be done from anywhere, which is why there are so many postings for project-based web and mobile developers. Upwork is perhaps your best bet for web and mobile development projects, and you can start with a fee of around P500 per hour, making this one of the most lucrative sideline jobs out there.
