Paying for school could be daunting. That’s why increasingly more parents of college-bound students are searching for additional ways to help save for his or her students’ education. This includes side hustles for parents.
Ron Lieber, author from the Price for school and a parent himself, tells Road2College: “As a two-journalist couple in New York City, even with very good, full-time jobs, it's difficult to save enough to place any college within financial reach. Having been on educational funding myself, I've always hoped that, in my daughters, money wouldn't be the main college concern. To come up with that happen, we do side work writing books, which helps us spend less than we otherwise could.”
Some families possess the means to save for several years to be able to afford tuition, while some research affording university much later. Even when your son or daughter is hustling to work summer or high school jobs to help purchase college, it may be comforting to consider side hustles as parents, to assist ensure you can send your child to school without worry. Thankfully, there are many methods to do so.
Here’s a summary of some of the best side hustles for parents, part-time jobs, and remote side gigs that may be realistic for a busy schedule.
Driving
As a parent driving your children both to and from school, sports practices, and social events, this can be something you’re already doing constantly! Many parents work and are not always open to get their kids to the important places they should be throughout the day. Word-of-mouth, flyers, and services like Hop Skip Drive, a driving service for kids in a few select areas, are great opportunities for parents to begin a side hustle which helps out other parents.
Alternatively, you can drive passengers for Uber or Lyft or make deliveries for companies including Amazon, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, or Grubhub. Useful provided through apps, and drivers have flexibility over their hours.
Caregiving and Babysitting
Whether it’s taking care of children, taking care of elderly folks in your area, or acting as a senior concierge, there are plenty of opportunities to make connections with families and individuals in need of extra support. Pet sitting and dog walking can also be lucrative methods to have extra cash-if caring for four-legged friends is more your look.
Hosting a Rental
Renting out property or spare rooms is a great way to earn money without an excessive amount of extra effort or time from your schedule. For those who have an area that could host guests, this side hustle can done be through websites like Airbnb. For those who have spare car or are using yours less-due to working remotely or a similar situation-you can sign up for services that connect you with individuals looking to rent cars.
Teaching Skills and Services
Do you've got a skill that can help people? Ideas for online or in-person classes include tutoring for a variety of ages and subjects, like music, athletics, other languages, or crafting. A Facebook user within the Road2College Affording university 101 (PFC 101) group shared, “I teach kids in China English (VIPKid). Every penny I make goes toward tuition. It's been a game-changer for all of us.”
Additionally, just like skills, you may also think about what services you may be able to offer. Are you aware how to sew or tailor clothing? Do you enjoy gardening? Think about making flyers or posting on social networking to market these skills and services.
Part-Time Work
PFC 101 members also suggested part-time gigs that allow you to make tips, for example bartending, catering, waiting tables, valet parking, and working tables at casinos. Others suggested getting involved in your local school district as an alternative teacher, lunch aid, or youth sports referee.
Selling Things
One of the greatest side gigs you can do at home is selling products and goods. If you are crafty, you are able to open an Etsy shop or join another online marketplace to market anything from knits to artwork. Or you might cleanse your closet or playroom to see if there’s anything you can sell.
A Facebook user in Road2College's PFC 101 group shared their experience selling items as a side gig to pay for college. “I took on the project not too long ago of selling magazine back issues on Ebay. I earned over $3,500 of profit for the part-time hours that I put into it,” i was told that. “While that won't appear to be a huge life-altering 'side gig,' it had been coupled with different ways that I’d found to improve income and/or reduce expenses.”
Writing for Websites, Publications, or any other Organizations
This is a great option for individuals with writing skills who want to work from home. Websites like Upwork and even can connect you with freelance jobs copywriting for any wide variety of businesses.
When you are looking at advice on using side gigs to earn money, another member of PFC 101 shared, “where there's a will, there is a way! So many opportunities available.”
If you do some investigation, you can find fun and fulfilling opportunities that fit your schedule and help you earn some extra money to place toward college expenses.