We all could use a little extra money every now and again. It’s much easier today to earn extra money than it was 10-20 years ago, thanks to the power of the internet!
High school seniors are BUSY people: they have classes, sports, clubs, friends, part-time jobs, and college prep, all going on at the same time. It doesn’t leave much time for anything else (let alone another “job”) but I’ve compiled a list of some “side hustles” that any high school senior can consider, both prior to and during college.
DoorDash
This method of earning some extra money involves going to restaurants to pick up food delivery orders that customers have requested. It has grown in popularity over the last five years. “Dashers” work as independent contractors, setting their own hours and working as much or little as they want. They earn a $6 fee for each delivery, plus keep 100% of the tips. Depending on the day, a Dasher could earn up to $25 an hour (driving full time, they could net about $1,000 a week). The flexibility is a definite perk, but as with any commission-based job, the amount of money that can be made depends entirely on how much time and effort is put into it.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a social commerce marketplace (similar to eBay) where users can buy and sell new and secondhand fashion, home goods, and electronics for women, men, kids, pets, and more. My own daughter is chomping at the bit to open a Poshmark account so that she can sell her clothes that she no longer wants. Since I’m the one who originally purchased all of those cute clothes, I explained to her that I should be the one getting the money…BUT, if she agrees to do all the legwork (posting the item, corresponding with the client, shipping the product), then I will allow her to take about 80% of the total sales amount. This could be an excellent way to get some extra money if a student isn’t able to spend several hours per week on a part-time job.
Blogging
Blogging refers to writing, photography, and other media that is self-published online – similar to an electronic diary – for the whole world to see. A blog is really about building a relationship with readers. It requires some sort of creative skill, as a blogger has to be able to make content that is interesting enough for readers to want to come back again. The key is to find something that you feel passionate about…and write about it. Make it informative, humorous, colorful, or a combination of all three so that it stands apart from the rest.
The key to making good money as a blogger is to have multiple streams of income. Bloggers often allow advertising and use their blogs as springboards to launch other projects that bring in income, such as ebooks, books, speaking, other products, etc. Some popular blog sites are as follows:
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is the process of tutoring in a virtual or networked environment, in which teachers and students participate from separate physical locations. This is an excellent option for someone who is thinking about getting an Education degree in college, someone who truly enjoys spending time with children, or someone who genuinely wants to assist a student who might be having a tough time academically. Aside from the tutor’s own community, here is a brief list of online tutoring jobs:
Network Marketing
Network marketing (or multi-level marketing) is a method of direct selling whereby individuals harness their personal networks to grow a business by obtaining a downline of “distributors,” or selling a product. Contrary to popular opinion, network marketing is NOT a “pyramid scheme.” There is one key difference: Where pyramid schemes require people to invest in a false promise of wealth, MLM organizations sell real products or services that distributors believe in. This can be a very lucrative income stream, as not only is there a commission for the product that is sold, but there is also a commission for the number of distributors that are recruited. The premise is: The more people there are to sell a product, the more product that is sold, and the more money the company makes. Here are some popular network marketing companies with legitimate, quality products:
- Zyia — known for affordable yet luxurious leggings and activewear
- Rodan + Fields – specializes in high-quality skincare products
- Arbonne – focuses on healthy living to improve mind, body and skin
- Stella & Dot — inspires joy and confidence by offering accessories that are fashionable and timeless
- pawTree – making a difference in pets’ lives by offering tasty and nutritious foods and effective supplements
Give some of these “side hustles” a chance…it’s the perfect way to earn more money to take with you to college!
By Lori Caffery