The 10 Best Winter Side Hustles for Extra Cash
Winter side hustles enable you to make extra money. Some of these gigs are year-round but can be perfect for winter because they’re done indoors.
- Winter side hustles offer indoor, seasonal, and year-round opportunities for extra income.
- Options include snow shoveling, data entry, gift wrapping, and freelance photography.
- Minimal startup costs make many winter side gigs accessible and profitable.
- Platforms like TaskRabbit, Upwork, and Etsy help find and monetize winter side hustles.
Who said that you can’t make extra money during the colder months of winter?
Winter side hustles are a great way to make some extra money, no matter how cold it gets.
This article lists 10 side hustles you can do during the winter season. They’re either seasonal or suitable to be done from the warmth of your home.
It also tells you the startup costs and where to find them.
The Best Winter Side Hustles (Overview)
- Shoveling Snow
- Making Items to Sell
- Data Entry
- Gift Wrapping
- Reading
- Selling Class Notes
- Shopping
- House Sitting
- Freelance Photography
- Caring for Pets
Getting Started With Winter Side Hustles
With the recent changes in today’s economic scene, most people are looking for side hustles to make extra cash.
But what are winter side hustles, and where to begin?
What are Winter Side Hustles?
Winter side hustles are the side gigs you can do in winter to boost your income.
These are temporary jobs that you can do in your spare time.
Some of those gigs are project-based and short-term. Others keep going at a steady flow.
It depends on the winter side hustle you choose to do.
Why Should You Consider a Winter Side Hustle?
Winter can be rough in some areas, which makes outdoor work hard. That shouldn’t be a problem, thanks to indoor gigs.
Some winter side hustles are seasonal jobs you can only do in winter, but that’s not all.
You can also choose side gigs to do from the comfort of your home. That way, you can make extra cash during the colder months.
The Best Winter Side Hustles at a Glance
But how to pick the best winter side hustle?
That depends on your schedule, abilities, and how much time you’re willing to spare.
What is the Best Winter Side Hustle?
The best winter side hustle is shoveling snow.
It’s specific to winter since you won’t get snow any other season. This gig is more than a way to make some extra bucks.
Think also of the exercise. It helps you make a good profit compared to the small startup costs.
What is the Easiest Winter Side Hustle?
The easiest winter side hustle is reading.
That’s a super easy task that you can do almost anywhere. All it takes is a love for reading.
You can read on a commute, in front of your TV, or even in your bed. You won’t need any special equipment and almost no startup costs.
The Best Winter Side Hustles
Here’s a list of the ten best winter side hustles to choose from. They’re not all winter-specific.
Some are side hustle ideas that can be done year-round. We have them on our list since they can be done indoors.
1. Shoveling Snow
Shoveling snow is a winter side gig in high demand in most cities around the US.
It entails removing snow from driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, etc.
It doesn’t require much training or experience. All you need is some physical strength and the right equipment.
How much money you earn shoveling snow depends on the hours you're willing to work and how much you charge per hour.
On average, it can be around $20 per hour. That way, you can make between $20 and $80 if you work two or four hours daily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDbVtf1c67U
Costs to Get Started
The startup costs for this side hustle depend on how big you’d like to start.
If you wish to start small, a shovel and an icebreaker to remove snow would be sufficient. That can cost you around $100 in total.
If you want to start big, invest in a truck and a snow plow. That can cost you between $6000 and $13,000.
Where to Find Shoveling Snow Gigs
That’s my favorite part!
All you need to do is look around you. You can find shoveling snow gigs independently or via online platforms.
For instance, you can go door to door offering your services. That way, you can make easy money and create a body of clients.
You can also post ads in your local supermarket or grocery store.
Check out the online platforms that list snow shoveling gigs, including:
2. Making Items to Sell
Winter is the perfect time to spend indoors, but who said you can’t make money from the comfort of your home?
There are several items you can make and sell during the winter. Although this works all year round, you’ll have more indoor time to work in winter.
You can invest your time in winter to make and sell different items, such as:
Costs to Get Started
The startup costs vary according to the item you choose and how much are you willing to invest while making that item.
For example, a simple DIY air freshener made with water, essential oils, and alcohol can cost as little as a few cents per ounce.
On the other hand, a commercial air freshener made with more complex ingredients and packaging can cost several dollars per ounce.
Where to Find Selling Items Gigs
Regardless of the product you’re selling, you can always find a market online or in the local stores.
If you prefer face-to-face sales, you can sell your product in local stores, bazaars, or garage sales in your area.
You can also opt for online marketplaces to sell your product and reach a wide clientele. For instance, try these platforms:
3. Data Entry
Data entry is an umbrella term that includes gigs that can be done 100% from home, such as:
These are easy tasks that can earn you good money if you learn to cope with their monotonous nature.
The highest paying among them is entering data, with an income ranging between $400 and $800 per month. The others can earn you between $200 and $500 monthly.
Costs to Get Started
The best part is that the startup costs for these gigs are relatively low.
Most of them won’t cost you anything, except for filling envelopes that require some startup material and equipment.
It can cost you around $50 to $100.
Tagging Netflix videos also requires a Netflix subscription, which isn’t expensive. The cost here will vary according to the plan you choose.
Where to Find Data Entry Gigs
There are plenty of data entry gigs online.
You can either go for well-known websites that require such services or browse job listings on job boards, such as:
You can also look for gigs individually in job ads. That way, you can work for a law firm, retail company, or an accountant.
4. Wrapping Gifts
Winter means the holiday season, which is the best time to start a gift-wrapping business. You can make a good profit doing this artistic and fun side hustle.
It entails wrapping gifts in lovely wrapping paper, as well as using themed bags and cards in some cases.
What’s amazing about this job is that you can unleash your creative potential.
The money you earn depends on the amount of work you get, but you can typically charge around $10 per gift or $17/ hour on average.
Costs to Get Started
The costs of starting a gift-wrapping business vary according to the size of the business itself.
If you do it as a side hustle from the warmth of your home, you won’t need more than the price of the wrapping paper and supplies.
That won’t exceed $500.
You can also plan ahead and buy your supplies before the holiday season begins. That can help you save a considerable amount of money.
Where to Find Gift Wrapping Gigs
You can find gift-wrapping gigs in gift-wrapping services, gift shops, and retail stores. Better yet, you can tell the people around you.
Many people don’t enjoy gift wrapping. You’ll be surprised by the amount of orders you’ll get during the holiday season.
Here are some ideas:
- Use word of mouth to get local customers
- Post ads in local stores and supermarkets
- Make deals with local gift shops
- Tell the people on your social media accounts
5. Reading
If reading is your passion, you can turn that into a winter side hustle.
We say winter because it’s a job you can do from the warmth of your bed, which is ideal in the cold winter.
You can read books and articles to provide feedback or reviews. You can also offer proofreading and language-checking services.
Believe it or not, this hobby can make you an average of $17 per hour. The exact sum depends on your experience and knowledge.
Costs to Get Started
Fortunately, you don’t need any special material or equipment to do this job. You can work off your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
In most cases, you won’t have to pay for the material you proofread or review.
If you have to pay, it won’t be more than $5 per book on average. That’s not much compared to the profit you can make.
Where to Find Reading Gigs
To land a reading gig, you should contact book clubs and local authors. You can also find gigs through ads posted by book publishers.
Online job boards, such as Fiverr and Upwork, can have some listings for this side hustle.
6. Shopping
Whether you’re a personal shopper or a mystery shopper, you can make money while having fun.
You can find plenty of personal shopping gigs around the holidays since many people don’t have the time to buy Christmas gifts.
This side hustle can earn you around $14 per hour.
Costs to Get Started
There’s no startup cost at all. You don’t need any special equipment or training to become a personal or a secret shopper.
All you need to do is get to the mall and do what you love to do.
Where to Find Shopping Gigs
You can find shopping side gigs on various online platforms, such as:
There are also companies that hire shoppers, including:
7. House-Sitting
House sitting involves spending time in someone’s house to care for their pets, property, and plants.
You can find plenty of house-sitting jobs during the winter since some people leave their houses to escape the cold climate.
You’ll have to perform some regular maintenance tasks and house chores.
That’s all in return for money, free accommodation, or both.
The amount of money you make with this side hustle depends on your location and the chorus required.
Costs to Get Started
The startup cost for house-sitting jobs ranges between $60 and $35,000.
It depends on the size of your business. As a seasonal side hustle, it costs you minimal to nothing.
To widen your circle of clientele, subscribe to specialized websites.
Where to Find House-Sitting Gigs
You can find house-sitting gigs individually through word of mouth and social media.
If you want more clientele and are willing to travel, you can subscribe to websites, such as:
8. Selling Class Notes
Selling class notes can be a great side hustle during the school season.
It enables you to make extra cash while doing what you already do to pass your classes.
Depending on the class and the quality of your notes, you can make between $20 and $100 per class note. That's an average hourly rate of $27.
Costs to Get Started
The good news is that you don’t need much to get started.
After all, you’re a student, so you already have a laptop to type your material and an internet connection for researching.
In some cases, you’ll need the subscription fees to find such gigs on specialized platforms. That’s usually a small fee to pay upfront.
Where to Find Selling Class Notes Gigs
You can always find opportunities within the class itself. Your classmates will be the first to approach you for your quality notes.
Other freelance websites, including Upwork and Fiverr, can offer some listings for this side hustle.
If you want to build your portfolio faster, go for specialized platforms, such as:
- Study Soap
- Chegg
- Course Hero
9. Freelance Photography
Winter is a picture-perfect season in many US cities.
That’s why doing freelance photography as a side gig can be a profitable idea.
In winter, you can find opportunities to photograph winter events, family parties, or photo sessions in the snow.
That's a lucrative side hustle that can earn you around $60 an hour.
Costs to Get Started
This side hustle requires a bit of investment. You’ll have to get some quality camera and editing software.
This makes the startup costs range between $500 and $1,000; it can even reach up to $10,000.
That, of course, depends on the size of your business.
Where to Find Freelance Photography Gigs
You can get photography gigs through your connections. Make sure everyone you know whether personally or on social media learns about your side hustle.
Online platforms can also do the trick. Go for general or specialized job boards, including:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Behance
10. Caring for Pets
This line of work refers to a variety of gigs, including:
- Pet grooming
- Pet sitting
- Pet walking
- Pet training
Although you can do these jobs all year long, they’re different in winter.
Many people leave their houses to spend the winter in warmer areas, especially during the holidays.
They leave their pets in the care of someone they trust. That can be you!
It’s fun if you’re an animal lover, and you can make good money if you give it enough time.
Costs to Get Started
The startup costs depend on the services you offer. For instance, pet walking and sitting don’t require as much money as grooming or training.
That’s mainly because you need special training and certain skills to perform those tasks.
In general, the initial costs range between $100 and $500.
Where to Find Pet Care Gigs
You can get pet care gigs independently by spreading the word in your local community or social media accounts.
If you want more diverse clientele, you can go for specialized websites, such as:
- Rover
- Wag
How to Start a Winter Side Hustle
Still wondering how to do it? Here are some tips to successfully start a winter side hustle that is guaranteed to help you make some extra money.
- Play by the rules: Check the regulations of your city or institution before starting your work. Try not to do anything illegal without knowing. For instance, that applies to selling anything at schools, even class notes.
- Offer the best quality: The better you do the job, the more offers you’ll get later. Clients won’t settle for poor-quality work. Don’t risk losing a client by offering less than the best services.
- Learn How to Stand Out: The competition is fierce, so learn how to stand out among the crowd. Scan the competition around you and find yourself a competitive edge. It can be reasonable pricing, top quality, or effective relations.
- Polish Your Skills: It’s never too late to learn. Enhance your skills in any way you can. Take a course, watch videos, read articles, or even talk to others in the field. That way, you can keep your clients loyal and satisfied.
- Search for Gigs in Different Places: Finding gigs can be challenging. You should know how and where to search. Use your local stores, personal circles, online forums, gig companies, online platforms, etc.
Wrapping Up
Regardless of your interests and skills, you’ll find plenty of winter side hustles to make some extra cash.
The best winter side hustle is shoveling snow. It can get you good money after a snowstorm and doesn’t require much startup costs.
If you’re looking for an easy winter gig, you can do reading. You can do it anywhere to provide feedback.
There are other gigs that cater to different interests and lifestyles, such as pet caring, shopping, and house-sitting.
Don’t waste your winter; you can make money even during holidays!
Similar Side Hustles to Check Out
If you liked the idea of investing your spare time in side hustles, here are some similar gigs to check out:
- Summer Side Hustles: Some seasonal gigs are only available over the summer, such as becoming a lifeguard, renting surfing equipment, or mowing lawns.
- Teacher Side Hustles: If you’re into teaching, you can find several gigs, including teaching a language, or preparing students for their SATs.
- Side Hustles To Make More Money: These are the gigs for you if you wish to make more money but don’t have enough time.
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