Winter usually brings constant rain, freezing temperatures, and snow storms. As a result, finding the motivation and energy to do anything this winter season besides sitting indoors and sipping on some hot chocolate (or whiskey) while curling up under your favorite blanket on the couch can be challenging. But if you’re looking for extra cash to make your holiday shopping list and heating bills a little easier, winter side hustles might be the perfect way to do it.
It may be hard to drag yourself out of your home into the cold, even for your day job, so these 11 winter side hustles will help you earn extra money and keep you motivated to get up and make it happen!
Now it’s time to make it rain… cash money, that is!
How To Choose The Right Winter Side Hustle
Choosing the right winter side hustle can be tricky. First, you should find something that you enjoy and will pay well.
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself when deciding which is the right winter side hustle for you:
- Do I already have all the tools/equipment I need? Or will you need to invest in some supplies?
- Are there any expenses? Can you make enough money to cover your costs, as well as a profit?
- Is it something I can do part-time, or will it require more commitment? It depends on how much time you have and how much you’re willing to dedicate to the hustle. It would be best if you chose a side hustle to fit your current schedule.
- Do I have prior experience, or can I quickly learn the skills? While some side hustles require extensive knowledge and take months (or years) to learn, you can learn and master others over a weekend.
- Is there an initial upfront investment cost? A side hustle such as Christmas light installation will only require a ladder, but something like selling seasonal Christmas goods will need you to invest in inventory upfront.
- Will the side hustle reimburse the investment cost? If you need to make an investment upfront to get started, will the side hustle money you make cover that cost and also pay enough profit to make it worth your time?
11 Winter Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money
Here are 11 different winter side hustle ideas you can try to earn extra cash.
1. Christmas Light Installation
Leading up to the holidays is the perfect time for homeowners to get festive and decorate their homes with Christmas lights.
If you have experience installing decorative lights, consider offering your services to local neighborhoods and businesses. You can even take it a step further by creating custom lighting displays for an additional fee.
The best thing about this side hustle is the only thing you need to get started is a ladder.
2. Snow Removal
Winter brings snow, ice, and slush; with it, one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash is by offering snow removal services. You can make money in the winter by clearing driveways, sidewalks, and even roofs if you have the right equipment. You can also provide salting services if needed. All you need is a shovel to get started.
To find clients, you can either go door-to-door in your neighborhood and offer your services or join a platform such as Plowz and Mowz to find people who need snow removal services near you.
3. Food Delivery Driver
If you’re looking for an easy Winter side hustle to make money, look no further than food delivery services. No one wants to go outside in the cold to pick up their food orders or groceries. That’s why food delivery in winter is a great way to earn money if you don’t mind working in the elements, rain, hail, or snow, with food delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Postmates.
All you need is a reliable vehicle and some knowledge of the area. The best part about this side hustle is that it’s flexible, and you can work as much or as little as you want.
4. Tutoring
Winter is an excellent time for students to get ahead in their studies since they don’t have to worry about the distractions of summer. Consider offering tutoring services in math, science, and English to help students prepare for upcoming tests or catch up on missed lessons. You can advertise your services online or through local schools and universities.
5. Freelancing Services
You can earn decent winter cash by providing freelancing services if you have high-demand digital skills. The best thing is you can do it online from the comfort of your cozy home. Do you have experience as a freelance writer or with proofreading, graphic design, translation, video editing, or web design?
If so, you can offer your services and find potential clients on freelancing platforms such as Fiverr or Upwork, where you can find clients looking for freelancers in hundreds of categories covering everything from voiceover to social media management.
Are you interested in learning freelancing skills but unsure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Check out the best skills to learn for freelancing.
6. Handyman
If you have experience in home repairs or basic handyperson skills, consider offering your services to homeowners when the weather gets too cold for them to go outside and do it themselves. You can provide a wide range of services, such as carpentry repairs, painting, light electrical work, mending fences, or even helping with plumbing.
You can find work by going door-to-door in your neighborhood or through home repair platforms such as Thumbtack or TaskRabbit.
7. Installing Furniture
As the temperature drops and people spend more time indoors, they usually look for ways to make their homes more comfortable. One of the best ways to do this is by installing new comfy furniture.
If you have experience assembling furniture, consider offering your services to people who need help setting up their new furniture. Putting something together from Ikea is like completing the world’s most challenging puzzle. So people are more than happy to pay someone else to do it.
You can charge an hourly rate for your services and make a decent income.
8. Pet Sitting and House Sitting
With the holidays fast approaching, many pet owners will be looking for someone to take care of their furry friends while they are away. If you’re an animal lover, you can offer your services as a pet sitter and get paid for it.
You can offer to take care of animals at your home while their owners are away or visit each day and provide basic care such as walking and feeding them.
Like pet sitting, many homeowners look for reliable and trustworthy people to house-sit while on vacation. You can offer your services as a house sitter and get paid to look after people’s homes.
You can either stay at their home or check on it periodically to ensure everything is in order and do things such as collect the mail and routinely turn on and off lights.
Tip: You can also combine pet sitting with house sitting, where you look after people’s pets and stay at their homes simultaneously.
9. Become An Entrepreneur – Sell Seasonal Holiday Goods Online
The winter months are the perfect time to sell seasonal holiday goods online. You can create your own website or sell on popular e-commerce websites like eBay or Etsy.
There’s no shortage of people searching for unique holiday gifts, from festive decorations to handmade gifts, custom Christmas cards, and wreaths.
One way to stand out is to offer customized Christmas-themed gifts so people can have photos of their loved ones or furry friends printed on them. Teespring is an excellent place to create custom products.
You can also use social media platforms such as Instagram or TikTok to reach out to potential customers and get your business out there. With a bit of creativity and hard work, you can quickly turn this into a profitable side hustle
10. Offer Indoor Decorating Services
Another option is to offer indoor decorating services such as decorating Christmas trees and putting up decorations throughout the home. If you have experience in interior design, this is a great way to make extra cash during the holiday season.
You can offer your services to businesses or homeowners and charge an hourly rate. You can also get creative and create custom outdoor decorations that people can buy and use for their homes.
11. Event Planning
Winter is perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and more. If you have experience in event planning, consider offering your services to local businesses or individuals who need help planning their special events. This side hustle requires extensive knowledge and understanding of event planning, but it can be a great way to make some extra cash.
You May Also Like: 15 Ways How To Make Time For Your Side Hustle
Final Thoughts
Colder weather doesn’t have to mean the end of your side hustle. On the contrary, winter is the perfect time to get creative and find new ways to make money. With a bit of hard work and dedication, you can easily turn one of these ideas into a lucrative side hustle that will keep you busy all winter long!
With so many opportunities, it’s easy to find a side hustle you love and make some extra cash this winter.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start earning!
Winter Side Hustles FAQs
How can I make extra money in the winter?
There are a variety of ways to make extra money in the winter, from pet sitting to snow removal, to Christmas light decoration, to providing tutoring or freelance services. Many Winter side hustles don’t require any initial investment, so that you can start immediately.
What side hustles are the most profitable?
The most profitable side hustles vary depending on your skills and experience. However, some include pet sitting, house sitting, selling seasonal holiday goods online, offering indoor decorating services, or event planning, freelancing, and tutoring. You can turn one of these ideas into a lucrative side hustle with some hard work.
How can I make $1000 a month side hustle?
Making an extra $1000 a month from Winter side hustles depends on your skills and experience. You may need multiple side hustles to reach this goal or focus on one gig, such as pet sitting, house sitting, tutoring services, selling seasonal holiday goods online, indoor decorating services, or event planning. However, you can reach this goal with dedication and hard work.
What is the easiest winter side hustle to make money?
The easiest side hustle to make money depends on your skills and experience. However, some of the simplest side hustles during winter include pet sitting, house sitting, tutoring, or installing Christmas lights.
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Skyler Benson is a full-time blogger. Join Skyler on SkylerBenson.com and learn how to start an online business and create a life of freedom. Before starting this blog, Skyler worked online as a freelance content writer. He worked with digital marketing agencies and B2B companies for four years. Skyler reviews the best software for your online business and teaches you how to write better and start your freelancing career.