Side Hustles: How to Make Money Online and Boost Your Income

In recent years, side hustles have become increasingly popular among Americans. Some people want to save for a house, others aim to buy a new car, and many are looking to earn extra cash for vacation travel.

“CNBC Make It” has interviewed numerous people who have found remarkable success with their side gigs. Their experiences show that it’s possible not only to make money at home but also to generate an annual income exceeding $100,000.

According to a December 2023 Freelance Forward survey by Upwork, 38% of the U.S. workforce—64 million Americans—participated in freelancing that year, an increase of 4 million from 2022. While some pursue freelancing full-time, many use it as a part-time side hustle for additional earnings.

“I’ve been doing this side gig for three and a half years, and I wouldn’t do anything else,” Sophie Riegel, an online clothing reseller, told CNBC Make It. “I love it too much. It makes me happy.”

Here are four ways—summarized by CNBC Make It—to start earning this summer and learn how to make money fast.

1. Resell Clothing

You can turn “selling things you don’t need” into a sustainable side business. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Riegel was a freshman at Duke University. out of boredom, she started selling old clothes online and made $200. Encouraged, she began treasure hunting at thrift stores and reselling items for profit.

In 2023, she earned $123,800 through online marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari—a perfect example of how to make money online.

Riegel also works as a professional writer, mental health coach, and speaker. She told Make It she spends about 25 hours per week on her side hustle.

2. Rent Out Your Pool

In 2012, Jim Battan spent $110,000 to build a pool at his home in West Linn, Oregon. He told Make It that ten years later, he had not only recouped that cost but also made a profit.

By renting out his pool by the hour through an app called Swimply, Battan earned $177,000 in less than two years. He warns, however, that it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He had to learn about pool chemistry and maintenance, checking the water five to ten times a day. It’s a time-consuming hustle, but it can be done with extra effort.

3. Content Creation Featuring Your Work Life

Kelly Gordon, a superyacht captain, told CNBC Make It that her content creation side gig brings in $10,300 per month.

She stumbled into the yachting industry in 2007 after attending a wedding on a yacht. “I didn't even know the difference between port and starboard,” she admitted. But she returned the next day and asked the captain all about the career.

Now, Gordon shares behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram. In 2023, she earned $124,000 through sponsorships, merchandise, ads, affiliate marketing, and speaking engagements—proving you can make money at home (or at sea) by sharing your expertise.

Despite her success, Gordon hasn’t quit her day job. Her side income works because it complements her primary career.

4. Rent Out Your Car

With summer travel on the rise, demand for rental cars increases across the U.S. Andre Echeverria’s side gig offers an alternative to traditional rentals. He rents out his six cars through Turo, earning up to $14,000 per month according to 2023 financial documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.

Living near Boston Logan International Airport gives Echeverria an advantage over other Turo hosts. The app allows him to set competitive prices, often undercutting major rental companies.

He spends 8–10 hours per week handling cleaning, bookings, and management, and has built relationships with local repair shops. Echeverria says trust and connections are essential to his success.

What does it take to succeed in a side hustle? According to Riegel, consistency and persistence are key.