10 Profitable Side Hustles That Make People Wish They Started Sooner

The only thing better than a lucrative side hustle is an exceedingly easy and lucrative one! In 2024, side hustles are the best way to supplement your income without bending over backward to accomplish it. I’ve found some exceptionally profitable side hustles that are so simple they’ll make you wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

1. Selling Stock Footage

Wildlife Photographer — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Believe it or not, many have reported significant success from selling their vacation video clips to stock footage websites. If you take “B-roll” clips while traveling the world (clips of mundane things like crowds walking or ships sailing by), serious money can be made by selling your footage to these websites! I had no idea this side hustle could be so lucrative.

2. Being the Neighborhood Handyman

If you’re savvy with tools and know your way around a house, you’re leaving money on the table by not offering your services to your neighbors. “I’m the unofficial handyman for my small neighborhood,” reveals one man. “My clients are about a dozen neighbors, and I give property care and basic handyman services. I make $15k on the side doing jobs I enjoy.” My dad was once the neighborhood handyman; I think rates have increased in the last 30 years because I don’t think he made that kind of cash!

3. Focus Group Studies

Yes, focus groups still exist in 2024; many people credit them as the ultimate side hustle! Nearly all products, from shampoos to candy and everything in between, must be subject to focus groups before being commercially released. Aside from being paid, your comments and suggestions are often used to improve the product! It’s easy money if you can track these focus groups down.

4. Being a “Second-shooter”

Photo session at wedding — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you have a decent digital, professional-grade camera, it’s worth contacting wedding photographers. Many established photographers hire “second-shooters” to accompany them to events to take additional photos. While experience is always a plus, many men and women admit they made over $200 per event despite not having any commercial photography experience!

5. Video Game Mods

Cute woman playing video game — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you’re a video game nerd who loves tinkering with your own consoles, games, and devices, one of the most profitable side hustles is offering modification services to other gamers! From converting old consoles into retro arcades to installing security bypass chips, there’s plenty of money to be made by diving head-first into this grey area of video gaming. You’d be surprised how much people are willing to spend on these services!

6. Event Security

While conventional wisdom says that the only places that need event security are packed bars and nightclubs, many men and women report that general event security is an easy side hustle that is surprisingly lucrative. As one person confesses, it doesn’t even feel like work! “It barely feels like work, and the pay is good,” he reveals. “The bonus is seeing games, concerts, races, golf, and fairs. You basically get paid to people watch.” I love it!

7. Pet Sitting

Young woman playing with her cute dog and cat — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

People love their pets, and when they take long vacations, it’s usually not logistically possible (or practical) to bring their furry friends with them. That’s where you come in! Long-term pet sitting for affluent families is one of the easiest ways to make extra money, especially during high-demand periods like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Pet sitting is sometimes as easy as feeding and walking a dog a few times daily.

8. Flip Lawnmowers

Teen lawn mowing — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

It’s incredible how many appliances and tools get thrown out for the most minor (or unknown reasons). A lot of people take advantage of discarded household items by repairing and reselling them! “My side hustle is flipping lawnmowers,” confesses one man. “I live in the suburbs, and people throw them out when little things go wrong.” If you know your way around a lawnmower, a discarded one lying on the side of the road should equal dollar signs in your eyes.

9. The Bouncy House Guy

Couples with keys buying house — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Sometimes, the most brilliant and straightforward side hustle stares you in the face, and you don’t even realize it. No, being a Bouncy House Guy is not too good to be true. By buying a commercial-sized bouncy house (or castle) for $2,000 on Amazon and renting it out for $400 per day to be used at kids’ birthday parties, you can recoup your investment in record time and enjoy endless profits rolling in! You’re dead wrong if you don’t think I will suggest this business to my girlfriend tonight.

10. Donate Plasma

Forget about donating blood. In 2024, donating plasma is all the rage! Many blood banks allow you to donate up to twice weekly, and countless men and women report making over $500 monthly from their generosity. Although $500 doesn’t sound like much, that equates to an impressive $6,000 annually! What are you waiting for? Google what “plasma” is, then get in your car and drive to your nearest blood bank!