How to Make Extra Cash on the Weekends

Earning additional money on weekends offers a practical approach to supplementing income, whether to manage expenses, build savings, or invest in personal development. Many opportunities exist to leverage skills and time outside of traditional workweeks, ranging from direct service provision to engaging with online platforms and selling goods.

Providing Personal Services

Individuals can generate income by offering personal services, utilizing existing skills or developing new ones to meet local demands. Babysitting remains a consistent need for families, requiring trustworthiness and responsible care. Pet sitting and dog walking also provide opportunities for those with an affinity for animals, often involving structured visits or overnight stays. These services commonly benefit from word-of-mouth referrals within neighborhoods or local community groups.

Tutoring allows individuals to share academic knowledge in subjects like mathematics, science, or language arts, catering to students needing extra support. Yard work, including lawn mowing, gardening, or seasonal clean-ups, appeals to homeowners seeking assistance with outdoor maintenance. House cleaning services, from routine tidying to deep cleans, are consistently in demand, requiring attention to detail and efficiency.

Handyman services address various household repair needs, such as minor plumbing fixes, furniture assembly, or small painting jobs, appealing to those lacking the time or expertise for such tasks. Personal assistance can encompass a wide array of duties, from running errands and grocery shopping to organizing homes or managing schedules for busy individuals. Identifying the specific needs within a local community is a starting point for determining which services to offer.

Marketing these services locally often begins with flyers, online classifieds, or social media groups. Establishing a network through friends, family, and existing clients can lead to referrals, often the most reliable source of new business. Setting competitive rates involves researching what others charge for similar services, considering time, effort, and material costs. Managing client relationships effectively through clear communication, punctuality, and consistent quality helps build a positive reputation and encourages repeat business.

Engaging with Online Platforms

Online platforms and mobile applications provide structured avenues to connect with work opportunities or customers, offering flexibility for weekend earnings. Ridesharing services, such as Uber or Lyft, allow individuals to earn money by transporting passengers. Requirements typically include:

Meeting a minimum age (often 21).
Possessing a valid U.S. driver’s license with at least one year of driving experience (or three years if under 25).
Operating an eligible four-door vehicle that meets specific age and condition standards.
Passing a background check that reviews driving records and criminal history.
Providing proof of residency, vehicle registration, and auto insurance.

Food delivery services, like DoorDash or Uber Eats, enable individuals to deliver meals from restaurants to customers. Common requirements include:

Being at least 18.
Having a valid driver’s license.
Possessing a smartphone for the delivery application.
Maintaining appropriate insurance coverage if using a personal vehicle.
Passing a background check for a clean driving record and criminal history.

General task apps, such as TaskRabbit, connect individuals with various local odd jobs, including furniture assembly, cleaning, moving help, or handyman services. To become a “Tasker,” individuals generally need to:

Be at least 18.
Possess a U.S. Social Security Number.
Have a checking account and a smartphone.
Pass a background and identity check.
Pay a one-time registration fee (some platforms, e.g., $25 for TaskRabbit).

Users on these platforms can often set their own hourly rates and availability, allowing for significant control over their work schedule. Remote work platforms like Fiverr or Upwork facilitate connections for individuals offering digital services, such as graphic design, writing, web development, or virtual assistance. Users create a profile showcasing skills and portfolios, allowing them to bid on projects or offer pre-defined services. A strong internet connection and relevant software are generally necessary. These platforms streamline finding clients and managing payments, making it easier to monetize skills during weekend hours.

Selling Goods

Selling goods offers a practical way to earn extra money, encompassing decluttering existing possessions and creating new products. Individuals can sell unwanted items such as clothing, electronics, or furniture through various channels. Online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace provide broad reach, requiring clear photographs, accurate descriptions, and decisions on shipping or local pickup. For clothing, platforms like Poshmark offer a specialized marketplace.

Local consignment shops present an option for selling clothing or furniture without the direct effort of listing and managing sales, though they take a percentage of the sale price. Garage sales remain a traditional method for selling multiple items quickly, often attracting local buyers seeking bargains. Preparing items for sale generally involves cleaning, repairing minor damage, and ensuring all parts are present to enhance their appeal and value.

Beyond used goods, individuals can create and sell handmade items or digital products. Platforms like Etsy are popular for handmade crafts, unique art, and vintage goods, requiring sellers to manage online storefronts, product photography, and shipping logistics. Digital products, such as e-books, online courses, or printable art, can be sold through personal websites or specialized platforms, offering the advantage of minimal physical inventory and recurring sales potential once created.

Effective selling strategies include:

Competitive pricing, researching similar items for attractiveness to buyers.
High-quality photographs showcasing the product from multiple angles for online listings.
Detailed and honest descriptions, highlighting features and any imperfections.
Efficient shipping, including appropriate packaging and tracking.
Clear communication regarding pickup times and locations for local sales.

Navigating Income Reporting

Any income earned from weekend activities is generally considered taxable by federal authorities. Individuals engaged in these activities are typically classified as self-employed for tax purposes. This means they are responsible for both income tax and self-employment taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, comprising 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, applied to 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment.

If net earnings from self-employment reach $400 or more in a tax year, individuals are typically required to file an income tax return and pay self-employment tax. Form 1040, Schedule C is used for reporting income and expenses, allowing deduction of ordinary and necessary business expenses. Schedule SE calculates self-employment tax based on net profit from Schedule C. A deduction for one-half of the self-employment tax paid is allowed on Form 1040, which helps reduce overall income tax liability.

Many businesses that pay individuals $600 or more for non-employee compensation must issue Form 1099-NEC by January 31 of the following year. Individuals are obligated to report all earnings, even if a form is not received. Since taxes are not typically withheld from self-employment income, estimated tax payments may be required throughout the year, generally if an individual expects to owe at least $1,000 in taxes.

Estimated tax payments are usually due quarterly on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Form 1040-ES is used to calculate and pay quarterly taxes. Maintaining accurate records of all income and expenses is important for fulfilling tax obligations and maximizing potential deductions. Consulting with a tax professional can provide personalized guidance.