15 Creative Ways To Make Extra Money In Boston

Pat Walls

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Updated: August 31st, 2022

Looking to make easy money or start a business in Boston?

Boston is a great place to launch a new business or side hustle. According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2019, Boston is one of the top startup ecosystems in the world. And with its vibrant economy and growing job market, there are plenty of opportunities for people looking to make some extra cash.

What is the average cost of living and income in Boston anyway?

Cost of living: $2,911 per month for a single person, $6,834 for a family of four
Average income: $82,000 per year

Considering this, it makes sense if you want to make some extra money.

In this post, we provide you with 15 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Boston.

Here they are:

1. Become A Part-time Tour Guide

Working as a tour guide is a great side gig option if you live in a city that has touristy places like museums, monuments, historical locations, art galleries, botanical gardens, old libraries, theme parks, zoos, religious buildings, etc. You will need to plan itineraries, research the places, and interact with the customers before the actual trip. This job allows you to be flexible as you can work on weekends and lets you be your own boss.

Earning Potential: Up to $23/hour

Requirements: For this job, you don't need any formal education but having at least a high school diploma will look good for you. There are training programs available for travel guide associates in Boston but it is not necessary to have a training certificate. You should know your city well, be well-acquainted with the city's transport systems, and do proper research about historical places and iconic travel destinations. Having excellent communication skills and knowing multiple languages can be beneficial for this kind of job.

Investment needed: $0 to start as a tour guide.

How To Get Started: Looking for part-time tour guide jobs to earn some quick cash over the weekends? Check out the job listings posted on SimplyHired, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

2. Rent Out Your Extra Space

You can rent out spare space in your home for some extra cash, like an extra room, or your garage.

You can offer your property to someone looking for accommodation or storage space and make some decent income from it each month.

Earning Potential: Up to $300/month

Requirements: You will need an extra room that's in a good condition with all the basic facilities.

Investment needed: $0 investment if the room is in good shape.

How To Get Started: Visit websites like Neighbor and list yourself as a Neighbor host. For more info click on this link.

3. Start Dropshipping Online

Another easy way to make extra money irrespective of your location is to start a dropshipping business. You can set up an online store & start earning money with minimal effort.

All you need to do is select the items you want to sell, add them to your online store & start selling. The supplier is responsible for packing & shipping the product directly to your customer. All you need to do is market.

Earning Potential: Depending on your skills and effort, you can make up to $100,000/year

Benefits: You will be your own boss, gain entrepreneurial skills & operate the store from anywhere in the world

Requirements: You will need to have a business license to sell at a dropshipping store.

Investment Needed: You will need as low as $100 to start a dropshipping business.

How to Get Started: You can start by setting up a free online storefront via Wix or Weebly

Learn how Amanda makes $12k per month dropshipping these tiny products.

4. Become A Secret Shopper

Mystery shoppers are people who are paid by an outside company to visit stores and businesses and report on their experiences. Think of mystery shoppers as undercover customers sent in to observe, interact, and report on other customers and store employees. Mystery shoppers or secret shoppers are typically employed by a third party rather than the store or company itself.

A mystery shopper, also known as a secret shopper, is a great way to make easy money in Boston. It's a simple way to make extra cash by evaluating customer service at different businesses in your area.

Earning Potential: Up to $45/hour

Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Own reliable transportation. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to memorize quickly and accurately. Organized and flexible with an attention to detail. Ability to conduct duties discreetly and impartially. Must have access to a smartphone or computer with internet access.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: You can find secret shopper and other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.

5. Start A Consulting Business

It is kind of like tutoring, but a bit different. So, if you possess a specific set of skills, then there are plenty of opportunities to use those skills to have some side income. If you have experience running a business for several years then you can offer business consulting services if you are a lawyer you can share legal advice, or if you are a dietician you can provide a diet chart for losing or gaining weight, and so on.

Earning Potential: Up to $44/hour

Requirements: You will need a specific set of skills, a problem-solving mindset, good communication skills, and a smartphone or a laptop with good internet speed.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you have a smartphone or a laptop

How To Get Started: You can visit consulting marketplaces like Catalant](https://services.gocatalant.com/) or Zintro to find clients for your business. For more info click here.

6. Do Odd Jobs for People in Your Community

Performing odd jobs for people in your community is a great way to make some extra cash. No matter where you live in the United States, you can get started with this side hustle or business idea. Plenty of people need assistance with odd jobs, such as yard work, cleaning, moving, running errands, and so on.

One of the best ways to make money is to offer your services to people in your local community or neighborhood. You can charge a fair price for those services, which will earn you a profit. In addition, this is a great way to get your name out there and build up a client base.

Earning Potential: Up to $30/hour

Requirements: No specific educational qualification is needed for this job but having a high school diploma will help you in the way. Other than that having good communication skills, computer literacy, and familiarity with job-specific tools. Most importantly must be friendly in nature, trustworthy, and responsible.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Networking at social and community organizations can lead to prospects for part-time work as a handyman. Contact clients directly to discuss their needs and negotiate a price.

You can find odd jobs along with other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.

7. Participate in Paid Focus Groups or Surveys

If you're looking for a fun and easy way to make some extra money, participating in paid focus groups or surveys is a great option. There are numerous companies that conduct these types of studies, so you're sure to find one that's a good fit for you. Plus, it's a great way to meet new people and learn about new products and services.

Earning Potential: $30-$150/hour on an average

Requirements: Anyone who is 18 or over and a USA resident can apply to take part in market research. Most companies limit the number of focus groups you can attend with them, and you may not get selected immediately. But registering with lots of companies at once is easy and quick to do. Registering with Generation Z-focused companies will let you share your insight on fashion, trends, and tech. Start by finding out what you’re interested in talking about!

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Find paid market research studies at FocusPointe.com. Sign up, fill out an application and complete an intake survey to be considered for the market research studies available in your area. Upon approval, you will have the opportunity to earn money by sharing your opinion.

8. Offer Pet-Sitting Services

If you love pets then pet sitting can be a rewarding & fulfilling business choice for you. Pet sitters provide daily care to pets while their owners are away. They often stay in the homes of the pet owners so that the pets can remain in familiar territory. In addition to caring for pets, they may also provide basic services for the owners, such as collecting mail and vacuuming pet hair.

Pet-sitting services are a popular way to make money in Boston because they can be easily started and there is a lot of demand for them. For most people interested in offering their services, all they need is some basic equipment and a well-written ad. They can also offer additional services like walking pets or grooming them.

Earning Potential: Up to $17/hour

Requirements: A high school diploma or GED, a proven track record as a pet sitter, familiarity with animal behavior, and excellent organizational skills are required for this position.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: To start a pet-sitting business, create an online presence by setting up a profile on a pet-sitting website such as Rover or Care.com, and network with friends and family members who may know people looking for sitters. You can also put up flyers in your neighborhood or post about your services on social media.

9. Start Babysitting

If you love spending time with babies then the babysitting business can be a fulfilling and rewarding business for you to venture into. This is a very well-paid job in Boston and plus it's quite flexible since you can choose your working hours and work independently.

Earning Potential: Up to $23/hour

Requirements: You should be responsible & reliable, should be punctual, creative & playful, must possess a lot of patience, have good manners, and should not have any criminal background. It will be a bonus if you have a driving license and have done a basic babysitting course.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Network and let your family, friends, and neighbors know that you are interested in working as a babysitter. Look for mom's groups on social media platforms, and contact your local kindergarten or junior schools. You can also sign up with apps that connect parents with babysitters such as UrbanSitter, Bambino, or bubble.

10. Start Tutoring On The Side

Creating an online tutoring business is a convenient way to earn some money on the side, and one that can be very lucrative in the long run. You'll be able to make your own hours and work from home and you won't need a lot of startup capital to get started.

So, if you have a specialized skill, there are many ways to monetize it. From guitar instruction to French lessons to maths coaching or personal training, there are many opportunities for monetizing your knowledge in a variety of settings.

Earning Potential: Up to $25/hour

Requirements: You'll require specific skills or in-depth knowledge about the subject you'll teach, a laptop, mic, and high-speed internet

Investment needed: 0 investment if you already have a laptop

How To Get Started: You can register yourself as an online tutor on an online teaching platform like Preply or Teachable

11. Drive For Uber Or Lyft

If you've got a car and time on a Saturday, you could be making some cash driving people around. Instead of wasting your time sitting through traffic when you sign off from work, you can drive an Uber or Lyft and earn some extra cash in Boston by the time you reach home!

Ridesharing apps are one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: Up to $26/hour

Requirements: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have at least one year of driving experience, and clear a background check. See all requirements

Investment needed: $0 upfront if you already have a car!

How To Get Started: Apply to be a driver at Uber here, or Lyft driver here.

Don't have a car? Rent a car for ridesharing or deliveries with HyreCar.

12. Become an Event Photographer

If you love photography and want a creative way to make money, consider becoming an event photographer. Event photography is one of the fastest-growing industries. There are more than 34,301 professional photographers who are currently working in the US and that number is rapidly growing every year!

The key reason for this growth is that people have become much more comfortable with handing over their memories to someone else to preserve them forever on film or digital media.

Earning Potential: $175/hour on an average

Requirements: To become an event photographer you will need a good quality camera, lenses, tripod, editing software, and laptop. It's not required but a degree in photography, film, art, design, or media studies can be helpful for your business.

Investment needed: Cost for starting an event photography business can be anywhere around $3000-$5000 based on the quality of the equipment you choose.

How To Get Started: If you want to become a professional event photographer, start by contacting your local photography association. These organizations often have directories of professional photographers in your area, as well as workshops and other educational resources that can help you get started. You can also check online job boards or classified websites like Craigslist to find event photography gigs in your area.

13. Sell Your Old College Notes

If you're a student with no time for a job, selling your old college notes can be a great way to make some extra money. If you have valuable notes that you made after extensive research and now they are just lying around in your computer folder, it's time that you utilize them.

Sell those college notes to other students in exchange for some cash and make this profitable deal for both parties.

Earning Potential: $100-$1000 (depending on the value the notes provide)

Requirements: You will need notes on a particular subject that is well written and would provide value to the person buying it.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: To sell your old college notes, all you need to do is sign up on an online marketplace like eBay or Craigslist, list your used books, and wait for the offers to come in. You can also ask your friends or relatives if they'd like to buy your college notes.

14. Become A Movie Extra

Becoming a movie extra can be a great part-time career option if you are a student or retired or have a flexible work schedule in your day job. The term background actor or extra is used to refer to a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera, or ballet production who appears in a nonspeaking or nonsinging (silent) capacity and usually in the background.

Earning Potential: $50/hour on an average

Requirements: There's rarely a condition for being an extra, one reason is that it doesn't involve much acting. You may have to 'do' something in the background that makes you look like you're acting normal.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: To become a movie extra, begin by finding a reputable casting agency. Many such agencies operate in the city, and most of these agencies have websites where you can apply online. Once you have applied to an agency, be sure to stay active and keep your resume up-to-date. There are agencies that hold open casting calls throughout the year, so check websites regularly for updates.

15. Get Paid For House Sitting

House sitting is a great way to make some extra money no matter which city in the US you are living in. It can be a fun way to get to know the city and meet new people, and it's a great way to get free accommodation. You can house sit for friends, family, or even strangers by posting an ad online. There are a number of websites that connect house sitters with homeowners, so it's easy to find a job that fits your schedule.

Earning Potential: Up to $16/hour

Requirements: You should be responsible & reliable, be punctual, must possess a lot of patience, have good manners, and should have good communication skills. Having no criminal background is a must and it will be a bonus if you have a driving license.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: To start your search for house-sitting jobs you can post ads on one of the popular websites that connect homeowners with potential sitters. Some popular websites to find house-sitting jobs include TrustedHousesitters, Housecarers, and MindMyHouse.

Not looking for extra income, but rather a better job? Find a new job in Boston:

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Pat Walls