Millions of Americans have lost income since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Whether your hours were cut or you were laid off entirely, you may not be making as much money as you were before this all started. It can be stressful to be out of work, especially once your bills start piling up or if you have debt. Don’t panic just yet. There are plenty of options for side hustles during COVID-19 that can help you get by! American Consumer Credit Counseling has some ideas.
Having side hustles during covid-19 can help with debt management.
Ideas for Side Hustles During COVID-19
Food & Grocery Delivery
With restaurants across the nation remaining closed except for takeout and delivery, this could be a lucrative side hustle during COVID-19. Platforms such as Uber Eats and Grubhub are popular food delivery apps that many consumers have found to be very useful during the pandemic. It has also become difficult for people to go grocery shopping. Many grocery stores are limiting store hours and the number of people who can be in the store at once. Grocery delivery platforms like Instacart make it easier for people to get groceries without even leaving their home. Grocery shopping and delivery can be a good side hustle as well, as the demand for grocery delivery has increased during the pandemic.
Tutoring
With schoolwork being moved online, it can be difficult for students to get the one-on-one help they need. This is where a tutoring side hustle can be profitable. If you happen to be good at a certain subject, like math, history, or a foreign language, you may want to consider tutoring. If you choose to tutor in-person, be sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing. A safer option for this side hustle would be to offer your tutoring services online, via Zoom or Skype.
Freelance Work
Offering freelance services like web design, graphic design, or social media content creation is the perfect quarantine side hustle. You never have to leave your house or interact face-to-face with clients! Not having to commute also helps save money, which makes it easier to stick to your budget. This side hustle is easiest to start if you already have people in your network who you know need these services. It can be hard to build a client base from scratch during a pandemic when many businesses are temporarily closed.
Childcare
Though some businesses are opening and parents returning to work, day-care centers are not open yet. This leaves many parents stressed and desperate to find alternative childcare options. Offering to babysit for parents during work hours can be another beneficial side hustle during COVID-19.
Tips for Starting a Side Hustle
Before you start a side hustle, there are some things you should consider. First, are you qualified for the side hustle you have in mind? Some may require a form of licensing or certification. Secondly, are you organized enough to keep track of your self-employment earnings? Because you will not be receiving money from a traditional employer, taxes are not going to be automatically taken out of your earnings. You will have to pay taxes on these earnings yourself. Additionally, you’ll need to consider how much time your side hustle will take, and if you can dedicate that amount of time to it.
Final Tips for Managing Finances During a Pandemic
While a side hustle during COVID-19 can be helpful in making up for lost income, it is just one part of a bigger financial strategy. Managing your finances during a pandemic also involves prioritizing your spending and reassessing your budget for the time being. Prioritize food, housing, and medicine. Any other expenses should be seen as secondary. Also, if you have credit card debt, you may be struggling to make those payments. Contact your creditors to work out a payment plan before you miss a payment, not after!
For help with your debt, sign up for a free credit counseling session today.
