Rita Pouppirt
I personally like to start saving money for the winter holidays no later than September. This way, I won’t be stressed out and worried about how I’m going to pay for everything. A side hustle is the perfect way to add to my savings. And there are lots of great fall side hustle ideas out there.
To establish the best one for you, first determine how much you want to earn each week or month. Then consider what your skills and interests are. You don’t want to pick up a side hustle that you hate or that you aren’t good at. Here are 10 good side hustle ideas you might want to consider this fall:
- House- or pet-sit for friends and neighbors.
- Become a nanny.
- Drive for a ride-share service.
- Take on a seasonal job.
- Work at an apple orchard or pumpkin farm.
- Offer yard-cleanup services.
- Tutor kids in your neighborhood.
- Help out with Halloween-themed events.
- Sell your summer clothing.
- Bake pumpkin pies and other fall-themed treats.
1. House- or Pet-Sitting
This is a pretty easy side hustle you can pick up. When people travel for work, holidays, or other trips, you can watch over their homes, pets, or both.
House-sitting may not be as easy as sitting on someone’s couch and watching Netflix all day. To find promising gigs, you may want to offer services like tidying up, walking the dog, feeding the animals, checking and organizing the mail, watering plants, and other light landscaping duties.
You can advertise your services on sites like TrustedHousesitters and — if you’re interested in pet-sitting — Rover.
Earning Potential:
$25 to $35 per night. But keep in mind that if you use Rover to find work for pet-sitting, they take 15 percent of your earnings.
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2. Babysitting
With school back in session, some parents in your area may be in need of a babysitter or nanny for their kids before or after school.
If you have a flexible schedule, you can earn some extra money doing easy tasks like making breakfast for kids and getting them off to school.
This is a good side hustle idea for a college student or part-timer. Ask friends and neighbors if they’d be interested in your help, or else set up a profile on a site like Sittercity or Care.com to find clients.
Earning Potential:
$10-plus per hour, though you can set your own rates. Nannies tend to earn more than babysitters.
3. Ride-Share Services
If you have a car and are 21 or older, you may be able to start driving for Uber or Lyft in your spare time. My husband has been driving for Uber for over a year, and he recently started driving for Lyft, as well. I love how flexible this side hustle is. Both Uber and Lyft are widely used, so you can work as little or as much as you want — and at any hour — and still make money.
We’ve used the extra money he earns to pay off his car loan early and to fund vacations.
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Earning Potential:
$12 to $20 per hour, and just under $400 per month on average. It really depends on how much you can drive, though. There are people who make $800 to $1,000 per month.
4. Seasonal Job
Getting a seasonal job is a popular option when it comes to fall side hustle ideas. Retailers often look for seasonal employees around this time of year as they gear up for the holiday shopping season.
Seasonal work is nice because you can earn money for a few months, but won’t have to be tied to that job when the holidays roll around.
That way, you can relax and spend time with your family.
You may want to consider seasonal Halloween stores in your area. My sister works at a local Halloween store every year around this time, and she says it’s easy money.
Earning Potential:
Check the minimum wage in your area.
5. Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Farms
Who doesn’t love going to apple orchards and pumpkin farms during the fall? It could be just as much fun to work at one and receive free or discounted admission when you’re not working.
Some of these seasonal farms are family-owned, but that doesn’t mean they won’t hire extra help. Plus, there are so many jobs you can do. You can help maintain the grounds, work in the on-site store, help with the rides and entertainment, or even assist with admissions on busy days. But the “fruits” of your labor will fluctuate widely from farm to farm.
Earning Potential:
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Apple pickers can make up to $250 a day depending on their skill, according to NPR. For jobs at pumpkin farms, you may want to check your state's minimum wage laws, as well as with individual farms.
6. Yard Cleanup
Yes, foliage is a big attraction of the fall season, but it can also be a nuisance in personal yards. Invest in some decent tools and provide your neighborhood with the best service in raking leaves.
It’s pretty easy work, and you get to play in giant piles of leaves all day!
That, and you get the satisfaction of a job well done. Whichever.
Earning Potential:
Some places pay professionals about 10 cents per square foot. So the bigger the yard, the bigger the payout. Check out this post here for the best ways to calculate how much to charge.
7. Tutoring
It’s school season, and parents all over your hometown will be crying out for help, even if their kids aren’t so keen. Put up an ad on Craigslist or in the local newspaper for a subject you’re strong in, and share your wealth of knowledge.
Earning Potential:
This handy calculator will help you figure out how much you should charge per hour, based on your area.
8. Halloween Scares
Dust off those acting skills and get into character this spooky season. If you don’t fancy yourself as an actor, offer to help design or decorate a Halloween-themed event. Sure, it’s only for a short time, but you never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet (or scare!).
Earning Potential:
At least the minimum wage in most cities and states.
9. Summer Clothes
What use are those flimsy little dresses going to be to you when the temperature drops below zero? And deep down you know you might never wear those shorts again. Clear out your wardrobe and head to Facebook Marketplace, your local Buffalo Exchange, or Craigslist to make a quick buck on your old stuff.
Earning Potential:
The sky’s the limit, depending on how much you want to get rid of.
10. Fall-Themed Treats
’Tis the season to be pumpkin! Grab a pumpkin spice latte on the way home and get your apron on. It’s time to rustle up some home cookin’ for a profit! You can charge per pie or per slice, and if you’re really creative you can make pumpkin-flavored anything.
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This is the only time of year when that’s acceptable, so make sure you’re taking full advantage! Just be careful to follow local and state laws regarding homemade food businesses.
Earning Potential:
You have the “home” advantage here. People always prefer something that was made with love than mass-produced. Check your local store brand to see what they sell for, and feel free to add on an extra couple of bucks for that personal touch.
A Final Thought on Fall Side Hustle Ideas
Start searching for good side hustle ideas in your area and put your applications in early. After a fun-filled summer, fall is the perfect time to reset your finances and make the holidays easier on your wallet by earning extra money. Whether you prefer to work indoors, outside, or even from your car, there are some great side hustle ideas out there for you.