Way back in 2019, I first shared some legitimate side hustle ideas. The following year, I shared a few more. Then, I gave an update on my side hustles as of January 2020. And I still love a good side hustle! This side hustle update was five years in the making.
sude hustle 1: TASTE TESTING
The local university’s food sciences program eventually resumed food testing with a few changes post-COVID. And yes, I still participate in the occasional taste test. Some don’t pay as well, so I am a little picky about which taste tests I accept; if it is less than $20 and more than 20 minutes, I’m not going to mess with it.
I’m also paid in Amazon gift cards rather than Walmart, which is a bit more fun. I’ve been able to treat myself to a few items that didn’t fit in the budget by saving my taste test earnings.
my main side hustle in 2025: SUBSTITUTE TEACHING
Working became a lot easier once our son started kindergarten since we no longer required childcare. The most practical solution I came up with was substitute teaching. I’m out when the kids are out and I like to spend time in their schools anyway.
The morning commute isn’t that different either. I substitute teach almost every week on Thursday and/or Friday. Our middle schooler has book club before school on Thursdays, so I have to be in the drop-off line early anyway. I typically sub at one of their schools or the junior high since they’re all within two minutes of each other.
The pay isn’t as much as surrounding larger school districts, but I’ll gladly trade a few bucks for an easier commute. And fewer kids. I take home just under $90 a full day and almost $45 for half days. Some days I really feel like I earned every dollar.
Some days I feel like I got off easy; it really depends on the class and the kids. A full day in an elementary room requires math, phonics, social studies… you are on your feet instructing or redirecting children all day. And sometimes you have recess duty.
The older kids require less instructing, and usually have assignments to work on independently. And if you don’t like some of them, you won’t have to see them after an hour and a half!
Like I said, I’ve been subbing since our son was in Kindergarten and I’ve learned a few things in those three school years. It might seem exciting to substitute your kid’s class, but that excitement wears off fast. Especially when that class is a kindergarten class. Anyone who thinks teachers are paid enough needs to visit a kindergarten classroom; it’s very eye opening.
I’ve also learned that as a former English major who planned to teach high school English, I did not miss my calling when I abandoned my plans and went into accounting. Numbers tend to behave better. They’re also much quieter.
FEWER side HUSTLES, BUT MORE MONEY
All that said, this side hustle is one I will likely stick with as long as I work part-time in the church office. I make more money than a lot of other side hustles I’ve tried in the past, so that’s a definite plus.
This blog is more of a passion project than a source of income. As a very frugal minimalist, I have to LOVE something to even think about promoting it on the site. So, my substitute side hustle funds this little hobby of mine, plus some fun money.
If you’re curious about becoming a substitute, I highly encourage you to try it; there is almost always a need in almost every school district. This is a side hustle you can work as much as you want.
Do you still hustle? If you do, you’re in good company; according to a 2024 Lending Tree survey, one in three American households have at least one. Have a side hustle I haven’t mentioned before? I’d love to hear from you! For now, stay frugal and keep hustling my friends. And I’ll see you in the next post!