By: Ashley Raduenz
It is well known that College is very expensive and can cause a financial burden for many students. Affording college is not easy, so having extra cash to spend is extremely helpful. From my experience as a first year college student, having side hustles allows me to have money to spend during the week. Side hustles let me get dinner with my friends or go to the movies without having to worry about the costs as much! There are a variety of different side hustles that can be done to earn some extra cash, and I am going to discuss some great options for college students!
1. DoorDash
DoorDash is a delivery service, so having a car is required for this specific side hustle. I use DoorDash as my main side hustle, and I love it! To be a DoorDash driver, you must download the Dasher app, make an account, and pass the background check before you can begin dashing. Once approved, you can start doing deliveries. When I dash, I make between $15-$30 per hour. It is dependent on what days you go and what time you dash. It is a great way to make some extra money! Just keep in mind that it is a good idea to go with a friend at night time, or share your location with family and friends. Being a DoorDash driver is safe, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
2. Rover / Wag!
Rover and Wag! are both services that allow you to be a pet sitter/pet walker. I do not have personal experience with these sites, but my sister uses them both! Her work consists mostly of dog sitting while the pet’s family is out of town. The cost of your services is determined by you! You will have to send pictures of the pets to their parents and will see pictures of the pets before you agree to watch them. Normally the visits consist of 30 minute visits multiple times a day for however many days. This is a great way to earn extra money if you are a pet lover!
3. Donating Plasma
Donating Plasma is an excellent way to earn a lot of cash quickly if you can get past the needles. If you choose to donate plasma, you will be poked with a needle every time you go. Plasma is found in blood and can be used to help people who cannot produce it on their own. The plasma center in La Crosse is run by a company called BioLife. They run promotions for new donors, and their current promotion is $900 over 8 donations. The promotions change over time, but there is always some sort of promotion for new donors. If you choose to donate, you will need to make an account on the BioLife app, pass a physical exam, and you will be able to donate. Once you are ready to donate, you must fill out a survey prior to each appointment. After that, you will get your finger poked to test the levels of your blood. You get two attempts to pass, and if your levels are not in the correct range you will be turned away. If you are a generally healthy person you shouldn’t have issues with being turned away. Once you pass the finger poke, you are ready to donate! You will have a needle inserted into the vein in your arm and will have to pump blood to have the plasma spun out. Your blood is returned to you, so you do not lose any blood, just plasma. You can stop at any time in your appointment, and if you are poked with the needle into your arm you will get paid even if you do not finish the appointment.
4. Uber / Lyft
Uber / Lyft are two different options if you want to be a driver for people. You get paid to drive people to their desired destination. A car is required for this side hustle. You can sign up online to be a driver. You will have to provide documentation and wait to be approved. Once you are approved you will have to download a corresponding app and you can start driving. This is a great opportunity to earn extra money, but it is important to ensure you are safe. These services are safe, but it is a good idea to have your location shared with trusted individuals just as a precaution.
5. Etsy
Etsy is a website where you can buy or sell goods. This is an excellent side hustle if you are crafty! Etsy is primarily handmade goods, but there is a large variety of things being sold. I would recommend taking a look at the site to get ideas, and then you can get started selling your own crafts! You will have to create your own account, and then you will be all set to start selling! How much you make off of Etsy is all based on your pricing, so you have total control of the income.
6. Rideshare Services
Rideshare is a great way to help out fellow students and earn extra cash! This is a side hustle that requires a car. I use this side hustle when I am traveling from or to La Crosse. I use the Facebook group “RIDESHARE-University of WI- La Crosse” to coordinate my rideshares. People are offering to drive and people are looking to find a ride. People will post in the group what they are looking for, and then further communication is normally through Facebook direct messages. It is fairly easy to find people who are interested in getting a ride. Every time I have posted that I am driving somewhere, I have had people reach out to join the rideshare. The profit you get from this is totally up to you! I personally do $15 one way or $25 both ways per person. This on average will cover your gas costs and leave you with some leftover money for yourself! I only recommend this side hustle if you already have plans to travel somewhere.
Now you know all about different side hustle options that are perfect for college students! There are so many different options to choose from, and there is going to be a side hustle perfect for you! I love using side hustles to earn some extra money, and I’m sure you will love it too!