Higher costs and easier access to information is driving a new age of career opportunities… the side hustle. From coworkers to family members, to that one annoying youtube influencer, everyone thinks they know the best way to earn cash on the side. If you’re new to the idea of a part-time DIY gig, it’s hard to know which are really the best side hustles for you?
While plenty of side hustles exist, many promise much more than they deliver. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best side hustles for real folks seeking extra cash; moms, weekend warriors, and passive income seekers.
TL;DR Summary
- Side hustles offer flexible DIY income.
- Best options vary by lifestyle needs.
- Dumpster and event rentals earn big.
- Vending machines and affiliate marketing create passive income.
- Start small, stay legal, and grow gradually.
What Does a “Side Hustle” Mean?
A side hustle is a gig that requires less time than a full-time job, earns more money than a part-time job, and is mostly DIY (do it yourself). Most people start a side hustle out of passion for a hobby, or a need to earn extra cash with limited time and money investment.
Side hustles can range from odd jobs to dedicated skilled labor. The most common side hustles in 2026 include:
- Babysitting
- Dog walking
- House cleaning
- Crafting
- Handyman work
- Delivery driving
What Qualifies a Job as a Side Hustle?
The differences between a side hustle and a “job” can be hard to distinguish; especially when side hustles can become full-blown businesses that not only earn a living wage but hire additional workers to operate effectively.
Here is a quick table we created to help distinguish between side hustle vs regular job:
| CATEGORY | SIDE HUSTLE | REGULAR JOB |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Time Commitment | 5-10hrs/week | 30-40+hrs/week |
| Autonomy | Full control | Low control |
| Growth Potential | High | Low |
| Earnings Type | Passive & Active | Active |
| Income | Unlimited but unpredictable | Stable |
While it’s difficult to distinguish exactly what differentiates a side hustle vs a regular job, the main differences come down to flexibility, time commitment, and autonomy. A side hustle tends to offer more flexibility, less time, and offers complete autonomy versus a full or part-time job.
Based on your personality, lifestyle, or motivation, a side hustle may be a perfect fit. Stay-at-home parents, skilled creatives and laborers, and motivated individuals with time to spare are well-suited for a side hustle, but anyone can start one with a little effort and the right idea.
Are Side Hustles Good or Bad? Legality & Employer Consequences
Side hustles are a no-brainer for many, but for some a stigma still exists. As this reddit post from user pocketfullofcurious explains, even in 2026, some people still seem to look negatively on side hustles.
High-risk side hustles such as day trading or crypto often receive fair scrutiny, but too many other side hustles are still wrongly labeled as unstable or reckless sources of income.
Fortunately, the tides are turning as more individuals move towards side hustles as a reliable source of secondary income. As the following video by Chris Croft explains, side hustles have multiple benefits when paired with a day job including…
- Disposable income
- Financial security against uncertainty
- A challenge to keep you motivated
- A way to network and meet new people and friends
As much as people can debate whether a side hustle is worthwhile or not, a more important question to ask is… “Is it legal to start a side hustle?”
When looking into compliance, there are many factors that influence whether a side hustle is legal or not. Local or federal regulations may require specific licenses, permits, or certifications for you to perform work.
Some common side-hustles that may require legal compliance are…
- Food truck or pop-up restaurant
- Home childcare
- Handyman work
- Drone photography
Even if you met all the requirements and had a solid business plan, could you get in trouble with your day job for starting a side hustle?
Unfortunately, there are some cases where a side hustle could get you in trouble or even fired from your full or part-time job.
While all employment contracts or agreements vary, some of the most common conflicts between your employer and your side hustle include…
- Violating a non-compete or conflict-of-interest policy
- Using company time or equipment
- Poor job performance
- Confidentiality risks
- Contract or handbook restrictions
- Reputation or brand concerns
Before you officially start your side hustle, it’s best to check your employment contract or handbook to make sure you aren’t violating any policies. If required, make sure to check with HR to make sure you can operate your side hustle freely with no conflicts from your employer.
Best Side Hustles in 2026 for Weekend Work
A Monday through Friday job can take its toll on free time. Weeknights are often spent cleaning, spending time with loved ones, and preparing for the next day, leaving no time for a side hustle.
For folks with this schedule, a weekend side hustle is a good fit. Check out our picks for the best side hustles for weekend warriors.
Top Pick: Dumpster Rentals
A lucrative side hustle with growing popularity among the DIY community; dumpster rentals are more accessible than ever for a motivated entrepreneur that doesn’t mind a “sweaty startup”.
With a larger window for deliveries and pickups, dumpster rentals can be scheduled on nights and weekends, allowing for maximum flexibility.
Top 3 reasons for starting a dumpster rental side hustle
- No Skills or Experience Required – No special skills are required to start and operate a dumpster rental business, not even a CDL (commercial drivers license).
- Strong Profit Margins – Dumpster rentals offer one of the best returns on investments (ROI) in the local service industry, with 60-80% gross margins at around $300-600 per job.
- High Demand – With multiple categories (dumpster trailers, 10, 15, 20yd+ containers), there may be little competition for dumpster rentals in your area. Paired with high demand, you can stay booked consistently with almost no effort.
What you need to start a dumpster rental side hustle
- Dumpsters – You can’t start a dumpster business without dumpsters (also known as “containers” or “cans”). People typically start with 1-3 in sizes of 10, 15, and 20 yards.
- Vehicle – Your current vehicle may work for this depending on your setup and budget. A strong option is opting for a roll-off truck for all-in-one convenience vs a truck and trailer.
- Storage – You’ll need a place to store and maintain dumpsters when not in use. Check our guide for weatherproofing your dumpsters for a closer look at how to effectively store your containers outdoors.
- Roll-off/Dumpster Trailer – Styles and types vary, but a roll-off dumpster trailer is a great option for starting out.
- Insurance – Before starting a dumpster rental business, make sure to reference local and business requirements for insurance to protect yourself and your equipment.
- Landfill Accounts – You’ll want to start an account with a local landfill, understanding fees and the rules for dumping.
Common challenges for dumpster rental side hustles
- Storage – A safe place to store your inventory and equipment isn’t always easy to come by. While many startups choose a place like their backyard or a friend’s property, this option isn’t accessible to everyone. A rental storage yard is a startup expense you may need to consider.
- Startup Costs – While the ROI and long-term earnings are much higher vs most side hustles, dumpster rentals do come with more significant startup costs. Dumpsters, licenses and insurance, and equipment costs are a higher barrier to entry than most can afford.
- Marketing & Booking – Tech savviness is not a strong suit for many waste management operators, making marketing & booking a common challenge. Many turn to specially developed dumpster rental software to handle online booking, scheduling, and payments.
Regardless of the challenges, dumpster rentals remain a strong contender for the best side hustle to start this year for its high return on investment, low competition, and limitless growth opportunity. If you’re interested in starting up a dumpster rental business, be sure to check out our recent article titled How to Start a Dumpster Rental Business in 2026.
Weekend Side Hustle Alternative: Pressure Washing
With an average cost of $246 for a pressure washer (lawnstarter.com), and typical job rates of $60-$100 (freshbooks.com), pressure washing is a great weekend side hustle… for those that don’t mind getting a little wet.
Best Side Hustles in 2026 for Moms & Stay-at-Home Parents
We get it, you’re exhausted! As someone who spent time as a stay-at-home dad myself, the balance of kids, relationships, and home care was just as difficult as any 9-5 I’d held. But there are gigs out there that even overworked stay-at-home moms and dads can enjoy.
Below we thought of some of the best side hustles for moms and stay-at-home parents, including side gigs that prioritize work-life balance, family-friendliness, and enough money to justify the effort.
Top Pick: Party & Event Rentals
Taking a cue from this Event Rental Systems blog covering the most profitable side hustles to start this year, we included party and events rentals as our top pick for moms and stay-at-home parents.
With high profit margins, flexible scheduling, and a family-friendly industry, party and events rentals is a perfect fit for parents who need some cash on the side. After all, diapers don’t pay for themselves!
Top 3 reasons for starting a party and event rental side hustle
- Ease of Operation – No heavy machinery required here. Party and event rentals include inventory like bounce houses, tables, chairs, and linens, with admin tasks simple enough to be performed at home.
- High Profit Margins – The ROI on party and event rentals is through the roof, with most startups paying off inventory items in just a handful of rentals.
- Family-Friendly Customer Base – Depending on your niche, party and event rentals commonly serve birthday parties, weddings, and other family-friendly celebrations. The industry is welcoming to young entrepreneurs with kids; in fact, a high volume of operators have families themselves.
What you need to start a party and event rental side hustle
- Inventory – Once you decide what rentals you want to offer, you’ll need inventory! Bounce houses and inflatables are perhaps the most popular choice for startups, but many operators choose to offer tables, chairs, linens, tents, or even yard games like cornhole. For bounce houses, you will also need complimentary supplies like blowers and extension cables.
- Vehicle – A minivan or SUV can work (depending on inventory), but many operators opt for a commercial van, pickup truck, or small 5×8 trailer.
- Storage – You’ll need a place to store and maintain equipment when not in use. Starting out, a garage or storage shed should work fine. A small storage unit could also provide more space, easy loading, and a central location.
- Insurance – Before starting a party rental business, make sure to reference local and business requirements for insurance to protect yourself and your equipment.
Common challenges for party and event rental side hustles
- Cleaning & Maintenance – An often-overlooked aspect of running a party rental business is cleaning and maintenance. Disinfecting, patching, and removing stains and marks from inventory is a normal part of the job.
- Startup Costs – While the ROI and long-term earnings are much higher vs most side hustles, event rentals do have startups costs that price out some entrepreneurs. For a bounce house business, minimum startup costs average around $3,000, but first-year net profits average around $15,000.
- Marketing & Bookings – Competition can be higher for event and party rentals than other side hustles, which makes marketing key to a successful run. Many party rental businesses utilize management systems like Event Rental Systems (ERS) that offer software, apps, and marketing services to increase visibility, streamline bookings, and help your business run more smoothly from day one.
For a stay-at-home parent, the best side hustle needs to be a gig that doesn’t complicate an already hectic day-to-day life. Party and event rentals offer the flexibility and atmosphere young parents strive for, with plenty of lucrative returns to make it worth the time. For a complete guide on party rentals, check out this ERS blog covering how to start a party rental business.
Mom Side Hustle Alternative: Childcare
If you’re already watching your own kids, why not add a few more? Just kidding, we all know it’s not that simple! But childcare can actually be a high-earning side hustle.
Babysitting or part-time nanny work offers tons of flexibility, sometimes even presenting a chance to bring your own kids to “work” with you! According to a care.com analysis, starting babysitting rates average around $19.65/hr, maxing out at $30.31/hr.
When you consider perks like free meals, a comfortable working environment, and the chance to form bonds with other families in your community, childcare becomes one of the best side hustles for a mom or stay-at-home parent.
Best Side Hustles in 2026 for Passive Income
Passive income isn’t just a pipe dream sold to multi-level marketers and crypto investors; it’s a real business strategy reserved for those savvy enough to achieve it.
Despite what that guy from high school told you, passive income side hustles are never quite as easy as set-it and forget-it; but they do exist. We’ll explore two of the best side hustles for passive income, one that has you slingin snacks, and another that promotes products and services with online content.
Top Pick: Vending Machines
Our top pick for the best side hustle for passive income is a tried-and-true business model deployed around the globe from hospitals to hotels… vending machines.
It may seem old fashioned, but vending machines are as popular now as ever. The r/vending subreddit boasts an impressive 46k weekly visitors with 372 weekly contributions including ownership advice, sales, and custom modifications.
Let’s explore the logistics of a vending machine side hustle, and why it works for entrepreneurs seeking passive income.
Top 3 reasons for starting a vending machine side hustle
- Passive Income – While machines do need to be repaired, maintained, and re-stocked, the time commitment is tiny compared to most side hustles with similar returns.
- No Marketing Required – Find a location and let the machine do the work!
- Easy to Scale – Once you have your first machine in-place, the rest is all downhill. As your inventory increases, your pricing goes down, allowing your margins to grow.
What you need to start a vending machine side hustle
- Vending Machines – you can go with multiple options including snacks, drinks, combo machines, and specialty machines (toys, ice cream, french fries, etc.)
- Locations – Finding a good location is key to success. You’ll also need to negotiate commission and restocking if placing it on property that you don’t own.
- Vending Inventory – From candy bars to canned cold brew, choosing what to put in your machines can affect sales, margins, and restocking frequency.
- A Way to Accept Payments – While older machines accept only cash and coins, younger customers will expect a credit/debit or mobile payment option; which will require a vendor account and digital interface.
Common challenges for vending machine hustles
- Location Sourcing – Finding a good location for your vending machines can be a struggle, and with it comes the risk of theft, vandalism, weather exposure, and difficult-to-work-with property owners.
- Machine Repairs & Failures – Machines, especially cheaper models, will malfunction with time. The worst part? You can’t make money while the machine sits broken down!
- Product Spoilage & Restocking – Tracking your inventory for things like spoilage, and restocking missing or expired items, is what makes vending machines a semi-passive business model vs fully-passive.
Passive Income Side Hustle Alternative: Affiliate Marketing
Have you ever watched a Youtube video that asks you to purchase an online course? Or read a blog that provides direct links to an Amazon product? These were likely examples of affiliate marketing. Below you can see a screenshot from a video on the American AF Dumpsters channel with an affiliate link in the description.
Back in the early days of blogging, social media, and web design, affiliate marketing was a true millionaire-maker. One of the best side hustles of the 2000s era, affiliate marketing has since taken a hit with commissions rates dropping and more competition from foreign creators and AI-generated content.
Despite the challenges of the 2020s, affiliate marketing is still a lucrative path when done right. With businesses including Amazon, Walmart, Canva, and Udemy offering modest payouts via dedicated affiliate programs, there is still an opportunity to earn solid passive income on monetized content.
Get Started Making Extra Cash on the Side
The best side hustles take a skill or passion you already have and monetize it. Whether you want to try one of the side hustles listed in this blog, or create one that’s never been done before, the time to start is now!
If you decide to pursue a dumpster rental side hustle, we can help! At Dumpster Rental Systems (DRS), we have software and marketing solutions made for the waste management industry, with plans suitable for brand-new startups all the way up to enterprise operations. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable side hustle?
It’s hard to say what the most profitable side hustle is given a wide range of areas, industries, and time spent acquiring new business. Out of the best side hustles we covered in this article, dumpster rentals and event rentals are likely your best bet for high profits and scalable income. For more info on profitable side hustles, visit the profitable side hustles to start blog from ERS.
I don’t have any spare income; can I start a side hustle?
Yes! Even if you have $0 to spend, there are side hustles like childcare and dog walking that cost nothing to start.
What is the most common side hustle mistake?
The most common mistake is thinking you have to start out earning a lot. Start at your own pace and within your own budget, re-investing some or all profits back into the business, and setting goals for growth.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, business, or legal advice. Earnings and startup costs for side hustles can vary widely based on location, experience, demand, and individual effort, as can business requirements and legal obligations. Always do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
