Ahh, summer. We wait for it all year long! While a three month break sounds great, we may find ourselves needing extra money, or even just something to fill the time. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do both while still enjoying some extra “you” time during the break. Low commitment, high reward side gigs and learning opportunities are just a few clicks away!
Tutoring
This one is a no-brainer. Whether you’re tutoring students within your community or tutoring online, you’re sure to be the best tutor there is! Keep your teaching skills fresh with this more relaxed and personalized approach to education all summer long.
Selling printables
Maybe this year you came up with a lesson plan that was a hit with your students. If you can create printouts for that lesson, you can sell instant printable downloads online! Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers are great resources for teachers, so why not use them? And the best part is, once your listing is up, there’s nothing left you need to do but sit back and relax!
Delivery services
DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats… there will always be a market for food and beverage delivery! These are great side gigs for when you could use some extra cash but don’t want to commit to a schedule. This flexibility will allow you to take all the time off you want and prioritize your time with friends and family. Win-win!
Lend a helping hand
Good at gardening? Know how to assemble furniture? Have a truck that can help someone move? TaskRabbit has local listings for one-time jobs you can do when you’re feeling generous, and you’ll get paid too!
Closet clean out
Have you been online thrifting? It’s the trendiest way to buy clothes right now. If your closet is in need of a major clean-out, why not sell your gently used items online? Mercari and Depop are the leading sites for online thrifting, and they make it super easy to get started. Your closet will be clean, you’ll make some extra money, and the environment will thank you for giving your clothes another life!
Give your opinion, get paid
No, it’s not too good to be true. Brands are constantly looking for people to test out their products and give honest feedback, and they’ll pay you for it!
Leverage your social media
If you’re social media savvy, you might just be the perfect fit for an online brand ambassador! Ambassador programs often include free product and discount codes, saving you money in the long run.
Not looking for work? There are lots of ways to keep learning over the summer for free. You can even be certified at the end of your class for a fee, though it’s totally optional. Check out the thousands of classes in every field imaginable!
EdX
EdX.org is an online learning service used by many accredited universities, including Harvard. From finance, to law, to specialization in Shakespeare, there’s something for every interest.
Classes we love:
Feeding a Hungry Planet: Agriculture, Nutrition and Sustainability
The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life
Masterpieces of World Literature
Coursera
Coursera.com has a large catalog of classes spanning every field. Whether you’re looking for something to add to your resume or for something completely new, Coursera has what you’re looking for! Who knew you could take a college course on the music of the Beatles from the University of Rochester?
Classes we love:
Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
See if your state offers tuition-free community college
Multiple states across the US offer tuition-free community college classes for qualifying learners, and yours could be one of them!
