Room and board refers to your living expenses while at college.

Applying to college is only half the battle. Once you get accepted you’ll have to figure out how you’re going to pay for it.

One of the biggest expenses to consider when determining where to go to college is room and board, or the cost of living that’s associated with going to school. 

While living expenses can vary, they can substantially increase your overall cost of going to school. In fact, room and board expenses can be 2x or 3x the cost of your tuition!

Here’s what you need to know about room and board and some ways you can get creative to manage your living costs.

What Is Room And Board?

Room and board refers to your primary living expenses when you go away to school. It’s the cost of housing and meals when you live in campus housing.

Room refers to the physical space you live in the related costs. This can be a dormitory or an on-campus apartment. Room expenses include utilities like electricity, internet, and water.

Board includes meals you can redeem at a campus-run dining hall as well as “dollars” you can spend at cafes on campus. This too can vary based on the type of meal plan you get.

Some schools have an on-campus housing requirement for first- and second-year students. Because room and board is typically not included in tuition, this can drastically increase your cost of attendance. 

How Much Does Room and Board Cost?

There are a number of factors that affect the cost of room and board. Rural campuses, for example, are less expensive than attending college in a major city. A single dorm room will likely cost more than living in a shared dorm. Even extra amenities such as air conditioning or parking can also increase your final housing bill.

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of room and board is $12,917. Private colleges tend to have a housing requirement and charge more for room and board than in-state public schools. Because many public schools don’t have a housing requirement, it’s easier for students to live off campus and commute to class.

A campus meal plan is a requirement if you live in student housing that doesn’t have a kitchen. This is usually more expensive than cooking at home. The Education Data Initiative also reports that the average meal plan is around $570 per month while cooking at home is around $263.

Meal plans can be purchased for a set number of meals per week and include an allowance to spend at campus-run cafes and convenience stores. Some schools like Cornell University partner with local restaurants, allowing students to spend their meal plan dollars off campus. 

Example Of Room And Board Compared To Tuition

Here's an example of how room and board can significantly impact the cost you pay for college. Make sure you understand the requirements of your college when figuring out the cost of attendance.

Let's take San Diego State University as an example. If you're a resident of San Diego, you're not required to live on campus (but you can choose to). However, if you're not a resident of San Diego, or are an out-of-state student, you are required to live on campus for your first year of college.

In-State Tuition: $8,728

Out-Of-State Tuition: $21,328

Cost Of Room And Board On Campus: $23,030

As you can see, the cost of living on campus is expensive!

For a local student, living on-campus takes your total cost of one year of college from $8,728 to $31,758.

If you're out-of-state, it's even more expensive! You will pay at least $44,358 for just tuition, room, and board.

You have to remember that this is also just one year. Prices usually rise each year. And you'll have additional costs like books and supplies, travel, and more. Just run these numbers through our College ROI Calculator and you'll quickly discover it's not worth the price.

Related: Why You Should Never Apply To An Out-Of-State "State" College

Pros and Cons of Room and Board

When considering where to go to school, it’s important to evaluate how room and board will impact your quality of life and total cost of attendance.

Pros

• Convenient to classes and campus resources
• Opportunity to socialize with other students
• Secure access
• Ability to learn important skills without being completely on your own

Cons

• On-campus housing and meals tend to be more expensive
• Lack of privacy
• Must adhere to campus rules
• Unable to establish credit history with utility companies

How to Pay for Room and Board

Before you sit down to create a budget, evaluate the cost of living of where you plan to go to school. While attending a prestigious school in a major city has its advantages, you don’t want to wind up having to live in an overpriced dorm that you have to pay for years after you graduate.

After you budget for the total cost of attendance – including room and board – you’ll need to figure out how to pay for it. Student loans will cover housing. If you live on campus, room and board will be billed directly to your Bursar account and you won’t have to worry about it. If you live off campus, you can use any refund you get to help you pay rent and other housing costs.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you use a loan to cover your living expenses, it will still accrue interest. While the all-you-can-eat buffet in your dining hall may seem fun your freshman year, it will cost a pretty penny thanks to compound interest.

Figure out what type of housing is available and what your personal preferences are. When I was a student I had a housing requirement but could opt to live in a campus apartment my sophomore year instead of a dorm. The apartment cost the same as a dorm and had a full kitchen, allowing me to opt out of a pricey meal plan.

Grants and scholarships can also be used to cover room and board. This is essentially free money that you won’t have to pay back. Make sure to read the fine print of any award money you receive to make sure there are no special stipulations on how you spend it.

You can also get free or reduced housing by becoming a resident advisor or RA. You’ll usually be responsible for managing undergrads in an on-campus dorm but doing so will give access to a single dorm and a meal plan. This can be a great option to dramatically cut your living expenses.

The bottom line? As you evaluate your college options, don’t skip room and board. This can be a significant cost regardless of where you live and can add to your overall education costs.

A.M. Money Student loans is a private student loan lender.

Federal student loans are one of the best ways to pay for college but they don’t always cover the full cost of getting an education. You might find yourself in a situation where you need to take out a private student loan to cover the difference.

A.M. Money Student Loans is an Illinois-based lender that offers private student loans nationwide. The company issues loans based on academic performance and creditworthiness. Their core product is a no-cosigner student loan that focuses on your GPA.

This A.M. Money Student Loan review will walk you through everything you need to know before you apply.

What Is A.M. Money Student Loans?

A.M. Money Student Loans are private student loans offered through Chicago Student Loans. Unlike other student loans that might require a parent to co-sign, A.M. Money Student Loans are available to borrowers without the need for a cosigner.

A.M. Money was founder by Daniel Rogers based on his experience struggling to pay for school or find a cosigner willing to help with his student loans.

What Does It Offer?

Here's a closer look at A.M. Money's private student loans, including its rates, terms, and fees. 

Private Student Loans

Private loans can help students who have maxed out their federal loan options. A.M. Money offers expanded private loan financing based on your academic performance rather than just your creditworthiness. Students will need to be in their junior or senior year and have an above-average GPA to qualify for a loan.

Full eligibility requirements include:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• The age of majority in state of residence
• Attending an eligible school
• Satisfactory academic progress as determined by the school
• In at least the third year of an undergraduate program or in a graduate program.
• Above-average GPA
• Pell-eligible or near Pell-eligible

A.M. Money partners with 44 schools (currently all in Illinois). You can check out the list of participating schools here.

Rates and Terms

A.M. Money offers loans ranging from $3,750 to $50,000. Interest rates are fixed for all borrowers ranging from 7.95% to 8.87% APR.

The term for A.M. Money’s loans are 10 years and are applicable for both undergraduate and graduate students. There is a six month grace period before payment begins.

Borrowers can leverage an income-based repayment plan for 36 months if they take on a low-paying job after college. Standard payments are set at 15% of your income. With an income-based plan, you can expect a minimum monthly payment of at least $50.

If you want to pay off your loan early, you can do so without being penalized. That means if you want to begin paying your loans while you’re still in college, you can.

Unlike some private student loan providers, A.M. Money charges a 4.5% origination fee.

Are There Any Fees?

A.M. Money charges a 4.5% origination fee, much like the Federal PLUS loans. There are no other fees, including prepayment, or extra payment fees. 

How Does A.M. Money Student Loans Compare?

Earnest is a student loan provider offering both student loan refinancing and private student loans. It offers competitive rates and doesn't charge any application or loan origination fees. If you're considering A.M. Money Student Loans, you'll want to look closely at Earnest. 

SoFi is a longstanding student loan refinance company that has expanded its product offering to include everything from private student loans to mortgages to banking and investing products. It offers six types of loans: Undergraduate, Parent, Graduate, MBA, Law School, and Health Professions loans. Unlike A.M. Money, SoFi does not charge any loan origination fees. 

How Do I Open An Account?

To open an account you’ll need to first pre-qualify for a loan. You can do that by providing the following information:

• Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• School
• Academic Year
• GPA
• Loan Amount

If you’re eligible to apply you’ll need to provide additional information including your income, financial aid, and Social Security Number. A.M. Money will perform a soft pull on your credit.

After you’ve completed your application, you’ll be notified whether or not you’ve been approved. A.M. Money will coordinate with your school to verify your information so it may take a few weeks before the funds are disbursed to you.

Is It Safe And Secure?

Aside from processing application information, A.M. Money does not store personal data on its website. While the site has not been part of any known data breaches, their website does not disclose any third-party vendors they work with.

Contact

To contact A.M. Money Student Loans you can call their customer service line at 312-262-2498. You can also email them at info@A-M.Money.

A.M. Money is located in Chicago at 192 N Wells St. #131, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.

Customer Service

A.M. Money Student Loans has eight reviews on Trustpilot and a 4.3 star rating. Borrowers report that A.M. Money was helpful and knowledgeable helping them navigate the process to finance their college education.

Is AM Money Student Loans Worth It?

A.M. Money Student Loans can be a good option for talented students who might not have access to traditional financing routes. It’s ideal for someone who has already exhausted federal options and is looking for an alternative.

A.M. Money offers fixed rates and the ability to apply without a cosigner. While its income-based repayment plan isn’t the same as federal income-based repayment plans, it is a unique offering that other private lenders don’t typically offer.

The main drawback of A.M. Money is that it’s only offered to a limited number of students attending schools in Illinois. If you don’t attend one of their partner schools, A.M. Money won’t be a good option for you.

Check out A.M. Money here >>

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If you’re a business owner, the end of the year can be a very busy time. With the holiday season on the horizon, you may be juggling the demands of your business while making space to spend time with family and friends.

There are several things you can do by the end of the year to end on a high note and get ready for tax season. With only 12 weeks left, here are some things business owners should do before the end of the year.

1. Pay Your Taxes

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure you pay Uncle Sam. Throughout the year you should pay quarterly taxes, however, life happens and that might not be practical for all business owners. Be sure you pay your taxes by the end of the year to avoid penalties and take advantage of any savings you may qualify for

For more information, check out our guide to tax due dates. 

2. Deduct Or Depreciate Equipment 

Did you know you can take a deduction for equipment you purchase for your business? According to Section 179, you can take a deduction of up to $1 million in your first year of business for qualified equipment.

If you own a landscaping business this might mean lawn mowing equipment. Or, if you’re a freelancer, that could mean a new computer. Make sure you purchase your new equipment and put it into service by the end of the year to qualify for deductions. 

3. Max Out Your Retirement Deductions

Speaking of deductions, saving for retirement might not be top of mind for business owners but it can help you lower your taxable income. In 2024, individuals can deduct up to $7,000 in a traditional IRA. If you have a SEP-IRA you can contribute up to 25% of your compensation from your business.

There are other contribution limits and certain rules you’ll have to follow to take your retirement savings as a deduction. Spend some time reviewing the requirements so you can max out your savings and qualify for any deductions.

4. Review Your Saas Subscriptions

The end of the year is a good time to audit the number of subscriptions you’re paying for. According to one survey, the average person has between 4 to 5 subscriptions and pays around $1,000 per year for them.

As a business owner, you may have several subscriptions including one for managing your emails, one for maintaining your website, and everyone’s favorite: accounting software. All of this adds up and could be taking a bite out of your profit margin.

Review your subscriptions and take note of what you actually use. Cancel anything you don’t use regularly and take an opportunity to switch your subscriptions to annual payment plans. Not only will this save you money, it’ll also reduce the number of recurring transactions you have, simplifying your bookkeeping too.

5. Take All Your Write-Offs

Do you know all the tax write-offs you’re eligible for as a business owner? Besides deducting equipment, you can also deduct things like:

• Health insurance premiums
• Car mileage
• Uber or Lyft rides
• Meals
• Home office
• Phone bill
• Professional fees, including courses

These write-offs can help lower your annual tax bill. Some expenses will need a business justification so make sure you keep your receipts. These are eight deductions you can take as a business owner.

6. Donate To Charity 

You might notice a number of your favorite charities have donation drives at the end of the year. Depending on how your business is structured, you might be able to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution. This can help you give back to organizations that align with your business while also reducing your tax bill.

7. Schedule A Meeting With Your Accountant 

Aside from paying your taxes, the other important thing you should do at the end of the year is schedule a meeting with your accountant. They will help you go through your books to clean up anything that needs to be addressed before tax season begins. Plus when you review your books with a professional, they’ll help you plan ahead for the new year.

8. Do An End Of Year Performance Review 

If you’ve ever worked for a large company, you’re probably familiar with performance reviews. These are usually given to help evaluate whether or not you’re reaching your professional goals and if you are, whether or not you should be considered for a promotion.

Business owners might not be required to do performance reviews but that doesn’t mean you can’t do one yourself. A performance review can help you evaluate how your business is doing and how well you’re doing at managing your business. 

During your review you can ask questions like:

• What went well in your business?
• What do you want to do better in the coming year?
• What major events are on the horizon that you should be mindful of?
• How do you plan on achieving your goals?

To prepare for a performance review pull your balance sheet and cash-flow statement to get a sense of how your business is doing. If you have employees, survey them to see what’s working and what can be improved on.

9. Show A Little Gratitude 

The end of the year is typically a time of giving. As a business owner, it’s a good way for you to show gratitude to the people who keep you in business.

Let customers, clients, employees, and business partners know how much you appreciate them. You can send them a gift, give your employees an unplanned cash bonus, or schedule a holiday get-together to show thanks.

10. Plan For The Year Ahead 

At the very end of the year take some time to plan for the new year that’s about to begin.

Consider taking a week or two off at the end of December to do some strategic planning. Think about your goals, the needs of your business, and anticipate any obstacles you might encounter in the coming year.

Bonus: Don't Forget The BOI

This year there is something extra that you need to do if you own a business in an LLC or corporation. It's called the Beneficial Ownership Information report. You need to file it by December 31, 2024 or else you could face penalties! See our full guide to it here: What Is The BOI?

Having a side hustle as a college student allows you to offset some of your living expenses, potentially earning money to pay your tuition bill, or even help you build skills for your future career.

Whether it’s buying books or going out with friends on the weekend, there are a ton of expenses you’ll have to cover while you’re in school. Having a side hustle in college to earn some extra income can be a big win.

The best side hustles for college students are flexible, don't require a lot of experience, and pay enough to be worth the effort. We break down our favorite flexible jobs for students, based on what type of job it is, how much you can make, the benefits, and the level of time commitment required (because students are busy).

On-Demand Services

One-demand services refers to side hustles where you can pull out an app on your phone and start earning money. On-demand services like ride sharing and delivery are great side hustles for college students because they are typically the most flexible - you can do them anytime, anywhere.

Deliver Stuff

How It Works: Delivery gig apps like DoorDash, UberEats, and Amazon Flex allow you to get paid for delivering food and groceries, and other things too!

The best part? You can still make deliveries if you don’t have a car. Just register as a bike or scooter delivery person instead. Not only will you save money by not having to constantly fill up your gas tank, but you’ll basically get paid to exercise too.

Benefits: Compensation for gig delivery apps varies by platform and demand. According to Harvard Business Review, the average delivery driver earns $20.33 per hour.

Getting Started: To get started, simply download the app and sign up in your area. Many of these apps allow you to register as a bike or scooter driver, which can be great near college campuses. Depending on your campus or location, you might find any of the following:

• DoorDash
• UberEats
• Amazon Flex

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Walk Dogs

How It Works: If kids aren’t your thing, that’s ok because fur children need attention too. Dog owners who can’t make it home during the workday are constantly in need of dog walkers who can take their pup out for a potty break. This is a great side gig if you have a break between classes that you’d like to monetize.

Benefits: Dog walkers make around $17 per hour. This can be higher, though, if you’re able to walk multiple dogs at once.

Getting Started: You can find dog walking gigs on platforms like Wag and Rover. You can also work with a local dog walking agency to find shift work. Not only is it a great way to make extra cash, but it allows you to get paid to exercise too. Get started here:

• Rover
• Wag

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Babysit

How It Works: Families are always looking for a good babysitter to look after their kids. If you don’t mind giving up some of your weekends, babysitting is an easy way to make extra cash – and get paid to study after you tuck the kids into bed too.

Benefits: Rates for babysitting can vary based on where you live. According to UrbanSitter, babysitters are making around $24 per hour for one child and $26 for two.

Getting Started: Register with a platform like UrbanSitter or Care.com to start offering your services. Once you’ve established yourself in your community, leverage word-of-mouth referrals to build consistent clientele. Get started here:

• UrbanSitter
• Care.com

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

House Sit

How It Works: Instead of being paid by the hour, house sitters are often paid per day. This can be an easy way to make extra cash around your existing schedule.

This can be a great gig for pet lovers, since apps like Rover allow pet owners to book housesits while they’re away from home. This can include checking in on a cat a couple of times a day or staying in the pet owner's home for a few days at a time.

Benefits: The rate for housesitting can vary based on what you’re expected to do and how long you’ll be expected to house sit for. Rates can go as high as $150 per night.

Getting Started: Just like babysitting, word-of-mouth can help you land consistent house sitting gigs. Otherwise you're going to need to use an app like Rover to combo gigs.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Do Odd Jobs

How It Works: Odd jobs are random things most people don’t want to do and are willing to pay someone else to do it for them. This can range from light housework to running errands to assisting a human owner with a big home improvement project.

For example, do you like putting together IKEA furniture or cleaning out gutters? If so there’s an opportunity for you to make extra cash around your school work.

As a side note, only 5.7% of handy-people are women. This is a huge untapped side hustle for women as some women would prefer a female to work in their home.

Benefits: Rates can vary depending on the job. A TaskRabbit assembling IKEA furniture in Austin, for example, can earn around $45 per hour.

Getting Started: You can find odd jobs on sites like Craigslist and Nextdoor, as well as apps like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack. You can also post jobs you’re willing to do too. How much money you’ll make will depend on the type of work you do. Just remember: the harder the task, the more likely you’ll get a bigger payout from it.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Academic Services

You're already a student, why not take advantage of what you already know as a side hustle? Academic-related services are an easy tie-in for students. In fact, when I was in college, I would tutor and also sell my class notes. Many colleges have note-taking and note-selling services right on campus! 

Here are some more ideas:

Tutor

How It Works: If you’re a good student and an ace at helping your classmates with their homework, you could consider becoming a tutor. Many colleges have academic offices that hire student tutors but if you want more flexibility, you can offer your services through a tutoring platform.

Benefits: Tutors make around $22 per hour. More depending on what area you specialize in.

Getting Started: I would recommend starting local on-campus. But you can also go virtual. Chegg, Wyzant, and Varsity Tutors are a couple of examples of places where you can land tutoring gigs.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Editing and Proofreading

How It Works: Depending on your college major, you may be doing a LOT of writing and editing. This can be a valuable skill - for both your other classmates, and even small business owners in your community. Or take it one step farther, and website owners and bloggers everywhere.

This website has several editors, all who edit and proofread the content - making it better, checking for errors, and more.

Benefits: It might sound crazy, but the best proofreaders can make upwards of $4,000 per month or more!

Getting Started: Getting started is the hardest part. You can list your services online marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork, you can leverage word-of-mouth referrals, or you can even jump into classes like Proofreading Launch.

Time Commitment: Medium to High Time Commitment

Research Assistant

How It Works: Student research assistant jobs are great flexible jobs for students since they're typically on-campus work, they pay well, and they could even help you build a relationship with a professor in your field. Many college departments hire research assistants - look at science fields (especially health and cognitive science), political science, marketing, communications, and business.

Benefits: The average research assistant makes just above minimum wage at $20.50, according to Indeed.

Getting Started: To get started as a research assistant, you're going to need to look around campus. Many departments post flyers and jobs, or you could connect with your professor or TA to see if they know of any positions.

Time Commitment: High Time Commitment

Online Platforms And Marketplaces

Making money online is always a great opportunity. Sadly, many of the online platforms to earn and make money don't earn much - but they also take very little time and have no commitments. This can be great for a college student to start a side hustle.

Personally, I used to open up my laptop before class and do surveys until class started. This let me earn cash and giftcards that I could use on campus for lunch!

However, as you get into more entrepreneurship-focused side hustles (like selling digital products), it can take more time. But since this is online, you can still do them from your dorm room!

Participate in Research Studies

How It Works: Participating in research studies is a great way to earn money on the side. Depending on the nature of the study, you might be able to complete it online or you may have to regularly report to an office on campus.

There are also a lot of paid survey websites where you can get paid to share your opinion!

Benefits: Compensation can be a lump sum based on completing certain phases of the study or an hourly rate for your time. For online surveys, you're going to make a very tiny amount per survey.

Getting Started: Check bulletin boards or clinical study websites to see if any departments on campus are looking for research participants. For online surveys, check out these options:

• Survey Junkie
• Swagbucks
• Kashkick
  

Time Commitment: Low to Medium Time Commitment

Participating in research studies is a great way to earn money on the side. Depending on the nature of the study, you might be able to complete it online or you may have to regularly report to an office on campus.

Check bulletin boards or clinical study websites to see if any departments on campus are looking for research participants. Compensation can be a lump sum based on completing certain phases of the study or an hourly rate for your time.

Related: 100 Ways To Make Money In College

Sell Digital Products

How It Works: Creating and selling digital products is a great side hustle to consider because it allows you to earn residual income. One of my favorite digital products for college students to sell is class notes!

To earn even more money, consider creating a course. This can be around a specific hobby – like photography – or around a particular skill you have. While there’s an upfront time investment for creating digital products, once they’re available for sale you can generate income for months – or even years – to come.

Benefits: Digital product sales can vary depending on what you sell and the type of product it is. Templates on Etsy, for example, can sell for a few bucks while a course could sell for several hundred dollars. If you're a student, selling your notes to a class could net you $10 every sale.

Getting Started: You can sell course notes, study guides, and templates on sites like Etsy and Gumroad. For note selling, there are special platforms that focus on it:

• Stuvia
• Nexus Notes

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Flip Stuff Online

How It Works: Do you have an eye for spotting treasure at thrift stores or estate sales? If so, flipping can be a great side hustle for you. In fact, this was one of our founder's favorite side hustles when he was in college!

Benefits: Flipping stuff will vary depending on what you’re selling and the platform you’re selling on. Selling used clothes on Poshmark will probably be less lucrative than selling vintage toys on eBay (although it will probably be a lot easier to source used clothes).

Getting Started: Register for platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace to list gently used items for sale. You can find items to sell at thrift stores, garage sales, or helping your roommate clean out their closet.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Digital Skills And Freelancing

Freelancing is where you can get paid as a side hustle to create certain deliverables. For example, you get paid to create a logo, or write an article, or develop a calculator for a website. These side hustle options are great for students with the matching skillset. And online platforms make it easier than ever to connect with potential clients.

Freelance Writing

How It Works: Freelance writing is a online side hustle where you get paid for content creation, blogging, and copywriting. Basically someone needs an article, and you write it. If you have good writing skills, this is a fantastic side hustle.

Benefits: Freelance writers can earn anywhere from $0.01 a word to $1.00. Of course, the higher amounts of earning come with experience and expertise. A starting college student can expect to maybe get $50 per article. If you have specific knowledge and expertise in field, you can command more.

Getting Started: To get started, you should look at writing job boards or tools like Upwork. As you build a clietn base, you can start getting referred to others. Here's our guide to how to get started freelance writing as a side hustle.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Graphic Design

How It Works: Graphic design works very similar to freelance writing, except instead of creating an article you're creating graphics. This could be something simple like a logo, to something more complex like an infographic or full website.

Benefits: Graphic designers are in huge demand due to the rise of social media. On Upwork, Graphic Designers can charge as much as $145 per hour!

Getting Started: To get started with a graphic design side hustle, you're going to want to create a profile on major sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Showcase a few of your past projects (or create a logo for yourself to highlight your skills if you don't have much experience). 

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Web Development and Programming

How It Works: Web development and programming as a side hustle might not sound like a great gig for students, but depending on the project and skill level of the student, it can be very lucrative. With the internet, potential customers don't even have to know you're a college student, as long as you can deliver the results.

So what kind of web development works best? Things like creating a website for a small business, making a calculator, and other small projects are great for college students.

Benefits: You can expect to earn anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour creating websites on marketplaces like Fiverr.

Getting Started: To get started, you should first have your own website as proof you can do it. (Side note: every college student needs their own website anyway). Then, you can list your services on major sites like Fiverr or Upwork. You can also rely on word of mouth once you have. few small business customers.

Time Commitment: Medium to High Time Commitment

Become a Virtual Assistant

How It Works: Virtual assistants do a variety of administrative tasks that business owners and busy professionals don’t have time to do. This type of work can range from managing social media accounts to doing data entry.

Benefits: According to Upwork, the average social media manager earns between $14 to $35 per hour. Depending on what services you offer as a virtual assistant, your earning potential can vary.

Getting Started: Upwork and Fiverr are two websites you can use to find virtual assistant gigs that allow you to work on short-term projects. A major benefit of doing this kind of side hustle is that it allows you to get real work experience before you even graduate. You can put this type of work on your resume or use it to build a portfolio to show a future employer.

Time Commitment: Medium to High Time Commitment

Creative And Artistic Ventures

Are you creative and have an little entrepreneurial spirit? If so, these side hustles could be a great idea - especially as a student! These ideas are all about leveraging your creativity, spirit, or artistic ability to make extra money. These are both online and offline side hustles, so you can do them based on your personality.

Selling Handmade Goods

How It Works: Are you into crafting and art? There's a great side hustle in selling handmade goods. One of my favorites is creating wedding and birthday invitations. If you are great about writing, stamps, and folding cardstock, you can create custom invitations and sell them on platforms like Etsy. Best of all, you can do this from your dorm room.

Benefits: The average Etsy seller made $1,800 - but of course the range can vary greatly. The benefit here is that by selling these types of items, you can effectively do it on your own time.

Getting Started: To get started, you need to have something you can create and showcase. You can create an account on Etsy, and take good photographs of whatever you've made. This will be key to helping you attract customers for your goods!

Time Commitment: Medium to High Time Commitment

Music And Performance Gigs

How It Works: If you're musically inclined, you can get paid to perform! In fact, this was the side hustle that won our Side Hustlin' Student Scholarship several years ago. You can read the story about how Jessica Vanek was paid to sing the national anthem at events in her town!

Benefits: Depending on the event and what you're performing, you can earn several hundred dollars per event or show.

Getting Started: The only real way to get started with this is spending your younger years developing your skills. Whether that's dance, singing, playing an instrument. This isn't a side hustle you're going to start overnight. It will take years of practice and experience to be able to earn money with it. But if you're in college and have been performing for 10+ years already, this can be a great gig.

Time Commitment: High Time Commitment

Become A Personal Trainer

How It Works: Another easy side hustle for college students is to start is teaching others how to exercise. You can either land a gig as a fitness instructor at your favorite studio or become a personal trainer.

Benefits: How much you’ll be able to earn as a personal trainer will largely come down to your experience. College kids just getting started can expect to earn around $25 per hour while professionals with more experience may charge $100+.

Getting Started: Some gyms may require a certification to join their staff as a personal trainer but you technically don’t need one to work with clients one-on-one. As a personal trainer, you can set your own rates and take on as many clients as your class schedule allows. This is even the type of side hustle you can maintain after you graduate too.

Time Commitment: Medium to High Time Commitment 

Tips For Balancing Side Hustlers With Academic Responsibilities 

One of the biggest "buts" we hear from college students when it comes to making extra money is - "I don't have enough time to do school and work". The truth is that this is a major red flag. The biggest benefit of college for most students is learning the ability to manage multiple things at once: college school work, employment, and fun with friends. This is the key skill that you leave college with.

With that said, there are a few things you can do to balance side hustling with school work:

Time Management: Create a detailed schedule that includes both you work and school hours. Make sure that you find the system that works for your personality style - whether that is a paper calendar or digital calendar. Check out our list of time management tips for college students.

Set Realistic Goals: When you're starting a side hustle, be realistic. You're not going to jump to $1,000s in revenue on day one. It's going to take time to start something, learn how to optimize, and then grow. Even for on-demand services like ride sharing or food delivery - you're not going to be "good" at it until you've done it a bunch.

Stay Healthy: This may seem odd, but too many students can work themselves into the ground. You need to stay healthy. Don't underestimate the importance of self-care.

Choosing Your Ideal College Side Hustle

Any of these side hustles can be great to do as a college student. As you’re figuring out which side hustle is the best for you, here are a few things to ask yourself:

How much time do you have to allocate to a side hustle? If your schedule is flexible you might consider shift work or on-demand gig work. But if you don’t have a lot of wiggle room, a side hustle that lets you earn residual income or work asynchronously may be better for you.

Can you monetize something you’re already doing? Don’t try to reinvent the wheel when you’re deciding on which is the best side hustle for you. Do you already take really good notes? Are you knowledgeable about fashion trends? Is the gym your favorite place on campus? Look for something you already do and see if there’s an opportunity to turn it into a side hustle.

What type of work do you want to do? Not all side hustles are created equal. Some side hustles pay you for the amount of time you put into them. Others pay based on the sale of a product or the completion of a service. Figuring out how you want to work before you start a side hustle can help you narrow down your options.

How much does it pay? Some side hustles will also be more lucrative than others. If you’re good at fixing things, you’ll probably be able to earn more doing odd jobs than driving for DoorDash. Figure out your income goals and choose a side hustle that maximizes the return on your time investment.\

Remember, a side hustle isn't passive - it's active income. If you're looking to build a passive income, check out some additional passive income ideas here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Side Hustles For Students?

What types of side hustles fit into a college student's schedule?

Every student will have a different perspective on balancing time, school, and side hustles. It depends on your major, amount of school work, school schedule, and more. However, online side hustles and on-demand side hustles will be the easiest to fit into your schedule.

How can college students maximize their earnings with limited time?

Entrepreneurship-related side hustles have the biggest ability to scale earnings over time. However, they are also the slowest to start. If you need more income quickly, most on-demand side hustles allow you to cash out instantly.

What skills can college students leverage for side hustles?

Time management will be the greatest skill needed for college student side hustles. The ability to work and balance your school work will be key.

Are there side hustles that also enrich a student’s course of study?

There are a lot of side hustles that can benefit your course of study. For example, being a research assistant in your major can help provide a lot of valuable real-world experience while also getting paid. 

Is Uber a good side hustle for college?

Uber can be a good side hustle for a college student that has a vehicle.

Summary

It may take a few tries to find the right side hustle for you. If something looks interesting, try it. You don't have to do it forever.

The ideal side hustle is something that you like to do, fits your schedule, and pays decently. If you're looking for other ideas, check out this list of more ways to make money in college.

The best side hustles for men are geared towards flexible work opportunities that are generally male-focused. Remember, another word for side hustle is side job - just work you can do on-top of a day job.

A side hustle can be a great way to earn some money and learn a new skill. Even better if your new side hustle is in an area you already enjoy - such as photography or fixing things.

If you're looking for a side gig to bring in some extra cash you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by Bankrate, 39% of Americans have a side hustle. But it's important to find a side hustle that aligns with your skills, interest, and time availability. 

Let’s dive into a few of the best side hustles to pursue -  with a focus on the best side hustles for men.

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Physical And Outdoor Activities

A lot of male-focused side hustles involve physical or outdoor activities. Here are some great options to make extra money.

Become a Handyman

How It Works: Enjoy mounting TVs or repairing leaky faucets? If so, becoming a handyman could be a great side hustle for you. There are a lot of needs for handyman services, and if you're able to do small tasks for people, this could be a great option.

Benefits: Depending on the services you can offer, you can expect to make anywhere from $100 to $500 per job. 

Getting Started: To get started, offer your services on a platform like Nextdoor, TaskRabbit, or Thumbtack. Compensation will vary when you’re just starting out. As you become more experienced you can increase your rates.

Once you establish yourself as a reliable handyman, start building a client list through word-of-mouth referrals. Homeowners are constantly looking for help with home projects. The more trusted you are in your community, the easier it’ll be to get high-paying gigs.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Do Mobile Car Detailing

How It Works: One way to make some serious cash is to offer a service that is too good to pass up. Mobile car detailing is a side hustle that does just that. You can devote as much or little time as you want to this hustle idea in your spare time.

Benefits: You can make anywhere from $50 to $500 per job, but the amount you make is going to be very dependent on the services you offer. The higher-end the service, the more you will make. However, higher-end detailing takes more time, and also more equipment (which you'd have to pay for).

Getting Started: Pitch your car detailing service to apartment complexes or downtown offices. While a customer’s car is parked, get to work detailing it. Not only will you make their day better, but you’ll also be able to charge a premium for bringing your detailing service to them.

Share your detailing side gig on platforms like Nextdoor or Facebook. Work with property managers to negotiate a deal for their tenants. Then start watching the requests come in.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Landscaping Services

How It Works: Landscaping is another great side hustle for men. It allows you to put your weed whacker or lawn mower to work by sprucing up other peoples’ properties.

Benefits: How much you can make as a landscaper really depends on what type of services you're offering. Are you thinking about doing one-off jobs like brush clearing? You'll maybe make $200-400 for a day's work. If you're trying to get regular maintenance going, that's going to earn you maybe $100-200 per month, but less workload each time.

Getting Started: You can make even more money as a landscaper by offering year-round services or expanding your offerings. If you live in the north, offer snow removal during the winter months. If that isn’t an option, offer additional services like power washing homes.

This side hustle isn’t exclusive to homeowners. You can offer your services to commercial businesses to increase your earnings potential. In fact, if you can get a piece of specialty equipment, such as a stump grinder, you can subcontract through existing landscaping companies to do jobs that they don't have the right equipment for.

Time Commitment: Medium To High Time Commitment

Moving

How It Works: If you’ve ever moved you know how much of a hassle it is. From packing up boxes to loading and unloading them, the whole process is very time-consuming. Because of that, people are willing to pay someone like you to help them move. Plus, this is a great way to make some quick cash.

Benefits: You'll likely earn anywhere from $20-50 per hour.

Getting Started: To get started, you can either join an existing moving service as a part-time employee or you can offer moving services on your own. Connect with local realtors to let them know you’re offering moving services. Look for opportunities during peak moving times and fill up your schedule with moving gigs.

There are also apps like Dolly that you can find people looking for movers.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Creative And Artistic Ventures

Are you a creative person looking for ways to make additional income? Here are some creative or artistic side jobs that can help you start to create multiple income streams.

Drone Photography and Videography

How It Works: Another side hustle to start in the events space is offering drone photography or videography services. Skilled photographers are already highly sought after, make yourself stand out by offering aerial images with drones. A drone side hustle has been growing in popularity, but you have to make sure you do it right.

There are two different ways you can work this side hustle. One way is to book gigs. Let wedding and event planners know you’re available to offer aerial photography services and begin booking clients.

Another way is to create a library of stock images and b-roll videos. License your content out on sites like Depositphotos. Aerial videos are used in media ranging from Hollywood movies to YouTube videos. Licensing your content is a great way to earn residual income on the side of your 9to5.

Benefits: You can earn several hundred dollars per shoot, but you'll have to spend money on the drone and the permits.

Getting Started: To be a commercial drone photographer, you'll need to get your FAA drone license. You'll also need to connect with various people - whether real estate agents or others - to market yourself.

Time Commitment: Low to Medium Time Commitment 

Freelancing

How It Works: Freelancing is the perfect side hustle in my option. Freelancing is becoming more and more common and it’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon. According to Upwork, 38% of the workforce in the United States has performed some freelance work.

Freelancing includes freelance writing, editing, social media work, and more!

Benefits: With freelancing, you can seriously scale your income. There is also a huge potential for work-life balance because you only do the work you want to do. The income range can be low, or limitless. In fact, I know several freelance writers that earn well past $150,000 per year.

Getting Started: To get started as a freelancer, figure out what your service is. Are you a good writer? Do you have a knack for editing videos? Or, are you really good at running Facebook Ad campaigns?

Once you figure out what you’d like to offer, use a site like Upwork or Fiverr to find clients. Compensation will vary based on what you’re offering and your skill level.

One of the neat benefits of freelancing is that it can help you develop skills to bolster your resume. Who knows, your next client could become your next full-time job. 

There are also some courses you can take to get started depending on what you want to do:

• Freelance Writing: Earn More Writing
• Editing and Proofreading: Proofreading Launch

There's also the Brambila Method, which takes you through 8 days of online training to get you started in a solid path towards freelancing.

Time Commitment: Low To Medium Time Commitment

OnlyFans

How It Works: Roughly 30% of OnlyFans creators are male, and there are a lot of ways that you can earn money on the platform. While we discussed this as a side hustle for women, it can also be a good side hustle for men looking to make extra cash.

Benefits: This is another side hustle where you have the potential to earn very little, or extreme amounts of extra income. It really depends if you're going to keep this as a small fun job, or turn it into a full-time job.

Getting Started: Don’t worry if nudity isn’t your thing - there are other ways to earn. You can make money by posting fitness content, foot pics, cosplay, and live Q&As with your community members. If you’re already a regular content creator on a website or social media, you could utilize OnlyFans as a chance for your followers to get regular behind-the-scenes content about your everyday life.

Time Commitment: Low To Medium Time Commitment

Woodworking And Craftsmanship

How It Works: Turning woodworking into a side job involves creating and selling wood-based products or offering woodworking services. This can range from crafting small decorative items, furniture, and custom pieces to providing repair services for wooden items. The products or services can be marketed to individual customers, local businesses, or online through platforms like Etsy, eBay, or a personal website. Success in this side gig depends on skill level, creativity, the uniqueness of the products, and effective marketing strategies.

Benefits: If you're already into craftsmanship and woodworking, this could be a side hustle of love. You simply enjoy it, and you get paid. The amount you earn can vary widely - from small items like kitchen utensils maybe earning $20 to $100, to furniture in the $1,000s. But don't forget your time commitment involved in this - it may not add up to much on an hourly rate.

Getting Started: Getting started with woodworking as a side hustle requires a lot of skill, along with having the right tools and being able to source good materials. You'll also want to create a portfolio of your work, so that means making sample pieces and showcasing them (likely online). You can start by listing your items on platforms like Etsy, but larger projects are likely to come from word of mouth or proven experience.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Entrepreneurship

We call these side hustle ideas entrepreneurship related, but really they are simply wants to earn additional income from something that you have the time for. These are also some of the most popular side hustles.

Delivery Services

How It Works: One of the easiest ways to monetize your free time is to do deliveries on platforms like UberEats, DoorDash, and Amazon Flex.

Delivery platforms allow you to work a schedule that fits around your 9 to5 job. Simply log on to the app and start delivering.

With delivery apps, you can either use your car or make deliveries from a bike or scooter. This makes it easy to not only earn extra cash but get a workout in too.

Benefits: The best thing about delivery service apps is the ability to get paid instantly. These apps aren't going to really help you achieve financial independence, but they will put a little extra money in your pocket instantly.

Getting Started: It's pretty simple to get started. Have a way to deliver (car, bike, scooter), and sign up for the relevant apps in your area. Then you just turn on the apps and drive. Check out our full guide on 10 ways to get paid to drive.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Drive for a Ridesharing App

How It Works: Ridesharing apps are another way to bring in extra cash during your downtime. Just like delivery apps, log on and start driving whenever it’s convenient for you.

Benefits: The amount you can earn driving for a rideshare app is going to depend on how much you drive, when you drive, and any promotional offers you're currently getting. But this side hustle also requires a vehicle, so there are costs involved.

Getting Started: One benefit of driving with a ridesharing app is that you can use it to bring in leads for another side hustle. If you’re a handyman, for example, keep a deck of business cards in your car. When you converse with riders, let them know you’re also a handyman and offer them your card.

Not only is this an easy way to find new customers this way, but you’ll get paid to do so too.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Flip Stuff Online

How It Works: One of the best side hustles for men is flipping stuff on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. This is a great side hustle because it allows you to make money around work and family obligations. You can put as much – or as little – time into it as you want.

Benefits: This side hustle has a good potential to earn extra money, but it all depends on what you find, what you sell it for, and can you minimize your shipping or delivery costs.

Getting Started: You can either flip finished goods like vintage toys or find things that need fixing first. To find finished goods, hit up a weekend garage sale or go to your local thrift store. For things that need repairing – like furniture – look on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Spruce up your finds and resell them on those same platforms for a nice profit.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Professional Services

Repair Services

How It Works: Similar to becoming a handyman, fixing things is another great side hustle for men. It allows you to get paid to solve problems by tinkering with things.

In high school, I knew a kid who worked with his dad repairing small engines, such as lawnmowers and farm equipment. They towed around a small trailer with their repair gear and made house calls whenever someone needed help.

If you already have a garage full of tools, repairing things is a great way to put those tools to work. One thing that’s great about this side hustle is that it isn’t limited to individuals. You can offer your services to businesses and restaurants to be their go-to repair person too.

Here are just a few things you can repair:

• Small engines
• Electronics
• Household appliances
• Office equipment (like copiers and printers)
• Espresso machines

Benefits: How much you can earn really depends on what you're fixing and able to do. Smaller items will have smaller fees, while things like an iPhone could earn you several hundred dollars.

Getting Started: The best way to find these gigs is by offering them on a site like Nextdoor or Craigslist. Consider posting fliers on community bulletin boards at local coffee shops or civic centers too. Once you establish yourself as a reliable repair person, work on building up word-of-mouth referrals.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Tech Support Services

How It Works: Turning tech support services into a side job involves offering assistance with software, hardware, or general technology issues to individuals or small businesses. This can include troubleshooting, setting up devices, software installation, and providing guidance on tech-related queries. 

Benefits: Depending on the services, you can earn one-off flat fees of $50 to $100, to several thousand if you're helping a small business setup their network.

Getting Started: To get started, one should assess their tech skills and identify the types of services they can confidently offer. Building a strong online presence through a professional website or profile on freelance platforms can attract clients. Networking with friends, family, and professional contacts is also crucial for gaining initial clients and building a reputation.

Time Commitment: Medium Time Commitment

Service Industry and Events

How It Works: Do you have experience working in food service? Do you enjoy working events? If so, looking for a hospitality side hustle could be a good way to earn extra money in your free time.

Benefits: You'll likely earn around $20 per hour, but rates vary based on your state.

Getting Started: Look for gigs on Craigslist or download an app like Tend. This allows you to find one-time hospitality gigs without being locked into a part-time job. You can also set your own rates to ensure you take jobs that help you meet your financial goals.

Time Commitment: Low Time Commitment

Finding The Right Side Hustle For You

When you’re thinking about starting a side hustle, you probably want one that’s going to pay the most money. Not all side hustles are created equal so it’s important to think about how much you want to earn and the best way to reach your goal. And remember, side hustles are not passive income streams. Passive income comes from doing the work and then receiving the income ongoing. Side hustles require constant work.

Here are a few things to think about to figure out which side hustles for men pay the most money:

Is this something no one else wants to do or can do? The harder something is to do, the more money you’ll be able to make from it. Take landscaping as an example. A lot of people can mow lawns. Not a lot of people can cut down trees. You can get started by mowing lawns but if you want to make serious cash, don’t stay there. Look for the things that need to be done but very few people are offering services to do those things.

What services are in demand? Neighborhood groups on platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook are gold mines for side hustles. Peruse the comments to see what people are constantly asking for referrals for. If you notice a lot of people are looking for recommendations for a reliable handyman to keep on speed dial, choose that as your side hustle. Look for where there’s existing demand and you’ll find no shortage of work.

Do you have equipment that no one else has? Many guys take on hobbies that require expensive equipment. If you already have a tool chest or are skilled at operating drones, put those things to work. You have something others don’t. Leverage what you have to boost your earnings potential.

And don't forget, if you're just looking for ways to earn a little cash and you're bored, there is always the low hanging fruit of paid surveys. Here's some options: 

• Swagbucks - $5 Bonus (read our full Swagbucks review)
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Final Thoughts

While having a side hustle is a popular way to increase your income, there are other benefits to having one. A side hustle can also be a smart way to hone a new skill. If you’re working on your carpentry skills or enjoy fixing things, a side hustle is a great way to practice a skill while getting paid.

The best side hustles for men can help you make money while growing your skills. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Side Hustles For Men

What is the most profitable side hustle?

The most profitable side hustle is the one that has scalability and aligns with your existing work-life balance. This can be a tough find. For me, it was freelance writing, which turned into other careers. For others, it might be other side hustle ideas. The perfect side hustle will vary from person to person.

How can guys make extra money?

Guys can make extra money in many ways, from outdoor activities and physical activities like moving, to creative ventures, to more risqué ideas like OnlyFans. 

How to make money without a job?

There are a lot of ways to make money without a job, including app-based side jobs like delivery services, ride sharing services, and more.

Do I need an LLC for a side hustle?

No, you do not need an LLC for your side hustle. You can be a sole proprietor.