8 High-Paying Side Hustles That Only Take A Few Hours A Week

Does your job take precedence over your wellbeing? Perhaps a couple of years ago it might have, but that’s certainly not the case for the majority of the workforce of 2024.

Personal wellbeing has emerged as a primary concern and priority for professionals this year, according to the 2024 Endpoint Ecosystem study, which noted that 83% of workers are now prioritizing their personal wellbeing, even more than job satisfaction. These findings mark a sharp 10% increase from workers’ sentiments in 2022.

With this current state of affairs, it only makes sense that workers are seeking solutions that accommodate their number one priority of enhancing or improving their wellbeing when working.

With the number of hours one works each week being one of the central factors to workplace wellbeing, individuals want side hustles and means for making passive income, without needing to spend too much time working on them (resulting in burnout).

If you are a professional seeking to make more money to boost your salary, without working ridiculously long and unsociable hours, you might be surprised to find that the side hustles below are not only extremely lucrative but have the added benefit of only occupying a fraction of your time. This way, you can spend the greater share of your time doing what matters most…taking care of your wellbeing.

Let’s dig in.

1. Freelance Writing

Of course, a list of side hustles would be incomplete without some mention of freelance writing. You can pick up gigs to write copy, be a ghost-writer, or write articles and stories as a freelance journalist or contributor, spending as little or as much time as you’d like each week. This is highly flexible, and what you put in is what you get out.

2. Proofreading And Editing

You can get paid to proofread student work, or proofread and edit documents or communications relating to your specialism (for example to review and edit grant applications, a white paper, or a press release).

3. Selling On eBay

Do you have any pre-loved items taking up space in your loft, storage, or garage that you no longer have need or use for? If they are in a saleable condition—or can be renovated without costing too much money—why not sell them for a profit on online marketplaces such as eBay?

Customers bidding for your goods on eBay can significantly raise the value of your goods, especially if it is highly competitive (however, this is not always a guarantee).

4. Renting Assets

Sometimes you may not want to completely give away your goods, but you may not use them often either. In between uses, you could make money through renting them out on platforms such as Fat Llama. Some ideas of what to rent include tools, cameras, and spare laptops in useable condition.

5. Public Speaking

Public speaking is an excellent high-paying side hustle that can yield thousands of dollars for only a few hours of work—most of which is spent in the prep for the speaking engagement, which can be delivered on occasions such as a conference or training event.

Some people, especially as newbies or if not so popular in their industry, make around $1,000 at the entry-level, and others who are more seasoned industry experts or speakers can command speaker fees of as much as $10,000 and above.

6. Coaching

Coaching is another side hustle that only takes a few hours of your time each week, depending on how many clients you decide to take on, of course. Coaching actually helps you to improve your own wellbeing, because it empowers you to practice the mindfulness, self-reflection, and goal-setting that you are teaching others.

7. Affiliate Marketing

If you run a blog or vlog as a hobby, you can maximize your earnings by including affiliate links to other products or services from other companies, that complement your topic.

Just remember to include a disclaimer, for the sake of transparency, so that others know that you will receive some compensation if they click and purchase the product. Once set up, this takes hardly any time at all.

8. Notary Public

Notaries are typically used to authenticate documentation, such as an affidavit, which is used in court for legal proceedings, and in other matters where certified genuine legal documentation is necessary.

On Upwork, freelance notaries are listing their notarizing services for as much as $100-$250 per hour. According to the National Notary Association, you’ll usually need to meet state requirements, which can include an application, training from a vendor, and passing a state exam.

As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from if you’re looking to make money while cutting down on working endless hours. With these eight side hustles, you can ensure you are not becoming a slave to time, trading your time for money, but instead, will be more in control of your work schedule, being flexible on your own terms.