In times of inflation and steadily rising interest rates, an additional source of income could be just the thing for your budget. But not all of us are cut out for tutoring or blogging while sitting at a desk for several hours a day.
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While these can be lucrative side jobs, they may not appeal to the more active of us. If you’re interested in a hustle that keeps you on your feet, these are the best active side gigs, according to experts.
hiking/hiking guide
Financial expert Andrea Woroch should try her hand as a tour guide. “If you live in or near a city that attracts a lot of tourists,” she said, “you can get paid to provide walking tours while still getting in and spending time outside.”
“There are many online resources for learning about your local hiking routes, including information about their elevations and their attractions,” said Christel Oerum, founder and content director of Diabetes Strong. She recommends using these resources to better understand your route. Whether you focus on hiking trails or local attractions is up to you.
Woroch adds that you should “sign up to offer your services through apps like Showaround or ToursByLocals to get your side gig off the ground.”
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Travel/Destination Blogger
According to Dan Nelson, the founder and editor of APYGUY.com, active people “should remember to combine their interests and abilities with their desire to be active and need real reviews of national parks, scenic trails, and the like from an active person’s perspective .
“There are tons of travel bloggers and destination bloggers looking for writers to cover different experiences like local hiking trails, bike trails, campgrounds, etc. If you enjoy writing and are good at it, then combining this skill with an outdoor activity is a great way to get active and make extra money.”
lawn care
Many homeowners were not born with a green thumb and would like to leave their landscaping to someone who knows better. If you know your way around a lawnmower (or have a way to transport your own) and don’t mind working outside, you can easily get business through word of mouth. As you learn more and more, you can add other lawn services like fertilizing and plant care. If you do a good job, you will even have regular customers.
dog walker
Is there anything better than enjoying a sunny day with a furry friend by your side? If your answer is no, you should walk the dog in your free time. Woroch said: “Not only can you make up to $1,000 a month by taking care of pets through sites like Rover.com, but this also gives you the opportunity to be active at the same time – walking a dog or to For example, going for a hike or going to the local park is a great way to give the pet you are watching some exercise and give you a chance to take a few extra steps or exercise!
Apps like Rover and Wag make becoming a dog walker as easy as creating an account and choosing your availability. And you can add pet care to your offering to make even more money.
Steve Pogson, founder and head of e-commerce strategy at FirstPier, recommends talking to your neighbors about walking their dogs. He said: “Word will spread quickly if you tell people you provide hiking services. You can approach local vets and groomers to advertise your services after you have solid recommendations under your belt.”
Personal trainer or fitness trainer
While there are always people who want to get in shape, there aren’t nearly as many personal trainers with the knowledge to help them. If you are passionate about nutrition and exercise, your skills could be in great demand.
Alex Constantinou, CEO of The Fitness Circle, knows that fitness is a lucrative market. He said: “You can provide clients with individual training, in person or online, using your expertise, experience and skills. If you prefer online classes, you can broadcast classes to a group of students over your phone.” Better yet, “You probably won’t even need to make any new purchases if you already have a home gym.”
Woroch adds, “You’ll likely need specific certification to teach fitness classes at a local health club or gym, but this is a fun way to put extra cash in your pocket while you work up a sweat. Look for a gym that offers classes before or after your regular work or on weekends. If you plan on working out anyway, you might as well get paid to do it.”
Local sport referee
If you love sports, says Nelson, “consider getting involved in refereeing football or basketball games. If you have played both sports and know the rules, contact your local YMCA or boys and girls club as they often require referees and pay by the hour or by the game. Depending on the sport and the season, you can be scheduled for several games in one day.”
One expert actually did this effort himself. As the founder of Up The Gains, Sammie Ellard-King has covered and participated in a number of side gigs. One of his favorites “was to train as a soccer referee and oversee teenage games on a Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Best Side Gigs for Active People