15 Side Hustles I've Actually Done as a Student Mom (Ranked by Real Results)

I make about $1,840 a month piecing together income from 5 different sources.

Why so many? Because I'm a full-time college student, I'm raising a 2-year-old, and I need flexible work that fits around classes, naps, and life chaos...

I make about $1,840 a month piecing together income from 5 different sources.

Why so many? Because I'm a full-time college student, I'm raising a 2-year-old, and I need flexible work that fits around classes, naps, and life chaos...

I've tried 15 different side hustles over the last 3 years. Some made decent money. Some barely covered gas. And some were complete wastes of time.

This is my honest breakdown of every side hustle I've tried—what I earned, how much time it took, and whether it's actually worth it for student parents (or anyone juggling a lot).

Here's what I'll cover:

• My current income breakdown (what I'm doing NOW)

• The 15 side hustles ranked by earnings vs. effort

• Which ones work with a toddler

• Which ones I'd recommend (and which to skip)

• How I manage time for all of this

If you need extra money and you're short on time, this is for you.

My Current Side Hustle Income Breakdown

Before I rank all 15, here's what I'm actively doing right now and what I actually make:

Plus irregular income:

• Child support: $0-300/month (unreliable, don't count on it)

• Selling old textbooks: $50-100/semester

• Random campus surveys: $5-20/month

Grand total: $1,840/month average

That's less than minimum wage would be for full-time work ($13/hr × 160 hrs = $2,080), but I can't work full-time because I'm in school and parenting.

So I hustle.

The 15 Side Hustles: Ranked by ROI (Return on Investment)

I'm ranking these by pay vs. time invested. The best side hustles pay well AND don't eat your entire life.

TIER 1: Actually Worth It (Do These)

1. Freelance

What I do: Find clients on Fiverr and post gigs for clients to hire me.

How I found clients: Proposals and gig invite for repeat clients.

Pay: $25-30/hour

Time commitment: 8-15 hours/month (varies)Total earned (last 6 months): $1,800

Pros:

• Highest hourly rate of anything I do

• Flexible scheduling (I pick my hours)

• Can do it from home

• Paid digitally

• Feels good to help clients

Cons:

• Income is unreliable (some months I have 4 clients, some months 1)

• Have to find your own clients

• Some clients are difficult

• Tax reporting is on you

Works with a toddler? YES. I freelance after she goes to bed (7-9pm) or weekends when my mom can watch her.

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Best hourly rate, most flexible. If you're good at what you do, do this.

How to start: Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Reddit and charge $20-30/hour. Start with one proposal to build your trust.

2. DoorDash/Food Delivery

What I do: Deliver food orders in my area

Pay: $15-20/hour after gas

Time commitment: 8-12 hours/week (2-3 evenings)

Total earned (last 6 months): $2,100

Pros:

• Work whenever you want (turn app on/off)

• Get paid weekly

• No boss, no schedule

• Can listen to podcasts while driving

Cons:

• Gas costs eat into earnings (I spend $50-60/month on gas)

• Wear and tear on your car

• Some nights are slow (make $10/hour, not worth it)

• Weather matters (rain/snow = dangerous but higher pay)

• Dealing with rude customers occasionally

Works with a toddler? Sort of. I dash when my mom can watch her (evenings, weekends). Can't bring a kid with you.

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - Solid money, very flexible, but hard on your car.

Best strategy:

• Dash during peak times only (5-9pm weekdays, lunch on weekends)

• Track your mileage for taxes

• Accept orders $6+ minimum, $2/mile rule

• Have a goal ($50) then stop for the night

How to start: Sign up on DoorDash app, wait for background check (1-2 weeks), get activation kit, start dashing.

3. University Alumni Job

What I do: Organize virtual meetings, study groups, help students find resources

Pay: $13/hour

Time commitment: 12 hours/week during semester

Total earned (last 6 months): $3,120

Pros:

• Steady, reliable paycheck

• Work-study eligible (part of financial aid)

• Super flexible with class schedule

• Can study during slow times

• Virtual

Cons:

• Only available during school year (no summer income)

• Minimum wage (not great pay)

• Limited hours (can't get full-time)

• Boring sometimes

Works with a toddler? YES. I work while she's at my mom's or in my class schedule.

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - Not high-paying, but reliable and easy. Perfect for students.

How to get it: Apply for work-study in your FAFSA. Check campus job board. Library, cafeteria, gym, admin offices all hire work-study students.

4. Babysitting for Neighbors

What I do: Watch neighbors' kids (ages 3-7) occasionally

Pay: $20/hour cash

Time commitment: 4-6 hours/month (not regular)

Total earned (last 6 months): $600

Pros:

• Great hourly rate

• Cash payment (immediate)

• Can bring my daughter (she plays with the other kids)

• Usually weekend afternoons (date nights for parents)

• Easy work

Cons:

• Not consistent (only when they need me)

• Can't rely on this as main income

• Hard to find clients beyond my immediate neighbors

Works with a toddler? YES. I bring her and the kids entertain each other.

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - Easy money when available, but not consistent enough to rely on.

How to start: Tell neighbors you're available. Post on Nextdoor. Join Care.com (they take a cut but you get more clients).

TIER 2: Decent Money, More Effort

5. Selling Textbooks

What I do: Buy used textbooks cheap, resell at semester start

Pay: $50-150/semester

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per semester

Total earned (last year): $400

Pros:

• Good return on investment

• Only takes a few hours

• Helps other students save money

Cons:

• Need upfront cash to buy books

• Risk that books don't sell

• Only makes money twice a year

• Dealing with buyers is annoying

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Easy money if you have books to sell, but not a real "side hustle."

How to do it: Buy used textbooks at end of semester (when students are desperate to sell). List on Facebook Marketplace, campus groups at start of next semester. Mark up 20-30%.

6. Campus Paid Research Studies

What I do: Participate in psychology/social science studies

Pay: $10-50 per study

Time commitment: 30 min - 2 hours per study

Total earned (last 6 months): $80

Pros:

• Easy money

• Interesting (sometimes)

• Flexible scheduling

Cons:

• Not consistent

• Pay varies wildly

• Some studies are boring

• Limited availability

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Free money when available, but can't rely on it.

How to find: Check your campus psychology department bulletin board, email lists, or SONA systems if your school uses it.

7. Selling Plasma

What I did: Donated plasma twice a week for 3 months

Pay: $50-100/week ($200-400/month)

Time commitment: 4-6 hours/week (includes wait time)

Total earned: ~$900 (then I stopped)

Pros:

• Decent money

• Predictable schedule

• Helps people (plasma goes to medical treatments)

Cons:

• Takes FOREVER (2 hours per session with wait times)

• Physically draining

• Needle in your arm for 45+ minutes

• Can't do it if you're sick

• Some donation centers are sketchy

Works with a toddler? NO. You can't bring kids and it takes too long.

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Did it when I was desperate. Would only do again in emergency.

How to start: Find a plasma donation center (BioLife, CSL Plasma). Bring ID, proof of address. First appointment takes 3-4 hours.

TIER 3: Not Worth It (Skip These)

8. Online Surveys (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie)

What I tried: Took online surveys for gift cards

Pay: $2-5/hour (if you're fast)

Time commitment: I tried it for 2 weeks

Total earned: $23

Why it sucked:

• Most surveys disqualify you halfway through (waste of time)

• Pay is TERRIBLE (less than minimum wage)

• Takes forever to cash out

• Boring and soul-crushing

My verdict: ⭐ (1/5) - Absolute waste of time. Don't do this.

9. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

What I tried: Microtasks online (data entry, categorizing images)

Pay: $3-6/hour

Time commitment: Tried for 1 week

Total earned: $17

Why it sucked:

• Pay is horrible

• Tasks are mind-numbing

• Takes weeks to get paid

• Better tasks go to experienced users first

My verdict: ⭐ (1/5) - Not worth it unless you're in a country where $3/hour is good money.

10. Instacart Shopper

What I tried: Grocery shopping/delivery for customers

Pay: $10-15/hour after gas

Time commitment: Did it for 3 weeks

Total earned: $340

Why I stopped:

• Heavy lifting (cases of water, bulk items)

• Customers were demanding

• Lower pay than DoorDash for more work

• Complicated (shopping + delivery takes way longer than just delivery)

My verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5) - DoorDash is better. Less hassle, similar pay.

11. MLM / "Health Coach" Nonsense

What I tried: Got recruited for a nutrition MLM (won't name it)

Pay: -$150 (I LOST MONEY)

Time commitment: 2 months of my life I'll never get back

Total earned: -$150

Why it's a scam:

• Had to buy starter kit ($99)

• Had to buy products to "sample"

• Made zero sales

• Felt awkward trying to recruit friends

• Facebook posts were embarrassing

My verdict: ⭐ (ZERO stars) - MLMs are predatory. Don't do it.

Red flags:

• "Be your own boss!"

• "Unlimited earning potential!"

• You have to buy products to sell

• Income comes from recruiting, not sales

If it smells like a pyramid scheme, it is.

12. Paid Focus Groups

What I tried: Signed up for market research focus groups

Pay: $75-150 per session

Time commitment: Signed up for 20+, got selected for 2

Total earned: $150 (over 6 months)

Why it's not reliable:

• Getting selected is rare (maybe 5% acceptance rate)

• Specific demographics needed

• Schedule conflicts (often weekday daytime)

My verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5) - Great pay when you get it, but too unreliable to count on.

13. Task Rabbit

What I tried: Signed up to do random tasks (furniture assembly, moving help)

Pay: Didn't get a single gig

Time commitment: Wasted 2 hours setting up profile

Total earned: $0

Why it didn't work:

• Super competitive in my area

• Need tools/equipment for many tasks

• Tasks require physical strength (I'm 5'4" and exhausted)

• Background check took forever

My verdict: ⭐ (1/5) - Might work in other cities, but not for me.

14. Upwork

What I tried: Offered my marketing analytics services

Pay: My rate was $25/hr, Upwork takes 20% fees. Clients lowball the pay.

Time commitment: 3 months active

Total earned: -$200 (you have to pay to submit proposals to clients (tokens)

Why I stopped:

• Took FOREVER to get just an interview, then denied

• Undercutting is insane

• Clients were demanding for low pay

• Platform takes 20% commission

My verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5) - Only worth it if you're building a portfolio or in a country with lower cost of living.

15. Uber/Lyft Driving

What I considered: Driving people for money

Why I didn't do it:

• Insurance requirements (expensive)

• Safety concerns (strangers in my car)

• Can't have a toddler with you

• Car wasn't nice enough (too old)

My verdict: N/A - Didn't try it but ruled it out for safety + logistics.

The Side Hustles I Recommend (And in What Order)

If you're starting from scratch, here's what I'd recommend:

If you're good in your niche:

1. Start with freelancing/tutoring - Highest pay, most flexible

2. Post on Nextdoor, Facebook groups, campus boards

3. Charge $20-25/hour to start

If you have a car and free evenings:

1. Try DoorDash - Easy to start, instant income

2. Dash during peak times only

3. Track your mileage and gas

If you're a student:

1. Get a campus job - Reliable, study-friendly, no commute

2. Apply for work-study

3. Library, gym, admin offices

If you have kids:

1. Babysit neighbors' kids - Bring your kid along

2. Higher hourly rate than minimum wage

3. Weekend date nights = easy money

Don't waste time on:

• Surveys (pay is terrible)

• MLMs (you'll lose money)

• Upwork (unless you're in a specialized skill and can afford the platform)

How I Manage Time for Multiple Side Hustles

Real talk: Juggling 5 income sources while in school with a toddler is HARD.

Here's my system:

Monday-Friday:

• 8am-12pm: Classes

• 12pm-4pm: Campus job/intern tasks

• 4pm-6pm: Spend time with daughter, dinner, clean house

• 7pm-9pm: Freelancing (2-3 nights/week)

Evenings (2-3 nights/week):

• 7pm-10pm: DoorDash (when mom watches daughter)

Weekends:

• Saturday mornings: Intern tasks

• Saturday afternoon: Babysitting (occasionally)

• Sunday: Meal prep, homework, rest

My time blocking strategy: I use a weekly time block planner to map out every hour of my week. Without it, I'd be completely overwhelmed.

Download my time blocking template (it's free) ⬇️

Side Hustle Income Tracker

I track every dollar I make from side hustles in a simple spreadsheet.

It tracks:

• Income source

• Hours worked

• Amount earned

• Expenses (gas, supplies)

• Net profit

• Hourly rate

Why this matters: You think you're making $20/hour with DoorDash, but after gas you're actually making $15. The tracker shows you the REAL numbers.

Download My Free Side Hustle Income Tracker

Tools & Apps I Actually Use

For Side Hustle Work:

• DoorDash - Food delivery (what I use most)

• Stride App - Automatic mileage tracking for taxes (FREE)

• Everlance - Backup mileage tracker

For Tutoring/Freelancing:

• Zoom - Video tutoring

• Google Calendar - Scheduling

• Venmo/PayPal - Getting paid

For Tracking:

• Google Sheets - Income tracker spreadsheet

• QuickBooks Self-Employed - Tax tracking (paid, but worth it)

For Time Management:

• Time Block Planner - Physical planner for weekly schedules

• Google Calendar - Free, syncs everywhere

Amazon Products That Help with Side Hustles

For DoorDash/Delivery:

• Phone Car Mount - Essential for navigation

• Insulated Food Delivery Bag - Keeps food hot, better tips

• Portable Phone Charger - Your phone will die mid-shift without this

For Tutoring:

• Ring Light for Video - Look professional on Zoom

• Whiteboard - For explaining concepts on camera

For Organization:

• Time Block Planner - How I manage 5 income streams

• Cash Envelopes - Separate income by source

The Real Numbers: What I Make vs. What I Need

My average monthly side hustle income: $1,840

My monthly expenses: $1,466-1,516 👉 see my full budget breakdown here

Left over: $324-374

That leftover goes to:

• Textbooks

• Emergencies

• Occasionally, savings

• Sometimes, nothing because life

Is this sustainable forever? No.

But it's getting me through college. In 15 months, I graduate and get a "real job" with a salary ($42-48K expected).

Until then, I hustle.

Suggested Reads:

• My Real Budget: $1,840/Month as a College Mom - See where all this side hustle money actually goes

• How I Make $400/Month with DoorDash - Deep dive on my delivery strategy

• Time Blocking for Student Parents - How I fit 5 jobs around school and a toddler

Your Turn: What Side Hustles Should You Try?

If you're a college student, start with:

1. Campus job (apply for work-study)

2. Tutoring/Freelancing

3. DoorDash

If you're a parent, prioritize:

1. Work you can do from home

2. Flexible schedules

3. Things you can bring your kid to

If you have no time, focus on:

1. Highest hourly rate

2. Shortest commitment

3. Don't spread yourself too thin

What side hustles have YOU tried? Drop a comment and let me know what worked (or what was a total waste of time).