The Side Hustle Starter Pack: 6 Apps Every Digital Native Swears By

Digital natives are those who grew up with the internet, and it's this generation that knows what all the best apps are to earn extra income. There are dozens of side hustle mobile apps, but they don’t all offer the same flexibility and potential to earn.

The six apps discussed below are suited to everyone looking to earn spare change, from full-time workers to retirees and students. Don’t expect to earn a full salary using these apps, but they will boost your budget each month.

1 – Gigwalk

Gigwalk offers incredible flexibility, as it allows users to find gigs that can take as little as five minutes to a couple of hours to complete. There are plenty of side hustle opportunities in the gig economy, and this app allows you to get paid into PayPal for completing odd jobs in your area.

You don’t necessarily need a lot of experience to complete the gigs, either. There is a wide variety of tasks listed by businesses that need some temporary assistance. Examples of tasks include:

• Mystery shopping
• Surveys
• Safety checks
• AI data training
• Property inspections
• Retail audits

Most tasks are completed online; however, some you can do in person in your city. According to Gigwalk, you can earn between $3 and $100 per job, depending on the complexity.

2 – Cash App Casinos

Gambling online combines a side hustle with entertainment. Although some high rollers can make a living playing online casino games, most recreational gamblers simply use their spare time to earn a few extra dollars.

Cash App casinos are especially convenient as you can link your gambling account directly to your Cash App. This allows for fast deposits and withdrawals, giving you almost instant access to your winnings, no matter how small.

It’s highly unlikely that you will win millions of dollars if you’re simply playing a few online slot games as you’re commuting to work or class, but in this economy, every extra dollar helps.

3 – Poshmark

Poshmark is a shopping app where users mainly sell clothes, shoes, and accessories. This ecommerce marketplace has quickly become popular for digital natives for selling second-hand items, although some users use it for drop-shipping or reselling.

Getting started on Poshmark couldn’t be easier. Simply download the app and open a free account. You then select which items you want to sell from your closet or home, and upload the listing using clear photos and a brief description. App users can browse your listings, and you will receive a notification if you make a sale. All transactions are handled through the app. You then ship the product to the buyer and receive your payment.

It’s a convenient way to earn extra money if you’re willing to take the time to create the listings, and you can promote your listings on other social platforms. Your total earnings from Poshmark will depend on the prices you list your items for.

4 – Swagbucks

Swagbucks pays you for completing surveys, playing games, or even shopping. It’s one of those side hustle apps that don’t require any skills and very little effort. Swagbucks also offers cash-back on your shopping or discounts for online retailers.

It can be done completely on your phone or PC, and it doesn’t have any registration fees. You won’t be replacing your full-time job salary with Swagbucks, as surveys pay a couple of cents. However, the more you do, the more you earn. On average, Swagbucks users report earning between $50 and $250 per month, depending on how much time they have to dedicate.

Once you have a total of $25, you can cash out either as a gift card or to your PayPal account.

5 – Instacart

Instacart is ideal for those who have a bit of spare time. The apps connect you with clients who need items delivered. If you want to be a delivery driver, you’ll need a driver’s license; however, you can opt to only be a store shopper.

It’s a flexible side hustle as you can accept jobs when you have availability. You will receive a client’s list of groceries, collect it at the store, and drop it off at their home.

Instacart pays between $15 and $25 per hour as an in-store shopper, or you get paid per order if you’re a full-service provider that also drops off the groceries.

6. Care.com

Care.com is an app for those with a specific set of skills in the caregiving industry. It offers both full-time jobs via the job board and temporary gigs when you have availability. It has a large user base, making it relatively easy to find opportunities, although you may need some prior experience or qualifications to land some of the gigs.

Examples of jobs that Care.com offers include:

• Pet sitting
• Housekeeping
• Babysitting
• Nannying
• Senior care
• Personal assistance
• Tutoring
• Special needs care
• Household management

Wrapping Up

The wide range of mobile apps available has made it easier than ever to manage a side hustle on the go. Although most of these jobs will only provide you with a couple of extra dollars each month, they’re flexible and convenient, and can be adapted to your schedule.