8 Best Side Hustles To Pay off Student Loans: A Quick Guide
Repaying student loans is quite challenging, especially if you rely on your low salaries alone. By the time I graduated, I had to pay a debt of $16,000. It was nearly impossible but thanks to gig economy jobs that helped me to get rid of my loan. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you the best side hustles to pay off student loans.
Approximately, 17.4% of Americans have to pay student loans, where the average student debt is $40,114_this isn’t a small amount. That’s why a quarter of Americans earn extra income through side hustles.
You just need time and passion then, you’re ready to join any part-time side hustle. You might be confused about which side hustle can help you repay your student loan. That’s where this article is worth a read!
Best Side Hustles To Pay Off Student Loan
You don’t have enough time to explore dozens of side hustles to check whether they are effective or not_ that’s why I’ve shortlisted the best side hustles to pay student loans.
1. Babysitting
Who doesn’t adore kids? Babysitting isn’t only a job_ it’s fun where you take care of children.
On average, a babysitter earns $15 per hour. If you’ve any prior experience or have done any courses like the Red Cross CPR course, you can make more income.
The main benefit is_ you can work from the comfort of your home. You can find many clients in your neighborhood.
You can check babysitting jobs here:
- Sittercity.com
- Urbansitter.com
- Bambinositter.com
- care.com
2. Waiting Tables
Another side hustle to pay off student loans is waiting tables that require minimum qualification. It will not make you rich, but you can earn a handsome amount to pay off your debt.
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be a 10% increase in the demand for waiters and waitresses by 2031.
On average, you can earn up to $10-$20 hourly. However, tips that you get from people can make a big difference.
You can find jobs at local restaurants, bars, and diners by visiting them or through local Facebook groups. Sites that can help you find jobs are:
- Indeed.com
- Glassdoor.com
- Snagajob.com
3. Make Money From Your Car
If you have a personal car, you’re sitting on a hidden source of money. Ridesharing apps allow you to earn money by taking people to their destinations. Also, there are many ride-renting apps where you can make decent cash by renting your car.
What makes it the best side hustle to pay off student loans? You can set your flexible working hours. However, the amount of money you’ll earn depends on your working hours, time, and pay rates in your locality.
The apps where you can earn cash from your car:
4. Truck Driving
If you don’t have a car or vehicle, don’t disheart! There is another best side hustle that can help you make a lot of money. There is a huge demand for truck drivers in delivery and warehouse companies.
What made me choose this side hustle to pay off student loans? It’s the salary_ truck drivers earn $25-$30 per hour_ that’s enough to pay off your debt within a year.
On the following websites/apps, you can find companies hiring truck drivers.
- Glassdoor
- Kelly Now
- Indeed
- Agri-Fresh
5. Get Involved In Research Projects
For those who are passionate about research, being involved in research projects is the best side hustle to pay off their student loans.
In every university, professors get budgets for different research projects, in turn, they hire students to assist in research work. So, that’s a pretty good opportunity as students get a handsome salary.
Not only this_ but they can also offer you a permanent position as a Research Assistant if you do your work well.
6. Freelancing
Globally, 1.57 billion people are freelancers. Companies hire freelancers for various tasks including graphic designing, writing, coding, video editing, and product promotion.
You don’t need to go anywhere, you can set flexible working hours from the comfort of your home. It offers the opportunity for networking and professional development by connecting with people across the globe.
Some popular authentic freelance marketplaces are
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Guru
- Freelance
7. Dog Walking
You may find it surprising: around 65.1 million households in America have dogs. On average, dog owners spend $1,188 on their pet dogs annually.
According to PayScale, a dog walker earns around $15.64 hourly. For instance, you walk three dogs daily for an hour and if you work for a month, you would make $938.40. Isn’t that enough to pay student loan installments?
Here are some sites that you can use to promote your services or to find clients.
- Pet care
- Rover.com
- Wag
- Fetch
8. Reselling Items And Books
Do you have an extra mess in your home? If yes, it’s time to turn extra items into cash. You just have to list unused items like furniture, clothes, computers, jewelry, etc online on different marketplaces along with their description.
The best online marketplaces to sell items are Craigslist, Facebook, eBay, Poshmark, and OfferUp. You can also sell your books to students or at any bookstore to earn extra cash.
9. Sell Photos Online
Businesses, marketing agencies, and publishers always look for photos for their marketing needs. So there is a huge demand for images which is increasing every day.
If you have some creativity and want to cash it to pay your debt, this can be the right option to consider. Websites like Shutterstock, iStock, and Pexels allow creators to list their visual content for selling.
There are many feet pics selling websites like FeetFinder and Feetify, where you can make money without showing your face.
Conclusion
Choosing a side hustle to pay off your student loan is a wise choice. This way, you’ll be able to pay your debt earlier, focusing on other financial goals.
Whatever hustle you choose, it needs your time and effort, but in the end, everything will be worth it. Set a goal, reduce your extra expenses, and pay your debt in small installments. I bet you’ll be free of any debt soon!
I’ve suggested the best side hustles to pay off student loans, choose any of them, and start your journey towards a debt-free life!
FAQs
How can I pay off my student loan faster?
Top side hustles to pay off your student loan include pet services, ridesharing, food delivery service, freelancing, and babysitting.
Can I pay off my student loans together?
Whether it’s a private student loan, federal student loan, or any debt, it should be paid earlier, either all at once or in small installments. Early payment saves you from student loan interest.
Which occupations are likely to pay off student loans earlier?
Usually, medical field workers, federal agency employees, lawyers, public service workers, and automotive professionals pay off their debt faster.