Summertime is here again. The weather is hotter, life is a little more relaxed and you may have more free time in your schedule. (Summer Fridays, anyone?) It’s the perfect time to try something new and make some extra money to pay off debt, meet a savings goal or foot the bill for the summer vacation you’re dreaming of.
The summer season — full of weddings, vacations and outdoor activities — offers a number of options for income-producing side gigs.
Here are five ideas for boosting your income during the warm weather months.
Consider These Side Gigs
Take Photos
Warm weather brings graduations, weddings and many other opportunities for outdoor photos of children and families. If you’re good with a camera, think about offering your photography services for a fee.
Create a brochure or free website featuring some of your best photos and start peddling your services. If you have friends or relatives who are getting married, they may appreciate the opportunity to get quality wedding photos at a discount — and they can help spread the word about your services.
Clean Swimming Pools
If you have neighbors with backyard pools who are pressed for time, consider charging a fee to maintain their pools. Swimming pools need to be cleaned regularly throughout the summer months, so you can charge a recurring fee for weekly maintenance. Pool owners who use professional maintenance services usually pay $100 or more per month, so it can be a lucrative gig if you clean several pools a week.
Tutor Schoolchildren
All the kids are out of school for the summer, and many of their parents are worried about the “summer slide,” a drop in grades that often happens when students fall behind in reading and math over the summer.
If you’re good with kids and up to date on your reading, writing and arithmetic, consider starting a tutoring business on the side. Ask neighbors, local teachers, and friends for referrals to get you started. Parents will pay $20 to $75 per hour for a tutor who gets results.
Maintain Lawns
If you own a lawn mower and enjoy working outdoors, consider starting your own lawn care business. Start by asking your neighbors, relatives and friends if they’re interested in a lawn service.
If you want to grow your customer base, consider using an app such as Greenpal, which can connect you with customers in your area. With regular weekly customers, you can make a profitable side income cutting grass, trimming shrubs and maintaining lawns.
Become a Lifeguard
Summertime is swimming time, and local pools, lakes, summer camps and recreation areas need lifeguards to ensure that guests can swim safely.
If you are a strong swimmer, consider taking a course to become a certified lifeguard and apply for a job at a nearby pool, lake or beach. Most lifeguard positions pay about $10 to $16 per hour, so you can earn a decent part-time income and get a tan at the same time.
