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· by Richard Stafford

The best first side hustles are boring

Pet sitting, tutoring, reselling. They will never go viral, and that is exactly why they make good first side hustles.

Six simple icons: a dog on a leash, an open book, a clothes hanger with tags, a phone with video editing, a car seat being vacuumed, and a calendar

The side hustles that get the most attention online tend to be the flashy ones: dropshipping stores, faceless YouTube channels, AI businesses, trading. They make for great videos. They are also hard, crowded, and often expensive to get wrong.

For a first side hustle, I think boring wins. Here is why, and a few examples worth considering.

Why boring works

Real demand already exists. People have needed pets looked after, kids tutored, and driveways cleaned for a long time. You don't have to convince anyone the need is real. You just have to show up and be reliable.

Low startup cost. Most boring hustles use skills you already have and tools you may already own. That means you can test an idea without risking much money.

No course required. You don't need to buy a program to learn how to walk a dog. A lot of the "you need my course" industry exists around the flashy hustles, not the boring ones.

Fast feedback. You find out quickly whether people want what you are offering, because you are dealing with them directly.

Less competition from hype-chasers. Many people skip these because they are not glamorous. That leaves room for anyone willing to do them well.

Six boring side hustles worth a look

  • Pet sitting and dog walking. Apps list sitters by area, or you can simply tell neighbors and friends. The main asset is being trustworthy and on time.
  • Tutoring. If you are good at math, a science, a language, or an instrument, someone nearby is probably looking for help.
  • Reselling. Thrift stores, yard sales, and clearance racks to online marketplaces. Start with a category you already know something about.
  • Short video editing for local businesses. Many small shops know they should post videos but don't have time to edit them. Free editing tools are enough to start.
  • Car interior cleaning. A good vacuum, microfiber cloths, and a few products. Offer it to friends first and ask for honest feedback.
  • Pressure washing or simple outdoor jobs. Driveways, decks, and fences. Equipment can be rented before you decide whether to buy.

How to pick one

Don't pick the one that sounds most profitable. Pick the one that fits your life right now. A few questions help:

  • What skills or tools do I already have?
  • How much time can I realistically give it each week?
  • Do I prefer working with people, animals, things, or screens?
  • Who do I already know who might be a first customer?

Then choose one. Not three. Give it a fixed trial period, something like 30 days, and do it consistently before you judge it.

What boring won't do

To be clear: none of these will make anyone rich overnight, and I won't pretend they will. Results depend on where you live, how much time you put in, and plenty of luck. Some months will be slow.

What boring hustles do offer is a realistic way to earn your first money outside a regular job, learn how to find customers, and build skills you can take into bigger projects later.

Boring, reliable, and paid beats exciting, expensive, and theoretical.

Which boring side hustle would you try first? I'll be sharing what I learn from my own attempts as I go.