9 Side Hustles That Waste Too Much of Your Precious Time

Side hustles can be a great way to earn extra cash — but some just aren’t worth it. Plenty of gigs sound easy upfront, then turn into a drain on your time and energy. If you’re already juggling work, family, and everything else, your time matters. These eight side hustles seem like quick money but often end up being more hassle than help.

Mystery Shopping That Pays Pennies

Mystery shopping seems like an exciting gig—you get paid to shop! But the reality is that most mystery shopping assignments pay very little for the amount of time you spend. After factoring in travel time, completing reports, and the actual shopping experience, you may find you’re earning less than minimum wage. Plus, the “free” products or reimbursements rarely make up for the time and energy you put in. If you’re looking for a side hustle, there are better options that pay more for your time.

Selling Handmade Crafts Online

Selling handmade items on platforms like Etsy can sound like a dream for creative people, but it can quickly turn into a time-suck. Between making the products, photographing them, managing inventory, handling customer inquiries, and shipping orders, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work.

When you factor in the time spent and the fees associated with selling online, you may find that your profits aren’t as high as you’d hoped. If you love crafting and are looking for a creative outlet, consider other ways to monetize your skills that require less effort and time.

Rideshare Driving

Driving for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft can seem like an easy way to make extra cash, but the reality is often much different. Between the long hours, fuel costs, maintenance on your car, and the unpredictability of ride requests, driving can be more exhausting than rewarding.

When you break it down, the hourly rate often isn’t much higher than minimum wage, and you’re responsible for covering expenses. Rideshare driving can be a decent option for short-term earnings, but for long-term consistency, it’s probably not the best side hustle.

Survey Taking for Cash

Filling out surveys might sound like an easy way to make extra money, but the pay is usually pennies. Even quick surveys rarely add up to anything useful. On top of that, most sites make you jump through hoops just to qualify — signing up for programs, answering screener questions, and waiting around. In many cases, it’s lot of effort for very little return. If you value your time, there are better ways to earn.

Selling Photos Online

If you love photography, selling your photos on stock image websites may sound like a good way to make passive income. However, it can be incredibly time-consuming to get your work accepted on multiple platforms, and even after uploading hundreds of images, you might not make the money you expect.

The competition is fierce, and most stock photo sites pay only a small commission for each download. You’d need a high volume of successful sales just to make a decent income, which makes it less appealing as a reliable side hustle.

Freelance Writing for Low Pay

Freelance writing can be a great way to make money, but there are plenty of low-paying gigs out there that aren’t worth your time. Many writing platforms and clients offer far below market rate, and when you factor in the time it takes to research, write, and edit, your hourly wage often ends up being just a few dollars.

While there are high-paying freelance writing opportunities out there, you’ll have to sift through a lot of lowball offers that make the hustle feel more like a drag than a lucrative gig.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Pet sitting and dog walking take more time and effort than most people realize. Pet sitting often means being on call all day and night. Dog walking can be exhausting, especially if you’re fitting it in around a busy schedule. Even with decent pay, it’s hard to scale. If you enjoy working with animals and don’t mind the time commitment, it can be a great fit — but for some, it’s more work than it’s worth.

Online Tutoring for Low Rates

Tutoring is a common side hustle, and with the rise of online platforms, it’s easier than ever to get started. But not all tutoring jobs pay well, and some can require more time and energy than they’re worth. Many tutoring services offer low rates per hour, and the pressure to help students pass exams or meet certain learning goals can be stressful.

If you enjoy teaching and don’t mind the effort, online tutoring can be fulfilling. But be mindful of the pay and time commitment, as it may not always be the best use of your hours.

Make Money by Watching Videos

Some websites promise cash for watching videos or ads, but the payoff is barely worth it. You could spend hours clicking through content just to earn a few cents. It might give you some pocket change, but not much else. If your time matters, this isn’t the way to make the most of it. There are better side hustles with a lot more return.

Moving Forward with Smarter Hustles

Some side gigs just aren’t worth it. They take up too much time and barely bring in money. If you’re going to put in the effort, make sure it lines up with what you actually want — more money, more flexibility, less stress. Choose something that fits your life and gives you a decent return. The right one should help, not wear you out.

Earn Extra Cash with These 13 Free Side Hustles

When money is tight, having a side hustle can help bring in some extra cash. Many side hustles may require upfront costs to get started, which may not be feasible depending on your current financial situation. Here are 15 tried and true side hustles you can begin today that won’t cost you a penny. Earn Extra Cash with These 13 Free Side Hustles