Money Management

Want to find the best-paying side hustles? According to recent research from Preply, an online tutoring site, dog walker and notary are two of the best gigs. [[{“value”:”

Are you looking to make some extra cash on the side, beyond your regular paycheck? If so, you’re not alone. Many Americans are trying to pay bills or replenish their savings with a side hustle.

New research from Preply (preply.com), an online tutoring site, shows which side hustles can help you make good money per hour. To find the best-paying side hustles, Preply analyzed average wage information for several popular side hustles listed on job sites like Indeed, Zippia, and ZipRecruiter.

Let’s look at a few of the best-paying side hustles in America by average hourly wage, and see which ones might be a good fit for you!

1. Dog walker ($43 per hour)

Dog walkers can make surprisingly good money — ranking as the top-paying side hustle in Preply’s research. Pet owners are often highly selective about who they trust to care for their pets, and they’re willing to pay good money for safe, responsible, reliable people. Dog walking is a great side hustle because you can fit it into your regular work schedule, or even combine it with caring for your own pets. Rover (rover.com) is a good site to find gigs as a dog walker or pet sitter.

2. Freelance designer ($32 per hour)

Preply’s research also found that freelance designers can earn a good wage ($32 per hour on average) as side hustlers. If you’ve got graphic design skills, companies often need your help to design brochures, websites, social media images, and other design elements to represent their brands to the world.

3. Freelance writer ($29 per hour)

Freelance writers ranked slightly lower than designers in Preply’s side hustle average wage study, but $29 per hour is still good enough for No. 3 on this list. Companies need to hire freelance writers to create blog articles, write website content, craft sales emails, and more. If you have professional writing experience or just a “way with words,” you might make extra cash by working online as a freelance writer (like me!).

4. Notary public ($24 per hour)

Notaries are needed for a variety of contract-signing situations, such as closing on a home or refinancing a mortgage. As a notary public, you have to be responsible and trustworthy and able to show up on time for a contract signing, and then certify that the contract signatures are valid.

Being a notary requires training and state-level certifications and fees. You even get your own official “notary seal!” Becoming a notary doesn’t happen overnight, but it could be worth pursuing if you’d like to make extra cash by helping people complete their most important paperwork.

5. Freelance proofreader ($22 per hour)

This is another online freelance gig for people who have an eye for detail and a way with words. Freelance proofreaders can be part of the team at digital marketing agencies, publishing companies, law firms, translation services, or any company that needs to get the words exactly right. Spellcheck, Grammarly, and other proofreading tools aren’t 100% accurate; sometimes you need one more set of human eyes to review critical documents.

Bottom line

These top five best-paying side hustles from Preply’s job listing analysis all pay over $20 per hour. But if you have the right skills and ambition, you can also make a good wage ($20 and up) from other side hustles that The Ascent has researched, such as yard work and home services, or driving for rideshare apps and food delivery services with tips added.

Don’t assume you’re stuck “only” earning the income that your day job can pay. Choosing a good side hustle can help improve your monthly budgeting and give you extra confidence in your personal finances.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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From patio chairs to a telescope, Costco is offering some fantastic deals on products you want to buy. Find out how you can score $50 off at Costco today. [[{“value”:”

It’s no secret that having a Costco membership can help you manage your monthly budget, especially if buying in bulk can help you save on groceries. But every now and then Costco runs online deals, promotions, and savings events that can help you squeeze more value out of your membership. If you’re on the hunt for the best Costco deals, here are five items that are currently discounted by $50.

1. Patio lounge chairs

Price: $199.99

The POLYWOOD Eastport Lounge Chair comes in four colors — white, gray, brown, and black — and is designed for outdoor use. Although these chairs normally cost $249.99 each, you can save $50 when you buy online, through April 30.

Just get your toolbox ready: Before you sit in one, you’ll have to assemble it yourself. Costco will provide you with the instructions, but you’ll have to put in the elbow grease.

2. Ninja Air Fry Oven

Price: $199.99

The Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven is definitely a foodie’s dream machine. This little guy can fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, toast bagels, and make pizzas. It even comes with an integrated thermometer so you can cook precisely to your desired temperature. Normally $249.99, the $50 discount brings it to about $200. Like the patio chairs, this offer expires April 30, 2024.

3. Celestron telescope

Price: $199.99

Stargazers and amateur astronomers can get a really good deal on a telescope through April 19, 2024. The Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ is a Newtonian telescope with an eyepiece kit that includes four eyepieces and three filters. It also has a smartphone adapter that can help you capture images or videos through the scope instantly.

This telescope brings back memories — I had the same one when I was a teenager, minus the smartphone adapter — and I would certainly recommend it as an affordable but potent telescope for amateur gazing. Better yet, you can buy it for $199.99 after the $50 discount — nearly $150 cheaper than buying it through Celestron itself ($349.95 retail price).

4. Shelving rack

Price: $179.99

Need some extra storage space in your closet or garage? If so, take a look at the TRINITY 5-Tier Heavy Duty Wire Shelving Rack. Each shelf measures five feet long and two feet wide, giving you plenty of space to store extra stuff (like a telescope or some lounge chairs). With the $50 savings, you can buy this for $179.99 through April 30.

5. Shark carpet cleaner

Price: $199.99

Costco is currently offering $50 on several vacuum cleaners, including the Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner with StainStriker Technology. This vacuum is really powerful on odors and stains, making it ideal for pet owners or parents. Another option for fighting stains is the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner, which is also $199.99 after the $50 discount.

These are just a few products that are $50 off at Costco (you can check its website for more) They might not all be the best decision for your budget, but if you were planning to buy one, they can sweeten your purchase with a little savings.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Need to borrow for a car? Read on for some errors that could cost you. [[{“value”:”

In 2023, the average auto loan held by U.S. borrowers reached $23,792, according to Experian. And the more expensive a car you buy, the higher your auto loan balance is likely to be.

At a time when car prices are high and borrowing rates for loans of all kinds are up across the board following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, it’s important to do what you can to save money on your car loan — or at least avoid overpaying or getting in over your head. With that in mind, here are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

1. Going with the first offer you get

In the course of buying your car, the dealership you work with might present you with what looks like a good financing option. But don’t assume that’s the best deal.

In fact, any time you’re signing a loan, it’s important to shop around with different lenders to compare rates. You may find that one lender is willing to offer you a better deal than another, so spending a little time doing research could result in lower monthly payments.

2. Not boosting your credit score before you apply

The higher your credit score is when you apply for an auto loan (or any loan, for that matter), the more favorable your rate on that loan is likely to be. So don’t make the mistake of not checking your credit score prior to applying for an auto loan. And if you see that your score needs some work, try to boost it.

Now that could mean having to hold off on buying your car for a bit of time. The only way to notably improve your credit score in short order is to either correct a mistake on your credit report that reflects poorly on you as a borrower, or to pay off a chunk of existing credit card debt.

If your credit report is error free, and you owe $8,000 on your credit cards but can’t really make a dent in that balance, then boosting your score might come down to actions like paying bills by their due dates over time. But even a few months of timely payments could lead to a higher score. So if you’re not desperate for a new car, waiting until your credit score is in a better place could work to your advantage.

3. Forgetting about the cost of insurance and maintenance

Any time you’re looking to sign a loan, it’s important to run the numbers and make sure the purchase fits into your budget. And that includes an auto loan.

But don’t forget that the cost of owning a car goes well beyond your monthly loan payments. You also have to think about auto insurance, maintenance, and potential repairs.

So don’t just see if the $500 auto loan payment you’re looking at is one you can swing. Instead, do some research to see what it might cost to insure and maintain your car, and make sure that total number works for you.

Signing an auto loan is a big deal, as you could be committing to large payments for many years. So do your best to avoid these mistakes in the course of putting an auto loan in place.

Our picks for the best personal loans

Our team of independent experts pored over the fine print to find the select personal loans that offer competitive rates and low fees. Get started by reviewing our picks for the best personal loans.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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