How to Make $100 a Day: Side Hustles That Actually Work

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are looking for ways to supplement our income. Whether it’s to save for a big purchase, pay off debt, or just have some extra cash on hand, finding a side hustle that can earn you $100 a day is a common goal.

It might sound ambitious, but with the right strategies and a bit of dedication, it’s entirely achievable. This article will not only give you a comprehensive guide to some of the best side hustles out there but also share real-life stories of people who’ve successfully turned these opportunities into a steady income stream.

The Power of a Personal Challenge: Jackie’s Story

Take Jackie Mitchell, for example. A 26-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, Jackie had a goal many of us can relate to—saving for a down payment on her first home. But instead of going the conventional route, she challenged herself to make an extra $100 a day for 100 days.

To keep herself accountable, Jackie documented her journey on TikTok, where she quickly gained a following. Her side hustles ranged from online surveys to data annotation, and even playing online games. By the end of her challenge, Jackie didn’t just meet her goal—she exceeded it, earning $11,000 in 100 days, an average of $110 a day.

Jackie’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination and creativity, even the most unconventional side hustles can lead to significant earnings. Her success wasn’t just about making money; it was about breaking down a big goal into manageable daily tasks and staying consistent.

1. Freelance Writing: Share Your Voice

Freelance writing is one of the most accessible and flexible side hustles you can start. If you have a way with words, this might be the perfect side gig for you.

• Real-Life Success: Take Sarah, a part-time teacher who needed to supplement her income. She started writing blog posts for small businesses and quickly found that she could make $50 per article. Within a month, Sarah was earning $100 a day, writing just two articles after her kids went to bed.
• How to Get Started: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and ProBlogger are great places to start. Create a portfolio, even if it’s just a few pieces, and start pitching to potential clients.
• Potential Earnings: Writers can charge anywhere from $0.05 to $0.50 per word, depending on experience and niche. With steady clients, you can easily hit $100 a day.

2. Online Tutoring: Share Your Knowledge

The demand for online tutoring has surged, especially since the shift to remote learning. If you’re skilled in a particular subject, you can help students while making extra money.

• Real-Life Success: Mark, a college student, started tutoring high school math during the pandemic. Charging $30 an hour, he found that just a few sessions a day could bring in $100. Mark now uses the money to pay for his tuition and living expenses.
• How to Get Started: Websites like VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, and Tutor.com allow you to sign up and connect with students. You can also advertise your services through local schools or social media.
• Potential Earnings: Tutors can earn between $15 and $60 per hour. With just a few hours of tutoring, you can easily make $100 a day.

3. Rideshare Driving: Turn Miles into Money

Driving for rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft offers flexibility and the potential to make good money, especially during peak hours.

• Real-Life Success: Kevin, a full-time office worker, started driving for Lyft on weekends. By targeting busy times like Friday and Saturday nights, he consistently earned over $100 in just a few hours. This extra income helped him pay off his credit card debt much faster than he’d planned.
• How to Get Started: Sign up with Uber or Lyft, and once you’re approved, you can start driving. Understanding peak hours in your area can maximize your earnings.
• Potential Earnings: Drivers can make $20-$30 per hour during peak times. A few hours of driving can quickly add up to $100 or more.

4. Delivery Services: Make Money on Your Schedule

Food and package delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Amazon Flex offer flexible opportunities to make money, often with the added benefit of tips.

• Real-Life Success: Emily, a stay-at-home mom, started delivering for DoorDash in her spare time. With two small kids, flexibility was key. She worked during lunch and dinner rushes, earning $25-$30 an hour. This side hustle allowed her to contribute to her household income without sacrificing time with her kids.
• How to Get Started: Sign up with one of the delivery services, and start accepting delivery requests once approved.
• Potential Earnings: Delivery drivers typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, with the potential to make $100 a day in just a few hours.

5. Selling Products Online: Turn Your Creativity into Cash

If you’re crafty or have an eye for unique items, selling products online can be a lucrative side hustle.

• Real-Life Success: Jessica, a teacher by day, started making handmade jewelry in her free time. She opened an Etsy shop and marketed her products on Instagram. Within a few months, her side hustle was bringing in over $100 a day, allowing her to save for a dream vacation.
• How to Get Started: Decide what you want to sell—whether it’s handmade crafts, vintage items, or something else. Platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon are great places to set up shop.
• Potential Earnings: The right product and pricing strategy can easily net you $100 a day or more.

6. Affiliate Marketing: Earn $100 a Day While You Sleep

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission on any sales made through your referral links. This can be particularly lucrative if you have a blog, website, or large social media following.

• Real-Life Success: Linda, who runs a parenting blog, started including affiliate links in her content. By recommending products she genuinely used and loved, she began earning commissions. Over time, her blog became a reliable source of passive income, often bringing in $100 or more a day.
• How to Get Started: Sign up for affiliate programs that align with your niche, such as Amazon Associates or ShareASale. Integrate affiliate links into your content, and promote them on your social media channels.
• Potential Earnings: Depending on your audience and the products you promote, you can earn anywhere from $10 to $50 per sale. A few successful referrals can quickly add up to $100 a day.

7. Freelance Graphic Design: Turn Your Art into Income

If you have a talent for design, freelance graphic design can be a highly rewarding side hustle.

• Real-Life Success: Alex, a graphic design student, started taking on small projects for local businesses. By charging $50-$75 per project, he quickly reached his $100 a day goal. This side hustle not only brought in extra cash but also built his portfolio, helping him land a full-time job after graduation.
• How to Get Started: Create a portfolio and start marketing your services on platforms like Fiverr, 99designs, or to local businesses.
• Potential Earnings: Depending on the project and your experience, you can charge anywhere from $25 to $150 per hour, making it possible to hit $100 a day with just a few projects.

8. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: Earn While Spending Time with Furry Friends

For animal lovers, pet sitting or dog walking can be an enjoyable way to earn extra money.

• Real-Life Success: Danielle, a college student, started pet sitting during breaks and weekends. She signed up on Rover and quickly found regular clients. Spending just a few hours a day walking dogs and pet sitting, she easily made $100 or more each day. Plus, she got to spend time with adorable pets—a win-win!
• How to Get Started: Platforms like Rover and Wag! make it easy to connect with pet owners in need of services. You can also offer your services to friends, family, and neighbors.
• Potential Earnings: Pet sitters and dog walkers typically earn $15 to $30 per hour. Working just a few hours can help you reach your daily goal.

9. Renting Out Your Space: Passive Income with Minimal Effort

If you have extra space in your home, renting it out can be a relatively passive way to make money.

• Real-Life Success: Tom, who had an unused guest room, decided to list it on Airbnb. Within weeks, he had his first booking, and the income quickly added up. With just a few rentals each month, Tom consistently earned $100 a day, which he used to pay down his mortgage.
• How to Get Started: List your space on Airbnb or a similar platform, and be sure to take quality photos and write an inviting description.
• Potential Earnings: Depending on your location and the space you’re renting, you can earn $50 to $150 per night. A few bookings a week can help you reach $100 a day.

10. Virtual Assistance: Help Others, Help Yourself

Virtual assistants (VAs) provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs, often from the comfort of their own homes.

• Real-Life Success: Laura, a former executive assistant, turned her skills into a profitable side hustle as a virtual assistant (VA). She started working with a few small business owners, helping them with scheduling, email management, and social media. Within a few weeks, she was making $100 a day, all while working from home.
• How to Get Started: Platforms like Upwork and Remote.co offer numerous VA job listings. You can also pitch your services directly to businesses.
• Potential Earnings: VAs typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour. With a few clients, you can easily hit your daily earnings goal.

Conclusion: Take the First Step Toward Financial Freedom

Earning $100 a day through side hustles is not only possible but entirely within reach for anyone willing to put in the effort. Whether you’re freelancing, driving, delivering, selling, or providing a service, there’s a side hustle out there that fits your skills and lifestyle.

The key is to start small, be consistent, and stay motivated by breaking down big goals into manageable daily tasks—just like Jackie Mitchell did.

Remember, every dollar counts, and with time, those dollars add up. Whether you’re saving for something big or just want some extra cash, these side hustles can help you achieve your financial goals. So why wait? Start today and see where your side hustle journey takes you.