If you want to earn some extra serious cabbage and don’t have a lot of time to do it, here are seven jobs you can do over the weekend you’ll be interested in learning more about.
As you read through these alternatives, you’ll see that the best way to really cash in is to think of yourself as having your own small business. $50 smackers an hour is a lot of dough so you’re going to have to hustle and think outside the box in order to rake it in. Still, if you’re willing to put in the effort, there are plenty of ways to do so. Let’s get started.
1. Phlebotomist
Before you get too impressed with my vocabulary, I have to admit that I didn’t know what a phlebotomist was until last week.
I had blood drawn because I needed more term life insurance. The woman who came out and did the exam told me that anyone can do what she does. It doesn’t take that much training; the hours are very flexible; and the pay is wonderful. She told me she gets makes about $50 an hour for sticking needles in people’s arms. She simply does the medical exams for people who want to buy life insurance. The hours are kind of crazy…early mornings…early evenings sometimes…and weekends. The perfect gig for someone who needs to find a second job.
Each state has its own licensing board and you have to pass an exam. I did some snooping around and found schools to provide the training you need to pass the exam and enter the profession. The courses cost about $500 and it will take you about 60 to 80 hours to get it done. Many of the schools offer weekend and evening classes, so it should be really easy to get into this profession. If you can dig down and devote 15 hours a week, you’ll have a new second profession within a month.
And if you have a little medical training, this is a natural for you. If not, and you don’t faint at the sight of blood, this could still work like a charm.
Neal’s Notes: Here are five more jobs I’d do if I needed to make some sweet coinage quick.
2. Notary Public
Want to get paid for making other people’s hands dirty? I thought so.
You can become a traveling notary public in a short period of time for less than $250. It’s simple to become a notary. The trick here is to build your business without having to quit your day job. The notary gig is perfect because banks (especially) need traveling notaries who are available during off-hours. That’s perfect because the more the hours are “off,” the more you get paid and the less it will interfere with your day gig.
A traveling notary can easily command more than $50/hour. My suggestion – hit up the banks. Let them know you are available and impress upon them how reliable you are. Remember, you’re going to have to build relationships, so visit your banks and talk to the managers every few weeks. Don’t be pushy. Just let them know you are in business and that you mean business. You’ll soon have a thriving business. And don’t forget about all the fun you’ll have making with other people’s fingers.
Additional Note: Uber is one side gig that lots of people are interested in. You would be hard pressed to earn $50 an hour – but you might be able to pull in a healthy chunk of cash. Look at the numbers to determine how much you really might be able to make with your car.
3. Gutter Cleaner
All you need to get into this business is a ladder, some business cards, flyers, the right business insurance and maybe some gloves if you’re a debutante. You can do a little research on how to clean gutters and you’ll have more training than most of the people who are engaged in this practice.
The way to build this part time business is to pass out flyers in your neighborhood and let people know that you’re available to do the dirty deed. Within a short time, you’ll be able to gauge how long it will take you to do the job and you can quote the gig accordingly. Your clients, left to their own devices, would take much longer because they won’t have your experience, so they’ll be only too glad to pay you to get this done.
4. Bookkeeper
Many of my clients want to track their spending but they don’t want to do it themselves. That’s where you come in. Simply spend a few hours mastering Quicken, Quickbooks or other spending tracking software programs and you’ll have yourself a fine little business. I helped one of my clients find a bookkeeper recently. It was hard to get anyone to even my calls and the one we settled on charges $75 an hour. She’s great of course but she isn’t doing anything you can’t do.
If I was a bookkeeper the first thing I would do would be to let all the local CPA’s know I was available, proficient and reliable. If you do this, you’re client book will be full before you can say “credits and debits”.
5. Event Guru
Lots of small business owners want to do marketing events but they don’t know what to do or how to get it done. To me this smells like an opportunity. I know that’s true because I recently hired an event coordinator. She is charging me $700 to set up and run a client event we are going to do later on in the year. She came up with the ideas and is managing the entire shindig. She’ll spend a total of about 15 hours of work and that means she’ll make close to $50 an hour. If you like to party, this might be the gig for you.
6. Convert Videos To DVDs
Everyone has shoe boxes full of old videos they need converted to digital format. Fortunately, you don’t have to be Martin Scorsese Jr to get into this business. The technology is getting simpler and simpler all the time. I did some research and learned that you can buy software that converts the old videos into digital format for under $100. Two such programs are Elgato and Pinnacle. If you don’t want to shell out any more cash, you don’t have to. Just tell your customers that they have to provide the old video recorder that was used to create the tape in the first place. With that, you can plug, play, convert and cash in. Later on you can spring for more fancy equipment so you won’t need the customers’ camera.
7. Personal Expert
Think about something you are really good at that other people need. Are you good at organizing? Providing relationship advice? Offering financial guidance? What is it that people come to you for? Of course you may need to get licensed in order to hang out a shingle – but check it out. You may be able to charge for your expertise without getting any licenses. The beauty of working this job is that you will be doing something you love and are naturally good at. It’s a slam dunk.
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to land a great part-time job and make big money. As I said, you’ll have to put some elbow grease in and get busy. But if you are willing to roll up your selves and do the work, you’ll have yourself a wonderful part-time job that you can enjoy while you pile up the pesos.
What other part time jobs do you know of that can earn $50 or more an hour?
Joan says
These are great part time or weekend job ideas. I think I will look into the Phlebotomist career for my readers.
Neal Frankle, CFP ® says
Glad you found this helpful!
LibertyBudget says
Making more money isn’t always the best solution.
Neal Frankle, CFP ® says
I like your ideas very much.
Trish says
The Notary is a nice idea. Here in Florida we get to charge a max of $10.00 per stamp. I’ll have to check this out.
beth says
My cousin was a phlebotomist for a doctor’s office and didn’t make that much. Of course anytime you have to change your our day around last minute,you’re going to pull in more money. For me, I don’t care how much they pay due to having fear of the risks involved in doing that type of job. I knew a nurse who accidentally jabbed herself with a used needle when she was distracted by another employee and the woman she was taking blood from refused an HIV test. The nurse had to get an HIV test done every six months for twenty years. I don’t know how much the test has improved since, but in the early nineties they said in some people it might not show positive for up to twenty years. I was actually shocked to hear that then since that part was never publicly announced.
Rocket Mom says
In the State of Wisconsin it is illegal to charge more then $2 for a notary service. Sorry – That one is not the way to go.
Christine says
Great suggestions. I think you should add a disclaimer to the Notary Public listing, lest a reader thinks they can charge $50 to a single client (single stamp). When I was a notary about 15 years ago, a notary couldn’t charge more than a few dollars for their service (more like $2, I think). A person can make $50 an hour as a traveling notary, but they will really have to have a lot of business and move around quickly!
Trish says
For those of you asking about Phlebotomy pay… I live in CA and have been a phlebotomist for about a year and a half and I am currently making $30 per hour in a part time position. Of course, just like everything else, the longer you’ve been doing it and depending on what type of phlebotomy work you do, the pay will vary greatly. The average pay for a mobile phlebotomist that come to your home for a life insurance exam, usually make about $20 per patient. A lot of that work is contracted out to them so they don’t even work enough hours to be considered part time. But again, that all also depends on what area you live in and how far you’re willing to travel, because they don’t pay you for mileage, etc. So basically, a phlebotomist can start anywhere from $15 per hour (quest diagnostics) all the way up to just about $50 per hour (a few years experience and in a hospital). An Independent Contractor can make as much as they wish depending on how many companies they contract with at a time and how flexible their schedules are and what kind of area they live in. Hope that answers a lot of your questions and theorys.
Lynette says
Notarys and Phlebotomist are great 2nd jobs but they pay no where near 50.00 an hour either one. Per year you can make $24,000.00 for either occupation.
Neal Frankle says
As I’ve said, it’s a question of where you live and how you work it. Working p/t for an insurance company (phlebotomist) and on your own as a notary, you can make substantially more.
Cheryl Morrow says
Bill, where are you located and will you share more info with someone with no experience starting out?
Bill says
Regarding notaries, from 1977 to 1991 I worked in the banking industry. Made a lot of consumer loans and closed a lot of 2nd mortgage loans. All employees that worked in my department, including myself, were notaries. We notarized automobile titles, security deeds, etc., for no charge. Of course our bank was earning money from the interest earnings and fees from closing the loans so we offered the notary service free of charge, but it seems to me that any office or place of business that needs notaries would already have them in-house.
Neal Frankle says
Many do….a few don’t. I suppose this will take work but once you have an established network it could be a great business. A friend of mine started this way and then ended up being offered a very good job working for a bank. He isn’t making $50/hour now but he does have more income because it’s full time and he has benefits.
April says
I am a phlebotomist and I make $17.02 an hour after 5 years with the company and 5 years experience. I do know that some insurance companys pay more also if you do more then just draw blood as I do you make more an hour. I am from WA state
Regy says
Phlebotomists make NO WHERE in the realm of $50/hour! Its more like $10-14.
Neal Frankle says
Regy, the person I interviewed was making that amount. She was paid per visit and she was very efficient with her time. Are you a phlebotomist? Do you work for an insurance company traveling to clients or in an office? How are you compensated?
UltimateSmartMoney says
I like the notary idea. Also, a friend of mine wanted to do a side business in renting out moon bounces. But it turns out you need to be insured and he could not find adequate insurance.
max says
phlebotomists do not make that much!! or atleast in NJ they don’t.
also another one is EMT. I am an EMT in NJ as well and its great extra cash picking up shifts when you need them, weekends or nights if you have a day job. usually pay is around 13 to 15 if you’re starting out
Joshua says
phlebotomists don’t make anywhere near $50 an hour. They average between 10 to 15 bucks an hour.
Neal@Wealth Pilgrim says
Hey Matt…nice input. Thanks…looks like you’re “cleaning up”…get it?
Kimberly says
Neal, are you sure phlebotomist make $50 an hour? I was a phlebotomist in the late 80’s when I was in college and only made about $7 an hour at that time (in NC). I think it may be time to reconsider my college degree profession and go back to my “pre-Professional” days.
Neal Frankle says
Kimberly, I don’t think that’s what they make all day long. But based on what the phlebotomist told me, she made that kind of money if she arranged her days well. I don’t know about you, but I spent very little time in the profession in which I got my degree. I think many people do something other than what they got their degree in.
Matt says
Hey, a nod to gutter cleaners – I love it. I’ve cleaned many a gutters in my day. They make all sorts of great tools for the job…the only problem I have is $50/hour is way to cheap. Gutter cleaning rates are around $100 – $150/hour. 2800ft2 house, two story, will usually only take you about 3 hours MAX! – charge em 10 cents per square foot ($280) and your coming out just under $100 per hour.
Great Ideas
Cheryl says
Matt, where are you located and will you share any more tips with someone that has no experience?
Michael First says
I am a traveling notary. I am glad I thought about doing this.
Janet says
Interesting … my friend’s a phlebotomist. I had no idea she made so much money. It’s considered a “menial” job, according to a doctor I spoke to, but heck, for that pay. I wonder why nurses bother going through school and doing even more work than a phlebotomist to get paid less (at least if you’re a staff RN)?
Cat says
Becoming a notary can be a great side gig! A couple of things to be aware of though. First, make sure you are bonded and insured. It adds some to your overhead but most states have at least a minimum requirement and my company had something like $1 mil in coverage for each of us when I was a notary (it was part of my job for as an escrow officer). You are taking someone’s signature on a legal binding document and you would not believe what kind of liability that can open you up to if you don’t take what you do seriously and abide by the regulations and record keeping procedures.
Also, most states do have a very nominal rate that you are actually allowed to charge for placing your notary seal on a document. However, most mobile notary’s base their rates on not the notary part but the ‘taking the signatures’ part. Therefore, they can charge anywhere from $50 to $300 in some cases depending on how far they have to travel, how complex the documents to be reviewed and signed, their level of knowledge and expertise (for instance, knowing how to properly explain all the documents included in a home loan package), what time of day they have to do the signing and how much notice they get. The mobile notary fee covers all of these items so they can work around the minimum fee.
Johanna says
Thanks for the information. I will definitely look in to it before I sign up for anything.
NYNotary says
I’m a Notary in NY State.
The test is easy and study material is free.
And we are allowed by law to charge the princely sum of $2.00 dollars for a signature.
Jacob @ My Personal Finance Journey says
Very interesting! Do you know if the $2 level is the cap for all states and in all instances? I wonder if there is a way to structure the gig in order to make more…
Stephanie says
I think it must be different per state. I am a Notary in Utah, and I can charge up to $5 per signature. And when it comes to traveling, I can’t remember exactly how you’re supposed to go about it, but you can be paid for travel time/mileage ect.
Jacob @ My Personal Finance Journey says
That’s great to know! Thanks for sharing Stephanie!
Rhea says
I’m also a Notary in MA, we can charge $5 for signing and can charge pretty much whatever we want for our travel time and Doc preparation. There is extra $ to be made but it’s not as steady as you might want and most times it’s very last minute on the part of the bank or attorney so you need to be prepared to rearrange your schedule a bit!
Neal Frankle says
$5 is pretty low. California is much higher than that. They charge per visit PLUS per signature.
M says
Wisconsin allows you to charge a max of 50 cents.
Barb says
Don’t get so excited folks. Most banks have their own notary (just like companies who frequently require the service) and provide the service free for their customers. Here in FL you can charge up to $10, but in these economic times, who would do that? I’ve offered my service for free to people. It just seems like the right thing to do.
Jacob @ My Personal Finance Journey says
Becoming a notary public is very easy I’ve heard! In fact, my sister is getting qualified through her job right now! I didn’t know it was in enough demand to be able to command $50 dollar per hour. I will definitely have to let her know about this.
Marybeth says
I had no idea notaries made so much money! This sounds like a great 2nd job, especially if you don’t mind working evenings.
Jessica07 says
The notary public idea is great advice! Just think about how many contracts get signed everyday that need to be witnessed by a notary public. Why NOT get in on some of that action? 🙂
Roxy says
funny i’ve always thought about becoming a notary public.
Sandy @ yesiamcheap says
My uncle is a phlebotomist. Only a high school education and makes more than I do with 2 degrees. He works the overnight shift in hospitals and then does a few hours in clinics sometimes. Makes serious money with the night differential.
karyn says
i imagine there are quite a few computer side jobs that would make at least 50.00 an hour. These are some good ideas – phlebotomist is out for me because I would probably keep fainting but the notary idea is one to consider.
Chelle says
LOL, I could never be a Phlebotomist either! Web design is a great field to get into, though does take some learning and practice at first!
LifeAndMyFinances says
Nice variety of gigs, but all easily attainable. I like it.
Two of these were actually within my article, “101 Ways to Make More Money”, but the Phlebotomist is a new one. Nice find!