How to make $30,000 - $40,000 in 1 - 3 years?

Would like to avoid something that adds a lot of miles to my car if possible. Don’t have any specific proficiencies, but I’m decent with computers and PowerPoint. (Maybe sell something on Etsy or do something with AI?) Able to invest a little but would prefer to do something relatively simple that could bring in the extra cash over the next couple of years. Obviously, the less time commitment required, the better. All of that being said, I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Edit: I should have mentioned that I’m not looking for a second job. I’m looking for something I can do on my own time.

Edit 2: I’m getting a lot of suggestions to just get a job. I have a job that I’m quite happy with. I’m just looking for something short-term to help offset the cost of my new car. I can afford the car just fine, but I would still like to recoup some of the expense if I can.

Crazy how many people come to this sub to say ‘get a job’. Lol.

If you’re good with PowerPoint you could create PowerPoint templates and sell them on online marketplaces – check out creativemarket.com for examples of this. That’s also a great place to sell yours, as well as Etsy. I’ve also heard of people offering custom services to design PowerPoints for businesses – they usually use freelance platforms like Upwork to market.

If you’re interested in AI, some people offer AI automation services to businesses for things like workflow, social media promo, chatbots, etc. Selling prompts is also a market but idk how much money is in that.

Not glamorous, but common blue-collar entrepreneurial activities will be your best bet. Particularly ones relating to home and auto maintenance.

Gutter cleaning. Lawn care. TV mounting. Pressure-washing. Car detailing. Auto paint scratch repair. Windshield chip repair. Mobile oil changes and brake replacements. Sidewalk installs. Privacy fence construction. Lawn mower tune-up and sharpening. Carpet cleaning. Drywall repair. Christmas light installation.

All of these are things that you can start up with minimal expense, and do on the side. Find something that has an unmet demand in your area, and attempt to fill that niche.

@Pax
Big money doing jobs no one else wants to do.

Dog sitting/walking. Look up the Rover app.

Vega said:

Blane said:
Bank churning.

Ppl sleep on this HEAVILY. We’re in 2 player mode. 10,000 in the last 9 months. Next year we’ll be a bit more aggressive.

I’ve tried to put on so many friends and family members, the vast majority never give it a shot.

I started in Sep 2023 and by Sep 2024 my wife and I were just shy of $18k. Good luck with your churning!

@Blane
Don’t you run out of banks?

Yere2 said:
@Blane
Don’t you run out of banks?

There’s plenty of banks in NYC and there’s even more online/nationwide bank offers.

I keep accounts open for 5-6 months and then close them. Most banks allow you to open a new account and get the bonus again after a 12 month window. Hence, the word ‘churn’.

The /churn subreddit and doctorofcredit.com are great resources.

Vega said:

Blane said:
Bank churning.

Ppl sleep on this HEAVILY. We’re in 2 player mode. 10,000 in the last 9 months. Next year we’ll be a bit more aggressive.

Same! Started last year but going to start doing it more aggressively. Found out you can create a business account and it works faster than payroll at your regular job and not all brokerages work. Definitely the best side income with minimal work.

Build websites for small local businesses.

Price it low in the beginning so you have a portfolio.

Then charge more as you go.

$30-40k is absolutely doable in the first year.

Ash said:
Build websites for small local businesses.

Price it low in the beginning so you have a portfolio.

Then charge more as you go.

$30-40k is absolutely doable in the first year.

It ain’t easy building websites though, is it? I’ve had this idea for some time now.

It might be a little bit of a high barrier to entry, but I recommend becoming a realtor. It’s about a month’s worth of classes and you can do them online. You’ll spend about $2500 on start-up and about $1500 per year to keep it going but getting to the closing table is so rewarding. You’ll make somewhere in the area of $3,000 after your split with your broker depending on the price tag on the house you sell and depending on your business model. Reasonably you can close on 2-4 houses per year doing this only part-time if you’re good with managing relationships and doing some hustling in your off time.

Look at doing bank sign-up bonuses. You can open most of them online and there are plenty of nationwide offers, regional banks, and local banks and credit unions that offer bonuses. We have four people in our household and we’ve made almost $20k in the past twelve months. Feel free to message me or check out our Facebook group ‘Bank Bonus and Travel Points’.

Dog sitting or house sitting. People pay a crazy amount.

Buy stocks. You need large capital to start out like $10K and buy ETFs like $VOO then invest every month for the next five years. You can get $30K profit if you want to wait a few more years. It pays dividends quarterly which you can reinvest.

Get a job? Wtf is this?

Ocean said:
Get a job? Wtf is this?

I’m not sure if you’re quite grasping the concept of side hustle lol.

Ocean said:
Get a job? Wtf is this?

I’m not even part of this sub, but this is peak Reddit right here.

Ocean said:
Get a job? Wtf is this?

I have a job that I’m quite happy with. I’m just looking for something to help offset the cost of my new car. I can afford the car just fine, but I would still like to recoup some of the expense if I can.