Whether you live in an expensive city like Miami or a more affordable area like Jacksonville, you may be looking for a Florida side hustle opportunity to boost your income. The cost of living has risen everywhere due to inflation, which can put a strain on your finances.
Luckily there are many quick ways to generate cash in the Sunshine State so you can pay your bills and keep meeting your financial goals. Here are eight options for you to consider.
1. Rent Your Spare Bedroom to Tourists
If you live in a popular tourist city like Orlando or Miami, you may be able to rent out a room in your home to earn some extra income. Platforms like AirBnb and Homestay make it easy to connect with tourists who are looking for accommodations and collect payments.
If you don’t have a spare bedroom available but you have a large property, consider listing your land on Hipcamp. It’s a website that connects RVers and campers with private land owners who are willing to rent their acreage to travelers for a few nights.
2. Weatherproof Homes
Florida experiences lots of inclement weather, which presents an opportunity for handy side hustlers. Homeowners who lack home repair skills may need help weatherproofing their houses to prepare for storms.
Weatherproofing usually involves cleaning gutters, reinforcing doors, boarding up windows, waterproofing, and removing debris that could blow in a storm. The average rate for handyman services is usually between $60 and $75 per hour according to Thumbtack, making this a potentially lucrative Florida side hustle.
3. Become a Water Sports or Fishing Instructor
Tourists flock to the pristine Florida coast to surf, longboard, snorkel, scuba dive, and fish. If you have a passion for water sports or fishing, you could become an instructor and turn your hobby into a money-making opportunity.
However, you’ll probably need to save up some money or get a loan to cover your start-up costs. You’ll probably need to purchase extra equipment and invest in business insurance and an instructor certification course before you can teach your first set of students.
4. Offer Wedding Photography
Another Florida side hustle worth considering is wedding photography. Because the weather in the Sunshine State is mild throughout the year, the wedding season tends to be longer. Tourists may also come to Florida for destination weddings, adding to the potential client pool.
Even if you’re great at taking selfies, wedding photography requires advanced skills, so you may need to invest in some training. Additionally, buying a quality camera, flash, and lenses may cost you $1,000 or more. But once you have a few weddings under your belt, you can begin charging as much as $3,000 per wedding, or more if you offer videography services as well.
5. Provide Elder Care Services
Elder care services are another Florida side hustle option because the state is home to so many retirees. Seniors may need help with daily living tasks like grocery shopping, cleaning, meal prep, and pet care. Additionally, family caregivers who are tired and in need of a break may hire respite care workers to watch over their parent for a few hours.
If you work as a self-employed caregiver instead of contracting with an agency, you can set your own hours and earn as much as $20 per hour.
6. Become a Beach Vendor
If you live near a popular tourist beach, look into becoming a beach vendor. If you get a permit from your local county, you can sell products like souvenirs or prepackaged snacks to beachgoers. Starting a beach equipment rental company can also be a lucrative Florida side hustle. Tourists who couldn’t fit umbrellas or beach chairs in their suitcases may pay you to rent them for an afternoon.
7. Start a Travel Blog or Agency
Florida is a tourist destination, so why not capitalize on that by starting a travel business? As a local with insider knowledge, you could start a travel blog, Instagram, or TikTok covering hidden local gems that travelers need to know about.
You could also become a travel agent and help tourists arrange the vacation of a lifetime. Many travel agencies offer flexible or part-time roles that will work around your existing schedule, allowing you to earn some extra cash in your spare time.
8. Start an Aquarium Maintenance or Fishkeeping Service
If you have a passion for fishkeeping, consider starting an aquarium maintenance business. Being that Florida is on the water, there’s likely a large population of aquarium enthusiasts and businesses with marine exhibits who may need help keeping their tanks clean. You can also look into breeding and selling fish or starting a petsitting business that specializes in exotic fish with complex care needs.
There’s a Florida Side Hustle For You
You may need to try a few different side hustles to find the right one for you. But with some trial and error, you can find a side gig that fits your skills and schedule and meets your financial needs.
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.