Latest news with #sidehustles
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘We make S$5000/month!' — Singaporean couple turns their S$1M condo into a passive income machine with 10 side hustle recommendations, working from home
SINGAPORE: What if your condo could make you money while you bake sourdough, play with dogs, or teach a workshop — all without stepping out of your front door? Meet Darien, a former tech sales professional from Singapore who quit the 9-to-5 life to travel full-time, live on his own terms, and help others do the same. Alongside his partner Joanna, Darien has transformed their home into a multi-stream income engine, generating over S$3,000 to S$5,000 a month through practical, proven side hustles that are perfect for 2025. In a video that has been making waves among aspiring entrepreneurs, Darien breaks down 10 legitimate side hustles that Singaporeans can start right now. Some require skills, others need hustle, but all are achievable. Here's the breakdown, ranked by the time you need to put in and how tough it is to earn your first S$100. Home-based hustles: No office, no dress code, no problem 1. Home Café — Your oven could be a goldmine Before he was jetting off on full-time adventures, Darien and his partner Joanna were stirring up profits right at home. Their first taste of profit came from the smell of freshly baked goods. 'We started baking from home and expanded into two physical retail outlets, doing baking workshops even while we were still students,' Darien recalls. Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna Thanks to platforms like Acuppa , anyone can start a home-based food business with zero licensing hassles. TikTok and GoBusiness tools help build your brand fast, without the high overhead of a retail space. Home-based cafés are booming in Singapore. Acuppa even lists neighbourhood food entrepreneurs, and the good news is that you don't even need a licence to get started. Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna Time investment: 3/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 3/5 Get your first few customers, prove your product works, and you might just rise like your best sourdough loaf. 2. Workshops — Teach what you love (and multiply your income) Why bake for people when you can bake with them — and get paid more for it? It takes you four hours to bake a cake. But if you host a workshop and get four participants to bake with you, each paying S$80, you just quadrupled your earnings, Darien explains. That's S$320 for the same four hours. 'This is also why we pivoted our business from selling cakes to doing workshops,' says Darien. Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only) Baking, pottery, floral arranging — whatever your craft, workshops let you earn more while sharing what you love. Workshops are one-time efforts that become repeatable events. Once you've built the curriculum, it's wash, rinse, repeat — just like those dishes after class. Time investment: 3/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 2/5 You can also conduct other workshops, from pottery to flower arrangements, to make your weekend hobby earn you enough to pay your rent. 3. Carousell — The marketplace that keeps surprising! Darien's dive into sourdough baking led to an unexpected epiphany: there's real demand for sourdough starters. He listed an extra sourdough starter one night and got his first sale within hours. 'You can't buy it from the store. So I managed to get it from a friend, multiplied it, and listed it on Carousell . That night, someone bought it.' Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna You can list anything valuable — vintage clothes, books, old tech… even your workshops. And add four items lying around worth S$30 on the list, that's your first S$100! So you see, you don't need a warehouse full of products — just a few things people want. Even your fermented flour can work. Carousell is still king! Time investment: 1/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 2/5 Four listings at S$30 each, and you're already there. Skill-based hustles: Hands-on, heart-in, high reward 4. Pet-sitting — Paws, play, and paydays! If you love dogs or any animals, for that matter, you might already qualify. Your spare room could turn into a pet daycare. Darien knows someone who became one of the top pet sitters on Pawshake , hosting up to 10 dogs a day at S$40 each. That's S$400 a day! — No barking mad math there. Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only). 'It hardly feels like work,' Darien says, 'especially if you love animals.' Time investment: 3/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 1/5 One weekend of furry fun and wagging tails could already hit your target. 5. Tuition — Because Singaporeans will pay for A's Singaporeans don't mess around with education. That's why tuition — especially in core subjects — remains another goldmine. If you're strong academically, tuition's a no-brainer. Even better, you don't have to go solo either because home-based centres let you franchise their curriculum. 'There are home-based tuition centres that let you franchise their materials, so you don't have to start from scratch,' says Darien. Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only). Time investment: 2/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 1/5 One or two quick sessions, and you're already in the green for triple digits. 6. Commission-based tech sales — No salary, just straight hustle If you're not into kids or calculus, but you've got the gift of persuasion, then commission-based tech sales might be your playground. Early-stage tech startups are always looking for people who can sell and close deals. You're not paid for your time, though — you're paid for your results, Darien notes. But the upside is massive! Master cold outreach on LinkedIn , learn the tools, and your S$100 becomes a foot in the door for bigger deals. Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna This one isn't easy, but it pays dividends in income and network. Time investment: 4/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 4/5 Again, master cold calls and outreach, and it might just become your full-time gig. 7. Community sales rep: Sell what you believe in through WhatsApp, not stores If you prefer something more human and less hustle culture, community-based sales are perfect for introverts with a cause. No cold calls, just warm referrals. Many niche brands prefer reps to retail. Think wellness, skincare, or household products sold via personal networks and weekend pop-ups. 'Pick brands you truly believe in — most are always recruiting,' Darien advises. Photo: Freepik Some brands really don't want retail space — they want people who can sell through WhatsApp, social media direct messaging, or word of mouth. From essential oils to ergonomic chairs, just pick what you love and start talking. Time investment: 3/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 3/5 Your inner circle could become your first customer base. 8. Coaching — Share the knowledge; your story could become someone else's solution Whether it's life coaching, career coaching, content coaching, or mindset mentoring, if you've done something impressive, chances are, someone wants to learn from you. When Darien left his job, he became a career coach in Bali. 'In the first two months of leaving my job, I went to Bali, and because I had a proven track record in tech sales, I became a coach for people who wanted to switch into (tech sales),' Darien shares. 'Each cohort lasted eight weeks with weekly Zoom sessions.' Photo: pikisuperstar Start with one-on-one sessions and scale to groups. If you've done something others want to achieve, this is your lane. And then go on to live your Bali dream. Time investment: 3/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 2/5 The transformation you've made could be someone else's breakthrough. 9. Start a micro-agency: Sell solutions, not hours If you know how to run ads, have skills in design, create social content, marketing, or build websites, consider packaging those skills into a service business. Skip freelancing — start an agency. Darien launched livestream services during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping small businesses stay visible. 'During COVID… I reached out to top livestreamers in Singapore, partnered with them, and started offering livestreaming services to small businesses. We (even) sold durian… during National Day,' he shared. Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna Focus on results, not the hours. Clients care more about conversions or outcomes than your calendar or time sheets. Done-for-you packages are key. Time investment: 5/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 3/5 Takes time, but once it clicks, it scales—serious payoff if you really stick with it. Creative and content-based hustles: Create. Publish. Repeat. 10. Content Creation — From TikTok to passive profits; build once, earn forever (hopefully) Just like any other hustler we've heard from before, Darien also doesn't sugarcoat it. Content creation is slow, hard, and often thankless — at first. 'This one takes a lot of time, but it has an insane upside,' he says. So, whether you're on YouTube, TikTok, or doing UGC (User Generated Content) for brands, content is also king, and getting crowned does take time. But the goal is simple: create content people care about. If you're shy, then just go faceless. If you're outgoing, then build a personal brand. 'It takes a long, long time to build your audience… The first S$100 could take months. But the next S$1,000 could be passive.' Photo: YT screengrab/@darienandjoanna Time investment: 5/5 Difficulty to make first S$100: 5/5 Go faceless with storytelling, or build a personal brand. It's not quick, but it's powerful. Darien's parting advice 'The best side hustle is the one that you can stick with for at least 6 to 12 months to really see it pay off.' Whether you're making muffins, managing mutts, or mentoring future tech bros, consistency is the real money-maker. Darien and Joanna didn't get rich overnight — but their decision to design life on their own terms is paying off in spades (and sourdough). And when it comes to surviving the Lion City, where hustle often meets burnout, Darien's message is a refreshing shift: design life around what matters. Earning more and working less isn't just a dream — it's a strategy. So then, which one will you start with first? To learn more about Darien's full breakdown and personal journey, watch his inspiring video below. You'll get even in-depth details, real-life examples, and tips to kick off your 2025 with a smarter hustle. Read related: 5 genius ways Singaporean Gen Zs can turn side hustles into six-figure careers with just $5 or less and a smartphone
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I was in £100k debt but now have £183k saved thanks to my cheapskate hacks – but trolls say my frugal life is depressing
A SELF-PROCLAIMED ' frugal freak' was once in over £100,000 of debt, but now has more than £183,000 saved in the bank, thanks to his cheapskate hacks. Bradley, 32, now earns cash through a number of different side hustles and while he has enough money to live lavishly, instead, he opts for an incredibly basic lifestyle. 2 The content creator lives in a 'cute' and 'cosy' studio home in Connecticut, USA and not only does he only own one plate and never turns the heating on, but he also claimed that he is 'too busy to spend money.' For Bradley, who has chosen not to share his last name, keeping tight control over his finances is incredibly important. Over a decade ago, at the age of just 21, he found himself in more than £100,000 worth of debt, and thought his 'life was over.' After studying at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York and receiving his £104,150 debt bill, 'everything changed'. Upon hearing about his £1,120-a-month debt, Bradley, who has 'never once bought trash bags' and instead asks friends for their old bin bags, told Metro: 'That was the birth of the frugal lifestyle.' Now, Bradley has candidly opened up on how he turned his life around thanks to money-saving hacks, leaving social media users stunned. Posting online, Bradley shared behind-the-scenes clips of a typical day in his life, as he said: 'Spend a no spend day with me as someone who's frugal and has $250,000 [£183,846] saved in the bank, but would rather save my money than give into consumerism and over consumption. 'And let me just say, before you say my life 'seems depressing' and 'may this life never find me' - shut up. You probably have credit card debt that you're paying the minimum balance on and I would never wanna be you.' Bradley started his day by making a 'frugal breakfast burrito' which costs him less than $1 [74p] - and instead of oiling his saucepan with a silicone brush, he instead just used his hand. Not only this, but rather than using three or even four eggs, he then added water to 'water them down.' I've lived outside permanently for five years and eat roadkill, people are disgusted but it's saved me £65k Later in the clip, Bradley, who earns at least £8,000 per month through multiple jobs - including TikTok content creation, dog sitting, answering calls on a crisis hotline, cleaning houses and mowing lawns - confirmed: 'I do have a new side hustle, which is cleaning up someone's driveway when it snows.' But rather than forking out cash on the equipment, he borrowed some from his parents, as he added: 'I hate the cold and I hate the snow but I'll do anything for money so whatever, I just suck it up and deal with it.' Following this, after getting home and cooking dinner, Bradley sat down to watch some YouTube, but confirmed: 'I don't have any subscriptions, I've never paid for subscriptions, I think it's stupid.' Money saving challenges Here's some of our favourite money saving challenges. Weather saving challenge - Save the amount equal to whatever the highest temperature was that week. £1 = 1C. 1p challenge - save 1p a day for everyday of the year, but it increase the amount by 1p each day. So day one you save 1p, 2p on day two and 3p on day three. When you reach 100 days you start adding a £1 coin each day too, while this increases to a £2 coin each day plus pennies at 200 days, and £3 each day on top of pennies at day 300. 20p a day challenge - Start by putting 20p in savings, then increase the amount by 20p every day. For example, the first week will look like this: 20p, 40p, 60p, 80p, £1, £1.20, £1.40. £5 a week challenge - Like the 20p challenge, put aside £5 a week and increase it by a fiver each week. Eg £5, £10, £15, £20 Round-up challenge - Every time you buy something, round up the purchase to the nearest £1 and put the difference in a savings account. Eg. You pay £2.60, so you put 40p in savings. You can use an app such as Monzo or Starling to do this. Bingo challenge - Here you have a bingo card with different numbers on it and you tick them off when you've put that amount in your savings account. It can be ad hoc but you have to tick them all off by the end of the month. Monday to Sunday challenge - With this challenge, you simply save £1 on Monday, £2 on Tuesday and so on until the weekend where you don't save on Saturday or Sunday. 365 day challenge - Every Sunday you put aside £1, followed by £2 on Monday, £3 on Wednesday and so on. On Saturday you'll put away £7, and then the process repeats and you'll put aside £1 on Sunday as the new week begins Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and amassed 5.8 million views, 652,200 likes and 5,595 comments. But social media users were stunned by his 'crazy' way of living and eagerly raced to the comments to express this. Let me just say, before you say my life 'seems depressing' and 'may this life never find me' - shut up Bradley One person said: 'Water in the eggs is crazy.' Another added: 'May this life NEVER find me.' A third commented: 'My dude I'm great at saving money but this ain't it... I'm all for saving as much money as possible but you also need to enjoy your life.' Meanwhile, someone else begged: 'Please just buy a silicone brush, you can use everyday for the rest of your life. It is not expensive.'
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
7 Side Hustle Ideas That Are Perfect For Summer
7 Side Hustles Perfect For Summer Summer means longer days, more time to hit the beach, and finally taking that much-needed trip. But that also means you'll need some serious funding. Fortunately, summer side hustles allow you to earn extra income without giving up all your free time. This season also offers different opportunities that might not be available throughout the year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 55% of young people were employed last summer. This only shows how summer hustles are more common than you think. If you're up for it, here are some rewarding gigs you can explore this summer. Lifeguard Summer wouldn't be complete without a visit to the beach, pool, or water park. That's why lifeguards are a must during the summertime. You'll oversee swimmers and respond to emergencies if needed. So, if you're an expert swimmer and willing to get certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid, then this side hustle is for you. The American Red Cross and other organizations offer lifeguard training. Some pools and local departments even sponsor classes. The reward? You can earn an average of $25 per hour, with experienced lifeguards getting up to $69 per hour. On top of that, you'll stay fit and help save lives! Working At Your Favorite Theme Park With school breaks plus sunny weather, it's no wonder families flock to theme parks. That means extra income for you, too. You can work at your favorite theme park as a cashier, food service crew, entertainer, ride operator, or game attendant. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, 97% of park and recreation agencies hired summer staff in 2023. This year, United Parks and Resorts hosted a summer hiring event for over 5,000 roles with brands like Water Country USA and Discovery Cove. These figures just show how seasonal roles are needed to handle the peak season. You can earn an average of $23 per hour and as high as $55 per hour for more skilled roles. You'll also enjoy additional perks, like free admissions, discounted tickets for family and friends, and of course, more flexible schedules. It's like being a kid again while gaining extra funds. Hosting Picnics If you're artsy and love organizing small events, hosting picnics could be the perfect summer side hustle for you. As people love to spend more time outdoors, you can host picnics for families, friends, and couples at parks, beaches, and even in their own backyards. Provide the essentials, like tables, chairs, blankets, pillows, and baskets. You can offer different packages depending on the occasion, with add-ons like flowers, games, drinks, and charcuterie boards. You may have startup expenses, but you'll earn well, especially with good marketing on your socials. A basic picnic package is priced around $150 to $250. You can charge higher for bigger groups and more personalized packages. Ice Cream Truck Delivery One way to beat the summer heat is with a cold treat like ice cream. So, you can never go wrong with a side hustle like ice cream truck delivery. You can drive the truck itself, assist the driver, process payments, or serve customers at parks, beaches, or even around your community. While the average rate is $23 per hour, some earn around $50 per hour. There are no special skills or certifications needed, so it's a practical option for you. Every scoop means an opportunity to earn! Vending Machines If you're willing to make a small investment, you can operate vending machines and maximize the high demand during summer. In fact, by 2031, the industry is expected to grow by $3 billion. You can offer healthy snacks, refreshing drinks, and frozen yogurt. Suncare items are also a hit. With the right location, like parks, summer camps, and other places with high foot traffic, you can earn $1,000 per month or higher for a single machine. The good thing with this side hustle is that you can continue to enjoy passive income even after summer. Tutor For Creativity Summer means a break from school and even work for some, making it the perfect time to teach kids and adults something new outside their usual routines. Skip subjects like Math and English and instead tutor them on things that fuel their creativity. These include painting, drawing, digital art, or even crocheting. You can also teach them photography, music, storytelling, creative writing, and other interesting hobbies. Art teachers get at least $26 per hour. The more slots you open, the higher your income will be. You can offer summer promos to attract more art enthusiasts. Mowing Lawns Homeowners are usually away on vacation or are probably too tired to maintain their yards. So if you're trying to stay active and want to try physical work outdoors, lawn care is a good side hustle. You just need a decent lawn mower, safety gear, and other basic tools, although other clients might let you use theirs. Lawn care workers get an average of $19 per hour. To boost your income, you can offer landscaping, including removing weeds, trimming bushes, and planting flowers. Start with your neighbors and friends, and you can grow your clientele from there. Summer is an exciting time to just chill and bask in the sun, but it's also a chance to try different side hustles based on your interests and needs. Whether you choose lifeguarding, hosting picnics, setting up vending machines, or mowing lawns, you can help people, expand your skills, and increase your earnings. So, enjoy summer the smart way!
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Gen Zers Are Preparing for a Recession: Will It Work?
Growing up during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, only to graduate into a pandemic and now face inflation and housing instability, Gen Z is hyper-aware that a recession could be around the corner. Try This: Find Out: Though most Gen Zers are still relatively early in their careers or just starting to figure out adulthood, they're already thinking about how to protect themselves financially. Here's how Gen Z is preparing for a recession, and whether it'd be enough to weather the storm. The no-buy challenge is trending on social media, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a list of things you can't spend money on for some time. It can be things like skincare products, daily coffees from Starbucks, or Netflix subscriptions. The fact that no-buy lists are trending is a sign that Gen Zers are actually getting serious about tracking expenses to prepare for a recession. Many #FinTok influencers are also teaching their followers to use budgeting apps like YNAB or spreadsheets to keep themselves accountable. This is a pretty noticeable shift, especially compared to the 'YOLO' mindset that many Gen Zers were following a few years ago. See More: Apart from spending, another big part of Gen Z's recession prep is learning how to earn more money. Search 'how to make money' on TikTok or Instagram, and you'll fall into a rabbit hole of Gen Zers breaking down their side hustles. Some are using AI to monetize their YouTube channels, and others are making money off of Amazon affiliates and TikTok shops. Many aren't stopping at just one stream of income either. They're building multiple, so if one slows down, another can pick up the slack. In other words, Gen Zers are learning skills that will serve them well no matter what the economy looks like. And instead of relying on a single job or paycheck, they're building job security by having a side hustle (sometimes multiple). Not long ago, living at home in your 20s was something people tried to avoid (or at least avoid talking about). It felt like a sign you hadn't figured things out yet. But now, many Gen Zers are openly sharing what it's like to live at home, showing their routines, how much they're saving, and why it's worth it. There's way less shame around it, most likely because of how ridiculous rent prices are in big cities and how difficult it is to find jobs for some fresh grads. By staying at home for a bit, that extra money they save can go toward paying off debt or building an emergency fund. And if a recession hits, having lower living expenses can take a ton of pressure off. Gen Zers are doing a lot of the right things, like spending mindfully, building high-income skills, and diversifying income. That said, even the best financial habits can't fully shield anyone from the bigger forces at play. Rent prices are climbing faster than wages in many cities, and homeownership is still out of reach for most young adults in their 20s and early 30s. On top of all that, student loan payments are back, Trump's tariffs are causing market turbulence, and inflation is still lingering. So even though Gen Zers are prepared and proactive, many factors outside their control could make it harder for their financial plans to fully pan out. Having solid money habits is still important, though. It might not guarantee complete financial security. But it does give Gen Zers a stronger foundation and a better shot at weathering whatever storm comes next. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle This article originally appeared on How Gen Zers Are Preparing for a Recession: Will It Work? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
I'm 24-year-old with £80,000 in savings - here are the things I'd NEVER spend money on so I can retire at 40
A young woman who is 'hoping to retire early' has revealed the items she would 'never' spend her money on. Mia Rose McGrath, who is 24 and has £80,000 in savings, hopes to retire by the time she's 40. She currently lives in London in a zone 2 flat that she shares with her partner and split the rent and bills equally. Mia hopes to 'soft retire' by the time she's 40 - meaning she will likely still do part time work or things she's 'passionate' about, but won't need to work full time to 'stay alive'. As well as having 'side hustles' which she credits with gaining her £10,000 in the past year, there are certain things Mia doesn't spend money on to help her save. She says she will rarely spend cash on things like takeaways and coffees - only having them when she's with friends. 'These are the things I just don't spend money as a financially responsible 24-year-old who wants to retire early,' she said in her TikTok video, which has racked up more than 500,000 views. The first thing on her list is takeaways - and she says she doesn't even have the Deliveroo app on her phone. However, she makes an exception if she's hanging out with friends. She explained: 'I won't get a takeaway if I can't be bothered to cook. If you can cook really good food, you just don't need to get a takeaway. 'And also, eating in the actual restaurant is so much nicer.' In a similar vein, she also doesn't usually treat herself to a coffee or a pastry - but still gets them with friends. 'I don't see the point of buying one every single day. They're four or five pounds sometimes. That really adds up,' she added. The third item on which she's unwilling to splash the cash is home decor and trinkets, instead collecting them over time when she's given them as gifts. Mia referenced the viral 'labubu' trend - 'monster toys' that have grown popular on social media - and said she would never be caught buying one. She also doesn't buy 'extra' make-up and skincare beyond the 'capsule' collection she sticks to. She said: 'I couldn't tell you the last time I tried out a new product. I really just stick to the same routine of the same essential products and I just top up when they run out.' When it comes to alcohol, Mia said the maximum she'll spend at a time is around £15. 'I'm just not a big drinker. If I'm out with friends, I'll probably just have one or two,' she explained. While some people praised her for her 'sensible' financial decisions, others were worried she's not having enough 'fun' in her 20s. Taking to the comments, people wrote: 'No hate, but what do you do for fun? There's a fine line between being sensible to save money and doing/ buying nothing. You should set some cash aside for treats'; 'Remember to enjoy life as well, I'm 31 and saved a lot during my 20s and now have £200k+ savings, does it make me happy, not really'; 'I thought this is normal... I guess I'm just poor lol'; 'At your age, you're going to make an incredibly big positive difference to your (early) retirement by investing with the savings you're making with these choices'; While some people praised her for her 'sensible' financial decisions, others were worried she's not having enough 'fun' in her 20s 'This is fantastic. I'm exactly the same. Most people love wasting money and they hate seeing others being frugal, because it illustrates their bad spending habits'; 'The amount of money I've wasted on takeaways just to feel awful after eating them anyway is scary.' In another video, Mia revealed there are some items she will splurge on. These include experiences, buying whole foods and renting a nice flat. She also revealed how she's managed to save £80,000 at just 24 years old, revealing she hopes to increase it to £100,000 this year. Mia said she always. 'pays herself first', paying money into her savings account at the start of each month She also credits her savings to becoming 'financially literate' and learning about the stock market. She said that she's spent time 'living below her means' and when she was living at home and had disposable income, saved it towards a home deposit. The financially savvy TikToker emphasised the importance of her side hustles - which include modelling, UGC, content creation and affiliate marketing. In addition, she's done two placements and has been working full-time, saying it took her around five years to reach the savings goal. Though she and her partner split their rent and bills equally - due to being the same age and earning a similar salary, she admitted other things have a 70/30 split. Mia believes the 'man should be trying to impress a woman a little bit more' as it keep the romance alive - for example, she will be spoiled by her partner for Valentine's Day and on birthdays.
