Is your current income no longer sufficient enough to cover your expenses? Then try these side gigs, as many people are using them to stack cash and stay afloat during tough times.

Your schedule may be too busy to work full-time or get a second job if you’re already employed. 

What’s the next best alternative to bring in extra income? Getting a side gig that allows for a flexible schedule yet brings in enough cash to cover your bills.

Many have turned to side gigs over second jobs since they can work them when they have free time and bring in decent dough. If you’ve been considering ways to increase your income, give these popular side gigs a strong look.

1. Walk other people’s dogs.

If you’re an animal lover, walking dogs could be the perfect side gig. Many dog owners require this service because they’re too busy to do it themselves, and you can make surprisingly good money doing it.

According to Payscale, the average dog walker makes just over $15 per hour. You could look for work as a dog walker from a local company or freelance via a site like Rover.com or Care.com. Get good at this gig and snag a couple of loyal clients, and you could even make enough cash to replace a full-time job.

2. Work as someone’s personal assistant.

You can be a personal assistant nowadays without having to see your boss in person. Many clients hire virtual assistants from across the country or even the globe via sites like Upwork and Fiverr, and you could get hired without the need for extensive experience.

If you enjoy being organized and like working with people, this may be your ideal side gig. 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average personal assistant makes $20 per hour.

3. Drive for Uber or Lyft.

If you’re a people person with a car in good condition, driving for Uber or Lyft can give you that extra income you desire while offering a flexible schedule. Thanks to surge pricing, rideshare drivers can make extra cash during peak hours. As for how much you can make, that all depends on your availability, but Indeed found that the average Uber driver makes just under $30,000 per year, which is enough to pay several bills.

4. Manage someone’s social media.

Chances are, you have experience with using social media. But if you get really good at it and learn how to market clients and increase their exposure, you could get paid for such a gig.

According to Indeed, the average social media manager makes just over $21 per hour. This is a gig you can do remotely from the comfort of your couch, so it’s great if you have kids and need to stay home.  

If you feel you won’t get hired due to a lack of formal experience, try taking a social media management course online to pad your resume and get someone to give you a chance.