Feb 21 Side Hustle for Couples: 15 Ideas to Make Extra Cash

Looking to boost your income while strengthening your relationship? Then you need a side hustle for couples! It can be an awesome way to earn money and grow together - and some business ideas for couples even open the door to eventually earning passive income.

This guide will share the 15 best side hustles for couples so you can earn extra income and tips on how to build a successful business without financial misunderstandings. Grab a coffee, and let's get started!

The Benefits of Having a Side Hustle for Couples

There's a side hustle revolution happening all over the US, with 55% of young Americans now earning income beyond their primary jobs.

You may worry that taking on extra work will drain your energy, but pursuing a side business you genuinely enjoy together with your partner can energize and inspire you both.

Especially if you don't love your 9-5, having a side hustle that you're passionate about can be good not only for your bank account but also for your mental health and relationship.

Of course, there are financial benefits, too. Statistics show that side hustlers working an average of 12 hours per week earn a median of $1,122 monthly. That's an extra $13,464 per year!

Plus, by combining your efforts with your partner, you could earn significantly more by leveraging your complementary skills and sharing the workload.

Whether money stress is killing you and you need extra income ASAP or you just have a big dream and some time on your hands, there's never been a better time to start a side hustle than now!

Can Couples Make Money Online?

There are lots of ways for couples to make money online, such as e-commerce or offering digital marketing services. Some of my favorite ones include:

Starting a YouTube channel together
Running an online course teaching skills you're both good at
Managing social media accounts for clients
Becoming virtual assistants

That said, there are many great ways to generate income with side hustles in real life. For example, you can offer pet care services or start a landscaping business.

Here are the 15 side hustles for couples that I recommend as The Couples Financial Coach!

15 Side Hustle Ideas for Couples

1. Start a Blog

Starting a blog works great for couples because you can split up the work based on what you're good at. One of you can write posts while the other takes photos, handles social media, or fixes technical problems.

Most successful couples pick a topic they both care about, like saving money, traveling, raising kids, or cooking together. My favorite is, admittedly, a personal finance blog!

A blog takes a fair amount of time to start making money (think at least 6-12 months), but you can earn in several ways. You'll make money from ads once you get a certain number of visitors every month.

You can also recommend products you use and get paid when readers buy them or create and sell your own digital products like meal plans or budgeting spreadsheets. This can be a great way to eventually generate passive income.

2. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting makes a perfect couple's side hustle because you can watch multiple pets together and split up the daily tasks. One person can handle morning walks and feeding while the other does evening care and client communication.

You'll need a pet-friendly home and experience with animals, but startup costs are low - just basic supplies and a profile on pet-sitting websites. You can also start offering pet grooming services, dog walking, and other extra services.

3. Start a Podcast

Podcasting works well for couples because you already have chemistry together and can have natural conversations. You can host the show together and split the tasks like recording, editing, and posting episodes. Alternatively, one of you can host the show, and the other can handle the technical tasks.

Pick a topic you both enjoy talking about - could be relationship advice, movie reviews, true crime stories, or business tips.

You'll need basic equipment like microphones ($100-200) and editing software to start. It can be a lucrative side hustle once you reach a high number of listeners, but at first, don't expect to make a ton of money from it!

4. Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing means buying properties and renting them out to make extra money each month. Couples do well at this because there's lots of work to split up - one person can handle finding and screening tenants while the other manages repairs and paperwork.

You'll need money saved for a down payment (usually $20,000-50,000) and good credit scores.

Short-term rentals on Airbnb often earn more but need more daily management. Many couples start with one property and slowly buy more over time. The best part is your tenants help pay off the property while it goes up in value, building your wealth and financial freedom for the future!

Don't forget to ask each other these important financial questions before getting started.

5. Offer Property Management Services

Property management means taking care of rental properties for other landlords who don't want to do it themselves. As a couple, you can handle more properties because you share the workload. One person might talk to tenants and handle emergencies while the other does accounting and schedules repairs.

You don't need special degrees or certifications but should learn basic tenant laws and have good organizational skills.

Most property managers charge 8-12% of the monthly rent for each property they manage. If you manage 10 properties that rent for $1,500 each, you could make $1,200-1,800 monthly!

6. Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel can be a fun way to share your experiences and knowledge while building a following. One person can be the main person on camera while the other handles filming and editing, or you can both appear in videos together.

Popular couple channels focus on topics like home renovation projects, cooking tutorials, relationship advice, or daily life vlogs. You'll need a good camera, microphone, and basic editing software to get started.

The best part about YouTube is you can create videos about things you already do together. As your channel grows with strategic planning, you'll make money from ads on your videos and sponsorships from brands.

7. Sell Online Courses

The online course industry is booming, and this side hustle can be a great way to generate extra income for couples because you can combine your different skills and knowledge.

You can create courses about anything you know well - like budgeting, cooking, home repair, photography, or starting a business. The work is mostly upfront, creating video lessons and worksheets. Once your course is ready, you can sell it over and over to enjoy recurring income.

8. Sell Print-on-Demand Products

Print-on-demand products can be t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other items that get printed only when someone buys them. It's a great side hustle for couples that allows you to earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands every month.

One partner can focus on making designs while the other handles marketing and customer service. The best part is that you typically don't need to buy inventory or ship anything yourself - the printing company does all that for you.

You can create designs about topics you both love, like funny quotes, pet themes, or holiday decorations. The most important thing is that your designs stand out from others.

9. Offer Home Improvement Services

Home improvement services are perfect for handy couples. You can split tasks evenly, or come up with an arrangement where one person handles the physical work while the other manages bookings and buys supplies.

You can start with simple jobs like painting and basic repairs, then take on bigger projects as you gain experience. Word-of-mouth referrals often bring steady work once people know you do good work. You'll need basic tools and reliable transportation to get started.

10. Run an Etsy Shop

If you're a creative couple, opening an online store on Etsy can help you turn your hobbies into a business and financial success. You and your partner will need to split up tasks like making the products and handling the photography, listings, and shipping.

You can sell almost anything handmade - like jewelry, home decor, custom clothing, or digital printables. Starting costs are low, and you can make items in your spare time until orders pick up. But keep in mind that you'll need space to store supplies and finished products.

11. Try Social Media Management

Managing social media accounts for small businesses gives you a flexible schedule you can build around your daily routine together. Small businesses online as well as local shops and restaurants need help posting content and responding to customer messages but can't afford big marketing agencies.

Working together means you can take on more clients - when one of you needs a break, the other can keep the posts going. You'll need some knowledge of social media management, such as how to create engaging videos or graphic posts, but you can continue to learn this valuable skill you grow your income and hit your financial goals.

12. Offer Cleaning Services

Cleaning services are in demand, and cleaning homes or offices as a team allows you to finish jobs faster and take on more clients. Your service also becomes more attractive to clients because you can tackle bigger spaces efficiently - what takes one person three hours might take you both just over an hour.

You can also specialize in specific types of cleaning, like move-out services or eco-friendly home cleaning, which will allow you to charge higher rates. You'll need to invest in cleaning supplies, but some clients actually prefer you use their cleaning supplies, so it can vary.

13. Become Virtual Assistants

As virtual assistants, you'll help your clients with daily tasks like email management, calendar scheduling, customer service, or research. Since you're two people, you can offer more comprehensive support than solo virtual assistants.

You can find your first clients on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. These platforms charge a fee and typically have clients with smaller budgets, so eventually, you want to start booking direct clients so you can charge higher rates. You can join Facebook groups for entrepreneurs and small business owners, where people often post VA jobs or cold pitch brands that you like.

14. Offer Landscaping Services

If you and your partner love spending time outdoors, landscaping can be a great side hustle for you. Depending on where you live, spring and summer typically bring steady work with lawn maintenance. Fall and winter are busy seasons for cleanup and snow removal.

The physical nature of the work becomes easier when tackled as a team, especially for bigger projects like mulching or tree trimming. You'll need basic equipment like mowers and trimmers, which can be a relatively big expense, but once you pick up a few regular clients, they'll continue to provide steady income.

15. Invest in the Stock Market

Smart investing helps you build wealth over time. It also creates opportunities for meaningful discussions about your finances and your future together as a couple. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a lot of money to get started - even $50 or $100 is a good first investment.

You can open a joint brokerage account through platforms like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab. Most people begin with an S&P 500 index fund, which owns pieces of 500 large US companies.

Create a functional investment tracking system and watch free investing courses together on YouTube or join investing groups on Reddit.

How to Choose the Best Side Hustle for Couples?

Starting a side hustle as a couple can be an awesome way to earn extra income together, but it's important to pick the right opportunity for your situation.

Some couples work great together as a team. For others, it can be a better idea to focus on running separate side hustles that match their goals together. Both approaches are completely fine!

The most important thing is to maintain financial transparency and choose a side hustle that you're truly passionate about.

Here's what to consider when choosing your side hustle:

Look for opportunities that match your shared or individual strengths - forcing yourself to do something you dislike will lead to burnout
Be realistic about how much time you can commit without straining your relationship or main jobs
Don't invest too much money into a side hustle before you know that it's truly right for you
Take an honest look at your financial situation and set clear, realistic income goals
Discuss how you'll divide responsibilities and manage disagreements
Be wary of expensive courses or programs promising quick riches - remember, that many "side hustle gurus" make their money by selling advice, not from the hustles they promote

Ultimately, the best side hustle is one that fits naturally into your life and relationship. Don't feel pressured to copy what works for other couples. Instead, experiment with different options until you find something that energizes you both and gets you closer to your financial goals.

Learn how to open a joint bank account for your side hustle income.

FAQs

How Can I Make Extra Money with My Partner?

The easiest way to make extra money as a couple is to start with skills you already have. Look at what you're both good at - maybe one of you writes well and the other is tech-savvy. You could start a blog together, manage social media for local businesses, or offer virtual assistant services. The key is picking something you both enjoy so it doesn't feel like a burden on your relationship.

How Can a Couple Get Rich Together?

One of the best ways for a couple to get rich together is to build multiple income streams. If you both have 9-5 jobs, this means starting a side hustle (together or separately) to bring in extra income as well as learning how to invest to grow your wealth over time. It's also important to live below your means, save consistently, and have open financial discussions often. In a way, getting rich together has a lot to do with your personal growth as a couple.

How Can I Make an Extra Couple 100 Dollars a Week?

Making an extra $100 weekly is very doable through simple side hustles like pet sitting, landscaping, offering cleaning services, or becoming virtual assistants. Side hustles are booming and there are now more platforms and apps than ever that can connect you with the people who are looking for your service. It's a good idea to try out different side hustles to see which one has the highest earning potential in your area or for your skills.

How Do I Combine My Income with My Partner?

There's no right or wrong way to combine your income with your partner as long as there's financial transparency and clear guidelines that you follow together. If you had a 50/50 relationship before and want to still keep some of your finances separate, you can keep your accounts for personal spending and share a joint account for household expenses and savings. Or, you can combine all of your finances in a joint account.

Which Business Is Best for Couples?

There's no one right answer to this question - it largely depends on your shared interests, skills, and goals. Online businesses like blogging or e-commerce work well because they're flexible and scalable. Service-based businesses like property management or cleaning can also work great because you can divide tasks and get everything done faster. The most important thing is to choose a side hustle that doesn't create relationship stress for you.

What Is the Best Side Hustle From Home?

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great online side hustle for couples that you can do from home. You can also sell courses online, sell things at online marketplaces, and start a blog or a podcast. Virtual assistant gigs can be a great way to bring in extra income, but your earning power will be limited by the number of hours that you can realistically dedicate to your clients. With side hustles like selling online courses or hosting a podcast, you can eventually make passive or semi-passive income.

What Is the Most Profitable Side Hustle?

Any side hustle can be profitable with smart planning and management. Generally speaking, side hustles like pet sitting, virtual assistant services, and cleaning services have lower rates than home improvement services, landscaping, and social media management, but it all ultimately depends on the rates that you charge and the clients that you find. Side hustles like selling online courses or starting a YouTube channel can eventually bring in a lot of income once you build your audience. Investing in stocks allows you to build your wealth over time.

Get on the Same Financial Page with Your Partner

Starting a side hustle for couples is a smart way to start earning and saving more, but your success will largely depend on having open conversations about money and working as a team.

If you're ready to clarify misunderstandings and align your financial goals, book a free consultation with The Couples Financial Coach!