17 Ways to Make Extra Income While Working Full Time

Earn extra money with these side hustles.

Tim Falk's headshot

By

Tim Falk

Edited by

Leanne Escobal

Updated

Fact checked
Woman Working At Home

Want to reach your savings goal sooner, or maybe just earn some extra cash on the side so you can treat yourself whenever you want? There are lots of ways you can earn additional income while still holding down your 9-to-5 gig.

Keep reading to learn how to make extra income while working full time and find out what you can do to boost your earning potential.

1. Use get-paid-to apps

Woman holding phone with survey scale. High-paying surveys concept.

How much you can earn: $0.50 to $5 per hour, up to $35.

How it works: Get-paid-to (GPT) apps like Branded Surveys and Swagbucks offer an easy way to make money in your spare time. These apps reward you for doing things like playing games on your phone and completing online surveys, and the rewards you earn can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. This makes it simple to earn a few extra dollars and cents whenever you get a spare moment, like when you’re riding the train or bus to work.

How easy it is to start: Very easy. Provide your email address and create a password to sign up online or via an app.

Required tools: A smartphone.

Effort level: Low. You can get paid to do what you usually do when you have time to kill—play on your phone.

Play Games & Take Surveys

Freecash
Freecash logo
Go to site
  • Access a variety of tasks
  • Earn up to $300 per offer
  • $10 CAD sign-up bonus when you start your first offer

Best for Mobile

Testerup
Testerup logo
Go to site
  • Earn up to $800 through offers
  • No limit on how much you play games or complete surveys
  • Earn money while playing games

Paid Surveys

LEO (Leger Opinion)
Leger logo
Go to site
  • Earn up to $100 per month in rewards
  • Finder readers receive 2,000 LEO welcome bonus points
  • Free, user-friendly, and secure app and website

2. Sign up for banking offers

Keyboard with bank button
How much you can earn: $100 to $800.
How it works: Banks are always on the hunt for new customers, and they’re willing to pay to get you to sign up for a new account. Many banks and credit unions regularly pay cash welcome bonuses to new customers who apply for an account. These offers can be quite lucrative too, so it’s well worth shopping around to see what’s available. Best of all, it’s easy to sign up for a new account while you’re on your lunch break.
How easy it is to start: Very easy. You can apply for a new bank account online in a matter of minutes.
Required tools: None.
Effort level: Low, but you will need to research the new account to make sure it’s right for you.

Earn Interest

EQ Bank Personal Account
EQ Bank logo
Go to site
  • Earn up to 3% interest
  • No monthly account fee
  • Free ATM withdrawals across Canada
  • No transaction fees
  • No e-Transfer fees

3. Earn cash rewards from comparison sites

Finder Visa card on phone
How much you can earn: Between $25 to $250 per transaction.
How it works: Comparison sites, including us at Finder Canada, offer cash rewards when you complete specific financial tasks. As an example, you could get paid a cash bonus when you apply for a credit card, sign up for a bank account or apply for a loan. This bonus is also paid on top of any welcome bonuses the provider might be offering at the same time, so it’s an easy way to make extra income outside of your full-time job.
How easy it is to start: Very easy. Just provide your personal details to sign up online.
Required tools: None.
Effort level: Low. You can apply for an offer in a matter of minutes.

Exclusive Finder Rewards

Advertiser disclosure
$80 $80 REWARD
Investing Get $80 with Qtrade Ends 30 Nov 2026
$100 $100 REWARD
Chequing Accounts Get $100 with Scotiabank Ends 30 Nov 2026
$175 $175 REWARD
Chequing Accounts Get $175 with BMO Ends 30 Nov 2026
$80 $80 REWARD
Chequing and Savings Accounts Get $80 with Neo Financial Ends 30 Dec 2026
$80 $80 REWARD
Chequing and Savings Accounts Get $80 with Neo Financial Ends 30 Dec 2026
$75 $75 REWARD
Cash Advance Apps Get $75 with KOHO Ends 30 Dec 2026
$150 $150 REWARD
Credit Cards Get $150 with Scotiabank Ends 30 Dec 2026

4. Design and sell digital products

A clean, flat-lay arrangement of various tech devices including a laptop, smartphone, tablet, and headphones on a white surface.
How much you can earn: Varies, from $0 to thousands of dollars per month
How it works: You can make money in your spare time by designing and selling a wide range of digital products. These products are typically delivered online as downloads, such as e-books, courses, design templates and printables. Printables are items such as planners, checklists and colouring sheets that buyers can print out themselves at home. With online design software like Canva at your fingertips, you don’t necessarily need to be an experienced graphic designer to get started. And once you’ve listed a variety of your products for sale on a platform like Etsy, you could potentially turn your digital designs into a source of passive income to supplement your regular salary.
How easy it is to start: It’s easy to start designing, but making your first sale could be more of a challenge.
Required tools: PC or laptop and design software.
Effort level: Medium. Creating unique designs, setting up an online shop and promoting your products takes time and hard work, but it’s still possible to do after work and on weekends.

5. Rent out your space

A suburban two-story house with a red "FOR RENT" sign displayed in the front window.
How much you can earn: Varies depending on factors like where you live and what sort of space you have to rent out. As an example, you could potentially make around $100 – $300 per month renting out a parking space in downtown Toronto.
How it works: Space may be the final frontier, but it’s easier to rent than ever before. So if you’re looking for a side hustle that won’t impact your full-time job, why not rent out all or part of your property? The best-known option is to turn it into an Airbnb, but there are also platforms like Peerspace and Giggster that let you rent out your space for use in film and photo shoots, private events and meetings. And if you live in a major city and you have a parking space you don’t use, you can rent it to commuters on sites like UrParking and Clicknpark.
How easy it is to start: Easy. You’ll need to sign up online and provide photos and information about your space to get started.
Required tools: Unused space that you can rent out, plus any cleaning equipment and supplies you need to keep each area in good condition.
Effort level: Medium. While there’s minimal effort required to list spaces for rent, dealing with renters and staying on top of cleaning and maintenance tasks requires time and effort.

6. Take on bartending shifts

A young, smiling female bartender stands with her arms crossed behind a wooden bar.
How much you can earn: Rates often start in the $15 – $20 per hour range, but tips can provide a big earnings boost.
How it works: The idea of taking on a second job won’t appeal to everyone, but if you don’t mind a few late nights, you could apply for bartending shifts at a local bar or pub. Alternatively, look for weekend work serving drinks at private parties and events. You can take on as little or as much work as you want to ensure it fits with your day job.
How easy it is to start: Relatively easy. You’ll need to get a responsible alcohol service certification in your province, such as Smart Serve in Ontario or Serving It Right in BC.
Required tools: Comfortable shoes are a must.
Effort level: Medium. Late nights and long hours on your feet aren’t for everyone.

7. Drive for rideshare services

A close-up shot of a driver's hand holding a smartphone inside a car. The screen displays a "Rideshare" app
How much you can earn: Approximately $20 per hour
How it works: Apps like Uber and Lyft let you use your car to make extra income. Sign up to drive, and you can make money driving passengers from A to B. Ride requests, payments and route navigation are all handled through a user-friendly app, and this sort of work is easy to fit around your regular full-time hours.
How easy it is to start: It’s easy to start the sign-up process online, but you will need to pass a background check, and your car will need to pass a vehicle inspection. Your car will also need to be insured.
Required tools: An eligible vehicle and a driver’s licence.
Effort level: Medium. You need to be out and about driving, providing customer service and staying on top of vehicle maintenance.

8. Online tutoring

Young Man teaching online from home
How much you can earn: Your hourly rate varies depending on the subject. Check platforms for average rates for online tutors in your area of expertise.
How it works: If you’re a teacher, professor or an expert on a niche subject, you can register to offer classes on an online tutoring platform. You could teach a newcomer to Canada with their English skills, help high school students grasp the difficult concepts of physics, or help college students prep for important exams. Students often need to fit tutoring sessions around their class times too, making this a solid money-making option to fit around your working day.
How easy it is to start: Relatively easy if you join an established platform that handles marketing, though you’ll need to pass a background check and verify your credentials.
Required tools: In addition to a computer or laptop, you may need a headset, video conferencing software and other tools like an online whiteboard.
Effort level: Medium – high.

9. Freelancing

Woman taking notes with an open computer
How much you can earn: You could get paid a fixed price per job or get an hourly rate. Price varies depending on the type of work you offer and the size and complexity of the project.
How it works: Freelance writing, editing, graphic design, social media management, web design and more—there are lots of roles where it’s possible to earn extra income working from home. If you’re qualified and skilled at a particular profession, create a profile on sites like Upwork and Fiverr to pick up weeknight and weekend freelance work.
How easy it is to start: It’s simple to sign up for online freelancing platforms if you already have the necessary skills and qualifications. However, depending on the level of demand for your profession, it could take a while to get your first client.
Required tools: Generally nothing specific beyond a computer and smartphone.
Effort level: Medium – high. The effort required will vary depending on how much work you take on.

10. Deliver food

Food delivery
How much you can earn: Earn approximately $20 per hour.
How it works: Use your car, scooter or bike to make extra income by delivering food through apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Friday and Saturday nights are peak times for take-out orders, so it’s easy to fit a food delivery side hustle around your 9-to-5 job.
How easy it is to start: Fairly easy. You can apply online or via an app, but you will typically need to pass a background check.
Required tools: A car, scooter or bike, an insulated bag and a smartphone.
Effort level: Medium. You’ll need to hustle if you want to make the most money.

11. Sell your stuff

A person using a smartphone to take a photo of an exercise bike
How much you can earn: Varies depending on what you have to sell.
How it works: If you have sporting equipment, musical instruments, electronics, furniture or other stuff that you don’t need lying around your home, sell them for a quick profit. List them for sale on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji, then negotiate with buyers to get the base price. This option is an easy way to make money on the weekends, and you get the added benefit of decluttering at the same time.
How easy it is to start: Very easy, provided you’ve got stuff to sell.
Required tools: None. All you need is possessions you no longer want or need.
Effort level: Medium. Be prepared to deal with hagglers, low-ballers and no-shows.

12. Do odd jobs

Man building a cabinet
How much you can earn: Varies depending on your level of experience and whether you charge an hourly or per-job rate. As an example, when we searched TaskRabbit for a medium (2–3 hours) non-IKEA furniture assembly job requiring a car in Toronto, we found Taskers offering rates ranging from $26 to $120 per hour.
How it works: Gig websites like TaskRabbit provide an online marketplace where you can offer your services as an independent contractor. So when you’re not working your full-time job, you can get paid to do things like mount shelves, assemble furniture, clean and help people move house.
How easy it is to start: Very easy, provided that you’re good with your hands and know your way around basic power tools like cordless drills.
Required tools: A basic toolkit with a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, Allen keys and a cordless drill will help you get started.
Effort level: Medium. You’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get to work to earn some extra cash.

13. Babysitting

Babysitter playing with her baby on the floor using colorful toys.
How much you can earn: Approximately $15 - $20 per hour.
How it works: The classic way of making extra income as a high school student is still a viable option when you’re in the workforce full time. So if you’re good with kids, working after-hours as a babysitter is a lucrative way to make extra money while working full time. And because you’re a little older and more mature, many parents would be willing to pay you a little more than they would a neighbourhood teenager.
How easy it is to start: Very easy. Start by offering your babysitting services to friends, family and neighbours.
Required tools: Potentially nothing, but you may want to put together a kit with some games, activities and even basic first-aid supplies.
Effort level: Medium. Some kids can be angels; others require a lot more work. The same goes for parents, so this side hustle can be a piece of cake at times and tough going at others.

14. Umpire sports games

A smiling young woman wearing a navy blue baseball cap and a matching polo shirt poses for a portrait outdoors.
How much you can earn: $20 to $50 per hour.
How it works: Umpiring sports games is another great side hustle that’s easy to fit around your full-time job. You can get paid to adjudicate weekend and weeknight games across a variety of sports. Many community sporting organizations are always on the lookout for umpires, so select your favourite sport, grab a whistle and get started.
How easy it is to start: Generally fairly easy. You may need to undergo basic training and pass a test, depending on the sport. Unfortunately, you may also need thick skin to deal with the criticism and complaints that may come your way.
Required tools: It depends on the sport. You may need protective gear and specialist equipment like ice skates, while you may also need to pay for a uniform and a whistle.
Effort level: Medium. You’ll need to give up your time on weekends and weeknights, plus deal with players and spectators.

15. Set up a print-on-demand store

Printing Business
How much you can earn: Varies.
How it works: Running a traditional retail store requires a lot of time and hard work from one day to the next. A print-on-demand business model means that much of the tough stuff is taken care of for you, so it’s possible to fit it around your 9-to-5 job. Here’s how it works: you set up an online store where customers can order custom-printed t-shirts, mugs, artworks and more. But you don’t have to worry about storing or shipping any of those products; you partner with a print-on-demand provider like Printful or Gelato to do this on your behalf.
How easy it is to start: Easy. You don’t necessarily need any special skills or qualifications to set up a print-on-demand store.
Required tools: Design software.
Effort level: Medium. You’ll need to create designs (or hire someone to do it for you) and set up your store, but there’s less effort required once you’re established.

16. Flip furniture

A young woman in a striped shirt and blue jeans kneels on a plastic-covered floor, carefully applying wood stain to a small wooden table with a paintbrush.
How much you can earn: Varies depending on the items you flip and how much time you devote to this side hustle, but you could potentially earn hundreds of dollars per month.
How it works: Working full time still leaves the weekend free for side hustles like this one. By browsing garage sales, thrift stores, curbside waste collections and platforms like Facebook Marketplace, you can find used furniture pieces to buy. Then you can restore or repair them, clean them up and sell them for a profit.
How easy it is to start: Easy. It’s also one of those things where the more you do, the better you get.
Required tools: Truck, van or trailer for transporting items. You may also need restoration supplies like cleaning products, sandpaper and paint.
Effort level: Medium. Sourcing and restoring furniture items requires time and effort.

17. Participate in focus groups

A group of diverse people sit in a circle of wooden desks in a bright room, engaged in an active discussion.
How much you can earn: $50 to $200 per session
How it works: Market research firms are willing to pay you for your opinions on specific topics and products. If you’re willing to give up some of your spare time on weeknights after work, you can make extra income simply by sharing your thoughts and providing honest feedback. Some focus groups involve online interview sessions, but others will require you to attend a meeting in person. But the good news is that they’re often held outside regular business hours, so they shouldn’t impact your full-time gig.
How easy it is to start: Very easy. Sign up online to get started.
Required tools: You may need a PC or laptop with a microphone and webcam for online focus groups.
Effort level: Low, but the effort required will be higher for anyone who hates public speaking.

Bottom line

Choosing the right side hustle depends on balancing your available free time with your long-term financial goals. While low-effort options like GPT apps and bank bonuses provide quick cash, leveraging professional skills through freelancing or tutoring offers much higher earning potential. Ultimately, the best strategy is to start small and choose a hustle that complements your schedule without leading to burnout in your full-time role.

Leanne Escobal's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.
Tim Falk's headshot
Written by

Writer
Add to Preferred Sources

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Tim's expertise
Tim has written 596 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Banking
  • Personal Loans
  • Car Loans
  • Stock Trading
  • Cryptocurrency
More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Go to site