Introduction
Young people have been told for decades that attending university is the golden ticket to a high-paying job. While that might have been true in the past, times have really changed. A degree these days just won’t guarantee wealth or financial success. This belief is perpetuated by old systems and parents not in touch with the reality of the current job market. It’s 2025, and the truth is clear: securing one’s financial future requires more than just academic credentials.
Don’t get me wrong—university still holds value. The skills learned and experiences gained are invaluable. However, relying solely on a degree for financial security no longer works. That’s why, these days, it’s smart for students—and really, everyone—to have some kind of side hustle. A side hustle that has great potential to grow into something significant over time. A side hustle isn’t just extra income; it’s a pathway to building wealth and financial independence.
In this article, we’ll look at seven realistic and profitable side hustles you can get into this year. These ideas apply to anyone, anywhere, though we’ll mostly focus on students trying to kickstart their careers. What sets this list apart from the usual side hustle recommendations? I’ll show you real-life examples of people thriving in each category and rate these hustles based on time, money, and how easily you can earn $1,000 a month.
1. Faceless Short Form Content Creation
Short video content is booming on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. A prime example is Daniel Bitton, a teenager who earns half a million dollars monthly by creating faceless content for Snapchat. He started at 13 and by 16, he was dominating the space.
How does it work?
Social media platforms are fighting for attention and are willing to pay creators for engaging content. Although competition is fierce, the payout opportunity is huge—but only for a limited time. As platforms mature, payouts may shrink, so now is the time to jump in.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Time to Learn: 4/5 – Creating engaging micro-content requires more than just cutting clips; understanding human psychology and storytelling is key.
- Investment: 1/5 – All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection.
- Earning $1,000/Month: 1/5 – Easily achievable. Platforms are eager to reward creators who deliver.
2. Investing and Dollar-Cost Averaging
This isn’t exactly a side hustle, but investing can generate substantial passive income if done right. With a strategy of dollar-cost averaging into index funds, I personally netted about $17,000 a week from the stock market. The beauty of this strategy is its simplicity and accessibility—just buy into the market consistently every month, regardless of highs or lows, and your average purchase price will flatten out over time.
This strategy works especially well with index funds like the S&P 500, which have historically returned an average of 10-11% per year. A modest monthly investment of $200 can grow to over $1.2 million in 40 years. Pairing this with a fast-growing side hustle maximizes wealth potential.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Learn in an Instant: 1/5 – Passive income and index funds are easy to understand and quick to start.
- Investment: 5/5 – You can start with as little as $1, though I recommend putting some side hustle income toward investments.
- Earning $1,000/Month: 5/5 – Possible, but it will take time to build up your portfolio.
3. Setting Up and Managing Discord Servers
Discord has grown from a chat platform for gamers to a versatile communication hub for communities and businesses. Chris Peters, a developer who started creating Discord servers at 17, now earns $15,000 a month managing online communities. He started by tweaking servers for free and quickly turned it into a thriving business.
Building a successful Discord server means creating value through community features and user experience. As more businesses adopt Discord, the demand for skilled administrators grows. You can start by offering free services to gain experience, then transition to paid management.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Time to Learn: 2.5/5 – Learning the basics takes just a few hours, but mastering community management takes longer.
- Investment: 5/5 – All you need is a computer and some community management know-how.
- Earning $1,000/Month: 5/5 – Easily achievable with just a few clients on a monthly retainer.
4. Online Coaching
With the rise of digital entrepreneurship, online coaching has become a goldmine. Jack Jefferson turned his online fitness coaching business into a full-time hustle, earning $7,000 a month. This side hustle can apply to nearly any skill—whether it’s fitness, marketing, or personal finance coaching.
Online coaching offers income and freedom—the ability to work from anywhere with just a laptop and an internet connection. The key to success here is personalization. People are willing to pay top dollar for custom plans and individual guidance, making personalized coaching more profitable than selling online courses.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Time to Learn: 2/5 – If you have something to teach, the hardest part is packaging it effectively.
- Investment: 1/5 – A laptop and expertise are all you need.
- Making $1,000/Month: 1/5 – Quite feasible by offering personalized support that delivers genuine value.
5. AI Animation
AI is revolutionizing industries, including animation. Mercy, an animator on my team, makes $8,000 to $10,000 a month by creating animations using AI tools. AI technology, like MidJourney for visuals and ChatGPT for scripting, can handle much of the heavy lifting, but adding human creativity really makes these projects shine.
AI animation is a growing field with endless opportunities to create content for influencers, brands, and creators. The potential here is enormous, especially as AI continues to advance.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Time to Learn: 4/5 – Learning both animation and AI tools takes time.
- Investment: 1/5 – AI tools are relatively affordable, and building a portfolio doesn’t require a huge initial investment.
- Earning Potential: 2/5 – With growing demand for AI-powered animations, landing high-paying clients is becoming easier.
6. Selling Luxury Goods
Reselling luxury goods is now a multimillion-dollar industry for young entrepreneurs like Ben Gallagher, who made £7.2 million ($9 million) in 2023 through his business, Luxe Collective. The demand for high-end designer products has surged, driven by social media culture and platforms like TikTok.
While reselling luxury items requires a higher upfront capital, the potential returns are significant. Ben has spent years honing his knowledge of luxury fashion and authenticating products, which has enhanced his reputation.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Learning Curve: 4/5 – You’ll need to invest time learning the luxury market and spotting fakes.
- Investment: 3.5/5 – High-end products require a larger upfront investment, but the profit margins are significant.
- Ease of Making $1,000/Month: 1/5 – There’s a high margin on luxury items, so making $1,000 from one sale is very possible.
7. Web Writing
Finally, there’s online writing. Adam, an online writer, earns over $10,000 a month through copywriting and blogging. Unlike traditional book publishing, writing online offers immediate revenue opportunities due to the high demand for content on blogs, websites, and social media.
What makes online writing so appealing is the low barrier to entry. If you’re a good writer, you can get started with just a laptop and determination.
Key Scores (1/5 = Easiest, 5/5 = Hardest)
- Time to Learn: 1/5 – If you’re already a skilled writer, this side hustle is easy to start.
- Investment: 1/5 – All you need is a computer and internet access.
- Making $1,000/Month: 1/5 – Consistent effort and good clients will easily get you to this income level.
Conclusion
In 2025, side hustles aren’t just optional—they’re essential for financial success. The key to making any of these side hustles work is consistency, passion, and adapting to the ever-changing world.
