SoFi

While it may not be as much fun as scrolling through social media posts, there’s definitely a payoff for reviewing your monthly bank statements. Consistently reviewing these documents is one of the most effective ways to stay on top of your financial health. From catching errors (or even fraud) to aligning your spending with your money goals, taking a few minutes each month to drill down your bank account statements can help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter decisions.

Here’s your guide to reviewing bank statements as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What Is a Bank Account Statement?

A bank account statement is a summary of all transactions made through your bank account during a specific time period, usually a month. You’ll likely see your paycheck being deposited and your rent/mortgage, utilities, credit card, and subscription payments going out.

Your bank statement is provided to by your bank either through online access, in its app, or via a mailed paper copy.

What Information Does It Contain?

A typical bank statement includes:

This document serves as both a financial report and a tool for accountability.

Recommended: Understanding Bank Statement Abbreviations

Why Review Your Bank Statement Each Month?

Even if you use banking alerts or budgeting apps to track spending, looking over your bank statements can offer crucial insights. Here’s a look at four reasons why it’s important to review your bank statement each month.

Catch Errors and Unauthorized Transactions

Banks process millions of transactions daily, and while errors are extremely rare, they do happen. You might notice a double charge, an incorrect amount, or a transaction you didn’t authorize.

Checking your bank statement also allows you to catch any fraudulent charges. While it’s hard to determine the exact number of bank fraud instances in a year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does receive more than 100,000 reports of bank fraud per year, and millions of cases of identity theft.^[1] Banks work hard to protect accounts from such issues, but it can be worthwhile to be vigilant.

Regular reviews help you identify and report unauthorized transactions quickly, often within the window required to dispute them and recover funds, which is typically 60 days.^[2]

Monitor Your Spending Habits

Even quickly scanning your balance summary can be revealing, since it shows you exactly how much came in that month (total deposits) and how much went out that month (total deductions).

If you consistently see that your monthly spending is around the same as your monthly earning (meaning you aren’t saving money) or, worse, that your spending tends to exceed your earning (meaning you’re going backwards), you’ll want to drill down and look at where your money is going each month in more detail.

Identify Potential Savings Opportunities

Reviewing your bank statements regularly can help you identify patterns in your spending and opportunities to save. Are you tapping your debit card daily to pay for a fancy coffee? Has your home insurance, which you have on autopay, gone up significantly without your realizing it? Are you getting hit with monthly bank fees?

Maybe that cold foam coffee becomes a TGIF treat rather than an everyday expense. Or it’s time to shop for a new, more affordable insurance policy — or a bank with lower (or no) fees. Statements can give you the reality check you need to adjust your habits and make conscious choices with your cash.

Stay on Track With Your Budget

How can monitoring your bank account transactions help you stick to your budget? For one reason, your bank statement is a snapshot of your financial behavior, which makes it a powerful tool for comparing your actual spending with your budget. Say your monthly budget earmarks $400 for groceries, but you see $600 worth of supermarket transactions. That could tell you it’s time to reassess either your budget, your buying behavior, or both.

Reviewing your statement helps you stay informed and can motivate you to ramp up your financial discipline. If after several cycles you find your earnings, spending, and savings are not well-balanced, that might be a signal that it’s time to investigate some different types of budgets, such as the envelope system of the 50/30/20 budget rule.

Tips for Reviewing Your Account Statements

While it may feel like drudgery, monthly statement reviews don’t take much time and can deliver big payoffs. Here are a few tips to make the process easier and more effective.

Set Aside Dedicated Time Each Month

Schedule a 15- to 30-minute time slot for the same day each month, ideally on or near the day your statement is issued. Consistency makes it a habit and helps you stay on top of changes in your financial behavior. For some added motivation, you might put on your favorite playlist, make yourself some matcha, or somehow link the review with something you really enjoy.

Compare Transactions to Your Records

Whether you track monthly expenses using an app, spreadsheet, or checkbook register (or simply collect receipts), it’s a good idea to cross-check your statement against your records. This little bit of bookkeeping effort can help ensure there are no discrepancies or missed entries in your records. It could ward off, say, a bounced check and the bank fees that come with that.

Look for Recurring Payments and Subscriptions

Scan for automatic charges such as gym memberships, cloud storage fees, or subscriptions. If you’re no longer using a streaming service or anything else you are being charged for on a monthly basis, it’s time to cancel.

Investigate Any Unfamiliar Transactions

If something doesn’t look familiar, don’t automatically assume it’s a mistake on your part. It could be fraud or an error. Check with your partner or family members if it’s a joint account, and then contact your bank if you can’t verify it.

How to Report Unexpected Fees and Charges

If you notice a suspicious fee or incorrect transaction, here’s how to take action:

Most banks have specific dispute resolution procedures and will refund the amount if an error or incidence of fraud is confirmed. If the charge is due to a lost or stolen debit card or PIN, you may be liable for a portion of the transaction, depending on how quickly you report the loss.^[2]

Align Spending With Your Financial Goals

Whether you’re saving for the down payment on a house, working to eliminate credit card debt, or building an emergency fund, reviewing your statement can show you places where you may be overspending and allow you to quickly correct course. This can help you save more each month and get closer to your financial goals.

Recommended: How Long Should You Keep Bank Statements?

How Often Do Most People Check Their Bank Statements?

While habits vary, many financial experts recommend reviewing your statement at least once a month. Some people check their account activity more frequently, however, via online banking and mobile banking apps.

A January 2025 MarketWatch Guides survey found that most people check their accounts either daily (36%) or a few times a week (33%).^[3] But that’s often just to eyeball the bank account balance. Fewer people take the time to carefully review their monthly statements.

Even if you frequently check your balance or transaction activity through your banking app or online account, it’s still a useful exercise to look at your monthly online or paper statement to get an overview of your monthly cash flow.

The Takeaway

Your bank statement is more than just a record of financial transactions. Reviewed carefully, it’s a monthly money check-in that can protect you from fraud, reinforce the power of your budget, and help you spend smarter. Taking time each month to review it helps you stay informed, avoid fees, and make intentional money moves.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

What should I do if I see a transaction on my statement that I don’t recognize?

If you notice an unauthorized transaction on your bank statement, you’ll want to immediately contact your bank and report it. The bank will investigate the transaction and if they find it to be fraudulent or due to an error, they will typically refund any lost funds. If the charge is due to a lost or stolen debit card or PIN, however, you may be liable for a portion of the transaction, depending on how quickly you report the loss.

Can reviewing my account statement help me avoid fees?

Yes. Reviewing your account statements allows you to see when and why your bank may be charging fees, such as monthly account fees, overdraft charges, and out-of-network ATM fees. This can prompt you to take action to avoid fees in the future. Or you might move your accounts to a bank that charges fewer (or no) fees.

What is the purpose of a bank account review?

A bank account review helps you understand your financial habits, track spending, and spot any unusual or unauthorized transactions. By reviewing your bank account regularly, you can ensure all transactions are accurate, avoid overdraft fees, and identify areas where you might cut costs or save more. It also helps you stay on top of recurring charges or subscriptions you may have forgotten about. Overall, it’s a key step in maintaining financial health and making informed budgeting decisions.

Should I let my partner review my bank statements?

It depends on the nature of your relationship and level or shared financial responsibility. If you’re in a committed relationship where finances are shared, transparency can build trust and help both parties stay aligned on spending and saving goals. However, if you maintain separate finances and value financial privacy, it’s okay to set boundaries. Either way, open communication is key — discuss expectations around money management and decide together what level of access feels comfortable and fair.

How often should I review my bank statements?

It’s a good idea to review your bank statements at least once a month, ideally as soon as your statement becomes available. This can help you detect errors, fraudulent charges, or unexpected fees early. Some people like to monitor their bank accounts more frequently using mobile apps and online banking. The frequency depends on your spending habits and financial goals.

photo credit: iStock/damircudic

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOBNK-Q225-039

While college is a good option for many people, it isn’t for everyone — and not going to a four-year college doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful career.

More people than ever before have a college degree, but a four-year program isn’t the only way to be successful. Even employers are realizing that there are many skills that can’t be captured in a degree program. In fact, some major tech companies, including Google and Apple, no longer require applicants to have a four-year degree for some of their positions.

There are certain jobs for which you need a college degree, like an electrical engineer, marketing manager, or teacher, but there are plenty of careers out there that don’t require additional degrees.

Keep reading for more on the pros and cons of going to college, alternatives to a college degree, and more.

Reasons Not to Go to College

There are a number of valid reasons to delay college — or put it off entirely. Here are some to consider:

•   You’re not excited about your options. Maybe you didn’t get into the schools you expected to or you’re having second thoughts when you try to imagine yourself attending the schools you did get into. If the thought of college fills you with dread or doubt rather than excitement, taking a year off to reassess your options can be a good strategy.

•   You’re unsure what career you are interested in pursuing. You may want to explore different options by being exposed to college-level courses at a community college, or spend time volunteering, working, or traveling.

•   You’re already working. If you already have a job, you may be wanting to lean into your current job or save money to go to school in a few years.

•   You’re exploring non-degree avenues. There are many high-paying trades that don’t require a degree, but may require on-the-job experience or an apprenticeship.

•   You have a plan for a gap year. Some people like to take a year to travel, work, or otherwise take a break in between high school and college to further explore their identity and what they want to do in the future.

•   You feel you’re going to college only to please your family. If you feel pressured to go to college, it may be a sign that college isn’t the right option for you, at least right now.

•   You have essential family obligations. Some students need to help their families and may not be able to take time off to go to school. These students may consider community college or a part-time degree program. Speaking with your current high school counselor may help you find ways to juggle multiple responsibilities.

•   You want to take time to pursue a talent. From sports to the performing arts to a creative path, some people choose to explore a talent more seriously, focusing time, energy, and resources prior to going to college. This can be a decision you make with the help of your family and any coaches or teachers.

Reasons to Go to College

College can be a great time to grow and learn and, for some, it’s a natural step. Here are some other reasons why college may make sense:

•   You’re excited and realistic about college. You recognize college may have ups and downs, but feel confident that college feels “right” as your next step — not just something your family or teachers expect from you.

•   A college degree will help you achieve your career goals. You’ve done your research and/or talked with alums and people working in your targeted field and feel confident that college makes sense for your career goals.

•   College fits into your overall financial plan. You have a sense of how much college will cost and a plan for how you will pay for it, which might include a combination of financial aid, savings, and federal or private student loans. You also want to make sure you will be able to manage any student loan payments after you graduate.

•   You have a ‘Plan B’ in case you realize that college isn’t the right fit. Sometimes people realize one semester into school that college may not be what they need at that moment in their lives. It can be helpful to talk about what this may be, so that you don’t feel trapped if school doesn’t feel like it’s a good fit.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Recommended: Full-time vs Part-time Student

Alternatives to a College Degree

Just because you aren’t interested in a four-year degree doesn’t mean you need to forgo higher education entirely. Alternative educational models, like trade schools and community colleges, offer many practical certification and two-year associate degree programs that can help you get ahead.

It is important to know that even if you’re not planning to pursue a four-year degree, you still have options when it comes to creating a career that is right for you.


💡 Quick Tip: You’ll make no payments on some private student loans for six months after graduation.

Trade School

Sometimes known as technical or vocational schools, trade schools can prepare you for a specific job, such as a dental hygienist, electrician, cosmetologist, or web developer. These programs are normally much shorter than four years, and certain programs may allow you to finish in only a few months. There are both public and private trade schools.

Trade schools don’t award bachelor’s degrees. Instead, when you graduate from a trade school, you typically receive a diploma or certificate indicating that you are trained and certified to perform a specific job. Some trade school programs do offer associate degrees, which are the same type of degrees offered by many community colleges.

Community College

As mentioned above, community colleges usually offer two-year degrees called associate degrees. These degrees can either stand alone or be a stepping stone to obtaining a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school.

Many community colleges also offer career preparation programs that are designed to help students jump into the workforce without the need for a bachelor’s degree.

Community college could also be a great way to test out college life and see if you want to continue pursuing higher education. They tend to be much less expensive than four-year universities, which means it won’t cost you an arm and a leg before you decide if higher education is right for you.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid positions designed to teach the apprentice about a specific job or industry. They can help you learn how to use industry-specific tools and technologies and help you develop your skills over a period of time. This may be in fields as diverse as plumbing to transportation engineering to baking.

Apprenticeships can be a win-win for employers and employees because they allow those starting out to begin working (and earning a paycheck) immediately, and they help employers fill vacant jobs.

Certificate Programs

Similar and sometimes overlapping with trade schools, certificate programs offer specialized training in a specific area. This may include coding, cybersecurity, yoga, fitness, getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or other areas where specialized knowledge may be a prerequisite. These certificates may also be helpful in making job seekers eligible for positions with higher starting salaries.

Recommended: Are Coding Bootcamps Worth the Money?

Taking a Gap Year

A gap year is when a student takes a year off between high school and college. Some colleges allow accepted students to defer for a year, holding a place for them in the next year’s incoming class. Some people create a travel itinerary; others may work or volunteer for the year. There are some gap year programs that create opportunities for students, but keep in mind that some programs may be costly.

Starting a Business

If you are already passionate about — and have a lot of knowledge about — a specific field or industry, you might consider skipping college altogether and jumping into that business.

Starting your own business takes a lot of hard work, but it could mean that you get to be your own boss and work in an industry you love. And because you could quickly become an expert on the products or services you provide, you aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage because you lack a degree.

Recommended: 9 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

If You Do Go the College Route

There are plenty of options if you choose not to attend a four-year college. However, there are also options within the world of college, including the type of college you choose, the major you decide to pursue, and how you pay for college.

There’s no denying that college can be expensive. In the 2024-25 school year, the average cost for tuition and fees at an in-state college was $11,610, while the average sticker price for a private college was $43,350. And, these numbers don’t include room and board. This can be a big financial commitment, especially if you are on the fence about pursuing higher education.

That’s why it can be a good idea to begin creating a payment strategy early. A great first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to see how much federal aid — including scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans — you qualify for.

Federal student loans do have limits on how much a student can borrow each year they are enrolled in school. Some students may need additional funds to bridge the gap. In that case, some may consider borrowing a student loan from a private lender to help cover college costs.

In general, it can be a smart idea to tap all your federal loan and grant options before you consider private student loans. That’s because federal loans offer some protections, such as deferment options, that private loans may not. However, private loans can cover up to 100% of the cost of attendance, including money to pay for books, room and board, and personal expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal Parent PLUS Loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

The Takeaway

College can lead students on a new career path, but depending on your goals and other factors, may not be necessary. Some students may choose to pursue a trade or vocational program instead of a four-year degree, while others may simply want to wait a year or so to earn and save more money to cover the cost of going to college.

If you do decide to go to college, you’ll have to figure out a way to pay for it. Most students rely on a combination of cash savings, scholarships, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

Why do some people not like college?

Some people dislike college due to high costs, irrelevant coursework, lack of practical skills, social pressures, and the rigid structure that doesn’t suit everyone’s learning style.

What are some alternatives to college?

Alternatives to college include trade schools, apprenticeships, online courses, bootcamps, and self-directed learning. These options often offer practical skills, lower costs, and more flexible schedules.

What are the pros of not attending college?

Pros of not attending college include saving money, allowing for early career entry, providing hands-on experience, and offering more flexibility for personal or family responsibilities.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOISL-Q325-009

If you’ve always dreamed about quitting the rat race and retiring early, you may want to take on a side hustle to help bring in extra money. While a side hustle is usually a part-time job, some side hustles have the potential to turn into a career or business that can provide a significant source of income.

Read on to learn more about early retirement side hustles, including some easy side hustle ideas that could help you secure your financial future.

Why Are Side Hustles Your Secret Weapon for Early Retirement?

The average retirement age in the U.S. is currently 62, according to a 2024 study from MassMutual.^[1] If you are hoping to retire early — in your 50s, say — a side hustle can serve as a tool to help generate extra income.

An early retirement side hustle, which is sometimes referred to as an early retirement job, doesn’t have to involve a lot of time and effort. Even a small side hustle that you do on weekends can give you some extra money you can use to build your retirement accounts. A profitable side hustle may even give you enough funds to set up an additional retirement account — for instance, you could open an IRA — which can add even more money to your retirement savings overall.

The F.I.R.E Movement

The concept of early retirement is so appealing that it has launched movements. For example, the F.I.R.E. movement has attracted a community of people who are looking to retire early. F.I.R.E. stands for “Financial Independence, Retire Early,” and many of its followers hope to retire in their 40s or even their 30s.

The basic idea of the movement is to save a significant amount of your income as a young adult so that you can become financially independent and achieve retirement early. To reach this goal, proponents of F.I.R.E. put 50% to 75% of their income into retirement savings. That can be challenging because after that money is directed to their retirement accounts and their bills are paid, there typically isn’t much left over for fun stuff, like going out to dinner or to the movies.

Individuals planning for early retirement, like those in the F.I.R.E. movement, may find a side hustle especially appealing. It could help them generate extra income for their retirement savings accounts.

19 Easy Side Hustles to Fund Early Retirement

Whether you’re a follower of F.I.R.E. or not, and no matter what your preferred age for early retirement, having a successful side hustle can help you get there faster. Here are some easy jobs for early retirement to consider.

1. Freelance Writing

One of the benefits of having a side hustle is the flexibility to be able to work on your own schedule. If you have a knack for writing, becoming a freelance writer might be a good side hustle for you. With most freelance writing gigs, you can work whenever you like as long as assignments are done by a certain date.

Look for brands or clients who specialize in industries or fields where you already have skills or experience. For instance, if you love to knit, check out opportunities to contribute articles to knitting websites or blogs. Be sure to have examples of your work to share with potential employers so they can see what you are capable of.

2. Online Tutoring

If you’re in college and already thinking about early retirement, good for you! It’s never too soon to start planning and saving for the future. You can even find a side hustle that plays to your current strength — teaching others what you’ve learned in school.

One of the best side hustles for college students is online tutoring. You could tutor other college students or even high school or middle school students. Tutoring can typically be done on evenings or weekends, so you can fit it around your classes.

3. Graphic Design

If you have graphic design skills, another potential side hustle is doing graphic design work for small businesses and individuals. Think about specific services you might be able to offer, such as marketing layout, logo creation, and adding design elements to blogs, videos, or online articles.

Create a portfolio of your design work or set up a website to showcase your work. Then, look for freelance side hustle opportunities on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

4. Web Development

In this digital age, web development is another side hustle that can be done remotely, from wherever you are. Many small businesses and individuals need simple websites created and/or maintained for them, and many people don’t know how to do it themselves.

If you work in web development and have the skills and knowledge to create online platforms, you could be just what these clients are looking for. You can show them samples of your work, such as other websites you’ve designed.

5. Virtual Assistant Services

Becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a newer side hustle that has recently increased in popularity. In fact the demand for virtual assistants increased by 35% in 2024, according to market research.^[2]

A VA can help a small business by performing tasks like data entry, scheduling, bookkeeping, and customer support so that business owners can focus on their core business. According to one estimate, entrepreneurs gain up to 15 hours a week by using a virtual assistant to perform such tasks.

Some of the industries using virtual assistants are health care, real estate, and e-commerce businesses. You could start your search for a VA side hustle by concentrating on these fields and/or looking for opportunities on Upwork and FlexJobs.

6. Creating and Selling Online Courses

Another side hustle option you might consider if you’re an expert on a particular subject is creating and selling online courses. For example, maybe you’re a talented amateur pastry chef, a photographer, or you’re skilled at DIY home improvement projects. You could create courses showing other people how to achieve some of the things you’ve mastered, whether it’s decorating a cake, taking wedding photos, or remodeling a bathroom.

In fact, you may be able to combine two side hustles in one. If you’re good with plants and flowers, for instance, you might get a side hustle planting gardens for people on weekends, and then create videos to share your tips and tricks with an online audience. That way you’ve got even more money to save for early retirement, perhaps in an investment account.

7. Starting a Blog

A blog can be a way to share your passion or knowledge on a certain subject with others. While many blogs are passion projects where it might be difficult to make a lot of money, it all depends on your subject, how diligent you are with your blog, and how you choose to monetize it.

For example, you could host display ads on your blog (you can talk directly to companies to see if they’d like to advertise with you or use an online advertising platform), write sponsored content, or include affiliate links to products you mention so that you can earn commission whenever a reader clicks on the link and buys the product.

8. Starting a Podcast

If you want to share your knowledge on a topic, and you love to talk and interact with other people, starting a podcast may be a fitting side hustle for you. Podcasts are hugely popular: In the U.S., approximately 158 million people listen to podcasts every month.^[3]

Almost anyone can start a podcast. All you need to do is decide on a topic (pick a subject you love to talk about), identify what makes your podcast unique, and determine who your audience is. Next, figure out the format (interview, roundtable, or whatever), and then get ready to start recording. You may be able to produce the podcast using only your computer and some headphones. Finally, decide how you’ll distribute your podcast — via Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and so on.

The amount you can earn by podcasting varies widely. In general, podcasters may earn $25 to $50 per 1,000 downloads.^[4]

9. Offering Coaching Services

If you’re an expert in business or in a specific area like fitness or human resources, you may want to explore the idea of launching an online coaching service. You can take the skills you’ve learned and teach them to others during online coaching sessions. You’ll need to determine who your clients might be and develop a coaching program. Then, you can figure out how much to charge for your services.

For instance, if you’ve worked in HR, you might offer your services as a career coach helping people land new jobs or move up the ladder in their current job. Try to pick a topic that will engage an audience and offer them valuable content that they’re willing to pay for.

10. Offering Consulting Services

Like a coaching service, starting a side gig in consulting is a side hustle that can be a good fit for someone with expertise in a given field. For example, maybe you’ve worked as a project manager in construction. You could offer your consulting services to people who are renovating their home and looking for guidance and someone to oversee the job.

Or maybe you’ve worked in the admissions office at a college. You might be able to provide consulting services to people applying to school to earn their degree. Think about what your skills are and what valuable services you can offer to others.

11. Driving for Ride-Sharing or Food Delivery Services

Ride-sharing and food delivery services like Uber, Lyft, Grubhub and DoorDash have become ubiquitous, and these companies are always looking for new drivers. Essentially, all you need is an eligible car, a valid driver’s license, at least a year’s worth of driving experience, and auto insurance.

In 2025, the average hourly pay for a rideshare driver is slightly more than $21, according to ZipRecruiter. Exactly what you can earn depends on where you live and what you earn in tips.^[5]

Just be sure to take into account the expenses involved, including gas, and wear and tear on your vehicle.

12. Affiliate or Influencer Marketing

Affiliate and influencer marketing is another popular side hustle today. The job involves promoting products or services on social media or a website and earning a commission or fee for driving sales or audience engagement.

If you have a large social media following or online audience, this may be an avenue to explore. Talk to brands you know and like and see if you might be able to work with them to help promote their products or offerings.

13. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Love pets? You could earn extra money by starting a side hustle as a pet sitter or dog walker. Basically, you need to be responsible and good with animals for a job like this. You’ll do such tasks as walk pets, clean up after them, feed them, give them medication if necessary, and possibly stay overnight with them if their owners are out of town.

To find clients, reach out to friends and neighbors who have pets, or join platforms like Wag or Rover to find freelance dog walking and pet sitting opportunities in your area.

14. Renting Out a Spare Room (e.g., Airbnb)

Whether you join Airbnb or rent out a spare room on your own, offering rental space to others can be a lucrative side hustle, especially when it comes to passive income ideas. This is a gig that allows you to earn money for early retirement without requiring a lot of work on your part.

Once you get set up and start renting out your space, your main responsibilities will be vetting prospective renters and maintaining the room or space.

15. Selling Crafts or Handmade Goods Online (e.g., Etsy)

Another platform that you can use to start a good side hustle is Etsy or another similar platform. You can sell almost anything on Etsy, from homemade crafts to jewelry to wedding invitations. The platform does charge fees including processing and transaction fees, but using it can be a good way to reach an audience interested in buying what you’re selling. Over 96 million people are active buyers on Etsy.^[6]

16. Testing Websites and Apps

Websites and apps need people to test them to make sure they work properly and provide a good experience. For individuals looking to earn extra income for early retirement, this could be an interesting and flexible side hustle.

The job typically involves evaluating the functionality, usability, and design of digital products before they’re launched. Many companies pay users to perform specific tasks and provide feedback, and report bugs or user-experience issues. This side hustle often requires only basic tech skills.^[7]

17. Participating in Online Surveys

There are a number of websites and platforms such as Swagbucks, Opinion Outpost, and MySurvey, that will pay you to fill out online surveys. The surveys can be on just about any topic, and they may be tailored to you based on your interest and demographics. While most surveys don’t pay very much — sometimes just a few dollars per survey and some surveys only offer points that you can eventually redeem for cash — they do offer flexibility since you can do them anytime.^[8]

18. Offering Neighborhood Tours

A unique side hustle if you live in an area that tourists like to visit is to become a neighborhood tour guide. For example, if you live in a historic area, a place with a unique heritage, or a locale with interesting geographic landmarks, you may be able to offer your services by giving neighborhood tours to those who are interested.

Be sure to bring your expertise into the equation as well. If you are a foodie or an architecture enthusiast, you could share your passion with others by introducing them to remarkable spots in your area and giving them insider information about each one. Whatever your interest or specialty is, you’ll need to develop a tour itinerary and market it to potential customers.

19. Lawn Mowing or Landscaping Services

Mowing lawns and landscaping yards is one of the original side hustles — it’s one that many of us did as kids. And it can be a lucrative side hustle for adults to earn some easy extra money for early retirement. The average price of mowing a half-acre yard is $50 to $75.^[9]

All you need to get started is a lawnmower, a trimmer, and a blower. You can find clients by talking to neighbors, reaching out to friends and family, and going door to door in different neighborhoods near you.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Side Hustle or Career

While there are many potential side hustles to choose from, choosing the right one for you depends largely upon your skills and interests. While it may be possible to succeed in any particular side hustle with enough hard work and determination, picking a side hustle where you already have some experience may set you up for a higher likelihood of success. And the more you like the work you’re doing, the greater the chance you’ll stick with it.

In addition, weigh the potential money you could make with the side hustle against the effort and possible expenses required. If you’ll be putting in hours for a side hustle that doesn’t net you all that much, it probably isn’t worth it. And if you have to buy a lot of extra equipment upfront for a gig that may or may not be successful, you may want to think twice.

How to Integrate Side Hustles Into Your Early Retirement Plan

When you are working at achieving financial freedom, a side hustle can play an important role in helping you reach your goal. Having a job on the side can provide extra money so that you can put more dollars into your retirement accounts or open a new account so that you can reach your retirement goal faster, and potentially with more money.

Plus, if a side hustle becomes very successful, it may be able to help supplement or even replace your income if you quit your “real” job. It might even be something you want to keep doing after you’ve finished saving for retirement because you enjoy it so much.

The Takeaway

When you’re hoping to retire early, a side hustle can help you earn extra money to make that dream a reality. Having the income from a side hustle, along with your salary from your regular full-time job can help you amass more savings so you can retire at a younger age.

With the money you earn from a side hustle, you can contribute more to your retirement accounts or open a new account to help save. The more you can save and invest now, the better your chances of achieving financial security for retirement.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

FAQ

Do I need to find a high-paying side hustle to quit my main career early?

Deciding when you can quit your main career depends on a number of different factors, including your age, your family situation, your financial obligations, and how much you have saved for retirement. If your personal and financial circumstances are right, a side hustle that pays well may help give you enough of a financial cushion to retire early.

How much extra money can a side hustle realistically contribute to my retirement savings?

The amount that a side hustle can contribute to your retirement savings can vary drastically, depending on what the side hustle is and how much time and effort you put into it. But consider this: Money that you earn from a side hustle now and put into a retirement savings account can potentially grow over time, thanks to the power of compounding returns. The sooner you start saving for retirement, the better.

What are some flexible jobs that I can continue even after I retire?

Flexible jobs you can start now and continue in retirement include pet sitting, freelance writing and graphic design, and online coaching and consulting. Each of these jobs offers flexible hours and convenience so that you can work when it suits you best.

What is the best side hustle?

What’s the best side hustle for you depends on your skills, interests, and life situation. The best side hustles are ones you enjoy and that make good use of the skills you have. The best side hustles also pay you enough to make them worth your while and offer flexibility so you can do them when you choose.

What is the easiest side hustle to get into?

Some side hustles are particularly easy to get into. Examples include pet sitting and dog walking, working as a virtual assistant, and renting out a room. With each of these side hustles, you can find money-making opportunities through online platforms so that you don’t have to go out and drum up business yourself. Plus they don’t require special equipment.

Photo credit: iStock/mixetto