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Summer is a time to relax and vacation, but it can also be an ideal time to earn extra cash — especially since the cost of kicking back can add up.

In fact, while fewer people are taking on side gigs this year (27% of U.S. adults versus 36% last year,) a growing share of side hustlers are spending the income on fun, according to a June Bankrate survey. Forty-one percent said they’re spending the extra money on discretionary purchases, while 29% said they needed it to make ends meet.

So how can you have a side gig and enjoy your summer? There are lots of fun, fulfilling ways to bulk up your income. Here’s some inspiration for side hustles that don’t necessarily feel like a hustle.

Join the party. From weddings to barbecues, summer is a time for parties — and the business of parties. Joining a catering company can be a fun and flexible way to earn extra income. Many events are on weekends, and you can sign up for shifts that fit with your schedule. Being a cater-waiter typically involves less responsibility than being a server at a restaurant, since you don’t have to take orders and most of the service is done as a team. Whether you’re passing appetizers or buffing silverware, it’s a chance to be a fly on the wall at exclusive events (think: extravagant galas).

Tap into your creative side. If your day job doesn’t give you the chance to use your creative talents, a side gig can be the perfect way to tap into your inner artist. Online freelancing is one of the more popular side hustles, and common roles include writers, photographers, and graphic designers (look for opportunities on sites like Freelancer, Upwork, and Indeed). You can capitalize on your creativity in plenty of other ways, too. If you love to crochet or make crafts, list your creations for sale on sites like Etsy.

Capitalize on your car. You paid good money for your wheels, so try using them to make good money too. Whether it’s delivering for DoorDash or giving rides for Uber, driving-based gig work can give you the flexibility to set your own schedule. Working during peak-times, like weekend nights, can help maximize your earnings.

Become more than a customer. Think of your favorite places to hang out. Is there a cafe that you love to sit in? What about a cozy bookstore, a museum, or a vibey brunch spot? Instead of just being a customer, ask if they have any part-time opportunities. You’ll love your job and maybe even get some discounts or freebies. Another way to become more than a customer: participate in paid marketing research studies, surveys, or focus groups.

Get a workout. You don’t have to be a personal trainer or a tennis coach to get exercise while you’re earning money. Maybe you help folks with moving, heavy lifting, or donation dropoffs. (Look for opportunities on sites like TaskRabbit).

Make a hobby a job. Do you have a passion for uncovering hidden gems in a city that you know like the back of your hand? Maybe you can list a tour on a site like Airbnb Experiences or Viator? Or, if you’ve been studying French for years, why not offer tutoring services? Your source of fun can potentially turn into a source of income too. Not to mention that practically anything you’re passionate about (food, fitness, fashion, etc.) could potentially become a money-maker if you’re able to grow a following on social media.

Use what you’re not using. Consider making passive income by renting out your garage, driveway, or sideyard for people to store things like boats and RVs. You can even rent out your pool on sites like Swimply and Peerspace.

Related Reading

Where to Earn the Most Money With Summer 2025 Side Hustles (Investopedia)

7 Simple Side Hustle Ideas for Summertime (Inc)

Americans Are Downsizing Their Summer Vacations (The Washington Post via MSN)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20250728SW

This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

With peak hurricane season in the Atlantic beginning in mid-August, preparing yourself financially can be just as important as stocking supplies or boarding up windows.

In fact, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting above-normal hurricane activity for the season, taking care of a few simple things now could help you avoid a financial storm later. (And it’s not just a coastal concern: Hurricanes can cause damage hundreds of miles inland too.)

Here are five things to do to batten the financial hatches:

1. Ensure you’re insured. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, and experts say that many properties that should have flood coverage don’t. Depending on where you live, it could be worthwhile to purchase a separate flood policy, especially since damage from storm surge counts as flooding damage. (An online tool like this one can help you assess your risk.) Flood policies are available through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer, and may take 30 days to take effect.

In some areas of the country, a standard homeowner policy can exclude wind-related damage, too, so make sure you fully understand what’s covered in the event you have a hurricane. Contact your insurance agent or check your policy.

Also, documenting your belongings and valuables, including with photos or videos, can speed up the claims process if the time comes. Inventory your furniture and closet, write down any necessary make and model numbers, and if you have expensive rugs, jewelry, or artwork, consider getting them appraised.

2. Prep a financial survival kit. When natural disasters hit, bank branches and ATMs may be inaccessible. FEMA recommends keeping cash on hand and having an emergency-only credit card to cover essential expenses for at least a week. (Dedicating one card to emergency purchases can also make it easier to track reimbursable or tax-deductible disaster expenses.)

3. Plan to be away. Be prepared if a storm forces you to evacuate your home. Automate any checks you still get in the mail (like paper checks or government benefit checks) and photograph or scan items including:

•  Passports, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards

•  Rental agreements, house deeds, car titles, and vehicle registration papers

•  Insurance cards and prescriptions

Store the copies on password-protected cloud storage services — you may need them for post-hurricane aid and claim reimbursements.

Check out FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for a full list of how to prepare.

4. Stock up now. If you’re getting a physical survival kit ready (think: food, water, meds), try spreading out your purchases to avoid a single budget-busting expense. (You could even go in on a bulk buy with neighbors, then divide the supplies.) Also, if you’ve got a generator, make sure there’s enough fuel in it to last several days and if there isn’t, order it now.

5. Make a cheat-sheet ahead of time. It’s easy to panic during emergencies. To stay grounded, create a to-do list now that you can reference in the heat of the moment. To determine what you would need, imagine a worst-case situation where you can’t use your phone and don’t have power or internet.

•  Compile essential phone numbers, addresses, maps, websites, and apps. Include your insurance agent’s direct line and nearby shelters.

•  Take a moment to read up on post-disaster scams. The last thing you need is to be taken advantage of during a stressful time.

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM2025072801

Get ready for a pivotal week for financial markets. The calendar is full of important events, with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision sandwiched between a bunch of big corporate earnings reports and the release of monthly unemployment data.

This week is the busiest week of the second-quarter earnings season, with nearly a third of S&P 500 companies set to report results. Most closely watched and potentially market-moving are likely to be technology giants Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and Apple (AAPL).

But not to be outshined, the Fed’s rate-setting committee will hold its July meeting, and no doubt tariffs and inflation will be a hot topic. Market pricing currently indicates just a 3% chance the Fed will cut its benchmark interest rate, so the main focus will likely be on the outlook for prices and economic growth. Investors will parse every word of the Fed statement and press conference on Wednesday, looking for clues on when the central bank might lower rates.

The week will be topped off with the release of second-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and July employment data, helping to shed light on the strength of the labor market, including how companies are responding to economic uncertainty. A strong or weak report could either complement or contrast with the Fed’s message from Wednesday.

However it goes, investors will have a lot to digest.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Monday

•  July Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Earnings: Brown & Brown (BRO), Cadence Design Systems (CDNS), Cincinnati Financial (CINF), Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG), Nucor (NUE), Principal Financial Group (PFG), PerkinElmer (RVTY), Universal Health Services (UHS), Veralto Corporation (VLTO), Welltower (WELL), Waste Management (WM)

Tuesday

•  June Wholesale Inventories and Sales: Wholesalers often operate as an intermediary between manufacturers and retailers, serving as a key part of the goods supply chain.

•  June Wholesale and Retail Inventories: Wholesalers and retailers often operate as intermediaries for the sale of manufactured products, serving as a key part of the goods supply chain.

•  May FHFA House Price Index: This is a broad measure of single-family house prices released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

•  May S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index: This is a private sector measure of national home prices.

•  June Job Openings: A key measure of business demand for labor is the number of job openings, since reducing openings is easier and preferable to layoffs.

•  July Conference Board Consumer Confidence: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on job availability and the state of the labor market.

•  July Dallas Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Earnings: Arch Capital Group (ACGL), American Tower (AMT), Boeing (BA), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Boston Properties (BXP), Carrier Global Corp (CARR), CBRE Group (CBRE), Caesars Entertainment (CZR), DTE Energy (DTE), Electronic Arts (EA), Ecolab (ECL), Essex Property Trust (ESS), Expand Energy Corporation (EXE), Corning (GLW), Hubbell (HUBB), Incyte (INCY), Johnson Controls International (JCI), Mondelez International (MDLZ), Merck & Co (MRK), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Procter & Gamble (PG), PPG Industries (PPG), PayPal (PYPL), Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), Regency Centers (REG), Republic Services (RSG), Starbucks (SBUX), Seagate Technologies (STX), Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), Sysco (SYY), Teradyne (TER), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), United Parcel Service (UPS), Visa (V)

Wednesday

•  July ADP Employment Report: This survey, usually released a day or two before the official government jobs report, offers insight into private sector employment trends.

•  2Q GDP First Estimate: The primary measure of economic activity in the United States, which is measured as total expenditure on a country’s goods and services.

•  FOMC Interest Rate Decision: The Federal Reserve will announce any changes to monetary policy after the conclusion of its two-day FOMC meeting, in addition to providing commentary on the economy. It’s one of eight regularly scheduled meetings per year.

•  Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

•  Earnings: Automatic Data Processing (ADP), American Electric Power (AEP), Albemarle (ALB), Align Technology (ALGN), Allstate (ALL), AvalonBay Communities (AVB), American Water Works (AWK), Bunge Global S.A. (BG), CH Robinson Worldwide (CHRW), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH), DexCom (DXCM), eBay (EBAY), Everest RE Group (EG), Equinix (EQIX), Entergy (ETR), Extra Space Storage (EXR), Ford (F), FirstEnergy (FE), F5 Networks (FFIV), Fair Isaac (FICO), Fortive (FTV), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc (GEHC), Generac Holdings (GNRC), Garmin (GRMN), Hologic (HOLX), Host Hotels & Resorts (HST), Hershey (HSY), Humana (HUM), IDEX (IEX), Invitation Homes (INVH), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Kraft Heinz (KHC), Lam Research (LRCX), Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Altria Group (MO), Microsoft (MSFT), Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), Prudential Financial (PRU), Public Storage (PSA), PTC (PTC), Qualcomm (QCOM), Smurfit WestRock (SW), Trane Technologies (TT), Tyler Technologies (TYL), UDR (UDR), Vici Properties (VICI), Verisk Analytics (VRSK), Ventas (VTR), Western Digital (WDC), WEC Energy Group (WEC)

Thursday

•  July Challenger Job Cuts: The firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas tracks the number of layoff announcements each month by sector.

•  June Personal Income and Spending: These numbers give insight into how Americans are doing, which is important since consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of economic growth in the United States.

•  June Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index: The Fed targets this inflation measure for its price stability mandate and believes PCE to be the best measure of consumers’ spending habits.

•  2Q Employment Cost Index: This is the most comprehensive measure of worker compensation, including wages, bonuses, benefits and more.

•  July Chicago Business Barometer: The barometer provides information on U.S. economic activity and business conditions, consisting of seven activity

•  Weekly Jobless Claims: This high frequency labor market data gives insight into filings for unemployment benefits. Initial jobless claims have remained mostly steady, while continuing claims have increased of late.

•  Earnings Apple (AAPL), AbbVie (ABBV), Ameren (AEE), AES (AES), Arthur J Gallagher & Co (AJG), Ametek (AME), Amazon (AMZN), Air Products and Chemicals (APD), Aptiv (APTV), Baxter International (BAX), Biogen (BIIB), Builders FirstSource (BLDR), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Cigna (CI), Clorox (CLX), Comcast (CMCSA), CMS Energy (CMS), Coinbase (COIN), Camden Property Trust (CPT), CVS Health (CVS), Edison International (EIX), Eastman Chemical (EMN), Eversource Energy (ES), Exelon (EXC), First Solar (FSLR), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Howmet Aerospace (HWM), Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), International Paper (IP), Ingersoll Rand (IR), Kellogg (K), Kimco Realty (KIM), KKR & Co (KKR), KLA-Tencor (KLAC), Mastercard (MA), Masco (MAS), Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR), Mettler-Toledo International (MTD), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), PG&E (PCG), PPL (PPL), Quanta Services (PWR), ResMed (RMD), Southern Company (SO), S&P Global (SPGI), Stryker (SYK), Vulcan Materials (VMC), Willis Towers Watson Public (WTW), Xcel Energy (XEL), Xylem (XYL)

Friday

•  July Employment Situation Summary: This monthly blockbuster release from the Labor Department gives a comprehensive look at employment, wages, and hours worked in the previous month.

•  July ISM Manufacturing PMI: This index from the Institute for Supply Management tracks how purchasing managers across the manufacturing sector feel about the business environment.

•  June Construction Spending: Construction data is a leading indicator of business activity.

•  July University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on inflation and its trajectory.

•  July Wards Total Vehicle Sales: Cars are a big ticket item for consumers, so underlying vehicle sales trends can help shine a light on demand for durable goods.

•  Earnings: Franklin Resources (BEN), Cboe Global Markets (CBOE), Church & Dwight (CHD), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Chevron (CVX), Dominion Energy (D), WW Grainger (GWW), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Linde PLC (LIN), LyondellBasell Industries (LYB), Moderna (MRNA), Motorola Solutions (MSI), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN), T Rowe Price Group (TROW), Exxon Mobil (XOM)

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.