I hate Sundays. Not because Monday's coming (though that sucks too), but because I used to waste my entire weekend binge-watching Netflix and then feel guilty about it. I have spent two whole days doing nothing but learning a great deal about a random reality show.
Then I realized something pretty obvious: weekends are when most people need stuff done. They are at home, have projects they have postponed throughout the week, and now have the time to address them. Meanwhile, I'm sitting on my couch accomplishing absolutely nothing.
So I started using my weekends to make money instead of just burning time. And honestly? It's been a game-changer.
Last month I made $1,240 from weekend work alone. That's pressure washing driveways on Saturday mornings, dog sitting on Sunday afternoons, and helping people move between the two. I'm on track for even more this month because I've finally figured out how to book myself solidly without feeling like I'm overworking myself.
Here's the thing about weekend side hustles: they're different from regular side hustles. People expect to pay more because it's the weekend. They're usually more relaxed and easier to work with. And you can make serious money in just two days if you know what you're doing.
If you're tired of wasting your weekends and want to actually make some money instead, let me show you what's been working for me and several other people I know.
Are you looking to diversify beyond weekend work? Our complete roadmap has multiple income stream ideas.
Why Weekends Are Perfect for Making Money

Before I get into the actual side hustles, allow me to explain why weekends are so much better for this stuff than trying to squeeze work in during the week.
First off, that's when people are actually home and available. Please attempt to have someone available to answer the door for a house cleaning estimate on Tuesday at 2 PM. Good luck with that. But Saturday morning? Everyone's awake, they're thinking about their to-do list, and they're ready to throw money at their problems.
People are also in a different mindset on weekends. During the week, everything feels urgent and stressful. But weekends? They have time to think, they're planning projects, and they're more willing to invest in stuff that makes their life easier.
Plus, most regular service providers charge extra for weekend work, which means there's room for you to undercut them while still making good money. Is there a plumber who charges $150/hour during the week? He wants $200/hour on Saturday. You can charge $75/hour for basic handyman stuff, and everyone wins.
Let's consider what other tasks you might be working on. Are you sleeping until noon and scrolling through social media? I mean, that's fun sometimes, but wouldn't you rather have an extra $600 in your bank account?
The best part is you still have your weekday schedule totally free. If you have commitments such as a day job, children, or classes, this will not interfere with any of those.
The Weekend Side Hustles That Actually Pay
Alright, let me break down the weekend side hustles that have been working for me and people I know. I'm ranking these by how much you can realistically make and how easy they are to get started.
High-Money Weekend Work ($300-800 per weekend)
Moving Services
This is probably the biggest money-maker on weekends because that's when most people move. Additionally, moving companies are highly profitable, providing ample opportunities for independent individuals to earn substantial income.
I team up with my buddy Mike for this. We charge $40 per hour for basic moving help and $60 per hour for full-service moves, where we pack everything too. Last weekend we helped three families move, and each made $420 in two days.
The work is physical, but it's not that hard if you're reasonably in shape. Most of the time you're just carrying boxes and furniture. The key is having a truck or knowing someone who does.
You can find work on Taskrabbit, Craigslist, or just by posting in local Facebook groups. End of the month is always busy because that's when most leases end.
Pro tip: Bring your moving equipment—dollies, straps, and blankets. People will pay extra for that, and it makes the job way easier.
Pressure Washing
I stumbled into this one by accident when my neighbor asked if I knew anyone who could clean his driveway. I borrowed a pressure washer from Home Depot for $35, charged him $150, and made $115 for three hours of work.
Now I do this most Saturday mornings and make $200-400 depending on how many jobs I book. Driveways usually go for $100-200, house siding for $300-500, and decks for $150-300.
The startup cost is basically nothing if you rent equipment at first. Once you're making decent money, you can buy your pressure washer for like $200.
People love this because it makes a big difference, and most are too lazy to do it themselves. Plus, spring and fall are huge seasons when everyone wants their house to look lovely.
Event Setup and Breakdown
Weddings, parties, and corporate events—they all need people to set up chairs, tables, and decorations and then clean it all up afterward. And weekend events pay way better than weekday stuff.
My friend Sarah does this and makes $25–$35/hour, depending on the event. Made $380 last weekend helping with a wedding: six hours on Saturday for setup and ceremony and four hours on Sunday for breakdown.
Event companies are always looking for reliable weekend help. You can also reach out to venues directly or check with catering companies.
The work isn't hard, but you need to be reliable and able to follow directions. Event planners already experience stress, so they shouldn't have to worry about whether their help will arrive.
Medium-Money Weekend Work ($200-400 per weekend)
House and Yard Cleaning
Saturday morning cleaning is huge because that's when people want to get their homes ready for the week or for weekend guests.
I charge $30–40/hour for basic cleaning and $50 for deep cleaning projects. Usually book 4-6 hours on Saturday and make $200-300 just from cleaning.
You can use supplies the homeowner provides or bring your own and charge a bit more. I started with just basic stuff—vacuum, mop, cleaning sprays—and upgraded as I made money.
Yard work is the same deal. People put off yard work all week, then Saturday morning they look outside and realize their lawn looks like a jungle. Lawn mowing, leaf raking, and basic landscaping all make decent money on weekends.
Pet Services
Dog walking, pet sitting, and doggy daycare at your place—pet owners pay premium rates for weekend care because they want to go out and do stuff without worrying about their animals.
I watch dogs at my apartment on weekends and charge $40/day per dog. Last Sunday, I took care of three dogs and earned $120 for essentially sitting around watching TV. The dogs entertain each other, and most of them just sleep anyway.
You can also do dog walking services in lovely neighborhoods. Charge $20-25 per walk, hit 6-8 houses on Saturday morning, and easily make $150.
Rover and Wag are the obvious platforms, but posting in neighborhood Facebook groups works really well too.
Handyman Services
I specialize in basic home repairs, furniture assembly, TV mounting, and small projects that don't require a licensed contractor. Weekends are when people tackle their honey-do lists.
I charge $35–50/hour, depending on what it is. Furniture assembly is easy money because people hate doing it, and you can knock out most pieces in 30–60 minutes.
You don't need to be super handy. YouTube can teach you almost anything, and most "handyman" work is just following instructions and having the right tools.
The key is being honest about what you can and can't do. Don't take electrical or plumbing jobs unless you actually know what you're doing.
Easy-Start Weekend Work ($100-300 per weekend)
Food Delivery and ride-sharing
This one's obvious, but it works. Friday and Saturday nights are peak times for both food delivery and rides, so you can make decent money in just a few hours.
My roommate uses DoorDash and Uber on weekend nights and usually makes $20–25/hour during busy times. He works from 6-11 PM on Friday and from 6 PM to 2 AM on Saturday, earning between $250 and $300 per weekend.
The beneficial thing is you can start and stop whenever you want. Don't feel like working? Log off. Want to make extra money? Work longer.
You need a car and a clean driving record, but that's about it. Some cities let you deliver food on a bike or scooter too.
Local Event Services
Farmers markets, festivals, craft fairs, and sporting events—they all need temporary help on weekends. The tasks include setup, cleanup, crowd control, parking, and concessions.
Pay is usually $15-25/hour, but you can often work 8-10 hours over a weekend. My friend Jake works at the local farmers market and makes $200 every Saturday just helping vendors set up and direct parking.
Please consult your city's event calendar or the parks and recreation department. Since many of these gigs come through word-of-mouth, if you perform well at one event, they'll call you for more.
Tutoring and Teaching
Weekend tutoring pays more than weekday tutoring because that's when kids are available and parents want to get their educational stuff done.
I tutor high school math on Saturday mornings and make $35/hour. Usually have 4-5 sessions and make $140-175 in about five hours.
You can also do group classes like teaching adults basic computer skills, language conversation groups, and fitness classes in the park. Charge $15-25 per person for group stuff.
Personal Shopping and errors
Busy people will pay you to do their shopping, run errands, wait for deliveries, and basically handle the stuff they don't have time for during the week.
Grocery shopping for elderly people or busy families is steady weekend work. I charge $20/hour plus a small markup on the groceries (like 10%) and usually make $100-150 on Sundays doing shopping runs.
You can also do things like waiting for repair people, picking up dry cleaning, and returning online purchases. Anything that requires being available during business hours that working people can't do themselves.
Photography Services
I specialize in basic event photos, family portraits, real estate photos, and social media content for small businesses, not fancy wedding photography.
Weekend family sessions are big money. People want photos but only have time on weekends. I charge $150 for a one-hour family session and usually book 2-3 per weekend.
Your phone camera is probably decent enough to start. Focus on natural light, outdoor locations, and capturing positive moments rather than trying to be super technical.
Seasonal Weekend Opportunities
Some weekend side hustles are seasonal but can make you serious money during their peak times.
Spring and Summer:
- Lawn care and landscaping.
- We provide pool cleaning and maintenance services.
- We provide wedding and party services.
- Farmers markets help.
- We provide outdoor event staffing services.
Fall:
- I am doing leaf cleanup and yard work.
- Moving services are in high demand as many people relocate before the winter season.
- The holiday event setup is underway.
- Pumpkin patch and harvest festival work.
Winter:
- If you live somewhere where it snows, you should consider snow removal.
- We are installing holiday decorations.
- We are currently cleaning up after the New Year's party.
- Indoor event services.
Year-round but seasonal peaks:
- I am in charge of house cleaning (spring cleaning, pre-holiday).
- I am organizing services for the New Year and back-to-school season.
- I need help with moving at the end of my lease cycle.
The trick is planning ahead and booking yourself for the busy seasons. I start advertising lawn care in February even though I won't start working until April.
How to Actually Book Weekend Work
Having a fantastic side hustle idea is worthless if you can't find customers. Here's what's been working for me:
Start with people you know. Please share with everyone what you're working on. Your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family—someone always needs help with something.
Facebook groups are gold. Join all the local community, neighborhood, and buy/sell/trade groups. Please share your services and kindly respond to those seeking assistance.
Nextdoor is perfect for this stuff. It's basically Facebook for neighborhoods, and people are always posting about needing weekend help.
Craigslist still works. Post in services and respond to people looking for help. Just be smart about meeting strangers.
Word of mouth is everything. Do good work for one person, and ask them to tell their friends. Most of my regular customers came from referrals.
Take before/after photos. Nothing sells your work better than showing the results. I post pressure washing photos on my social media and get new customers just for that.
Be responsive. Please respond promptly when someone reaches out to you regarding work. Most people hire the first person who responds professionally.
Maximizing Your Weekend Earnings
Here's how to make the most money possible from your weekend work:
Bundle services. If you're already assisting with cleaning at someone's home, you might consider offering to organize their garage or wash their car as well. It is easier to make more money from existing customers than to find new ones.
Charge for travel time. Please consider incorporating the 30-minute drive to the job into your pricing. Your time has value.
Book back-to-back jobs. Try to schedule multiple jobs in the same area on the same day. The business is becoming more efficient and profitable.
Raise your prices. Most people undercharge because they're afraid to lose customers. But if you're doing good work, people will pay fair prices.
Get repeat customers. Monthly house cleaning, weekly dog walking, and seasonal yard work recurring revenue are way better than constantly finding new jobs.
Upsell when it makes sense. "While I'm pressure washing your driveway, do you want me to do your deck too?" This is an easy way to earn extra money.
Managing Weekend Work with Your Life
The biggest challenge with weekend side hustles is not burning yourself out or sacrificing your entire social life.
Set boundaries. I don't work Sunday evenings because I need time to decompress before Monday. Please select times that are off-limits and adhere to them.
Plan your energy. Don't book super physical work on both days unless you're really in shape. Mix easy jobs with harder ones.
Keep some flexibility. Don't book yourself 100% solid. Leave room for last-minute high-paying jobs or just rest if you need it.
Take care of your body. A lot of weekend work is physical. Stretch, stay hydrated, and use proper lifting techniques. Getting injured will cost you way more than you're making.
Don't neglect your relationships. Make sure you're not missing every social event or family gathering because you're working. Money's important, but so is everything else.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After doing this for a while, I've made plenty of mistakes. Here are the big ones to avoid:
Undercharging because you feel guilty is a common practice. Your time is valuable, and if you're solving someone's problem, you deserve fair pay. Don't charge $10/hour for skilled work.
Not getting paid upfront. For larger projects or new clients, kindly request at least half of the payment upfront. People can be flaky about paying.
Overcommitting. When starting out, it's easy to say yes to everything, but don't take on too much.
I don't have any backup plans. Weather, customers canceling, equipment breaking—have plans for when things go wrong.
I am mixing my friend's work with business. Helping friends is helpful, but don't let people take advantage just because they know you.
I am not tracking expenses. Gas, equipment, supplies—keep track of what you're spending so you know your real profit.
Tools and Equipment You Actually need.
Most weekend side hustles don't require expensive equipment to start:
Priority Level | Equipment | Purpose | Estimated Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Essential | Reliable transportation | Getting to jobs, carrying basic supplies | $0 (use what you have) |
Essential | Basic tool set (screwdrivers, hammer, drill) | Handyman and assembly work | $50-100 |
Essential | Cleaning supplies | House cleaning and basic maintenance | $30-50 |
Essential | Phone | Communication, photos, scheduling | $0 (use what you have) |
Nice to Have | Truck or large vehicle | Moving services, hauling equipment | $200+ rental or purchase |
Nice to Have | Pressure washer | Cleaning services, higher-paying jobs | $150-300 |
Nice to Have | Professional camera | Photography services, better marketing | $300-800 |
Nice to Have | Specialized tools | Advanced handyman work, higher rates | $100-500 |
Don't buy expensive stuff until you're making money. Rent or borrow equipment at first, then invest in your gear once you know what you actually use.
Building Long-Term Success
The goal isn't just to make money this weekend—it's to build something sustainable that keeps making you money.
Get really good at one thing first. Don't try to be everything to everyone. Focus on mastering one type of weekend work first, and then consider expanding your skills
Build relationships, not just transactions. Treat customers well, remember their names, and ask about their families. People hire individuals they like.
Document everything. Take photos, collect testimonials, and track what works. This becomes your marketing material.
Systematize as you grow. Create processes, invest in better tools, and maybe hire help for bigger jobs.
Think about what you actually enjoy. Life's too short to spend every weekend doing work you hate, even if it pays well.
Your First Weekend Action Plan
Here's exactly what to do to get started this weekend:
Today: Pick one or two services from this list that match your skills and situation.
Tomorrow: Research what people in your area charge for similar work.
This weekend: Post in three to five local Facebook groups offering your services. Please inform 10 colleagues about your current activities.
Next week: Follow up on any responses, and schedule your first jobs for next weekend.
Goal: Book at least one paying job for next weekend, even if it's just $50.
The hardest part is getting started. Once you complete your first weekend job successfully, everything else gets easier.
The Bottom Line on Weekend Side Hustles
Look, weekend side hustles aren't going to make you rich overnight. But they can definitely put some serious extra money in your pocket without completely taking over your life.
The difference between making an extra $200-800 every weekend and not is huge. That's $800-3,200 extra per month. That's car payments, vacation money, debt payoff, or just the financial breathing room to not stress about every purchase.
But more than the money, it's the confidence that comes from knowing you can always figure out how to make more income if you need to. That's a skill that will serve you forever.
Most people waste their weekends anyway. Might as well make some money while you're at it.
Your homework for this week:
- Pick one weekend side hustle from this list.
- Research pricing in your area.
- Tell 10 people what you're planning to do.
- Post in at least 3 local Facebook groups.
- Book your first job for next weekend.
Don't overthink it. Just start.
Your weekends are already happening whether you make money from them or not. Might as well make them profitable.
Want to scale beyond weekend work? Check out our complete side hustle guide and learn about making $1,000+ monthly from your side hustle efforts.