8 WEIRD Side Hustles For 2022 (Passive Income)

Search for side hustles and the same suggestions appear every time: drive for a delivery app, freelance online, start a blog. There are stranger options that get less attention, partly because they depend on what you already own or where you live. The eight below are a little unusual. A word of honesty first: hardly any income is fully passive. Most of these need set-up time, some upkeep and a willingness to deal with people, and earnings vary a great deal from person to person.

Renting out what you already have

1. A parking space or driveway

If you live near a station, stadium or busy town centre, an unused driveway can be rented by the day or month through local listings or dedicated apps. Check your lease, mortgage terms and local rules first.

2. Spare storage space

A dry garage, loft or shed can hold someone else's boxes, bikes or furniture. Agree clearly on access times, insurance and what may not be stored.

3. Gear that sits idle

Camping equipment, pressure washers, cameras and party supplies are often used a few days a year. Renting them to neighbours can cover their cost, though wear and the occasional damaged item come with it.

Turning hobbies into small products

4. Plant cuttings and seedlings

Houseplant enthusiasts propagate cuttings anyway. Rooted cuttings of popular varieties can be sold locally or at markets. Rules may apply to posting plants across borders.

5. Printable planners and templates

Budget sheets, wedding checklists or teacher worksheets can be designed once and sold as downloads through marketplace platforms. Expect to spend time on design and on improving listings before any sales arrive.

6. Niche stock photos

Generic sunsets are everywhere. Specific, well-lit images of everyday tasks, local landmarks or particular tools are less common. Earnings per image are usually small, so this works best as a long-term, low-pressure project.

Odd jobs with flexible hours

7. House and pet sitting

Owners travelling for work or holidays often want someone reliable to water plants, feed animals and keep the place lived-in. References and trust matter more than any special skill.

8. Assembling flat-pack furniture

Plenty of people would rather pay than wrestle with instructions and hex keys. A basic toolkit, patience and good reviews can fill weekends quickly in some areas.

A quick comparison

Before starting, check tax obligations on extra income, any insurance you might need and whether your lease or local regulations allow the activity. No side hustle guarantees a particular income, so treat early earnings as a bonus, keep costs low, and if you are relying on the money for important goals, speak to an independent financial adviser.