As an OFW, it can be quite demanding to maintain a full-time job, but you can still have a side hustle to increase your income. There are many reasons why you would want to have a side hustle, like when you want to earn more to prepare for your family’s future, or if you want to have more cash for holiday expenses.
With the right side hustle, you can earn extra money without having to sacrifice your main job. In this article, we will look into some side hustles that can easily fit into your schedule as a full-time OFW.
Top Sideline Jobs for OFWs
The following is a list of side hustles for OFWs:
- Freelancing (writing, graphic design, virtual assistance, programming)
- Content Creation (YouTube channel, blogging)
- Online Selling (Platforms: Shopee, Lazada, Amazon)
- Babysitting on Weekends
- Cooking or Baking for Co-workers
- Tutoring (Math, science, English, music, languages)
- Blogging (OFW life, travel tips, financial tips)
- Offering Commissioned Work (Painting, photography, crafting)
- Joining Referral Programs (Remittance apps like Taptap Send)
- Part-Time Driving (Local delivery services)
Freelance in Your Spare Time
If you have skills in writing, graphic design, virtual assistance or programming, then freelancing can be the right side hustle for you. You can look for freelance work in the following websites:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
Some freelance work can allow you to do job in the evenings or the weekends which do not interfere with your full time job.
Content Creation
If you have skills in making videos and if you have a YouTube channel, you can build a platform and create videos based on the things that you are passionate about. For example, if you are good at cooking, you can start a cooking channel. You can monetize your channel so that you can earn a substantial amount on top of your existing full time.
You can even start a blog or a YouTube channel about your life as an OFW. If you are patient enough, over time, you will have lots of viewers and have opportunities to earn from ads or product promotions.
Online Selling
Online selling is a side hustle that allows you to earn while staying full-time at your job. You can sell your products in such platforms as:
Shopee
Lazada
Amazon
These platforms make it easier to set up an online store where you can sell products from your host country or sourced from the Philippines.
Babysitting on Weekends
If you like working with kids, babysitting can be the right side hustle for you. This is especially true if your regular job allows you to take on additional work during weekends or evenings.
Expats and locals always need trusted babysitters. You can earn per hour, which means that you have control over how much time you can commit.
Cooking or Baking for Co-workers
If you love to cook or bake, turning your passion into a side hustle is a fantastic way to earn extra income.
One way to start this kind of business is to prepare packed meals or baked goods for co-workers. Food is always in demand, especially Philippine home made dishes.
You can also cook for special orders like birthdays and other themed events. You can do the cooking during your free time, so it can be a good side hustle on top of your full time.
Tutoring
If you are good at teaching or at skilled in subjects like math, science or English, tutoring can be a highly profitable side hustle. Aside from these subjects, if you are good at musical instruments or other languages, you can offer tutoring services for these as well.
Blogging
If you are someone who enjoys sharing your thoughts or experiences, blogging can be a long term side hustle. Blogging can help you earn passive income. Here are some blogging ideas:
- Life as an OFW
- Travel tips
- Financial tips
Blogging can take time to start earning though, but at least you can manage this during your free time. As your blog gains traffic, it can become a consistent source of passive income.
Offering Commissioned Work
If you have creative skills like painting, photography, or crafting, you can take on commissioned work as a side hustle. Many OFWs are able to make money on the side by selling their handmade crafts, artworks, or offering photography services during weekends. Social media is a powerful tool to promote your work, and platforms like Etsy can help you sell to a global market.
This side hustle gives you the freedom to accept projects based on your availability, making it a perfect complement to a full-time job.
Joining Referral Programs
If you don’t have a lot of free time and are looking for a low-effort side hustle, referral programs can be an easy way to make extra cash. For example, remittance apps like Taptap Send allow you to earn a bonus for every new user you refer. All you need to do is share your promo code with friends, family, or fellow OFWs and earn each time someone signs up and completes a transaction.
This hustle requires little effort and can be done in your spare time by simply promoting your referral code on social media, group chats, or forums.
Part-Time Driving
For OFWs with access to a vehicle, part-time driving FOR local delivery services is an excellent side hustle. You can choose to accept delivery jobs during your free time, like after work or on weekends.
Driving part-time not only provides extra income but also offers flexibility since you can accept deliveries based on your main job’s schedule.
You can start by accepting local deliveries and scale up to long-distance ones as you become more comfortable balancing both your jobs.
Balancing a full-time job with a side hustle may seem challenging as an OFW, but with the right strategy, it’s entirely possible. The key is to choose a side hustle that complements your current schedule and skills. Whether it’s freelancing, selling online, or even taking advantage of referral programs, there are numerous ways for OFWs to earn extra income while working abroad.