Exploring best side hustles as a couple can truly strengthen relationships and lead to achieving shared goals faster. From personal experience, my partner and I found that working together helped us not only boost income but also taught us valuable lessons about teamwork.
Whether it’s launching a YouTube channel to share your unique stories, dipping your toes into house flipping and real estate projects, or choosing more casual options like dog walking and babysitting, there’s something for every couple. Mixing in-person gigs with remote gigs and even passive activities like creating online courses or participating in paid surveys gives you the flexibility to match your lifestyle without added stress.
The key to successfully making money together is turning double effort into double income by combining active income streams with passive and creative outlets.
My top tips for any duo getting started are simple: avoid the temptation to stick to one income, embrace a variety of diverse income opportunities, and see challenges as opportunities to earn extra cash. Whether you’re into event planning or exploring other top ideas, choosing to hustle as a duo means you’re never alone—and that’s the real beauty of side hustling for couples.
Why ‘We’ Should Side Hustle: Couples & Income
Picking up a couple’s side hustle isn’t just great for your pockets—it’s exactly what the doctor ordered for a healthy, happy partnership. When my sweetie and I started a side hustle together, it wasn’t just about earning extra money for cash for date night or saving towards our dream wedding or new car; it was about creating a solid foundation by combining income to build our own little empire.
Sharing a side gig gave us a chance to truly connect and spend more time together, even when our regular main job seemed overwhelming and work gets in the way.
Working together as lovebirds on a joint venture is also about strengthening those interlocking lives—it’s more than just the comfort of sharing hoodies on cozy evenings. It’s about teaming up to generate cash that supports a comfortable lifestyle, builds security for your home, and prepares you for the future.
Trust me, the benefits go far beyond finances; you’re nurturing your partnership while earning valuable extra income. There’s nothing quite like it, baby!
Top 5 Great Side Hustles Couples Should Explore
Dog Walking is hands-down one of the most enjoyable side hustles you and your other half can explore together. If you both love canines, why not turn that passion into profit? As someone who’s been there, let me tell you—there’s nothing quite like earning while getting a healthy dose vitamin D outdoors instead of staying indoors all day.
Typically, couples who walk dogs part-time in their own neighborhood can earn around $11,500 per person per year, but if you commit fully to walking dogs full-time, the average salary can soar from $34,539 up to $53,500, depending on your number of regular clients.
Besides the obvious perks like getting to play with dogs, remember you’ll have some basic responsibilities like feeding dogs, cleaning up waste, and occasionally taking trips to the vet. It’s a simple yet rewarding way to spend quality time together, stay active, and boost your joint income, so grab your leashes and get to work!
1. Getting Ready to Launch Your Dog-Walking Hustle
To successfully kick off your dog-walking business, the main things you need are a genuine love of animals—especially dogs—and some basic training on pet care. While having prior professional animal experience isn’t mandatory, taking an online course or even attending local workshops can significantly boost your confidence and credibility among potential clients.
When my partner and I first started, we quickly realized that prioritizing pet safety reassured pet owners and helped us build trust fast.
Investing in proper gear like sturdy leashes, waste bags, and a basic first aid kit for pets also goes a long way. Remember, pet parents feel safer trusting someone who clearly cares enough to learn about animal safety and comfort. Starting on the right foot ensures happy pets, satisfied owners, and ongoing business for your new hustle!
Where to Find Dog-Walking Opportunities Online
When my partner and I started dog walking, sites like Care.com and Wag! quickly became our go-to platforms. Care.com connects you directly with local pet owners needing help, making it easy to set your schedule and rates. Wag! offers flexibility too, plus extra features like real-time GPS tracking, which builds trust with pet parents.
Also, don’t underestimate checking out Glassdoor—it’s perfect for getting insights into what other dog walkers are earning and learning about local demand. These resources can streamline your start, helping you land those first few gigs quickly and efficiently!
Upsides of Becoming Dog Walkers
Dog walking is honestly one of the best ways to spend time together as a couple while earning extra money. You get to spend your day with dogs, which naturally helps alleviate stress and improve mental health. My partner and I loved the built-in benefit of regular exercise walking dogs—it meant no need gym, saving us money and keeping us healthy at the same time.
Downsides to Consider
On the flip side, keep in mind that dogs must be walked regularly—rain or shine—which can be challenging if you aren’t fond of unpredictable weather. Plus, dealing with unexpected situations, like the stress of vet appointments for a client’s pet, can occasionally add pressure to an otherwise relaxing gig.
2. Teaching or Selling Online Courses as a Couple
One of the most lucrative side hustle opportunities you and your significant other can explore is teaching online courses or selling online courses. If you both have a solid breadth of knowledge in a particular field, you can easily select a topic together, design a clear curriculum, and then pre-record engaging video lessons.
When my partner and I created our first course, we were thrilled to earn around $1,000 per month, but some course creators even hit over $10,000 monthly. It’s straightforward: simply open registration, sell a course, and watch your earnings grow.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
To launch successfully, you’ll need basic equipment like a good video-recording tool, user-friendly video-editing software, and of course, deep topic knowledge. You’ll also want to flex your marketing chops to reach the right audience.
Best Platforms to Monetize Your Courses
Sites like Skillshare, Udemy, and Coursera are fantastic places to start, giving your course wide visibility and making it easy to monetize courses.
The Perks of Selling Online Courses
Teaching online lets you choose your schedule, choose your work location, and easily share knowledge while getting paid. You can also sell video lessons separately or sell transcripts for extra earnings.
Potential Challenges of Online Teaching
However, it can be tough to start initially due to strong competition. Continuously needing to plan next course while also working hard to sell prior course can become demanding, but staying consistent can quickly turn it into a rewarding experience.
3. Pet Sitting or Babysitting Together as a Couple
If you and your partner enjoy caring for others, pet sitting or babysitting can become a steady source of recurring work. Couples who take this on full-time can earn decent incomes: typically, pet sitters earn $40,096 per year, while babysitters earn $49,267 per annum. As a duo, you can comfortably manage pets, visit homes regularly, and even manage children—providing relief and peace of mind to busy pet owners and exhausted parents alike.
Essentials for Starting Your Sitting Business
Building a positive reputation is essential, and having either solid childcare experience or animal experience will help you gain clients quickly. Families appreciate sitters they can fully trust, especially when their loved ones are involved.
Best Sites to Get Started
Platforms like Rover, Sittercity, and PetSitter.com are excellent for finding reliable gigs and connecting easily with families needing help.
Benefits of Babysitting or Pet Sitting
This job lets you both work together, offering effective care without constant oversight or supervision—meaning you essentially get paid to sit comfortably while helping others.
Challenges to Consider
However, some downsides include occasionally facing difficult clients or encountering periods of low pay, especially when starting out or during slow seasons. However, patience and persistence usually solve these issues quickly.
Launching a YouTube Channel as a Couple
Starting a YouTube channel together lets you transform your interesting daily life into engaging content that viewers love. From experience, couples with an infectious passion for their chosen topic tend to quickly build a loyal audience eager to watch daily exploits.
On average, an average YouTuber makes $1.61 per 1,000 views, with earnings reaching up to $29.30 per 1,000 views once your channel grows. To become eligible to monetize YouTube through the YouTube Partner Program, you’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 hours view time in a year or your Shorts acquire 10 million public views in 90 days. All you need is an original concept, consistently recorded videos, edited videos, and regular uploads videos.
Essentials to Kickstart Your Channel
Getting started is easy: a decent smartphone or basic camera, good lighting, user-friendly video-editing software, and plenty of original ideas are enough to launch your channel professionally.
Advantages of Building Your YouTube Presence
Once established, you’ll unlock multiple revenue streams, including earning from video ads, affiliate links, sponsored content, selling merch, licensing content, and even selling courses. Plus, couples who make content together often find opportunities to become celebrity figures, especially if their popular channel receives significant fan payments.
Drawbacks to Consider
Yet, getting started can be tough, especially in an oversaturated market. There’s substantial behind-the-scenes work like planning videos, editing, and carefully tracking views. Initially, the journey can feel tedious, and it’s genuinely hard to get a foothold, but persistence and patience always pay off.
4. Launching an Event Planning Side Hustle Together
Event planning is an ideal gig for couples who love helping others celebrate milestones such as weddings, birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, or festive holidays. On a professional level, couples who pursue this hustle full-time can expect to make $55,560 per year.
When clients seek services, your role will involve helping them find a venue, secure vendors, and meticulously review details to ensure event success. My partner and I found joy in coordinating stylish soirees while building lasting relationships with satisfied clients.
What You’ll Need to Start Strong
Having some party planning experience, completing basic event-planning coursework, and excellent people skills will set you apart from competitors and ensure smooth events.
Top Platforms to Find Your First Clients
To quickly land gigs, check out platforms like Upwork, FlexJobs, and Event Marketer. These sites help you showcase your skills to clients actively seeking your expertise.
Perks of Event Planning as a Couple
You’ll have the freedom to channel your creativity, meet new people, and build network connections effortlessly. Plus, there’s no degree needed, making this hustle accessible to most couples.
Challenges to Consider
However, the stressful environment of handling big events, occasional travel demands, and periods of reduced income during slow seasons are potential drawbacks. Being adaptable as a couple helps manage these stresses effectively.
Why Starting a Side Gig Together Is Worth It
Starting a side gig with your significant other is a great way to strengthen your relationship while adding a reliable second source of income. My partner and I found that collaborating on a project allowed us to easily achieve our financial goals faster without needing to consider quitting your full-time job. Together, you can balance the workload and share the responsibility rather than trying to manage a business alone, making the experience more enjoyable and far less overwhelming.
Additionally, having a partner allows you to leverage your skills, pursue what you’re genuinely passionate about, and freely explore your creativity. You’ll discover it’s easier to experiment with new business ideas, share valuable insights, and build a well-rounded business model. Plus, this financial safety net can greatly ease the stress of daily expenses.
Regularly taking the time to communicate and share your thoughts helps you uncover and appreciate new traits of your partner, deepening your mutual bond beyond just the financial benefits. It’s truly one of the most profitable and fulfilling decisions you’ll make as a couple.
Couple’s Cash: Practical Side Income Tips
When diving into a side hustle, the first and most important thing is to establish open communication. From personal experience, setting aside time for regular check-ins ensures you’re both on the same page, reducing the chance of misunderstandings or financial issues.
It’s essential to clearly discuss your passions, determine what you hope to achieve, and set clear expectations from the start. Being open about your talents, skills, and areas of expertise will help you both identify each other’s strengths and divide tasks to maximize efficiency and overall productivity.
Next, make sure you handle the practical aspects: set realistic goals, define clear timelines, and be ready to adapt or adjust as needed. Use tax tools, online banking services, and proper bookkeeping methods to accurately track income stream in a hassle-free way.
To protect your personal assets and ensure personal liability protection, consider forming an LLC—it provides a separate legal entity, safeguarding your side hustle from potential legal issues. Platforms like Doola let you register your business online quickly, offering valuable small business resources to help protect business assets.
Ultimately, choose side hustles that align with both interests, turning your work into a creative outlet that’s genuinely enjoyable, contributing to your mutual personal growth. Remember, your joint dedication, hard work, and perseverance are the true keys to earning steady additional income together.