Practical and low-effort side hustles to make extra money while staying warm and cozy indoors.
Winter has always felt like a season for slowing down, reflecting, and spending more time at home. But as much as I love cozying up with a warm drink and a crochet project, I also find myself thinking about how I can be more intentional with my time—especially when it comes to boosting my budget.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking into different ways to make extra money, and I’ve learned something important: you don’t have to turn your hobbies into a full-time job to make a little side hustle out of them. Sometimes, the best side hustles are the ones that fit naturally into your life, things you already enjoy or small tasks that don’t take up too much time.
If you’ve been looking for ways to bring in some extra cash this winter—whether to save for a spring trip, pay off holiday expenses, or just have a little financial cushion—here are some ideas to get you started.
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1. Online Side Hustles You Can Start Instantly
Perfect for anyone who wants to make money from home with little to no upfront investment.
Freelancing & Virtual Work
I’ve been seriously considering starting on Fiverr—offering services like designing Pinterest pins and drafting articles. I already love making Pinterest graphics for my blog, and writing comes naturally to me, so why not turn that into a little extra income? Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork make it easy to offer services based on skills you already have, whether it’s graphic design, social media management, or even proofreading.
Some ideas for beginner-friendly freelancing gigs:
✔️ Writing & Editing – Blog articles, resumes, product descriptions
✔️ Virtual Assistance – Admin tasks, email management, Pinterest scheduling
✔️ Social Media Help – Creating Instagram captions, TikTok scripts, or engagement
✔️ Graphic Design – Pinterest pins, ebook covers, printable templates
💡I personally use Canva for all of my blog graphics and pinterest pins its very beginner friendly! Check out my benable list for beginner blogger resources!
Microwork & Data Annotation
If you don’t want to commit to a long-term gig, microwork can be a great way to earn in small bursts. I’ve looked into platforms like Clickworker and Microworkers, which pay for simple tasks like tagging images, reviewing search results, or transcribing short audio clips. There’s also data annotation work, where you help train AI by labeling data—companies like Appen and Scale AI offer these kinds of tasks.
It’s not going to replace a full-time income, but if you’ve got 10–20 minutes here and there, it’s a way to passively earn while watching TV or winding down for the night.
2. Cozy & Creative Side Hustles: Turning Hobbies into Extra Cash
Winter is the best time to lean into creative side hustles, whether that’s making handmade goods or selling digital downloads.
Selling Handmade Crafts: Online vs. In-Person
Selling handmade crafts online can be tough—competition is high, and getting your products in front of people takes effort. But selling in person? Sometimes that’s a whole different game.
If you’re a crafty person, consider:
✔️ Selling to friends, coworkers, or local groups instead of immediately setting up an Etsy shop.
✔️ Signing up for craft fairs, farmer’s markets, or holiday pop-up shops to reach a local audience.
✔️ Offering custom orders—people love personalized gifts during winter!
If you prefer online sales, Etsy and Facebook Marketplace can still work well, but patience is key.
💡 I am personally researching and looking into getting a stand at a craft fair soon! I also have an Etsy shop, I’m still working on getting discovered if you want to help support then check it out here!
Selling Digital Products: Low-Maintenance, High Reward
If the thought of shipping products feels overwhelming, digital products are a great alternative. Once you create something, you can sell it over and over with no extra work.
✔️ Printables – Budget planners, meal planners, journal templates
✔️ Ebooks & Guides – Short guides on topics you know well
✔️ Stock Photos & Graphics – If you take aesthetic photos, you can sell them!
💡 If you want some ideas, I also offer printables on my shop, I use Canva to create them, there is some upfront work of creating your product but with digital downloads you can expand your shop and its a great future investment!
3. Low-Effort Side Hustles That Work in the Background
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t take much time, these passive ways to earn might be worth trying.
Affiliate Marketing & Cashback Apps
Affiliate marketing is one of my favorite ways to make money because it’s literally just recommending things I already love. Through Benable, I can share curated lists of products—from budgeting tools to my favorite cozy self-care essentials—and earn a small commission when people make purchases through my links.
If you’re interested in getting started with affiliate marketing, subscribe to my newsletter for an invite code to join Benable!
And for easy cashback, don’t forget about apps like:
✔️ Rakuten & Honey – Get cash back on online shopping.
✔️ Fetch Rewards & Ibotta – Earn rewards for scanning receipts.
✔️ Swagbucks & Qmee – Get paid for surveys, searches, and shopping.
Decluttering & Selling What You Already Own
A simple way to make extra money in winter is by decluttering. I’ve sold old clothes, books, and tech gadgets on places like:
✔️ Poshmark & Mercari – Best for clothes, shoes, accessories
✔️ Facebook Marketplace – Fastest for local sales
✔️ Trade-In Programs – Amazon, Apple, and Best Buy
💡 I went through the KonMari Method at the beginning of 2025 and enjoyed it a lot, but I had so many items to get rid of! I was able to flip some of these items and keep the ones that truly mattered to me!
Conclusion: Small Steps Toward Financial Freedom
Winter is the perfect time to experiment with side hustles that fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re picking up a new freelancing gig, selling crafts in person, or just decluttering for extra cash, every small step adds up.
Let’s Recap:
✔️ Try an online side hustle like freelancing or microwork.
✔️ Sell handmade or digital products.
✔️ Use cashback and passive income apps.
✔️ Declutter and sell items you no longer need.
Join the Journey—Let’s Grow Together!
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your go-to side hustle for the winter months? Drop a comment below or connect with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Threads!
✨ Check out my YouTube channel—I’ve just started posting, and I’d love your support! Let me know what kind of videos you’d like to see.
Cas Lin
Small Possibilities
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