Living in a rural area usually means fewer job opportunities, but there are also unique opportunities to earn extra income that you won’t find in the city. In fact, many people living in rural areas rely on side hustles to supplement their regular income, including those who are self-employed. If you live off the beaten path, even just a little, here are 6 ways you can earn some extra cash.
- Miscellaneous hauling services
A Kubota full-size utility vehicle is ideal for hauling materials around, towing trailers, and making property maintenance easier. They’re durable enough to navigate rugged terrain, and are powerful enough to be used as a snow plow with the right attachment.
So, how can you make some money with one of these? Most people who live in a rural setting need hauling services, whether it’s removing a junk vehicle, getting firewood delivered, or having junk hauled off the property. But some properties are hard to access with large trucks and full-sized trailers when the driveways are narrow, curvy, and there’s no sufficient turnaround spot. That’s where a Kubota UTV comes to the rescue.
By offering hauling services, you can earn cash from people who can’t get services from regular companies. Even junk car companies are picky about the cars they’ll take based on how the vehicle is situated. If it’s too tough to access, they’ll pass. But a UTV is small enough and strong enough to pull just about any vehicle to a location accessible by a tow truck. And if you don’t mind removing the gas tank, you can take junk cars to the crusher yourself and keep the cash.
- Gutter cleaning
Owning a property in a rural area requires constant upkeep, and sometimes gutters and yard maintenance fall to the wayside. But homeowners know that gutters full of debris are prone to water damage and ice dams. Still, many are too busy to complete this task, and if you can clean gutters without any fuss, many people are happy to pay between $100-$200, depending on the job. It’s reliable seasonal work, and if you do a good job, you’ll end up with loyal, regular clients.
- Weed whacking and lawn care
Whether you’re battling wild weeds or just need regular maintenance, weed whacking is a time-consuming task that some homeowners would rather outsource. Trimming tall grass and weeds around gardens, driveways, and fence lines can be a great source of income. Depending on the area and the client, you can earn between $25 and $50 per hour.
- Seasonal cleanup
Another tedious task homeowners often need is debris removal after the windy season. You can earn some cash clearing fallen branches and leaves, and cutting broken tree branches that haven’t detached fully. If you have a tractor or UTV, you can dig up bamboo by the roots for clients who don’t want to use poison in their yard. Although it’s hard work, it’s always in demand and is a simple way to earn decent side cash. And when you add in hauling services to remove the debris, you can charge even more.
- Fixing potholes
Rural areas with private gravel and dirt roads are prone to potholes. While the homeowners in some neighborhoods all chip in for regular road work, many don’t. You’re guaranteed to find sections of neighborhoods where nobody regularly maintains the roads, and the potholes grow bigger by the day. Sometimes all that’s needed is a small pickup bed full of gravel to fill everything in. To make it stick, you can use a concrete filler or go all out with crushed asphalt and pack it in with a roller.
- Prep work for gardens
Many people living in rural areas have big gardens, but they take a lot of prep work to create. And while manual prep work is tough, not everyone has access to a tractor or excavator. Whether you own your equipment or rent it just for the job, it’s easy to earn cash helping people prepare their yard for a garden. When you offer prep work at a reasonable rate, people will be happy to pay you so they can avoid the grueling manual labor.
Rural side income opportunities are vast
Earning extra income in rural areas isn’t hard once you know what services people need and how to set your rates competitively. Just make sure to get a business license and proper insurance if it’s required in your state for the type of work you plan to perform. Whether you stick with simple tasks like cleaning gutters or offer full-service hauling and prep work, you can create a thriving, profitable side hustle.
