13 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Aurora, IL [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: February 22nd, 2024

13 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Aurora, IL [2024]

Looking to make easy money or start a business in Aurora, Illinois?

There are several quick and easy ways to make extra money in Aurora, IL. One option is to take on a part-time job, such as working in retail or at a restaurant. Many businesses in Aurora are often in need of additional help during the busy holiday season or on weekends.

Additionally, participating in the gig economy by offering services such as dog walking, house cleaning, or yard work can be a lucrative way to make extra money in Aurora. Apps like TaskRabbit and Rover make it easy to connect with potential clients.

Overall, there are plenty of opportunities to earn some extra cash in Aurora. Whether you are a student looking to earn some spending money or a full-time employee looking to supplement your income, these quick ways to make extra money in Aurora, IL are sure to help you out.

In this post, we provide you with 13 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Aurora, Illinois.

Here they are:

1. Become A Retail Sales Associate

A sales associate is a retail employee who greets customers on arrival and helps them with purchases. If a customer has a problem with a purchase, such as a damaged item or incorrect size, the sales associate will be the one assisting them with returns and refunds.

If you are thinking of becoming a sales associate, it can be great to make money as a side hustle in Aurora.

Earning Potential: Up to $18/hour

Requirements:: To become a sales associate, you will need to have an Associate's degree or high school diploma. Also, you'll need an understanding of customer service and sales. If you have basic skills in math, good communication, and a positive attitude, it will be beneficial for you.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to become a sales associate.

How To Get Started: You can find sales associates and other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.

2. Become A Cashier

A cashier maintains knowledge of weekly ad items, gives customers direction on product location throughout the store, is familiar with events and seminars going on or coming up, and maintains excellent communication with the front end manager and head cashier at all times.

Earning Potential: Up to $2.5k/month

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent, and 1-2 years of recent cashiering experience. Have and show an outgoing and friendly behavior, a positive attitude, and the ability to interact with our customers.

Investment needed: No investment needed!

How To Get Started: You can log into simplyhired.com and start your journey as a cashier here.

3. Become A Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers are responsible for delivering items from one location to another. Delivery drivers may need to deliver various goods like food, furniture, other household goods, etc, plus they are also responsible for loading & unloading.

Becoming a delivery driver is a good side hustle in Aurora as there are a lot of businesses that hire delivery drivers. You can earn a good income, work as per your time, and be independent.

Earning Potential: Up to $21/hour

Requirements: To become a successful delivery driver, you must have a valid driving license and your own car. Though no basic education is compulsory but still having a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate will be helpful. You also need to be physically fit as your job will include some heavy loading and unloading.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

You can find some delivery driver jobs here or here. Provide whatever documents they require, and work on establishing a strong delivery network.

4. Rent Out Your Attic Or Garage

Do you have an attic or a garage space that you do not use anymore? Then put it on rent to make some extra cash.

You can rent it to local people or businesses that are looking for space to run their operations and can function in the limited space of a garage or attic. A lot of small business owners look for this kind of space in the initial stage of their journey so you won't have a hard time finding a customer/client.

Earning Potential: Up to $100/month (depending on the size of your space and which city or state you are residing in)

Requirements: You will need an extra garage or attic that is habitable with basic facilities like electricity and ventilation.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed if the place is already in good condition.

How To Get Started: You can list your space and set your own price on websites like Airbnb, Apartments.com, LoopNet, Neighbor and more.

5. CDL Truck Driver

A CDL (Commercial Driver's License) truck driver is responsible for operating and driving a commercial truck, typically over long distances, to transport goods and materials. The job duties will include inspecting and maintaining the vehicle, loading and unloading cargo, keeping accurate records of deliveries, communicating with dispatchers, performing basic vehicle maintenance, and adhering to hours of service regulations among others.

Inspecting and maintaining the vehicle

Becoming a CDL truck driver is one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash in Aurora. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: You can make $28.52/hour on an average

Requirements: To become a CDL truck driver, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a written test and a road test to obtain a CDL. Employers may also require a minimum number of years of experience and a clean driving record.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Apply to be a truck driver find here.

6. Become A Part Time Barista

If you love the smell of coffee and want to be surrounded by the smell of it then the barista job is for you. You can work as a barista in your local coffee shop in your free time and earn a side income. Your job will be to make coffee or coffee-based beverages and serve them to the customers.

Earning Potential: Up to $16/hour

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age, have the flexibility to work multiple shifts, good communication skills & basic math skills. It will work as a bonus if you can show any previous experience of working as a waiter/waitress or barista, also having knowledge of how to handle brewing equipment will be an extra plus.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost to work as a barista if you want to start as a fresher. Otherwise, if you want to take a professional barista training it can cost you anything between $120 - $$2,600.

How To Get Started: You can search for barista job listing on popular job portals like Indeed.

7. Start Working At Afternoons and Closing Shifts

Working afternoon and closing shifts can be an excellent way to earn extra income in Aurora while still having the flexibility to pursue other interests. It may also lead to opportunities for career advancement and increased responsibility as you gain experience and develop new skills.

Opportunities for afternoon and closing shift work are available in various industries like retail, food service, and hospitality. You can work as a sales associate, cashier, server, bartender, hotel clerk, or front desk agent, providing excellent customer service and earning extra income while having the flexibility to pursue other interests.

Earning Potential: Earn around $13 - $16 per hour

Requirements: You need to excellent customer service skills are often essential, as many of these positions involve interacting with customers or guests. Also, you need to be reliable, punctual, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Some employers may require specific certifications or training for certain positions, such as food safety certification for roles in the food service industry.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills/certifications for your chosen industry.

How To Get Started: There are many platforms that offer you the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field like Simplyhired & Indeed.

8. Room Attendant

The room attendant is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the guest rooms assigned. Previous cleaning experience and the ability to communicate with guests are preferred.

This job environment demands exceptional performance yet reaps great rewards. Whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment, or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then it's best for you.

Earning Potential: Earn upto $2k-3k per month

Requirements: Working as an individual who is focused on providing efficient service and meaningful experiences with refined verbal and written communication skills.

Investment needed: Training to become a housekeeping room attendant can cost $1.5k-$2k.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to make a decent amount of money in this field, from jooble.

9. Make Money Renting Out Your Camera

If you are a photographer or videographer with a variety of camera accessories gathering dust, you can make good money by simply renting that equipment. because there is a sizable market and rising demand for renting out equipment in Aurora.

You can rent out your cameras or equipment on the Sharegrid platform. It is a fantastic way to earn some extra cash and save your camera from getting nonfunctioning.

Earning Potential: Up to $60/day

Requirements: Simply post images of your old equipment or camera on the rental website or app and wait till your ad reaches your potential customers. You don't need to consider anything else besides that.

Investment needed: You don't have to pay anything to list your items on rental websites because they are all free. If you already own a camera and other photography equipment there is no investment necessary.

How To Get Started: Visit websites like sharegrid.com and list your camera for rent.

10. Become A Nurse

Nursing in Aurora is all about actively providing exceptional care to patients at the appropriate time and in the correct location. This job requires planning and delivering professional nursing care to patients in a virtual clinic setting in compliance with medical and nursing plans of care and established rules and procedures.

The nurse will use multiple telehealth platforms, including but not limited to video visits and remote patient monitoring equipment, to deliver nursing duties, education, and technical assistance to the patient and providers.

Earning Potential: Earn around $38-$40 per hour

Requirements: This work needs a BSN, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, or a Nursing Diploma from a recognized institution. All registered nurses who do not have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (or above) will be expected to enroll in and finish a suitable BSN program within two years of their start date.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to find a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like Indeed.

11. Become A Subway Sandwich Artist

A Subway Sandwich Artist is a customer service role at a Subway restaurant. In this position, you would be responsible for preparing and making sandwiches, handling food and ingredients, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

The job may also include cash handling, cleaning, and other duties as required by the store. You can apply for the job by visiting a Subway store in Aurora or by searching for open positions on the Subway website.

Earning Potential: Up to $1.5/month

Requirements: No previous experience is required. Ability to understand and implement written and verbal instruction. Must be able to work any area of the restaurant when needed and to operate a computerized Point of Sale system/cash register.

Investment needed: No investment needed!

How To Get Started: Download the Indeed app and start your journey as a subway sandwich artist here.

12. Get A Part Time Bartending Gig

If you live in in Aurora and your surrounding neighborhood is filled with bars and pubs, you can work as a part-time bartender and make some extra cash.

If you enjoy socializing and a fast-paced environment, bartending can be extremely lucrative and a fun way to meet new people.

Earning Potential: Bartenders make $14/hour on average.

Requirements: You'll need to meet the minimum age of your state to serve alcohol, a high school diploma & training or certificate in this field can get you ahead of others. You might have to be flexible about working night shifts and working on weekends. Having a positive & engaging personality along with good communication skills can work as a bonus.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have prior experience working as a bartender. Otherwise, a 40-hour bartending program can cost anywhere between $200 - $800.

How To Get Started: You can drop off your CV at your local pubs or bars or, you can apply for bartending jobs on job searching platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn.

13. Start A Blogging Channel

Starting a blog is something many people want to do and some even manage to start one. But what happens when you're ready to start getting serious with it?

Creating your own blog will help you begin a sustainable income stream, which you can increase with the creation of new products and services. The first step is deciding what type of blog you want to start, this could be an e-commerce store, a beauty blog, or even a cooking channel.

Earning Potential: $1,000 per month with 12 months

Requirements: Blogging is the art of writing and publishing blogs. It requires a lot of blogging skills, especially in writing blogs. There are various demands from the blogger's side and from your side as well.

Investment needed: It requires some money, time and investment. You should know that you need to find a good market for your blog because it will help to gain serious users engagement and traffic.

How To Get Started: Blogging is a great way to share what you know and build your personal brand. To achieve this, you'll need an audience. The easiest way to find that audience is by writing blog posts.

How Jodi Carlson Grew A Niche Blog To $6.5K/Month

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Pat Walls