If you’ve recently found yourself struggling with rising debts, finding extra money for payments can be a challenge. Many households already have tight budgets, making it hard to cut back more. When you can’t afford minimum payments, taking on summer jobs for extra cash may provide needed income.
Top 10 Summer Job Opportunities for Extra Cash
The following summer positions are some of the best options for generating supplementary income to put towards debt settlement payments or other debt repayment goals. Landing one of these summer gigs can provide a cash boost at the perfect time to tackle outstanding balances.
Virtual Assistant
Working as a virtual assistant allows you to earn money from home by providing administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. Common tasks include email management, scheduling, data entry, customer service, social media management, writing, research, billing, bookkeeping, graphic design, web development, and more.
It’s an extremely flexible opportunity, as you can choose your own hours and work for multiple clients. Pay averages $15-$40 per hour based on your skillset and experience. Top virtual assistants can earn over $50+ per hour with specialized expertise. The income can give you extra cash to pay down debts.
Some key benefits of virtual assistant jobs:
- Work remotely with flexible scheduling – great for parents, students, or anyone seeking work-life balance
- Wide range of administrative and technical duties to choose from based on your strengths
- Can work for multiple clients at once to increase income
- Little to no prior experience required for many entry level roles
- Average $15-$40 per hour based on your skills and credentials
- Gain valuable experience to build your resume
- Ability to set your own rates and hours
- Low overhead to get started – just need a computer and internet connection
This is an ideal way to earn supplemental income on your own schedule this summer that can go directly towards paying off balances. And virtual assisting provides excellent opportunity for growth. Many VAs eventually start their own successful digital consulting agencies.
Finding Clients as a Virtual Assistant
Freelance Writing Gigs
Freelance writing is something you can do in your spare time over the summer to earn supplemental income. Writers are hired to create website content, blog posts, marketing materials, eBooks, whitepapers, case studies, social media posts, product reviews, press releases, newsletters, and more. The ability to write engaging, informative content quickly is key. Pay rates start around $15-$20 per 250 words but can go up to $60-$100+ per hour with specialized knowledge and writing samples. This remote work allows you to set your own schedule and make money that can chip away at debts.
Benefits of freelance writing jobs:
- Flexible schedule, work from home
- Wide variety of writing gigs – marketing, copywriting, blogging, editing, proofreading, journalism
- Can build a writing portfolio showcasing your diverse skills
- Pay rates from $15-$100+ per hour based on your niche, skills and speed
- Steady paychecks
- Great way to earn extra income from writing talents
- Gain professional writing experience
With discipline and persistence, you can line up steady writing clients over the summer. This income can provide vital funds to tackle debt repayments. Top writers can even make a full-time living as freelancers.
Getting Freelance Writing Jobs
Create accounts on sites like Contena, Scripted, Skyword or Constant Content to access open writing assignments. Check job boards and online groups for additional opportunities. Reach out to businesses directly pitching your skills. Attend local networking events to make connections. Promote your writing services and portfolio through your website and social media. Consistently produce quality content on tight deadlines to build your client base. Consider specializing in industries like tech, healthcare, or business to command higher rates.
Babysitting
Babysitting is a classic flexible job. As a babysitter, you’ll watch children while parents are working, spending a night out, or traveling. Responsibilities usually include playing games, preparing meals, bathing kids, monitoring bedtime routines, transportation, and keeping the children entertained and safe. Parents want trustworthy, engaging, and mature sitters. Get your name out on local Facebook parent groups, NextDoor or sites like Care.com. Babysitting rates run $15-$25 per hour or more for 2-3 kids.
Why babysit for extra summer income:
- Flexible scheduling, work nights and weekends
- Gain valuable childcare experience
- Make $15-$25+ per hour
- Cash payments immediately after each gig
- Meet local families in your community
- Enjoy hanging out with kids
- Supplemental income helps pay down debt fast
Babysitting provides a fun way to spend time with children while also earning decent hourly pay that can quickly add up. The extra cash can help you get ahead on debt payments. Try offering summer camp or educational activities to increase your value.
Marketing Your Babysitting Services
Create flyers with your rates, qualifications and contact info and post them on community boards. List your profile on babysitter listing sites. Reach out to neighborhood parent groups on Facebook. Ask families you’ve sat for to spread the word. Offer discounts like 10% off for new clients. Highlight your expertise with ages, CPR training certifications. Share photos of you engaging with children. The more you promote your services, the more jobs you can land. Offer add-ons like homework help or driving to increase earnings.
Pet Sitting
Pet sitter jobs are on the rise, especially through sites like Rover or Wag. As a pet sitter, people hire you to watch their pets when they’re away. Duties involve going to client’s homes to feed pets, play with them, administer medications, clean up accidents, and provide walks, companionship, and loving care. You set your schedule and rates. Sitters earn around $15-$50 per 30 minute visit or $20-$100+ per night stay. Experience with animals is vital, along with a love for pets.
Benefits of pet sitting for extra cash:
- Flexible schedule, work when available
- Earn $15-$50 per 30 minute visit
- Overnight stays pay $20-$100+ per night
- Get to play with cute animals!
- Gain animal care experience
- Meet pet owners in your area
- Set your own rates based on services
- Supplemental income helps pay bills
- Low start-up costs for your own pet care business
Pet sitting allows animal lovers to earn solid pay while bonding with furry friends! It’s an easy way to bring in supplementary income that could give you the cash boost needed to get debts under control. Many pet sitters even grow thriving full-time businesses.
Getting Pet Sitting Clients
Sign up on Rover or Wag to access their nationwide client base. Check Nextdoor and Facebook for local postings. List your services on community boards. Provide discounts for new pet parent clients. Emphasize your genuine love of animals. Offer pet taxi services and dog walking add-ons. Spreading the word and providing 5-star care will steadily grow your client pipeline.
Data Entry
Data entry roles allow you to make money by transferring information from paper documents into digital databases and computer systems. It involves accurately inputting things like names, addresses, product details and more. This remote work has quick turnaround times and pays around $14-$16 per hour. Entry level positions are widely available if you’re comfortable using a computer keyboard and have basic data management abilities. The extra cash can help tackle debt.
Advantages of data entry work:
- Remote gigs with flexible hours
- Entry level roles widely available
- Pay averages $14-$25 per hour
- Gain valuable computer and data skills
- Quick turnaround times on most projects
- Can work for multiple companies at once
- A steady stream of global data entry jobs
If you’re looking for an easy work-from-home job, data entry is a solid choice. The projects provide a steady stream of income that could give you the funds needed to stay on top of debt repayments over the summer. With some experience, you can get higher paying data extraction or analytics gigs.
Finding Data Entry Work
Search job boards like FlexJobs, Remote.co and WeWorkRemotely for open data entry roles. Sign up on sites like ClickWorker that match you with global data clients. Look for temp agency listings in this field. Having speed and accuracy with computer data entry and good attention to detail will make you a competitive applicant. Data entry provides stable remote income that can help tackle balances.
Bookkeeping
Local small businesses often need help managing their finances over the summer. As a freelance bookkeeper, your clients will hire you to maintain their accounts receivable/payable, process payroll, file taxes, and organize financial records. Attention to detail is important in this role. Bookkeeping rates range from $15-$30 per hour based on your skills and credentials. It’s a flexible way to use your financial know-how to earn extra income for debt payments.
Why try bookkeeping:
- Work remotely with flexible hours
- Utilize accounting and finance skills
- Pay rates from $15-$50 per hour
- Gain experience with small business finances
- Expand your client portfolio
- Help local businesses during the busy season
- Supplemental income helps pay down debt
- Can work towards CPA or bookkeeping certifications
With the right expertise, bookkeeping is a lucrative summer gig. The income can provide vital cash flow to maintain debt payments while also gaining valuable experience. This is also a great experience if interested in launching your own bookkeeping consultancy.
Getting Clients as a Bookkeeper
Create a website highlighting your bookkeeping credentials, rates, and services offered. Join local business networking groups to connect with potential clients. Offer discounted intro packages to secure your first few small business clients. Ask current clients for referrals of other local companies that need help. Consistently deliver excellent work to keep clients coming back. Consider getting Quickbooks or Xero certified to boost your credentials. Offer to help organize finances for busy professionals too.
Lifeguard
Working as a lifeguard at a pool, beach, or waterpark is a classic summer job. There are many open positions across the country that provides a steady income which could help make debt payments. You’ll get paid $10-$15 per hour to sit by the water, get some sun, and ensure people stay safe. It requires certification in water safety and first aid from a program like the American Red Cross. This job is ideal for strong swimmers with good attention skills to monitor the water. The seasonal income can give you more money to put towards chipping away at debts.
Perks of lifeguarding:
- Earn $10-$15 per hour
- Get pool/beach/waterpark access
- Maintain water safety & CPR certifications
- Build attention and emergency response skills
- Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air
- Provide a needed community service
- Steady seasonal income source
- Low-stress job with lots of downtime
Spending summer days poolside while getting paid is a great gig for strong swimmers seeking to reduce debt. The income can significantly help tackle balances when you limit spending.
Finding Lifeguard Gigs
Get the proper certifications from courses at your local rec center, YMCA or Red Cross chapter. Check municipal parks and rec, neighborhood pools, beaches, gyms, and waterparks for job openings. Emphasize your training and any prior experience working with kids. Apply early, as competition can be fierce for these fun seasonal gigs. With some experience under your belt, you may be able to get higher-paying lifeguard roles at luxury hotels, resorts, or private pools. Being a lifeguard is an easy way to earn solid income in the sun that can go towards debt repayment.
Camp Counselor
Being a camp counselor allows you to spend the summer outdoors while also earning funds that may help with your debt situation. Sleep away camps hire counselors to supervise campers, lead activities like sports, crafts, games, and hiking, and serve as a mentor. Prior experience with children is preferred but not required. Pay can include room and board along with a weekly stipend around $250-$500 or more for seasoned counselors. Working at a summer camp provides a nice income boost that could allow you to pay down balances faster.
Why be a camp counselor:
- Get to work outdoors with kids
- Earn weekly stipend plus room/board
- Build leadership and mentoring abilities
- Share your talents through camp activities
- Make lifelong friends and memories
- Gain teaching experience for your resume
- Supplemental income helps tackle debt
- Have a fun, adventurous summer!
Spending a summer as a camp counselor can be rewarding on many levels – including providing income to put a dent in debts. It’s a unique way to reduce balance while positively impacting children’s lives and having fun. Gain skills in child development, outdoor education, recreation management, and more.
Finding Camp Counselor Positions
Look for job listings on sites like CampStaff and CoolWorks. Reach out to local camps you attended as a kid. Leverage your existing network and social media. Highlight any prior experience supervising youth, tutoring, coaching etc. Apply early, as the hiring process can be lengthy with interviews, background checks and training. Consider roles like arts, music, nature, sports, and waterfront instructors if you have relevant experience. Landing a well-paying counselor gig provides the best of both worlds – fun summer memories and income to pay down debt.
Retail Sales Associate
Department stores, clothing boutiques, surf shops and other mall retailers hire extra staff in the summer to handle increased customer volumes. As a sales associate, your duties include greeting shoppers, operating the cash register, stocking shelves, tidying up the store, and providing product recommendations. It’s a straightforward job ideal for earning supplemental income to put towards debts, even without prior retail experience. Most stores pay $10-$15 per hour, with opportunities for bonuses and commissions for top sellers. The employee discount is nice too! With a flexible schedule, retail can work well alongside a primary job or summer classes.
Benefits of retail summer work:
- Gain customer service skills
- Earn $10-$15 per hour base pay
- Flexible scheduling available
- Employee discounts on purchases
- Fast-paced work environment
- Build retail industry knowledge
- Opportunity for commissions and bonuses
- Steady paychecks to tackle debt
Part-time retail allows you to earn solid income this summer with hours that can fit around your other commitments. The paychecks contribute vital funds for getting debts under control. And entry-level retail builds great experience for more lucrative sales roles down the road.
Finding Retail and Customer Service Jobs
Local malls, department stores, movie theaters, grocery stores, boutiques and shops hire summer seasonal help. Inquire directly with stores about openings. Check company websites and job boards for listings. List any prior retail or customer experience. Highlight your ability to work flexible shifts on nights and weekends. Apply to multiple locations for the best odds of getting hired. Retail provides a straightforward way to earn extra income you can use for debt payments. The more stores you apply to, the better chance of landing a retail gig with good earning potential this summer.
Restaurant Server
Those willing to work in the busy restaurant industry can make excellent money as a server over the summer. Fine dining establishments, cafes, diners and casual eateries all need extra wait staff and bartenders to handle large summer crowds. While tips will make up a large portion of your earnings, base pay starts at $5+ per hour. Serving experience helps get hired, but some restaurants will train outgoing people with good customer service skills. This fast-paced job can provide vital income to tackle your debt.
Why serving is a hot summer gig:
- Earn $20-$30+ per hour with tips
- Flexible scheduling, nights & weekends
- Social, active work environment
- Gain valuable food service experience
- Meet new people every shift
- Base pay plus daily tips
- Significant income opportunity
- Get free meals!
Waiting tables allow motivated workers to earn impressive sums through base pay and daily tips. A restaurant job is a great way to take home vital extra income that can make a real dent in your debt. And the food industry offers lots of upward mobility for hard workers.
Landing a Restaurant Job
Check listings at local restaurants, bars, country clubs and banquet halls on their sites, social media, and job boards. Talk to servers you know for leads at their establishments. Emphasize any prior food service experience like hosting, prepping, or dishwashing. Highlight your stellar customer service skills. Offer to start out in support roles like bussing tables to get your foot in the door. With drive and dedication, you can earn major tip income this summer. Consider hostessing or bartending if you have the right skillset. Restaurants need hard working folks, so sell your work ethic.
Finding the Right Summer Job for You
When selecting a second job to earn extra cash for debt repayment, choose one that fits your schedule and skills. Avoid jobs that conflict with your primary occupation, as you don’t want to end up losing more money than you make.
Look for summer openings that align with your interests and availability. For example, if you love sports, lifeguarding or camp counseling could be great fits. If you prefer animals, try pet sitting. Those with tutoring experience can market their skills. Introverts may want to consider remote work like virtual assisting or data entry.
Consider things like:
- What days and times can you work? Night and weekends?
- Do you want to work remotely or on-site?
- What industries interest you? Retail? Restaurants? Childcare?
- What existing skills can translate into summer work?
- What kind of environment do you thrive in?
- How much income do you need to generate?
The key is picking summer work that feels like a good match, so you’re motivated to put in the hours needed to generate supplemental income. Just make sure to thoroughly consider how a second job will fit with your primary job and other commitments. Seek opportunities that provide the best income potential within your schedule and interests.
Get Help With Your Debt
If you need assistance developing a personalized debt payment plan, contact financial experts for a free consultation. We have extensive experience with debt settlement services Our team can negotiate with creditors to reduce your balances and create a manageable payment schedule tailored to your situation. The income from a summer side job can provide vital extra funds to put towards your new debt payment program.
Our debt relief services include:
- Free initial consultation
- Customized debt payment plan
- Lower interest rates from creditors
- Consolidated payments
- Improved credit score
- Peace of mind
We know that financial struggles can feel overwhelming. Our compassionate experts will provide judgment-free guidance and support. There are options available to take control of your debt and work towards financial freedom.
The Debt Relief Process:
- Schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your full financial picture.
- We’ll negotiate with creditors to reduce interest rates and balances owed.
- We set up customized monthly payments to fit your budget.
- Special savings accounts are used to settle debts
- We handle all interactions with creditors for you.
- You gain financial skills to avoid future debt.
Contact us today to discuss your debt relief options. Our team is here to help you find the light at the end of the tunnel. With hard work this summer and the right debt payment plan, you can overcome debt and gain financial confidence. Don’t tackle debt alone – let us help guide you on the path to financial freedom.
