5 Side-hustles to start this weekend

In the spirit of Workers’ Month, why not become your own boss on the side? Many of these ideas require very little to no cash to start – just your time and a bit of hustle.

1. Baking from home

Whether it's rusks for the tea table or a cake for a baby shower, there’s always a market for home-baked goods. Start in your own kitchen and post your bakes on local WhatsApp groups or social media. Word-of-mouth is your best friend here. A few orders a week at R350 to R650 each can easily bring in R3,000 to R5,000 a month, doing what you love. 

2. Grow and sell cacti and succulents

Succulents and cacti are easy to grow from just a leaf or a cutting. Start with fast-growers like Sedum, Jade Plants, Paddle Plants, and Moon cacti. Once they sprout babies, pot them into simple terracotta pots. Plants that cost you just a few rand to grow can sell for R35 to R150 at weekend markets or on Facebook Marketplace. Your biggest investment is simply patience.

3. Rent out a room or cottage

If you have a garden cottage or a spare room standing empty, you’re sitting on an asset. A long-term tenant offers steady income starting from around R2,000 a month, while popular spots on Airbnb or LekkeSlaap can bring in even more. Just remember to keep a bit aside for the extra water, lights and general wear-and tear that comes with having someone on the property.  

4. Buying and selling

If you have a knack for spotting a bargain, flea markets, auctions, or Gumtree can hold some undiscovered gems. Stick to what moves fast – branded clothing and electronics. Start with as little as R500 in stock and build it up as you go. A good eye can easily net you a few thousand extra a month

5. Photography & social media content creation

If your smartphone has a decent camera, you’ve got a business in your pocket. Offer product shots for local businesses or family portraits at the park. A weekend session could earn you R1,500 to R4,000. Start with building your own social media page – it’s proof you know your stuff.

Taking it to the next level

While many hustles start small, you might eventually need some upfront funding to grow – perhaps a professional oven to handle more orders, or a quick renovation to get that garden cottage market-ready. The smartest first step is to check your credit score and see what offers you qualify for. As long as the extra income you’ll earn comfortably covers the repayments and leaves you with a profit, using credit to scale your business can be a sensible way to make your money work harder for you.

Our JustMoney Coach pro-tip 

The best side hustle isn’t the most complicated one – it’s the one you actually start.