What’s a Side Hustle Stack and How to Build a Hustle Stack that Works for You 

Because sometimes just one side hustle isn’t enough 

If your paycheck feels like it’s coming up short every month, or you’re just tired of relying on one side hustle for an added source of income, a side hustle stack could be the way to go.

Some have likened side hustle stacks to crafting a playlist for your wallet: you mix and match hustles (plural) that vibe with your lifestyle, time, and goals. The result? A diversified income stream that keeps cash flowing each month.

Of course, not all side hustles are created equal. Some pay well but require too much commitment, while others offer freedom but barely fill half your tank. 

That’s where the appeal of stacking comes in. By layering complementary gigs, you can maximize your earning potential while still having time to live your life.

This guide will walk you through what side hustle stacks are, how to build them, and examples of different kinds of stacks. 

What is a side hustle stack?

A side hustle stack is a combination of multiple gigs, usually related, that you can do to make extra money. With this approach, you aren’t reliant on just one gig.

Let’s say you’re a student who dashes for DoorDash. Imagine there’s a hiccup with your account where you need to resubmit forms and wait for a manual review. This could derail your earnings for half a week or more, and impact your ability to make rent.

But if you had also signed up to deliver for UberEats and Instacart, you could shift your work to those other opportunities to avoid any gaps in pay.

Other student side hustle stacks might be food delivery combined with selling old clothes on Depop and tutoring on weekends through Wyzant.

The idea is that these hustles work together to fill your downtime without stepping on each other’s toes.

Why side hustle stacks work:

1. Diversification: When one hustle slows down (hello, post-holiday slump), another might pick up.
2. Maximizing skills: You can flex different talents—creative, technical, or organizational—to create a more balanced and engaging stream of income.
3. Flexibility: Stacks can adapt to your changing life. Got more free time? Up your hours with one hustle. Need a break? Scale back.

Whether you’re saving for a big expense, paying down debt, or building your own “f*ck off fund” (yes, that’s a real fund), a side hustle stack gives you control over your earning power.

How to build your perfect stack

So, how do you create a stack that works for you? Start with some basic steps.

1. Assess your goals and resources 

Ask yourself: What am I hustling for? Quick cash? Long-term savings? Guilt-free DoorDash orders? Your goals will determine which gigs to explore.

Also, take stock of your resources:

• Time: Do you have 10 hours a week or just an hour a day?
• Skills: Can you write, design, or code? Or are you more comfortable driving, selling, or teaching?
• Upfront costs: Some hustles (like reselling or freelancing) require tools or subscriptions, while others (like rideshare driving) need your car and a full tank of gas.

2. Match stacks to your lifestyle

The best stack is the one that fits seamlessly into your routine. A few examples:

• For busy parents: Combine flexible gigs like Instacart (during school hours) with passive ones like affiliate marketing. 
• For night owls: Think freelance writing on Upwork paired with late-night food delivery for UberEats.
• For weekend warriors: Offer local services like lawn care or pet sitting alongside selling thrift store finds on OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace.

3. Start small and layer over time

You don’t need to dive in with three hustles on day one. Start with one gig that feels manageable and add more as you build confidence. For example:

• Month 1: Sign up for DoorDash and experiment with restaurants, hotels, and delivery routes. (James signed up for DoorDash to give it a try. See how it went!)
• Month 2: Add a passive gig, like selling print-on-demand products on Redbubble.
• Month 3: Layer in freelancing on TaskRabbit for a higher income ceiling.

4. Optimize and experiment

Side hustles aren’t a one-size-fits-all deal. If something’s not working—like long delivery wait times on Instacart, or you just plain loathe it—swap it out for a better option. Apps like Fiverr, Turo, or Rover might be better fits.

Pro tip: Don’t forget about tax implications. Keep track of your earnings and expenses using tools like QuickBooks Self-Employed or a simple spreadsheet.

Examples of side hustle stacks

Not all side hustles play nice together, so picking the right combinations is key. Here are some proven stacks based on different lifestyles and goals.

Quick cash stacks 

Perfect for: Students, part-timers, or anyone who needs fast money with minimal setup

• DoorDash: Deliver food during peak hours for a steady stream of income. Tips can boost your earnings. Sign up for DoorDash today and start earning!
• Amazon Flex: Deliver packages when DoorDash is slow. Enjoy flexible scheduling that pairs well with other gigs.
• Surveys on Swagbucks: Knock out surveys during downtime for extra cash. No commute, just your phone or laptop. You can sign up for Swagbucks and start earning right away.

Creative freelancer stack

Perfect for: Designers, writers, and anyone with a creative, marketable skill.

• Etsy: Sell digital products like Canva templates or stock photos. You create once and sell infinitely. Start your Etsy shop today—it’s easier than you think!
• Upwork: Take on freelance gigs for clients looking for design or writing work. High-paying projects can fund your creative ventures.
• Print-on-demand with Redbubble: Turn your designs into T-shirts, mugs, or posters. Completely passive once set up.

Remote worker stack

Perfect for: People who love working from their laptop and want a more stable stream of cash.

• Virtual assistant work: Offer scheduling, email management, or social media support on platforms like Fancy Hands or Fiverr. Benefit from stable clients, and you can do it anywhere.
• User Testing: Get paid to test websites and apps for usability issues. Testers are paid per task. It’s relatively high pay for minimal time commitment.
• Affiliate marketing: Use your blog, YouTube channel, podcast, or social media account to recommend products and services for commissions. Build over time for consistent income.

For more inspo, check out these 50 remote side hustle ideas.

Passive income stack

Perfect for: People who want to earn while they sleep.

• Rent out your stuff on Turo or Fat Llama: Earn from your car, camera, or even camping gear. Many high-value rentals require low effort.
• Dividend-paying stocks: Use platforms like Robinhood or Stash to invest in stocks that pay you quarterly. Build wealth over time with minimal maintenance.
• Sell ebooks: Write an ebook and sell it on Kindle Direct Publishing. Set it up once, and royalties keep rolling in.

Lazy side hustle stacks I’ve tried 

As a mom with a full-time 9-to-5, I’ve done numerous side hustle stacks before. The work hours have been more sporadic but the yearly earnings all shake out the same. 

Here’s an example of a lazy side hustle stack I have going now and the yearly earnings from it:

$1,000: Selling used kids’ clothing in buy-sell-trade groups on Facebook. (I had taken a hiatus when I had a style scout consigning for me on Kidizen, but am back in the saddle.) 

$100: Selling my kids’ old clothing (pieces I can’t consign on Facebook groups) to Once Upon A Child. 

$50: Claiming cash back for supermarket (mostly Target, let’s be honest) purchases from Ibotta. (I regularly forget to claim the offers upfront, otherwise the figure would be more like $150 to $200).

$200: Doing free offers and claiming cash back on Swagbucks. (I used to be much more active on the rewards app, earning $500-$1K+ a year.) 

$150: Earning cashback rewards from Rakuten. I use both Rakuten and Swagbucks for cashback rebates, going with whichever platform is offering the higher payout. 

$500: Cashback rewards using my Upromise credit card. (I have the rewards linked to go directly into my kids’ college savings accounts.) 

$400: Earnings for micro-investments in Stash and Arrived. (I signed up for both apps! Read my reviews of Stash and Arrived.)

These stacks add up to an extra $2,400 a year. Except for selling my kids’ old clothing, these other side hustles are completely passive and don’t require any additional effort from me. 

My regular full-time job, as a full-time freelance writer, might also be classified as a side hustle too since I’m hustling in income writing for many different clients. It’s an 80-hour-week grind, otherwise I’d be hitting my hustle stack much harder. 

Common side hustle pitfalls and how to avoid them

Side hustle stacks sound easy, but it’s still paid work and they come with their challenges. Here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes:

Burnout

Trying to juggle too many hustles at once can lead to exhaustion. Start small and scale up as you get comfortable.

Not tracking earnings

It’s easy to lose sight of your actual profit after taxes and expenses. Use apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed to track everything.

Chasing bright and shiny

Not all hustles are worth the time. Focus on gigs that align with your skills and goals, even if they don’t sound as trendy. If all the side hustles are low-paying but enjoyable, the juice is probably still worth the squeeze.

Bottom line

Side hustle stacks aren’t just a way to make extra money—they’re a financial safety net, a creative outlet, and sometimes even the launchpad for something bigger. 

Whether you’re driving for DoorDash, freelancing on Upwork, or renting out your camera gear, the beauty of stacking is control and variety. You don’t need to commit to just one approach. Experiment, mix, and match until you find the stack that works for you. And remember, the sooner you start stacking, the sooner you’ll see those earnings pile up.

Ready to start your side hustle journey? Pick your first gig from the list and dive in today.