The Big Picture on Weird Side Hustles:
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- From typing poems in the park to fighting robocallers, the most unexpected ideas can generate serious income.
- Skills in mechanics, interior design, or legal knowledge can find surprising demand on the right platforms or social media.
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Each hustle blends creativity with smart positioning—proving that with the right twist, almost any idea can become a business.
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If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two (or a thousand) about unconventional income streams, it’s Nick Loper—founder of Side Hustle Nation and host of The Side Hustle Show. With over a decade of interviewing people who’ve turned passion projects into paychecks, Nick has seen it all—especially the weird, the wacky, and the wonderfully profitable.
We sat down with Nick to dig into some of the most out-there side hustles he’s come across. Here are five of our favorites:
1. “Pay-What-You-Want” Typewriter Poetry in the Park
In Tennessee, a man set up his vintage typewriter in a local park and offered pay-what-you-want poems to passersby. The result? He made $200–$300 in just a few hours on a sunny Saturday.
Was he a starving artist? Not necessarily. But it was a creative, joyful way to earn extra cash while connecting with strangers through poetry. Whether you’re a writer, illustrator, or even a joke-teller, there’s room to bring your art into the real world—and get paid for it.
🧠 Side Hustle Spin: Use ChatGPT to speed up your writing or offer customized jokes, love letters, or affirmations.
2. Virtual Mechanic: Diagnosing Cars Over the Internet
Think car repairs are strictly hands-on? Think again.
Through a site called JustAnswer, a former Ford technician named Chris began answering car-related questions remotely. From helping diagnose strange noises to recommending repairs, Chris reportedly earned up to $14,000 a month. Yes, all while staying grease-free.
🧠 Side Hustle Spin: If you have niche expertise—plumbing, law, health, or anything else—platforms like JustAnswer can help you monetize it without clocking into a 9–5.
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How the 2025 Tax Law Creates Massive Advantages for Real Estate Investors
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is a sweeping 940-page piece of legislation that’s made major waves in the world of taxation. While many provisions are complex or narrow in scope, real estate investors are emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries.
If you’re currently in the market—or even considering dipping your toes into real estate here’s what you need to know about the four major tax changes that can seriously improve your return on investment in 2025 and beyond.
3. Luxury Dorm Room Designer ($20K+ Projects!)
When Mary Margaret posted a TikTok of her daughter’s well-designed dorm room, it went viral. That single video led to a full-blown business designing dorm rooms—at $20,000 to $30,000 per room.
This became a must-have service among wealthy families at southern universities, particularly in SEC schools. Whether virtual or hands-on, she transformed small student spaces into Instagram-worthy havens.
🧠 Side Hustle Spin: This one’s all about spotting trends. If you can combine aesthetics, functionality, and a high-paying niche (like college students or luxury rentals), you’ve struck gold.
4. Pumpkin Porch Decorating Service (Yes, Really)
In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, one woman turned seasonal pumpkin arrangements into a million-dollar business. Her team curated, staged, and delivered gorgeous fall-themed porches with—you guessed it—lots of pumpkins. No carving involved.
Her seasonal business boomed between August and November, fueled by social media buzz and southern love for porch aesthetics.
🧠 Side Hustle Spin: People will pay for convenience and a vibe. Seasonal services—from holiday decorating to gift wrapping—can become big earners if marketed well.
1. 100% Bonus Depreciation is Back (and Permanent)
Let’s start with the showstopper: 100% bonus depreciation is not only back it’s permanent.
This means that if you invest in real estate, you can now write off the full depreciation of qualifying assets in the same year you purchase them. Prior to this change, bonus depreciation was being phased out under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reducing to 40% in 2025 and down to 20% in 2026 before vanishing completely.
Thanks to the new law, real estate investors can now:
Write off 100% of building improvements and qualifying components (e.g., HVAC, roofing, security systems) in year one.
Accelerate tax savings and reduce upfront taxable income.
Enjoy major deductions even in passive investment deals, like real estate syndications.
This is especially useful in models like the “Lazy 1031 Exchange,” where investors reinvest capital gains into new passive real estate opportunities, using upfront depreciation losses to offset taxable gains from previous deals without the red tape of a traditional 1031 exchange.
2. Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) Made Permanent
Originally introduced in 2017 to spark investment in low-income communities, Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) allow investors to defer and reduce capital gains taxes by reinvesting into designated “opportunity zones.” Under the new law:
QOZs have been made permanent on a rolling 10-year cycle, starting in 2026.
States can continue to define and update which areas qualify as QOZs.
Investors holding qualifying QOZ investments for 10+ years pay no capital gains on the investment’s growth.
Bonus: A new 5-year rule now grants a 10% capital gains tax reduction if you hold a QOZ investment for at least five years. Essentially, your cost basis increases by 10%, shrinking your taxable profit when you sell.
While the jury is still out on the broader impact of QOZs, this update is a significant motivator for real estate investors to explore value-add deals in underserved areas.
3. Expansion of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
As affordability continues to challenge many housing markets, the government is encouraging more private investment in affordable housing via the LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) program.
Here’s what’s new:
The new law raises the cap on how many credits states can issue.
It relaxes eligibility criteria tied to project financing especially those using tax-exempt bonds.
These changes apply from 2026 through 2029, though the expansion isn’t permanent.
This makes it easier for developers and syndicators to fund affordable housing and increases the supply of tax-advantaged real estate deals. In clubs like ours (Co-Investing Club), many members have already invested in LIHTC-backed properties, particularly in workforce housing that supports teachers, police officers, and other public servants.
It’s not a partisan issue it’s practical. And with this expanded support, more investors can contribute to real-world impact while also enjoying excellent tax benefits.
4. Higher Taxes for Foreign Investors from Certain Countries
The final major change is one that’s stirred some political controversy: higher taxes on foreign investors from specific countries deemed to have "discTo recap:
riminatory" tax practices toward U.S. companies or citizens.
The new law introduces:
Extra taxation on real estate investment income earned by foreigners from countries on a government “discriminatory” list.
A strategy meant to pressure foreign governments into offering better tax treatment for U.S. interests abroad.
Notably, several close U.S. allies made this list Canada, the UK, Israel, Australia, Germany, and France, to name a few. While the effectiveness of this move remains to be seen, it may cause hesitation among global investors considering U.S. real estate.
For U.S.-based investors, this change may mean:
Less competition from international buyers in high-demand markets.
Potential softening of prices in select coastal or global cities.
It’s a complex and evolving issue, and not every country is affected. But it does suggest a stronger focus on favoring domestic investors—at least in the short term.
5. Fighting Robocallers (and Getting Paid for It)
Tired of spam calls? One man in the Pacific Northwest turned that annoyance into a side hustle. Every time he got a robocall, he’d keep the caller on the line until he was transferred to a U.S.-based agent. Then, he’d gather enough info to threaten legal action under the Do Not Call Registry law.
Companies were quick to settle—paying him anywhere from $500 to $2,600 per case. In total, he’s made over $40,000.
🧠 Side Hustle Spin: This hustle takes patience, cleverness, and a dash of legal savvy—but the payoff can be significant.
Bonus Tip: Join Our Co-Investing Club For Hassle-Free Real Estate Investing
Want to enjoy the potential of passive real estate without having to buy real estate? Invest with our exclusive Co-Investing Club at SparkRental!
Our unique platform allows members to collaboratively evaluate and invest in diverse real estate opportunities, including private partnerships, notes, syndications, equity funds, and secured debt funds.
With a minimum investment of just $5,000 per deal, our club removes traditional barriers, giving you access to high-yield real estate ventures that typically require $50,000 to $100,000 for individual investments.
At SparkRental, our Co-Investing Club prioritizes diversification across various property types and geographic locations throughout the U.S. Our carefully selected investments span multifamily units, mobile home parks, self-storage facilities, short-term rentals, and more, aiming for average annualized returns of 15% or higher on equity investments and 10-12% interest on debt investments.
Each month, our members join interactive video calls to discuss and vet new opportunities, ensuring everyone has a say.
Best of all, you don’t need to be an accredited investor to join our club!
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, our Co-Investing Club offers a streamlined, community-oriented pathway to passive income and financial growth.
Final Thoughts from Nick Loper
“I love showcasing how people are turning everyday skills—and sometimes just quirky ideas—into income,” Nick says.
Whether it’s a weekend creative outlet or the start of your new full-time gig, there’s never been a better time to get scrappy and start something on the side.
Want more inspiration? Tune into The Side Hustle Show wherever you listen to podcasts, or dive into hundreds of ideas and success stories at SideHustleNation.com.
Bonus: If you liked this roundup, share it with your friends, roommates, or that cousin who’s always coming up with crazy business ideas. You never know—it might spark their next big thing.
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