The holidays are coming, which means budgets get tight fast. Instead of letting November sneak up on you, use the fall window to stack a little extra cash. These ideas work well when the weather changes, kids go back to school, and demand picks up for seasonal help.
Winterization Specialist
Boats, RVs, patio gear, window A/C units, outdoor faucets, even empty vacation homes all need attention before the first freeze. Offer a set checklist, price by the job, and sell convenience. A simple flyer on neighborhood boards, Facebook groups, and Nextdoor can fill your weekends quickly.
Fall Yard Cleanup and Gutter Care
Leaves don’t rake themselves, and lots of folks can’t or won’t do it. Add bagging, mulching, and gutter clears and you’ve got a tidy little package. If you need a benchmark while you build a client list, local yard cleanup and leaf removal often lands in the $40–$75 per hour range, with higher prices for gutter work or heavy haul-away.
Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
Shorter days plus school routines mean busy owners and restless pets. Dog walking, drop-ins, and overnight sits are steady earners, and holiday boarding fills early. Platforms like Rover and Wag make it easier to find clients while you build referrals. Typical take-home varies by market, but walkers commonly land around $17–$22 per hour equivalent, with more for boarding and overnights.
Homework Help and Tutoring
Back-to-school is prime time for math boosts, reading help, essay coaching, and test prep. If you want a marketplace, Wyzant lists many tutors between about $35 and $60 per hour. If you prefer small group classes, Outschool pays 70% of your class price and lets you set topics families actually need after school. Start with subjects you love and post your schedule for weekday afternoons.
Drive Kids to Activities
Parents juggle work, lessons, and games all fall. Services that focus on student rides, like HopSkipDrive, match screened drivers with pre-scheduled trips to and from school or activities. New CareDrivers can see promotional guarantees when onboarding, and typical earnings vary by metro and route. If you prefer more traditional routes, some districts and vendors hire non-CDL van drivers for the school year at hourly rates. Background checks and clean records are required.
Fall Experiences and Tours
If you live near great foliage or scenic drives, package what you already know. Offer a two-hour “best views” walk, a photo tour, or a local coffee-and-colors loop. Airbnb has relaunched and expanded Experiences, and you can apply to host directly. Keep group sizes small and include a clear route, meeting spot, and backup plan for light rain. New to hosting? Read my step-by-step Airbnb Experiences guide before you list your first tour.
Holiday Light Install and Seasonal Decorating
People want festive homes without icy ladders. Offer light installs in October and takedowns in January, and consider simple interior setups for gatherings. Typical professional installs often run a few hundred dollars and scale with house size and lighting. Price your package clearly and show before-and-after photos. Market on Angi or Thumbtack if you need early traction, then shift to referrals.
How to make it work
Pick one idea, set a simple menu of services, and publish your availability. Keep your scope tight so you deliver on time. Collect reviews from the first three clients and use those to raise rates for the next three. A few focused weekends now can pay for gifts, travel, or a head start on your emergency fund.
