My 2021 Side Hustle Income Report: Lessons That Apply in 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more in my full disclosurehere.

 

2021 was a milestone year for my side hustles; I brought in $16,507.93, the most I’d ever made at that point. While the economy, platforms, and opportunities have changed since then, the strategies, systems, and lessons I used are still highly relevant. This post breaks down my 2021 income by category, shares what worked, and highlights the tweaks I’d make today to maximize side hustle growth.

After reaching a new high the previous year, my 2020 side hustle income report set the foundation for what happened next.

2021 Side Hustle Income Report

1. eBay – $5,719.26

For the third year in a row, eBay topped my list. Even though my 2021 sales were slightly lower than 2020, the system of consistently sourcing, listing, and shipping items kept it profitable. Multi-platform selling made up the difference elsewhere.

Helpful resources for 2026 sellers:

• 100 Best Things to Sell on eBay

• How Long Does it Take to Sell an Item on eBay

If you’re trying to increase your income, these are the side hustle ideas that still work today

2. Other Platforms – $4,867.63

Selling on multiple platforms boosted my overall sales. In 2021, I sold items on Craigslist, Bonanza, Poshmark, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and OfferUp. Diversifying where you sell is key to increasing income and avoiding dependence on one site.

Top platforms to check out today:

• Mercari

• Poshmark

• OfferUp

3. Sponsored Content – $3,335.16

Sponsored content tripled in income compared to 2020. The lesson here: building relationships and authority in your niche pays off. Today, social media and newsletter integration can make this revenue even stronger.

4. Other Side Hustles – $1,120.33

This category included surveys, small freelance gigs, and miscellaneous money-making opportunities. Even small wins add up over time.

5. Products – $469.39

My ebook and t-shirt sales grew in 2021. While I lost Merch by Amazon access, alternatives like Teespring and Redbubble still allowed sales. Products are evergreen because they sell while you focus on other hustles.

6. Affiliates – $379.90

Affiliate income dipped slightly because I didn’t actively create or promote content. The lesson: consistent promotion drives revenue. This is still true in 2026; affiliates work best when paired with fresh content and social sharing.

7. Uber Eats – $353.44

Uber Eats promos helped here, though I had less time to drive. Gig work is still viable, but efficiency and timing matter more than ever.

8. Ads – $262.82

Ad revenue was lower due to reduced page views. The takeaway: driving traffic through SEO, social media, and newsletters is key to maintaining this income stream.

What Changed Since 2021

• eBay and multi-platform selling still work, but new apps like TikTok Marketplace and Depop have opened fresh opportunities.

• Sponsored content and affiliates now thrive with social media integration.

• Print-on-demand has evolved. Merch and Spring aren’t the only options anymore.

• Gig work like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart still provides side income, but rates, promos, and demand fluctuate.

Lessons That Still Apply Today

1. Diversify your income streams. Don’t rely on one platform.

2. Systems beat luck: sourcing, listing, content promotion, and consistent effort scale results.

3. Small wins accumulate, even $200-$500 from surveys or micro-gigs adds up.

4. Products and digital goods are evergreen, especially if you build a repeatable process.

5. Track what works and iterate. That’s how I grew from $13,937.39 in 2020 to $16,507.93 in 2021.

Resources I Still Recommend

• GoDaddy — domain registration

• Bluehost / BigScoots — web hosting

• Uber Eats — gig work

• Grammarly — writing and content polish

2021 was a big year for my side hustles. While some platforms have changed, the principles of diversification, consistent effort, and system-building still apply in 2026. My income continues to grow because I track results, refine my approach, and adapt to new opportunities, and you can too. This also has me thinking more seriously about what it takes to reach six figures.

While I don’t publish yearly income reports anymore, I still break down what’s working, what’s changing, and how to adapt inside my monthly newsletter update. Sign up here so that you don’t miss out.