I Tried 3 Side Hustles at 52 — One Paid Me $800 in 7 Days

Why I Looked for a Side Hustle at 52

I didn’t think I’d be learning how to make money online at 52.

But life has a funny way of rewriting your plans. A year ago, I finalized my divorce after nearly 28 years of marriage. I went from sharing everything — income, expenses, even dreams — to suddenly looking at my modest savings and wondering, “Will this be enough?”

Spoiler: it wasn’t.

Retirement was still years away. My part-time admin job covered the basics, but left no room for emergencies, vacations, or… living. I didn’t want to depend on my kids. And deep down, I knew I still had something to offer.

But who would hire a 52-year-old woman with no tech background and a fear of TikTok?

I didn’t even know what Fiverr was until I saw a YouTube video titled “How I Made $500 With AI in a Week”. That curiosity — plus a bit of desperation — led me down a rabbit hole. And from that rabbit hole came three very different side hustles.

Here’s what happened.

---

Side Hustle #1: Selling Digital Printables on Etsy

The first side hustle I tried was Etsy printables.

I’ve always loved quotes and organization — my house is full of sticky notes and framed affirmations. So when I heard people were selling digital planners and printable wall art, I thought, “Maybe I can do that too.”

I opened a free Etsy account, watched a few tutorials, and signed up for Canva (which, thankfully, was beginner-friendly). I made 5 designs in one weekend — a simple budget planner, two motivational quote posters, and a weekly meal tracker. I listed them for $3 to $6.

But here’s the thing no one tells you: it’s not “post and profit.”

It took me hours to get the listings right. SEO? Tags? Thumbnails? I felt like I was back in school trying to learn a new language. And after two weeks… crickets. Not one sale.

Emotionally, it was a mix of excitement and doubt. “Maybe I’m too old for this.” “Maybe it’s oversaturated.” But I kept tweaking.

By the end of the month, I made my first sale. $3.50.

It wasn’t much. But it was real. And it gave me just enough hope to keep going. I still have that Etsy shop — it earns me around $40–60/month now, mostly passively. Not life-changing, but it taught me I could create something people wanted.

Related: Start Building Wealth with $100

---

Side Hustle #2: Website User Testing

Next, I tried website testing.

I signed up for UserTesting.com and TryMyUI — both of which pay you to test websites and apps and give feedback. Basically, you record your screen and voice while you click around and say what you’re thinking.

Simple enough, right?

Not always.

The tests are first come, first served — and they go fast. I had to refresh the dashboard constantly just to grab one. And when I did, I had to make sure there were no background noises, speak clearly, and follow specific instructions.

I did about 7 tests over three weeks. Each paid between $10–$15 for 15–30 minutes of work.

Total earnings? $85.

It was decent money per test, and honestly, kind of fun. I felt useful. Some sites asked things like “Did this button confuse you?” or “What would you expect to happen here?” — and I realized my opinion had value, even if I wasn’t a techie.

The downside? Inconsistent availability. Sometimes I’d go days without qualifying for a single test.

Still, if you’ve got a quiet space and a good internet connection, I recommend trying it. It boosted my confidence more than my bank account.

---

Side Hustle #3: Selling AI-Generated Social Media Packs (My $800 Week!)

Now for the third one — the one that shocked me.

This started almost by accident. After my Etsy flop, I kept hearing about AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva. People were using them to create content, write blog posts, even design Instagram carousels.

One night, I followed a tutorial on how to use ChatGPT to generate inspirational quotes and captions, then used Canva to design them into sleek, colorful posts.

They looked… surprisingly professional.

I created 10 posts, bundled them as a “Motivational Instagram Pack,” and listed them on Fiverr.

I didn’t expect much. I even forgot about it for two days.

Then — ding! My first order: $25 for a 10-post pack.

That week, things exploded. A wellness coach bought 3 custom packs. A mom blogger wanted 30 posts in her brand colors. One buyer asked for quote posts with her logo added.

In 7 days, I made $800.

Here's the rough breakdown:

• 3 × $25 bundles = $75
• 2 × $100 custom orders = $200
• 1 large order for $500 (30 custom posts + captions + delivery in 48 hours)

Did I lose sleep? A little.

But the joy of delivering something beautiful — something mine — and getting paid for it was electric.

I reinvested $15 in Fiverr ads, got a few reviews, and suddenly I wasn’t invisible online anymore.

Related: AI Side Hustles That Work in 2025
Related: Earn Money Online from Home in 2025

---

What I Learned at 52 — And What You Can Learn Too

Trying new things at 52 wasn’t easy.

There were days I doubted myself. Days I wondered if all this “make money online” stuff was just for 20-somethings on TikTok.

But this journey taught me three powerful lessons:

1. You’re Not Too Old to Start

I thought the internet had passed me by. But now? I see women in Facebook groups starting Etsy shops, launching coaching businesses, and freelancing — all in their 50s and beyond.

Your age is not a weakness. It’s experience.

2. Start Messy — Just Start

None of my projects were perfect. My first Canva designs looked like kindergarten art. My Etsy listings were awkward. My Fiverr gig had typos at launch. But I started. And starting changed everything.

3. Don’t Underestimate What You Know

Even if you’re not a designer or a tech whiz, your taste, your life experience, your voice — all of it matters. You can learn the tools. What you bring to the table is irreplaceable.

---

Which Side Hustle Would I Recommend?

All three taught me something. But if I had to recommend just one?

Start with AI-generated content services.

It’s fast, creative, scalable, and in-demand — and with tools like ChatGPT and Canva, you can start for free.

You don’t need to be an expert. Just curious. Just willing.

---

Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late

If you’re over 50 and wondering if it’s too late — it’s not.

I made $800 in a week doing something I had never even heard of a month earlier. Was it all sunshine? No. But it gave me confidence, cash, and a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years.

So here’s my advice: Start. Messy. Now.

Try something new. Fail a little. Learn a lot. Keep going. Because your next chapter doesn’t have to look like your last.

And who knows? You might just surprise yourself — like I did.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it really possible to start a side hustle at 50 or older?

Yes, absolutely. Age is not a barrier — in fact, your life experience can be an advantage. Many people over 50 are finding success with flexible, remote-friendly side hustles that don’t require physical labor or advanced tech skills. The key is choosing something you’re curious about and willing to learn.

Do I need to be tech-savvy to make money online?

Not at all. I didn’t know what Fiverr or Canva was when I started. Most modern tools like ChatGPT or Canva are beginner-friendly and designed for people without technical backgrounds. There are also free tutorials everywhere to help you learn as you go.

How much time do these side hustles take?

It depends. Creating digital products on Etsy may take more time upfront, while user testing only takes 15–30 minutes per test. AI content creation (like Instagram packs) can scale faster once you find your flow. In my case, I dedicated about 1–2 hours a day and saw solid results within the first few weeks.

Which side hustle pays the fastest?

From my experience, offering services on Fiverr (especially AI-generated social media packs) paid off the fastest. I earned $800 in just 7 days once I got my first few clients. That wouldn’t have happened on Etsy or with testing sites — those are slower to grow.

What side hustle would you recommend to someone just starting out?

If you're just starting and want quick wins, I highly recommend combining ChatGPT with Canva to create simple content like quote posts, templates, or Instagram bundles. It’s easy to learn, costs nothing to start, and the demand is growing.

Related: Earn Money Online from Home in 2025

Can I really earn enough to make a difference?

Yes. Even small wins — $100 here, $50 there — start to add up. In just one month, I covered bills that used to stress me out. With consistency and learning, some people scale side hustles into full-time income. But even as a part-time option, it’s powerful.

What’s your biggest piece of advice for women over 50 who feel stuck?

Start before you're ready. You’ll never feel 100% prepared. Don’t wait to be perfect — just be willing. Every mistake teaches you something. You’re not behind. You’re exactly where your next chapter begins.