The summer season is typically a time to sit back and let loose under the shade of palm trees with your toes dug beneath the sand. It’s a time to put your worries and work duties on standby as you sip on your chilled Martini and enjoy the warm summer breeze wafting through your body.

But that’s not for everybody.

Some people see the summer as a chance to make some extra cash from an audience of eager spenders. If that sounds like you, then read on and learn some quick and simple ways to fill your pockets over the season.

1.      Filipinos love cold/chilled sweets.

S’an aabot ang 20 pesos mo? A business as small and simple as selling ice candies can go a long way. With just minimal capital and maybe an extra freezer, you’ll find that living in a neighborhood full of kids and energetic teenagers is actually good ground to start a business.

And if you happen to have some extra space at your place, why not open a full blown halo-halo stand? With just a capital of P800 to a couple thousand pesos, you can make your chunk of the neighborhood a sweet oasis for young and old people alike.

2.      You could never go wrong with a food stall.

That’s if you strategically place yourself in an area with the least possible competition. Filipinos love the idea of street food. It’s a go-to for barkadas strolling around the neighborhood or for basketball players after a good game at the court. The only thing you have to think about now is what you have to offer to the neighborhood. A good ol’ barbecue stall is great for folks who want a quick solution for dinner time.

-        But other after-dusk snack items such as the usual kwek-kwek, siomai and fishball are huge hits to local communities as well. It’s not at all pricy to put up but it’s sure to yield great rewards for those diligent enough to push through with it.

3.      Get online!

Being in the digital age, it only makes sense to take your business interests online. There are a plethora of opportunities to find when you browse through the web but it shouldn’t be a surprise if you discover your niche in your favorite social media platform. Like what’s mentioned above, you can take your food business endeavors online and rake in customers and special orders from there. But if you’ve got the guts to unleash your inner influencer, you can opt to contact local beach resort and restaurant owners to promote their businesses and get paid via commission. It entirely depends on where your interests lie.

4.      Do a summer workshop.

Turn your hobby into something profitable. Everybody has something they’re good at, and in your case, it doesn’t have to be a skill you’ve developed to perfection. Do you play music? Are you a great cook? These are things you can teach to absolute beginners that, with a well thought out plan targeted to the right audience, could be your next gig.

Summer’s fast approaching and you’ve got an opportunity to give your bank account a health boost. With some planning, a small capital and a little bit of elbow grease, you’ll be well on your way to having your very own profit-bearing side hustle.