All Blog Things – a Business and Tech News Blog!

Jason Derulo stair fall meme returns as the 2026 Met Gala takes over social feeds

2026-05-05T08:08:00.004-04:00

As the 2026 Met Gala red carpet got underway Monday night, social feeds revived the long-running Jason Derulo stair-fall meme, even though the singer never fell at the Met Gala and has said he never attended the event.

The joke dates to a 2015 tweet that paired Derulo’s name with a photo from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, not New York’s Met steps.

Fact-check: Derulo addressed the rumor years ago in a YouTube video, saying:

“I was actually in rehearsals in L.A. The Met Gala was actually in New York…and I just thought it was hilarious.”

Users on X are posting the meme and saying some weird things. Check a screenshot here:

His Instagram account pushed back again as the meme resurfaced for 2026, posting, “Jason Derulo didn't fall down the stairs at the Met Gala,” a reminder that the joke is built on a false caption rather than an actual Met Gala incident.

The image behind the meme comes from a separate red-carpet mishap at Cannes, where an unnamed man tumbled down stairs during a 2011 festival security scrum.

Derulo’s name was attached later, and the false attribution has been recycled every year when the Met Gala trend cycle returns.

What keeps the meme alive is its simplicity. It is easy to recognize, easy to repost and easy for new viewers to mistake as current.

That has made it one of the Met Gala’s most durable internet jokes, even as the real event keeps moving on without Derulo ever having been part of the story.

Cinco de Mayo 2026 Sees Festive Gatherings Across US Cities

2026-05-05T07:55:00.006-04:00

Communities from Houston to St. Paul marked Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday with parades, festivals, family events, and food promotions as the holiday fell on a Taco Tuesday.

Credit: AllBlogThings / AI

The date commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While not Mexico's Independence Day, the occasion has grown into a major celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially in the United States.

Restaurants rolled out deals to capitalize on the day.

Chipotle offered digital customers free chips and guacamole or chips and queso blanco with any entree purchase using code CINCO26 through its app or website.

According to the company's official announcement:

“Cinco de Mayo is all about coming together over food, and chips and sides are where the celebration begins,” said Stephanie Perdue, Interim Chief Marketing Officer at Chipotle.

Other chains, including Taco Bell, provided promotions such as free Crunchwrap Supremes for qualifying orders via Grubhub+ during the surrounding days.

Local events took place in multiple cities. In Arkadelphia, city officials hosted a free four-hour celebration in the downtown Town Square lot with food, music, and family activities.

Houston scheduled events at the Children's Museum on May 7, including ballet folklorico performances and craft activities. St. Paul held its West Side Fiestas earlier in the weekend with a parade, car show, and live music.

Similar gatherings occurred in Detroit, Austin, Salt Lake City, and New Mexico locations featuring lowrider shows and folk art.

Some planned parades faced obstacles. Organizers in Chicago canceled the Little Village event for the second year, citing concerns over immigration enforcement policies.

In Houston, the annual LULAC Cinco de Mayo Parade was also called off amid similar worries about ICE activity.

A San Antonio event at Market Square was removed from the calendar after an initial listing error.

In Mexico, observances centered in Puebla with traditional parades and historical remembrances of the 1862 battle, though celebrations there remain more subdued compared to those north of the border.

Globally, smaller events highlighted Mexican food, music, and culture in places like Canada and beyond.

Food sales and social media activity reflected strong participation, with chains and independent spots reporting busy traffic tied to the holiday's overlap with popular menu items.

Mother’s Day 2026 falls on May 10 in the U.S., Canada and Australia

2026-05-05T07:42:00.002-04:00

Mother’s Day 2026 lands on Sunday, May 10 in the United States, Canada and Australia, following the long-running rule that puts the holiday on the second Sunday in May.

It is not a federal holiday, so schools, stores, restaurants and transit systems are expected to follow normal Sunday schedules even as the day drives one of the year’s biggest gift and dining rushes.

In the United States, the modern holiday traces back to Anna Jarvis and the campaign that led President Woodrow Wilson to issue a 1914 proclamation.

In that proclamation, Wilson called for the second Sunday in May to be observed as “Mother’s Day” and described it as “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”

The Library of Congress says Jarvis held an 1908 memorial service in West Virginia that became the seed of the holiday as it is known today.

The date is not universal. Other countries observe mothers on different Sundays or on different calendar dates entirely, which is why Mother’s Day can fall weeks apart depending on where you are.

In the U.K., for example, the celebration is Mothering Sunday and is tied to the church calendar rather than the May schedule used in the U.S. and Canada.

For families planning around the holiday, the timing means the usual late-spring spike in flowers, cards, restaurant reservations and delivery orders is already underway.

Holiday references note that businesses often see heavier traffic around the day, even though the holiday itself does not trigger a federal shutdown.

One year after Microsoft retired Skype, the app is still fading into Teams

2026-05-05T02:56:00.006-04:00

One year ago today, Microsoft retired Skype, ending the consumer video-calling app’s standalone run and pushing users toward Microsoft Teams Free.

In Microsoft’s support notice, the company says:

“As of May 5th, 2025, Skype is retired.”

In the announcement that preceded the shutdown, Microsoft said, “we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub.”

The transition was framed as a simplification move.

Microsoft said the change was meant to “streamline our free consumer communications offerings” and let the company focus on Teams Free, which it described as offering Skype’s core features plus meetings, calendars, and communities.

The software giant also said Skype users could sign in to Teams Free with Skype credentials and that chats and contacts would move over automatically during the transition.

The shutdown did not land as a hard cutoff for every part of the product on day one. Microsoft said Skype users could export their data, and that existing paid subscriptions and calling plans would continue for a time.

Skype for Business was excluded from the retirement notice, and Microsoft kept the Skype Dial Pad available to remaining paid users through the Skype web portal and Teams Free after the retirement date.

A year on, the bigger change is that Microsoft has shifted the remaining Skype afterlife into data migration and cleanup.

In a December 20, 2025 update to the support page, Microsoft extended the export window until June 2026 and said users should submit export requests before data deletion begins on April 1, 2026.

The company also said active Skype users who moved to Teams Free before December 1, 2025 can still see their Skype chat and call history inside Teams Free.

That leaves Skype in a familiar Microsoft pattern.

The brand is gone as a consumer product, but pieces of its identity, contacts, and message history are still moving through Microsoft’s newer communications stack.

For people who used Skype for years, the practical question now is not whether the app is still alive. It is how much of their old account history they want to rescue before the export window closes.

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden welcome third child, a son named Nautas

2026-05-04T16:44:00.001-04:00

Credit: Benji Madden / Instagram

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden have welcomed their third child, a son named Nautas Madden, according to an Instagram announcement Madden shared on May 4.

In the caption, he wrote, “Cameron and I are Happy, Excited, and feeling so BLESSED to announce the birth of our third Child, Nautas Madden,” and added that the family is “having a blast.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Benji Madden (@benjaminmadden)

The couple, who married in 2015, are already parents to daughter Raddix and son Cardinal.

The announcement did not include a photo of the baby, matching the pair’s long-running effort to keep their children out of the public eye.

Even though some are saying yes, there's no public confirmation that Cameron Diaz used a surrogate for her third child.

There is no public confirmation that Cameron Diaz used a surrogate to welcome her third child. The only confirmed detail so far is that Benji Madden announced on Instagram that the couple had welcomed a son; he did not mention a surrogate in the post.

Diaz and Madden have kept their children out of the public eye, and the announcement about Nautas followed the same pattern they used for their earlier family updates.

Public reporting from earlier years says the couple privately welcomed their first two children through surrogate, but that does not confirm anything about the third child.

So far, the answer is simple: the couple has confirmed the birth of baby No. 3, but not the method of birth.

Diaz and Madden did not share any further details about the birth, including when it happened or where.

The announcement keeps the family’s usual privacy intact and adds another child to a household that has largely stayed off social media and away from the spotlight.

Subway Closes 729 More U.S. Restaurants as Decade-Long Retreat Continues

2026-05-04T09:45:00.001-04:00

Subway closed a net 729 U.S. restaurants in 2025, ending the year with 18,773 domestic locations, according to industry data published this week.

The sandwich chain, long cast as a McDonald’s rival by store count, has now posted ten straight years of U.S. declines, with all of its domestic units franchised. The chain’s U.S. footprint peaked at more than 27,000 stores in 2015.

The shrinkage is part of a much longer reset.

Since 2016, Subway has closed a net 8,345 U.S. restaurants, a drop large enough to match the footprint of some major restaurant chains on its own.

Even after the cutbacks, Subway still holds the top spot for U.S. store count, ahead of Starbucks and McDonald’s, while the company says it operates nearly 37,000 restaurants worldwide and is still building through master franchise deals abroad.

Subway’s leadership is presenting that contraction as a tradeoff, not a retreat.

When the company named Jonathan Fitzpatrick chief executive officer last July, he said:

“I'm honored to lead this iconic brand that has been serving guests around the world for 60 years,” adding that he was focused on driving “increased sales and franchisee profitability” and growing the brand around the world.

A March master franchise deal in Taiwan carried the same theme, with Subway saying the brand has a “recognized and trusted” position in the market and that its partner’s approach positions the company for “continued expansion and long-term success.”

However, McDonald's rival closed 729 more restaurants after 79 years in competition, and it shows a clear sign that McDonald's is winning at business.

OPPO confirms Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s India launch!

2026-05-04T08:20:00.010-04:00

OPPO has confirmed that the Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s will launch in India in May 2026, extending the Find X9 lineup in the country from two models to four.

In its India announcement, the company said the expansion follows the earlier launch of the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro in India last November, and it described the new additions as part of a broader push to widen access to its imaging hardware.

“The Find X9 Series underscores our commitment to delivering a truly premium smartphone experience to users in India. With the introduction of the Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s, we are expanding access to our advanced imaging technology to users who depend on their devices for both everyday captures and creative expression. These devices are designed to offer greater flexibility, capabilities and confidence, enabling users to shoot, create and share with ease.” Goldee Patnaik, head of communications at OPPO India, said in the company’s announcement.

The Ultra is the headline model.

OPPO says the Find X9 Ultra uses a new-generation Hasselblad Master Camera System built around its LUMO Image Engine, with a 50MP 10x optical telephoto camera and support for advanced photography and video features.

The company’s global product page also lists dual Hasselblad 200MP cameras, 8K Ultra-Clear Video Recording, and a 7050mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.

The Find X9 sits beneath it with a more mainstream flagship pitch.

OPPO’s global page says the phone carries a 7025mAh battery, 80W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, ColorOS 16, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 platform and 4K video at 120fps in Dolby Vision.

The company positions it as a camera-first phone with 120x Super Zoom and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens.

For the Find X9s, OPPO is using a travel and everyday-content framing, calling it a “Hasselblad travel companion” and saying it is built for portraits, landscapes, travel and social content.

The India announcement says pricing, availability and the exact launch timing will follow closer to May, which means OPPO has confirmed the window but not the day or the market pricing.

The India move matters because OPPO said in March that the Ultra line would expand beyond China for the first time.

The company framed that step as a global rollout, and India is now part of that plan, with the Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s set to join a lineup that already includes the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro in the country.

British Airways Taxi Pilots to Get $100K Annually for Taxiing Planes at O'Hare

2026-05-04T07:20:00.004-04:00

British Airways is advertising a Chicago-based “ground taxi pilot” role that pays $90,000 to $100,000 a year and asks experienced Boeing 777 and 787 pilots to move widebody jets between terminals at O’Hare rather than fly them.

The airline’s career page says the position is for “ground taxi operations at Chicago O’Hare Airport” and that the selected pilot will serve as Pilot in Command or Second Pilot.

The job listing says the purpose is operational, not promotional.

British Airways says the pilot will:

“play a critical role in helping achieve On Time Performance by safely ground taxiing British Airways Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft between terminals at Chicago O'hare airport.”

It also says applicants should have recent experience operating the 777 or 787 as a Captain or First Officer, along with a strong safety record and familiarity with O’Hare procedures.

O’Hare’s terminal layout helps explain why the role exists.

Chicago’s airport says Terminal 5 is separated from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and passengers connecting between Terminal 5 and the other terminals use the Airport Transit System or terminal transfer bus rather than a pedestrian connection.

The airport’s official transfer pages also say Terminal 5 is the arrival point for international travelers and that passengers connecting onward may need to move between Terminal 5 and the domestic terminals.

The job is unusual because it turns a captain-level flying skill set into a ground-operations role, but the listing makes clear that the work is still tied to aircraft handling and safety, not apron towing or cabin service.

British Airways has not said publicly whether the role is a temporary fix, a permanent Chicago assignment, or part of a wider station staffing plan, and the posting on its careers site remains live.

Original job listing page: https://careers.ba.com/job/chicago/taxi-crew-chicago-o-hare/22348/94593554176

OnePlus Ace 7 Tipped for Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Chipset and Built-in Active Cooling

2026-05-04T06:48:00.002-04:00

OnePlus has begun early development on the Ace 7, the successor to the Ace 6 series that launched in China in October 2025 with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 165Hz display, IP69K rating, and 7,800mAh battery. Fresh leaks point to upgraded internals focused on performance and thermal management for the next model.

According to Weibo tipster Smart Pikachu, the OnePlus Ace 7 is expected to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

This platform already appears in devices such as the OnePlus 15 and several other 2026 flagships from Xiaomi and Oppo. The Ace 7 would represent a step up from the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Ace 6.

The tipster also indicated that the Ace 7 could include an active cooling system featuring a built-in fan. This would differ from the external fan solution used on the recently released Ace 6 Ultra.

Such a design aims to support sustained high performance, particularly during extended gaming sessions, where previous Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 devices like the OnePlus 15 have shown thermal throttling under heavy loads.

Additional reports mention the possibility of an ultra-high refresh rate display for the Ace series successor, though specific figures remain unknown at this stage. The Ace 6 already offered a 165Hz panel, and related leaks for other OnePlus models have referenced panels approaching 240Hz.

The Ace 7 is not expected until the fourth quarter of 2026. At that point, newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series chips could already power flagship models such as the OnePlus 16, raising questions about positioning within OnePlus's lineup.

Details on battery capacity, camera hardware, RAM and storage options, pricing, and exact launch timing have not surfaced in the current leaks.

OnePlus has not issued any official statements on the Ace 7.

NOTE: All available information comes from unverified industry sources on Chinese social media.

The company typically reveals its Ace series devices in China first before considering broader availability.

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Net Worth – Real Numbers Behind a Billion-Dollar WNBA (2026)

2026-05-04T06:27:00.001-04:00

You hear their names in the same sentence so often that it almost feels like a script. One was the scoring machine from Iowa, who made Logo threes an expectation, not a highlight. The other was the "Bayou Barbie," who turned a John Cena taunt into one of the most marketable personal brands in sports. You have seen the ratings. You have probably picked a side. What you have not seen is how the actual money breaks down in 2026, the year the WNBA finally opened the vault.

I have been tracking athlete earnings for two decades (although I never talked about this hobby). I have never seen a metaphor that fits better: this is now a league where superstars can finally get paid like superstars. That changes everything.

The 30-Second Answer:

Caitlin Clark sits at a net worth between $10 million and $22 million, depending almost entirely on which estimate you trust. Angel Reese is between $5 million and $9.4 million. The gap exists because Clark holds a substantially larger shoe deal and earns an endorsement premium that follows No. 1 overall picks whose playing style makes casual fans stop channel-surfing. But both women are earning more from brand deals in a single year than most people earn in a lifetime, and the WNBA salary they now pull changes the economics of every young player who follows them.

The WNBA Salary Earthquake: Old CBA vs. New CBA

You cannot understand either athlete's net worth without understanding what happened in March 2026.

The WNBA and its players' union signed a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement. The salary cap jumped from 1.5 million to 7 million overnight. The average player salary rose from roughly 120,000 to 583,000.

The supermax hit 1.4 million, and minimum salaries now start at $270,000, which is more than quadruple the previous floor.

Compare 2025 to 2026 salaries for the two stars directly:

	2025 WNBA Base Salary	2026 Projected Salary	Increase
Caitlin Clark (No. 1 pick)	$78,066	$528,846	~ 577%
Angel Reese (No. 7 pick)	$74,909	$350,692	~ 368%

Sources: Spotrac, WNBA/NY Times/Newsweek reporting.

Clark's salary bumped higher because of the new CBA's "EPIC" provision. Players drafted No. 1 overall who earn All-WNBA honors (Clark did in 2024) can accelerate to near-max money as early as their third season.

Next year Clark could hit 1.3million. By 2028, she could sign a supermax near $1.7 million.

Reese, drafted seventh, does not currently qualify for that accelerated path, but her $350,692 salary still represents roughly five times what she earned in 2025.

The Real Wealth Engine: Endorsement Portfolio Breakdown

WNBA salary explains maybe 5% to 10% of each athlete's total income. The endorsement deals tell the real story.

Caitlin Clark's Endorsement Empire

Clark signed an eight-year, 28 million Nike deal in April 2024. That pays roughly 3.5 million per year and includes a signature shoe debuting Holiday 2026.

She is the third active WNBA player with a Nike signature line, joining A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu.

That is just the foundation. Walk through what she holds:

Brand	Note
Nike	8 years, $28M, signature Holiday 2026
Gatorade	Signed a multi-year deal in Dec 2023
State Farm	National TV campaign
Wilson	Signature basketball collection
Hy-Vee	Midwest grocery chain
Xfinity	Comcast subsidiary
Gainbridge	Indiana Fever jersey sponsor
Panini	Exclusive trading cards
Capital One	March Madness campaign with Barkley, Magic
Eli Lilly	Pharmaceutical brand
NBC	On-air contributor, Basketball Night in America

Sources: Sportico, Yahoo Sports, multiple reports.

Those endorsements generated roughly 16.1 million in 2025 income alone, per Sportico.

Her WNBA salary that year was about $78,000. That means her on-court salary represented approximately 0.5% of total earnings.

Angel Reese's Parallel Empire

Where Clark's endorsements read like an ESPN sponsor roster, Reese's portfolio reveals something more targeted, built around her identity as a cultural force in addition to a basketball star.

Brand	Note
Reebok	Multi-year extension with signature shoe
Victoria's Secret	Runway model, brand ambassador
Beats by Dre	Audio brand
McDonald's	National partnership
Reese's (Hershey)	Name synergy, candy and merch
PlayStation	Gaming
Goldman Sachs	Financial services
Amazon	E-commerce
Sports Illustrated	Swimsuit issue
CashApp	Fintech
Calvin Klein	Fashion
Topicals (Investor)	Black-led skincare brand
DC Power FC (Stake)	Professional soccer club
Unrivaled (Stake)	New 3-on-3 basketball league

Sources: Forbes, The SportsRush, ESSENCE, multiple reports.

Reese holds more than 20 active brand deals. In 2025, she earned roughly 9.4 million, with only about 400,000 coming from WNBA salary.

She also launched a podcast ("Unapologetically Angel") and invests in startups such as Topicals that align with her public identity.

Net Worth Estimates: Why the Range Is So Wide

You will see wildly different numbers depending on where you look.

Here is the 2026 landscape for Clark:

Source	Estimate	Key Context
Celebrity Net Worth	~$10 M	Widely cited, likely conservative
SocialLife Magazine	~$10 M	Emphasizes endorsement dominance
The Times of India	$15-20 M	Driven by brand deals via NIL-turned-pro
InfoCelebs	$22 M	Includes all known deals
TrendCelebs	$3 M	Far outlier, likely outdated

Public estimates for Reese in 2026:

Source	Estimate	Key Context
Celebrity Net Worth	~$7 M	Widely cited
The SportsRush / Forbes	~$9.4 M	Includes endorsement + investment
TrendCelebs	~$5 M	Lower conservative range
Yahoo Finance / The Spun	$2 M	Reese herself disputes this

Reese has publicly stated the 2 million figure floating around is "very inaccurate," and sources such as ESSENCE place her closer to 9.4 million when all assets are accounted for.

Why Clark Pulls Ahead (and Where Reese Is Catching Up)

Five factors explain the net worth and income gap between these two:

Draft Position Matters More Than You Think: The No. 1 overall pick carries earning leverage that cascades for years. Clark's WNBA salary path under EPIC leads to supermax territory by 2028. Reese as a No. 7 pick faces a narrower salary ladder.
Nike vs. Reebok Economics: Clark's $28 million Nike deal is the largest in women's basketball history. Reese's Reebok deal is lucrative and includes a signature shoe (the Angel Reese 1 "Mebounds"), but the dollar figures on Reebok athlete deals in women's basketball remain smaller than Nike's flagship partnerships.
NIL Head Starts: Clark earned an estimated 3.1 million in NIL money at Iowa. Reese earned roughly 3.1 million in NIL money at Iowa. Reese earned roughly 1.7 million at LSU. Both had national profiles, but Clark's historic scoring chase drew a different level of sustained audience across four years.
The "Magic and Bird" Dynamic from the NCAA Title Game: The 2023 NCAA Championship between LSU and Iowa drew 9.9 million viewers, then a record. Reese's taunt and Clark's reaction created a permanent narrative link. Reese monetizes the authenticity angle. Clark monetizes the excellence angle. Both narratives print money.
Social Media Reach: Reese leads the WNBA in Instagram followers at 5.2 million (as of March 2026). Clark is second at 3.6 million. That 1.6-million-follower gap gives Reese more direct-to-consumer brand power, a fact her team leverages heavily in fashion and lifestyle partnerships. -

What does this mean practically?

Clark still earns more total dollars, but Reese's social media footprint makes her the most-followed active player in the league, a valuable asset for brands trying to reach Gen Z and millennial audiences beyond basketball.

What Comes Next

Both women signed four-year rookie contracts that run through 2027 with club options. Clark just had her fourth-year option exercised by the Indiana Fever, locking her in for $597,596 in 2027 barring a renegotiation. She becomes a restricted free agent in 2028.

Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream in April 2026, a blockbuster deal that cost Atlanta first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. The Dream then exercised her fourth-year option, tying her to the franchise she will likely lead into the next era.

Here is what everyone in athlete finance is watching now: Once Clark hits restricted free agency in 2028, she will almost certainly command the league's first truly "NBA-style" contract. Think supermax money plus equity, production deals, the full LeBron-esque package. Reese, with her social capital and media reach, could structure something equally creative around content and fashion verticals rather than pure basketball salary.

The model that Michael Jordan built (signature shoe + transcendent play + mainstream brand crossover) is now fully available to female athletes for the first time. You are seeing it happen in real time.

The Bottom Line

You cannot compare these two athletes by net worth alone. That misses the point.

Caitlin Clark set the financial ceiling with historic endorsement traction and a salary path that leads directly to supermax money. Angel Reese built a different kind of financial machine. Social-first. Fashion-inclusive. Investment-minded. Both are worth many millions more than the WNBA salary checks they cash, and both now play in a league where the checks have gotten dramatically larger.

This is not a story about who is richer. It is a story about how fast the economics of women's basketball are changing. The next wave of players will earn real money from Game 1, not just from sponsors who get their value, but from the league itself.

Clark and Reese made that possible. You just watched them build the case.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Enclosed Auto Transport: Essential Tips

2026-05-04T03:56:00.009-04:00

Shipping a high-value vehicle is about more than just moving an asset from point A to point B; it’s about preserving an investment. For owners of luxury, exotic, classic, or custom vehicles, enclosed auto transport is the gold standard of the industry. Unlike standard shipping methods, enclosed trailers provide a mobile sanctuary, shielding your car from the elements and road debris.

However, the premium nature of this service means that preparation is paramount. Proper readiness directly impacts the accuracy of the inspection, the safety of the vehicle during transit, and the overall smoothness of the shipping process. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist to ensure your car is ready for its journey.

What Makes Enclosed Auto Transport Different?

While open carriers are the most common sight on the highway, enclosed carriers offer a specialized environment. These trailers are fully walled, protecting the cargo from hail, snow, gravel, and sun exposure.

Because these vehicles are often high-value or low-clearance, the expectations for readiness are higher. Thorough preparation helps you:

Avoid scheduling delays during the pickup window.
Ensure the condition report is 100% accurate.
Prevent avoidable insurance claims caused by loose items or mechanical leaks.

Complete Vehicle Preparation Checklist

Clean Your Vehicle Thoroughly

A clean car is the foundation of a successful transport. Wash the exterior to reveal any existing scratches, dents, or paint chips. When a car is dirty, it is nearly impossible for the driver to document its true condition on the Bill of Lading. A light interior cleaning is also recommended to ensure no dust or debris shifts during movement.

Document Existing Condition

Once the car is clean, perform your own inspection. Take high-quality, timestamped photos and videos of:

All exterior panels and the roof.
Wheels and tires.
The interior upholstery and dashboard.
Any pre-existing imperfections. These records serve as your primary evidence should you need to verify the vehicle's condition upon delivery.

Remove Personal Items and Valuables

It may be tempting to use your trunk for extra storage, but most car shipping companies advise against it. Personal items are generally not covered by the carrier's insurance. Furthermore, loose items can shift during transit, causing interior damage. Remove all electronics, toll tags, garage door openers, and important documents before the driver arrives.

Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues

Inspect the undercarriage for oil, brake fluid, or coolant leaks. A leaking vehicle can drip onto other high-value cars positioned below it in a multi-car enclosed trailer. Unless you have specifically arranged for the transport of a non-running vehicle, ensure the car is in good operating condition.

Maintain Proper Fuel Level

Keep your fuel tank at approximately 1/4 full. This provides enough fuel for the loading and unloading process while minimizing unnecessary weight. A full tank adds significant weight to the trailer, which can impact the carrier's legal weight limits and fuel efficiency.

Disable Alarms and Secure Loose Parts

Electronic alarms should be completely disabled to prevent them from draining the battery or distracting the driver during the haul. Additionally, secure or remove non-permanent fixtures like aftermarket spoilers, detachable antennas, or roof racks. If your vehicle has power mirrors, ensure they are folded in.

Check Tire Pressure and Battery Health

The loading process—whether via ramps or a hydraulic liftgate—requires the vehicle to be mobile. Ensure your tires are properly inflated and the battery is fully charged. A dead battery at the time of pickup can result in "inoperable vehicle" fees or even a missed pickup.

Lock the Vehicle

After the carrier has completed their initial inspection and the car is loaded, ensure the doors are locked. Provide the driver with only the necessary set of keys (ignition, trunk, and any locked compartments).

Special Considerations for Luxury and Classic Vehicles

If you are shipping a vehicle with extremely low ground clearance, ensure you have booked a carrier with a hydraulic liftgate. Standard ramps can sometimes be too steep for exotic sports cars. If your car has custom paint or a delicate vintage interior, communicate these specifics to your car transport specialist in advance so they can take extra precautions with tie-down methods.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving EZ-Pass/Toll Tags inside: These can be triggered by toll sensors even inside a trailer.
Neglecting the Inspection: Never sign a Bill of Lading without walking around the vehicle with the driver.
Overlooking the Fuel Level: Arriving with a full tank may complicate the loading balance of the trailer.
Communication Gaps: Failing to mention modifications can lead to the carrier arriving with the wrong equipment.

What to Expect During Pickup and Delivery

When the carrier arrives, they will perform a professional walkaround. This is summarized in the Bill of Lading (BOL). You and the driver will note any existing wear or damage. This document is a legal contract, so ensure it matches your own findings.

Upon arrival at your destination, usually via door to door services, you will perform a final inspection. Compare the car’s current state to the pickup photos. If everything looks perfect, you will sign off on the delivery, completing the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is enclosed transport safer than open transport? Yes. While both are professional services, enclosed shipping offers a 360-degree barrier against weather, road salt, and debris.

How much does it cost to ship a car in an enclosed trailer? The cost to ship a car in an enclosed unit is typically 30% to 50% higher than open transport due to the specialized equipment and lower insurance deductibles.

Do I need to be present for pickup? It is highly recommended that either you or a trusted representative be present to sign the inspection reports.

Final Thoughts

Properly preparing your vehicle is the best way to ensure a stress-free experience. By following this checklist, you minimize the risk of disputes and maximize the safety of your vehicle. When you invest in premium auto transport, a little bit of legwork goes a long way in ensuring your prized possession arrives in the exact condition it left.

Caitlin Clark’s pass to Sophie Cunningham turns into the latest Fever highlight

2026-05-03T17:21:00.000-04:00

Caitlin Clark’s no-look, split-the-defense feed to Sophie Cunningham is the latest Indiana Fever clip making the rounds, with the team and league both amplifying the play after Saturday’s preseason action.

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Fever’s official video page labels the sequence “Clark to Cunningham,” and the description says Clark “gets the block and then launches the cross-court pass to Sophie Cunningham for two.”

The moment came during Indiana’s preseason game against the Dallas Wings, where Clark’s passing has already become a central part of the Fever’s offense.

The team later shared the play on its social channels with the caption “Anotha insane CC pass,” while the WNBA posted the clip as “Special delivery Caitlin Clark dishes the assist.”

For Cunningham, the basket was a clean finish on a play that showed why Indiana has leaned so heavily on Clark as a creator.

For Clark, it was another reminder that her highlight passes keep traveling far beyond the box score, especially when they end in an easy two points and a teammate in the right spot.

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The Fever have not stopped posting the clip, and for good reason, because the sequence is the kind of quick-decision, cross-court delivery that keeps feeding the conversation around how far her playmaking can stretch a defense.

Academy says AI-generated actors and scripts will not qualify for Oscars

2026-05-03T04:59:00.000-04:00

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated its Oscar rules to say that only roles “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will be eligible in acting categories and that screenplays must be “human-authored” to qualify for writing awards.

The new rules were approved for the 99th Academy Awards, with eligibility tied to films released in 2026.

The Academy stopped short of banning artificial intelligence from filmmaking altogether.

Its rulebook says that with generative AI and other digital tools, “the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,” and adds that the Academy may ask for more information if questions come up about AI use or human authorship.

The timing lands as Hollywood keeps wrestling with generative AI’s role in production and performance.

Reuters reported that the rule update comes after concerns in the industry over synthetic performers and AI-assisted creative work, including pushback that followed the emergence of the AI-generated “actress” Tilly Norwood.

The Academy’s approach draws a line at authorship and performance rather than at software itself.

Films can still use AI tools in the production process, but if a performance or script is to compete for an Oscar, the Academy now wants the human contribution to be clear enough to verify.

Banksy Installs Flag-Blinded Statue in Central London as City Says It Will Stay on View

2026-05-03T04:45:00.003-04:00

Banksy has confirmed a new sculpture in central London showing a suited man stepping off a plinth with his face obscured by a large flag.

Suited Man Blinded by Flag Banksy statue Central London. Credit: PA

The piece appeared overnight in Waterloo Place, near The Mall, and a video posted by the artist shows it being delivered on a low-loader trailer in the dark.

The statue bears Banksy’s signature at the base.

Westminster City Council said it had no plans to remove the work and had already taken steps to protect it.

“We welcome Banksy's latest sculpture in Westminster, ⁠which makes a striking addition to the city's vibrant public art scene,” a council spokesperson said. “While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view ⁠and enjoy.”

The sculpture sits in an area dense with royal and military monuments, and its placement has pushed viewers to read it as a comment on nationalism or what many called blind patriotism.

It is Banksy’s first public artwork since a March investigation into his identity and follows a December mural in London that he later claimed as his own.

The artist’s lawyer had previously argued that revealing details about Banksy’s identity would interfere with his work and put him “in danger.”

The latest installation arrives with that tension still intact, even as local authorities have decided to treat the statue as a public artwork rather than a nuisance to be cleared away.

Xiaomi Mix 5 Leaks Point to an Under-Display Camera Return, with a Wider Launch Now in the Rumor Mill

2026-05-03T02:41:00.000-04:00

A fresh round of leaks says Xiaomi is working on a Mix 5 that could revive the company’s under-display camera approach, pair it with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, and add magnetic lens accessories.

One report says the phone is already in development and could arrive later this year, while a separate code analysis points to a broader release that could include Germany and Austria, a notable shift for a line that has usually stayed closer to Xiaomi’s home market.

The under-display camera detail is the part that has drawn the most attention.

Xiaomi last shipped this idea in the Mix 4, which the company’s own community history describes as the first Xiaomi phone with an under-display front camera sensor, and the same history says Mix 4 was only launched in China.

Xiaomi also framed the technology as a long-running research effort in its 2019 annual report, writing that “The under-screen camera technology ensures a full screen and avoids the visual segmentation caused by front cameras,” and adding that “The products and technologies are in the research stage.”

That history matters because Xiaomi has spent years treating the Mix line as a showcase for display experiments rather than a standard flagship family.

Mix 4 arrived in 2021, then the line went quiet while Xiaomi shifted attention to folding phones, its number-series flagships and other high-end hardware.

The current leaks suggest the company may be ready to revisit the no-notch, no-hole punch look, with the under-display selfie camera once again doing the heavy lifting in the front panel design.

The rest of the rumored hardware is still fluid. The same leak that points to the Mix 5 revival says Xiaomi may be testing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip and magnetic lens tech, while another more recent rumor says the phone could return as a global model under a codename tied to “Hongkong.”

None of that is confirmed by Xiaomi, and the different reports do not line up perfectly on timing, which is usually a sign that the device is still in an early or changing stage of development.

For now, the safest read is that Xiaomi is still interested in under-display camera hardware and has not abandoned the Mix concept.

The evidence points to active development, not a finished product, and the biggest unanswered question is whether Xiaomi can pair the cleaner front design with image quality that holds up against conventional selfie cameras.

Cuktech launches modular portable fan that's also a 33W power bank

2026-05-02T19:23:00.000-04:00

Cuktech has launched the CP Modular Fan Plus in China, a portable fan built around a modular magnetic accessory system that also lets it work as a 33W power bank. Reportedly, the device went on sale for 179 yuan, about $25.

The fan’s main draw is its Power-Pin magnetic interface, which Cuktech says lets users clip on add-ons such as external battery modules and extension cables. Gizmochina says the connection is rated at 15N, and the company’s official marketing leans hard into the modular pitch.

On its homepage, CUKTECH describes the brand with the line “Unleash the Ultimate Fast-Charging Experience,” and an official Instagram teaser for the fan says “Thiết kế module mở rộng – chạm là kết nối,” or modular expansion design, touch to connect.

Inside, the CP Modular Fan Plus uses a three-phase brushless motor that pushes air at up to 11 meters per second, with three speed settings plus a Boost mode.

The fan uses a nine-blade turbine design and a Turbo Charged vortex airflow system that increases airflow by 40 percent while cutting energy use by 75 percent compared with its predecessor.

Cuktech rates the fan at 50dB on the lowest setting, 62dB on medium and 66dB on high.

Battery life is the other half of the pitch. Cuktech has put two 5,000mAh batteries inside the fan for a combined 10,000mAh capacity, which the company says is good for up to 37 hours on low, 24 hours on medium and about four hours on high.

The power-bank function supports up to 33W output and 27W input, along with PD, PPS and MiPPS charging protocols. Pass-through charging is included, so the fan can keep running while the battery is being topped up.

For now, the launch appears to be limited to China.

None of the material reviewed points to a broader international rollout, and Cuktech’s own store pages still frame the product line around chargers, power banks and power stations rather than a separate global fan release.

That leaves the CP Modular Fan Plus as a regional oddity for the moment, aimed at buyers who want a summer gadget that can pull double duty as backup power.

Spirit Airlines says it is shutting down after failing to escape bankruptcy

2026-05-02T14:02:00.000-04:00

Spirit Airlines says it has begun an “orderly wind-down” of operations and has canceled all flights after failing to put together a rescue plan that would allow it to emerge from bankruptcy as a viable airline.

In its statement on Saturday, the company said, “It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.”

The short answer to why Spirit shut down is cash and restructuring failure.

Reuters reported that the carrier had already been through Chapter 11, had been trying to negotiate a restructuring plan with bondholders, and could not secure a deal that would keep it operating as a going concern.

Spirit’s own investor relations page says its parent filed for Chapter 11 protection on Aug. 29, 2025, and the company had previously announced a restructuring support agreement in March 2026 before the wind-down.

CEO Dave Davis said the airline had reached a bondholder agreement in March that “would have allowed us to emerge as a go-forward business,” but that plan did not hold.

He added, “For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has played a pioneering role in making travel more accessible and bringing people together while driving affordability across the industry.”

The broader collapse was tied to years of financial pressure, including weak demand, high fuel costs and the failure of earlier recovery efforts, Reuters reported.

The blocked JetBlue merger also removed one of Spirit’s most important escape routes, and federal officials said they were coordinating with other airlines to help stranded passengers and workers after the shutdown.

Spirit said all flights were canceled immediately and that customer service was no longer available.

The company told passengers to seek help through card issuers, travel insurance or the claims process now being handled by Spirit’s bankruptcy claims agent.

GameStop is Preparing an Offer to Acquire eBay

2026-05-02T13:49:00.003-04:00

GameStop is reportedly preparing an offer to acquire eBay, according to the Wall Street Journal, with Reuters reporting that the company has been quietly building a stake in the online marketplace and could bring a proposal as soon as later this month.

The report sent both stocks higher in after-hours trading, with eBay up about 9% and GameStop up about 3% when the news broke.

If GameStop moves forward, the deal would be unusual even by the standards of recent retail and tech M&A.

Reuters said eBay has a market value of about $46 billion, compared with roughly $12 billion for GameStop, which means the buyer would be far smaller than the target.

Reuters also said any bid would likely rely on debt and stock issuance, and that GameStop could take the proposal directly to eBay shareholders if management resists.

The reported move fits with Ryan Cohen’s broader push to remake GameStop beyond video games and collectibles.

In a January press release, GameStop said the board granted Cohen a performance award that is 100% “At-Risk” and tied to “achieve extraordinary growth.”

The company said the award would vest only if GameStop reaches a $100 billion market capitalization and $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA.

Neither GameStop nor eBay has publicly confirmed the reported deal talks.

Reuters said both companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving the report unconfirmed for now as investors wait to see whether GameStop files anything with regulators or speaks on its own behalf.

YouTube Expands Free Picture-in-Picture for Everyone Worldwide

2026-05-02T03:21:00.068-04:00

YouTube is expanding picture-in-picture to viewers outside the U.S. on Android and iOS, with the company saying the change is now rolling out and will reach all users globally over the coming months for free.

In a YouTube Help Community post, the company wrote:

“Picture-in-picture is expanding to more viewers!” and added, “For users outside of the US, you now have access to PiP for longform, non-music content on Android and iOS.”

The same post says U.S. viewers will see no change for now.

The move broadens access to one of YouTube’s better multitasking features, letting people keep watching a video in a small floating window while switching to other apps.

Coverage from 9to5Google and other tech outlets says the rollout is already starting to reach non-U.S. users, though YouTube’s own wording points to a staggered release rather than a single global switch-flip.

The wording also matters for what is left out.

YouTube says the expanded PiP access applies to longform, non-music content, which means music videos stay outside the new free PiP rollout.

That keeps a Premium-only boundary in place for part of the YouTube experience, even as the company widens PiP elsewhere.

Farm Bill: Passed by The U.S. House

2026-05-02T03:21:00.041-04:00

The House passed its version of a five-year farm bill on Thursday in a 224-200 vote, sending the long-delayed package to the Senate after lawmakers stripped out a pesticide liability provision that had drawn fierce opposition from the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

Credit: House Ag Committee

Reuters reported that 14 Democrats joined Republicans in backing the bill.

The measure, called the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), would extend much of the existing farm bill framework while preserving cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that were included in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill last year.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson said in a statement:

“It is clearer every day that farm country needs updated policy that reflects current challenges, and the 2026 farm bill fills that gap.”

The House bill also drops a provision that would have blocked some lawsuits against pesticide makers, a change Reuters said was driven by pressure from MAHA activists. On the other side of the debate, farm groups welcomed the bill’s passage and argued it would bring stability to growers facing higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said:

“Important updates to research and conservation, as well as increased loan limits and clarity on interstate commerce, will help farmers survive today’s challenges and give them the tools to thrive in the future.”

Democrats and anti-hunger groups said the package does too little for struggling farmers and low-income households.

House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig said:

“The so-called farm bill that passed the House today does nothing to resolve high input costs, lost markets, surging food prices or provide a single penny in economic assistance to struggling family farmers.”

Anti-hunger advocates also criticized the bill for leaving intact $187 billion in SNAP cuts passed in Trump’s broader spending law.

The bill still needs Senate approval before it can reach Trump’s desk, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman said he will release the Senate bill text in the coming weeks.

Reuters reported that the House version also leaves out a Republican-backed provision to allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline, with a separate House vote expected on that issue on May 13.

For House Republicans, the vote was a rare step forward on a bill that has been stalled since the last farm bill expired in 2023.

The committee’s own summary describes the 2026 package as “A modern farm bill for modern challenges,” and says the measure aims to expand rural investment, improve conservation programs and increase producers’ access to credit.

The Senate now becomes the next battleground, with the fight likely to center on nutrition funding, pesticide litigation, and how much the final package should do for farmers under pressure from high input costs and volatile markets.

OpenAI Number of Employees: Growth, Leadership, and Key Insights (2026)

2026-05-02T03:20:00.000-04:00

TL;DR:

OpenAI's workforce grew from 770 in November 2023 to 7,230+ by May 2026 due to ChatGPT, Sora, and other AI-powered products updates and launches.
Several former employees have launched successful AI startups.
OpenAI's revenue is rapidly increasing, though profitability isn't expected until 2029.
The company offers highly competitive salaries, especially for software engineers.

OpenAI has experienced powerful growth in its workforce over the past year (all thanks to ChatGPT's success).

In July 2025, the AI giant reported approximately 5,300 full-time employees, a 718.18% increase from 770 in November 2023, and this number crossed 7,236 by May 2026.

Here we have some statistics to let you understand how many people work at OpenAI and how it has become an AI powerhouse:

OpenAI Employee Count Over Time

Let's understand how many employees does OpenAI have in reality, as here's a timeline I created to showcase OpenAI's employee growth over the years:

2015: 10 employees
2016: 25 employees
2017: 45 employees
2018: 80 employees
2019: 150 employees
2020: 250 employees
2021: 300 employees
2022: 375 employees
2023: 770 employees
2024: 3,531 employees
2025: 6,300+ employees
2026: 7,230+ employees

Currently, OpenAI has around 7,230+ employees working for its different products and services.

This rapid expansion underscores OpenAI's growing influence in the artificial intelligence sector with its #1 product, ChatGPT, which is driving other companies crazy over its growth rate.

Employee Departures and New Ventures

Several former OpenAI employees have ventured into creating their own startups.

Notably, 23 ex-employees have founded AI startups that have collectively raised significant funding.

Some of these startups include:

Anthropic: Founded by Dario Amodei, former VP of Research at OpenAI, Anthropic focuses on AI safety and has raised substantial funding.
Safe Superintelligence Inc.: Co-founded by Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's former chief scientist, this startup aims to develop safe superintelligent AI systems.
Eureka Labs: Established by Andrej Karpathy, a founding member of OpenAI, Eureka Labs focuses on AI education and has launched courses like LLM101n.
Thinking Machines Lab: Founded by Mira Murati, launched in February 2025 after she left her position as Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI. Thinking Machines Lab aims to develop AI systems that are more widely understood, customizable, and generally capable, and integrates human values into the core product.

These ventures highlight the entrepreneurial spirit fostered within OpenAI and its impact on the broader AI ecosystem.

Leadership at OpenAI

OpenAI's top leadership team in 2026 includes:

Sam Altman: CEO
Greg Brockman: President
Bret Taylor: Chairman
Fidji Simo: CEO of Applications, overseeing product, finance, and sales divisions.

In March 2025, OpenAI announced leadership updates:

Mark Chen: Promoted to Chief Research Officer.
Brad Lightcap: Expanded role as Chief Operating Officer.
Julia Villagra: Appointed as Chief People Officer.

This latest change is a strategic move by OpenAI to better utilize its workforce in a manageable way.

OpenAI's Profitability and Revenue

OpenAI's revenue has seen significant growth over the last 5 years:

2020: $3.5 million
2021: $28 million
2022: $200 million
2023: $1.6 billion
2024: $3.7 billion
2025 (Projected): $12.7 billion
2026: Estimating

Despite this growth, OpenAI does not expect to be cash-flow positive until it reaches $125 billion in revenue, which is projected around 2029.

Compensation at OpenAI

Photo Credit: Greg Brockman on X

When we talk about a company's headcount, we often talk about its pay packages, and OpenAI offers competitive salaries:

Software Engineers: $238K to $1.34M annually, with a median of $875K.
Policy Managers: Approximately $155,917 annually.
Research Managers: Approximately $471,915 annually.

Yes, OpenAI often hires software engineers to upgrade and maintain their products, and it's the best startup to join today.

If you still have some questions, let me answer them too:

Q: How many people work at OpenAI?

A: As of February 2026, OpenAI has approximately 7,230+ full-time employees.

Q: How many OpenAI employees have left?

A: Several employees have departed to start their own ventures, with 23 notable ex-employees founding AI startups.

Q: Is OpenAI owned by Elon Musk?

A: No, Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI but left in 2018. He is currently involved in legal disputes with the company.

Q: Why did Elon Musk leave OpenAI?

A: Elon Musk departed due to disagreements over the company's direction and has since criticized its shift towards a for-profit model.

Q: Who is the CEO of OpenAI?

A: Sam Altman has been the CEO since 2019.

Q: Does OpenAI make a profit?

A: OpenAI is not yet profitable and doesn't expect to be until it reaches $125 billion in revenue, projected around 2029.

Q: Does OpenAI pay well?

A: Yes, OpenAI offers competitive compensation, with software engineers earning between $238K and $1.34M annually.

Q: Who owns OpenAI now?

A: OpenAI operates under a capped-profit model with a nonprofit board overseeing its operations.

NOTE: This comprehensive overview provides insights into OpenAI's employee growth, leadership, financials, and more as of 2026. We will keep this updated with any latest developments as they occur.

33 Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in 2026

2026-05-01T14:26:00.007-04:00

You can turn your existing skills or a new skill you pick up this weekend into an income stream outside your day job.

This guide walks you through 33 side hustle ideas, the real tools you will need, and a step‑by‑step launch plan that works in today’s economy.

A side hustle means earning money on top of your primary income source.

In 2026, this is no longer a fringe activity.

According to a MyPerfectResume survey, 72% of U.S. workers now rely on at least one secondary income source (up from 71% in 2025).

A separate Hostinger study put the figure at more than 36% of U.S. adults earning extra money through a side gig.

Among younger generations, the numbers are even higher: 48% of Gen Z and 44% of millennials currently have a side hustle.

And the commitment is not fading: 54% of side‑hustlers plan to keep their side work at the same level through 2026, while 32% expect to increase it.

That means more competition, but also more opportunity.

The ideas below are broken into categories.

Each one includes current average rates, the best 2026 tools (including AI where it makes sense), and a realistic sense of the time and skills required.

Digital & Creative Freelancing (Work from Your Laptop)

This category fits anyone who already spends hours on a computer. You can turn typing, design, editing, or online organizational skills into direct payments.

Most of these hustles need nothing more than a reliable internet connection, a decent laptop, and a few free or low‑cost tools.

The hourly rates in freelancing range from $20 for entry‑level transcription to more than $150 for polished website development.

1. Website Development

Average hourly rate in 2026: $45–200

If you are talented at the technical aspects of building and maintaining a website, you may want to consider a side hustle as a web developer. As a web developer, you will code and configure websites on the backend and develop functionality on the front end. After building the site, clients may maintain a contract with you to cover site maintenance.

The demand for developers remains high, but you will compete with offshore teams. Your advantage is communication, reliability, and knowledge of local business rules.

Getting work: Upwork changed its fee structure in May 2025. New contracts now carry a variable fee of 0–15% based on supply and demand, plus a $49/month charge for client‑initiated direct contracts. Fiverr still takes a flat 20% on smaller orders.

Always factor these fees into your rates. You can also find local clients through small business meetups or by offering a free basic security audit to a few companies.

And just imagine, what if you start investing as little as 5 to 8 hours a week, how much would you be earning monthly?

2. Social Media Management

Average hourly rate in 2026: $31–85, depending on platform strategy and analytics

Social media managers help businesses create and manage their social media presence. You might engage in tasks like developing strategy, creating content calendars, copywriting, and more. This is actually the easiest online side hustle to make money in your extra time.

Social media can be a crucial part of a business’s marketing strategy, and they’re often willing to pay for expertise. In 2026, clients want someone who knows AI‑powered scheduling, predictive analytics, and trend intelligence. Not just content scheduling.

Tools to learn: SocialBee (starting at $29/month) offers AI content creation, team collaboration, and unified inbox features. Postiz handles over 30 social platforms from a single dashboard. Bolta.ai functions as an AI‑powered social media operating system that plans, writes, schedules, and publishes content in your brand voice.

Getting started: Pick 1–2 platforms (Instagram + LinkedIn, or TikTok + YouTube Shorts). Create sample content for a mock brand. Offer two weeks of free management to a local small business in exchange for a testimonial. Then charge $500 to $1,000 per month for a basic package (10 posts, daily engagement, weekly report).

3. Transcription Service

Average hourly rate in 2026: $20–45 (AI tools now dominate, but human proofing pays better)

As a transcriptionist, you can provide clients with a clean document created from an audio file. You can work with platforms online like TranscribeMe or Rev.com and offer transcription in your spare time, or you can start a side hustle as a medical transcriptionist (which requires additional certification).

AI transcription tools have become extremely accurate. Rev markets its AI at 96%+ accuracy; human transcription is said to be 99%. Otter.ai is the top choice for live meeting capture, though accuracy can drop with heavy accents or multiple speakers. Fireflies.ai leads in technical terminology accuracy (95%+).

The 2026 opportunity: Clients want AI transcripts that a human has cleaned and formatted. Take raw output from Otter or Rev, fix speaker labels, remove filler words, and format for professional use. Charge $25–35 per hour of audio for this “proofed” service. Join Rev.com , TranscribeMe, or GoTranscript by passing their online tests.

For medical transcription, get certified through AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity).

4. Virtual Assistant

Average hourly rate in 2026: $24–60

As a virtual assistant, you can help clients with administrative tasks remotely, such as scheduling meetings, making phone calls, or managing email accounts. While you may not be able to set your own hours as a virtual assistant, you will be able to work from home.

In 2026, successful VAs use AI agents to automate up to 80% of routine admin work, then focus on judgment‑heavy tasks like client follow‑ups and problem‑solving.

Essential tools: Calendly for scheduling ($0 tom $15/month), Zapier for connecting apps (free plan covers five “zaps”), Motion or Reclaim for AI‑powered task prioritization, and Microsoft Copilot for drafting emails.

How to get started: Define one specialty such as calendar management for real estate agents, inbox zero for executives, or CRM cleanup for sales teams. Package your services as a weekly “VA block” (20 hours for $500/week). Find clients on Upwork, Belay, or Time Etc.

5. Freelance Video Editing

Average hourly rate in 2026: $40–150

Every YouTuber, TikToker, and business with a podcast needs video editing. AI has made basic cuts and captions easy, but clients pay for pacing, storytelling, sound design, and color grading.

If you love editing videos for others, you can make some serious money with this gig.

Core tools: DaVinci Resolve (free, professional‑grade), CapCut (short‑form, strong AI templates), and Adobe Premiere Pro for advanced work. Runway Gen‑4 and similar AI tools help generate b‑roll and visual effects.

How to land gigs: Create a “before/after” reel showing raw footage next to your edited version. Search Reddit communities like r/VideoEditing and r/CreatorServices for people asking for editors. Charge $50 to $100 per finished minute of video until you get reviews.

6. Digital Marketing

Average hourly rate in 2026: $25–60

Digital marketers help businesses create and manage their online presence. You may be responsible for tasks like building Google or Facebook ads, creating SEO content, or developing email marketing campaigns.

In 2026 digital marketing relies heavily on SEO automation and AI ad optimization. Many small businesses still do not understand how to run Facebook or Google Ads profitably. They will pay you to set up campaigns, manage budgets, and report results.

Tools you need: Google Ads Editor (free), Semrush or Ahrefs for keyword research, Canva for quick ad creatives, and an analytics dashboard like Looker Studio (free with Google accounts).

Quick start: Complete Google’s Skillshop certifications for Ads Search and Display. List your services on Upwork or Fiverr as a “Small Business Ads Manager.” Bid on projects under $500 to build your portfolio.

7. Bookkeeping

Average hourly rate in 2026: $24–50

Bookkeeping involves balancing checkbooks and reconciling budgets for businesses. It doesn’t require formal education, though you’ll want to be comfortable with basic math and know how to use bookkeeping software. Small business owners hate tracking expenses and reconciling bank statements. You can do it for them remotely.

Software options: QuickBooks Online is the industry standard but requires practice to master. FreshBooks is easier, designed for freelancers and service‑based businesses. Xero offers a middle ground with strong inventory and reporting tools. All three have free trials.

Certification path: Get QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification (free with training). Offer a “cleanup” service where you organize three months of a client’s messy books for a flat $300 fee.

8. Proofreading & Copyediting

Average hourly rate in 2026: $29–70

As a freelance proofreader or copyeditor, you can work on a per‑project basis to review written projects for errors and mistakes. You may find long‑term projects with one client, or take smaller projects with many different clients.

AI grammar checkers like Grammarly and ProWritingAid (starting at $24.90/month) catch typos and basic errors, but they still miss context, tone, and style mistakes. Human editors also know how to follow specific style guides (AP, Chicago, MLA).

Where to find work: Upwork and Fiverr have constant editing gigs. Probation connects freelance editors with academic and business clients. Kibin accepts applications from experienced editors.

Quick income: Offer to proofread résumés and cover letters for $25 each. Post in local Facebook job groups and on Nextdoor.

9. Audiobook Narrator

Average hourly rate in 2026: $20–150 per finished hour (PFH)

In this side hustle, you will use your voice to bring stories and other writing to life in audiobooks. Depending on the type of audiobooks you create, you may use different voices for various characters or incorporate voice acting to add suspense, gravitas, humor, or other emotions.

Audiobook demand keeps growing. You need a quiet space, a decent microphone (the Rode NT1 starter kit is around $270), and basic audio editing skills. Sites like ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) connect narrators with rights holders.

AI tools that help, not replace: Murf and Descript offer voice generation, but rights holders increasingly require human‑narrated audiobooks for natural delivery. Use Adobe Podcast Enhance (free) to clean up your raw recording.

Getting your first title: Narrate a public domain book (from Librivox or Project Gutenberg) as a portfolio sample. Then pitch smaller indie authors on ACX for a royalty‑share (instead of up‑front PFH payment).

10. Website Design

Average hourly rate in 2026: $35–150

Web designers are responsible for a website's aesthetic appeal and usability. In addition to the technical skills required to update a website, you’ll typically need a background in design, user experience (UX), or user interface (UI).

Web design in 2026 is no longer about writing HTML from scratch. Clients expect drag‑and‑drop builders with custom branding. Your value comes from design taste, UX choices, and conversion optimization.

Top platforms: Webflow, Squarespace, and WordPress (with Elementor or Bricks builder). Canva now has AI‑powered design features, including Design DNA that analyzes past projects and generates a personal creative profile.

How to get your first client: Redesign three existing small‑business websites for free (with their permission). Put those redesigns in a simple portfolio on Behance or a free Notion page. Then charge $500 to $1,000 per site.

E‑Commerce & Product‑Based Hustles

These hustles require you to manage physical or digital products. You handle inventory (or outsource it), set prices, and promote your storefront.

Start‑up costs can be as low as 50 for print‑on‑demand designs or as high as 1,000 for pallet flipping.

The trade‑off: once a product listing is live, it can sell while you sleep.

11. Reselling Overstock Pallets

Average hourly rate in 2026: $33–100+ per hour

Also known as pallet flipping, you can purchase pallets of unclaimed mail, items returned to stores, or overstock goods to resell. With this side hustle, you can control your risk by purchasing from trusted sources and focusing on items you know you can resell.

For example, you might feel confident reselling electronics and decide to look for pallets containing that type of merchandise. Companies sell returned, overstock, or shelf‑pull merchandise by the pallet. You buy a pallet (often $200–1,000), sort and test the items, then resell individually on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or at flea markets. The key is specialization.

Where to buy: Liquidation.com, Bstock, and Direct Liquidation are the major players. Facebook groups for pallet flipping often have smaller, cheaper lots from local warehouse buyers.

Warning: Some pallets are “mystery boxes” with mostly junk. Start with small, manifest‑verified pallets (the manifest lists exact contents). Expect 20–30% of items to be broken or missing parts.

12. Print‑on‑Demand (POD)

Average hourly rate in 2026: Highly variable; successful stores clear $2,000–10,000+/month

The global print‑on-demand market was valued at $12.96 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $102.99 billion by 2034.

You upload a design, and a supplier prints it on a t‑shirt, mug, or phone case only when a customer buys. You focus on creating and marketing a storefront while letting others handle warehousing inventory and shipping.

That's another easy to make money while sleeping right?

Top platforms: Printful or Printify for fulfillment, Shopify for the storefront, and Etsy for marketplace reach. AI art tools like Midjourney or DALL‑E 3 help generate designs, but you need to avoid copyright traps (no direct copies of existing IP).

2026 twist: “Imperfect by Design” is the year’s creative trend—hand‑drawn or uneven styles sell better than perfectly polished AI art. Use Canva AI to rough in ideas, then add your own hand‑drawn elements for authenticity.

First step: Open an Etsy shop, upload 10 designs for t‑shirts or mugs, price at $25–35, and run $5/day in Etsy Ads for 30 days. Scale the designs that get clicks.

13. Affiliate Marketing

Average hourly rate in 2026: $23–100+ (commission-based)

Affiliate marketing is where a third party advertises products on behalf of a company, receiving a small commission when they refer a customer or when a customer makes a purchase. You can choose the products you market, and you may be able to find affiliate marketing in nearly any industry you’re interested in.

SaaS programs pay the highest recurring commissions—20–40%—while e‑commerce and DTC (direct‑to‑consumer) pay 10–15% on first orders. The top 5–10% of affiliates generate 80–90% of program revenue.

Best affiliate networks in 2026: AWIN, ClickBank, Rakuten Advertising, and ShareASale. For Amazon sellers, Levanta integrates directly with Amazon’s attribution system.

Strategy that works: Pick one narrow niche, e.g., “home gym equipment under $500,” and build a simple website or YouTube channel reviewing products in that niche. Promote your affiliate links in video descriptions or email newsletters. Avoid trying to promote everything; focus wins.

14. Dropshipping

Average hourly rate in 2026: $20–50 after expenses (AI automation now required)

Dropshipping offers a way to create an online retail store while outsourcing many of the operations a traditional retail store must manage. You can focus on creating and marketing a storefront and let others handle warehousing inventory or managing shipping when customers make a purchase.

Classic dropshipping (finding a product on AliExpress and reselling it) is dead for most people.

Margins have collapsed due to ad saturation. The 2026 version uses autonomous AI agents that handle product research, order fulfillment, inventory syncing, and even customer service.

Modern tools: Dropified integrates AI‑powered product validation and auto‑order processing. Shopify now has built‑in AI tools for product description generation and ad copy. Creatify helps test products without ordering samples first.

Better approach: Use dropshipping as a test channel before committing to inventory. If a product sells steadily, switch to buying in bulk from the supplier to improve margins and quality control.

15. Crafting (Handmade Goods)

Average hourly rate in 2026: $19–50 (depending on product and brand)

Sites like Etsy and Shopify make it easy for casual crafters to turn their hobby into a business. Whether you make jewelry, pottery, cards, or anything else, you could set yourself up with an online shop. You could also rent space at a craft show or farmer’s market to showcase your handmade goods.

Handmade goods are making a comeback as a reaction to mass‑produced, AI‑generated sameness.

Etsy’s Spring/Summer 2026 trend report shows crochet clothing sales up 36%, artisanal dresses up 294%, and embroidered wicker bags up a stunning 20,000%.

Buyers want tactile, imperfect, human‑made items.

Best‑selling categories in 2026: Soft textiles (crochet, embroidery), handmade wooden home decor, polka‑dot patterns, and hobby kits.

Getting started: Open an Etsy shop. Use Creative Fabrica for design resources. Take good photos in natural light. Price your time at $20/hour plus material costs × 2.

Local & In‑Person Hustles

These side jobs get you out of your house and moving. They work best if you enjoy direct human interaction, physical work, or both.

Most require minimal startup money—often just a smartphone, transportation, and any necessary certifications (like CPR for babysitting).

The trade‑off is that your earnings are capped by the hours you can physically work.

16. Lawn Care & Yard Work

Average hourly rate in 2026: $17–65

You may enjoy mowing lawns if you prefer a more methodical side hustle. One benefit of this side hustle is that people with lawns tend to need them cared for fairly regularly, so you’ll only need a couple of clients to fill up your part‑time schedule.

The entry cost is low—a used push mower ($100–300), trimmer ($80), and blower($50–70). Customers want regular mowing, leaf removal, and spring/fall cleanups.

Smart 2026 move: Use Lawn Starter or GreenPal (apps that connect homeowners with lawn professionals) to get initial clients. Once you have 5–10 recurring yards, drop the app’s cut and invoice directly via Square or Wave.

Add‑ons: Aeration ($100–200 per yard), overseeding ($50–100), and hedge trimming ($25–50) multiply your earnings per stop.

17. Fitness Instructor

Average hourly rate in 2026: $26–75 (class‑based) or $50–150 (private clients)

In becoming a fitness instructor, you’ll find a wide range of niches you can pursue, from yoga to spin to strength training. However, you will likely need to attain specific certifications or complete training programs to begin this side hustle. Group fitness classes are back to pre‑2020 levels.

Certifications cost $300–500 (e.g., ACE, NASM, or Yoga Alliance). Many local gyms and rec centers pay $35–60 per class.

Remote option: Virtual personal training via Zoom or Trainerize. You can reach clients anywhere. Use Canva (with its 2026 AI design tools) to create workout plans and meal guides.

Fast start: Post 30‑day workout challenges on Nextdoor for $50/person. Record each day’s demonstration video on your phone and deliver via WhatsApp group.

18. Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

Average hourly rate in 2026: $17–35

Dog walking offers a way to profit while taking a daily walk in or around your neighborhood. Plus, when your regular clients go out of town, you may have a built‑in opportunity to boost your earnings by pet sitting for extended periods.

Pet tech has grown dramatically. AI‑powered pet health monitoring apps, smart collars, and on‑demand pet care platforms are standard. You can use Rover or Wag! to find clients, but experienced sitters move clients off‑platform to avoid 20% fees.

How to earn more: Offer “overnight sitting” ($50–80/night) plus midday walks ($20–30 each). Buy liability insurance (about $150/year). Collect reviews quickly by walking friends’ dogs for free.

2026 twist: Some owners now ask caregivers to use AI symptom‑triage apps during sitting. Familiarize yourself with SmartThings Pet Care or similar tools to charge higher rates.

19. Junk Hauling & Trash Removal

Average hourly rate in 2026: $15–75 per job (plus dump fees)

Use your physical strength to help people get rid of things they no longer want. If you know how to navigate your city’s waste and disposal procedures—and have an adequate mode of transportation—a junk hauling service may be the right side hustle for you.

You need a truck or large trailer, physical stamina, and knowledge of local disposal rules. Many haulers charge by volume (e.g., $150 for a pickup bed full) rather than by the hour.

Software to help: Route optimization apps like Upper Route Planner save gas and time. Jobber handles estimates, invoicing, and client communication. Create a one‑page Google Site explaining your service area and pricing.

Tip: Offer free estimates. Customers hate surprise pricing. Build a relationship with a local dump or transfer station to get lower fees.

20. Referee for Local Sports

Average hourly rate in 2026: $21–40

If you played a sport in high school or college, you might be able to pass down your love of the game as a referee or coach for your local sports teams. Check with your town’s parks and recreation department to learn about opportunities.

Youth leagues, adult rec leagues, and school districts need referees for soccer, basketball, baseball, and flag football. Pay is per game, usually $25 to $60 depending on level and sport.

How to get certified: Each sport has its own governing body. For soccer, check US Soccer Grassroots Referee License ($75, online). For basketball, NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) offers certification.

Best part: Games are almost always evenings and weekends and it's perfect for a 9‑to‑5 worker.

21. Babysitting & Nannying

Average hourly rate in 2026: $18–40

Consider babysitting if you’d prefer to play with kids rather than teach them. You may also want to look into part‑time nannying to find a babysitting job with more consistent hours.

For this side hustle, you may want to bolster your credentials (and emergency preparedness) by getting certified in first aid and CPR. Families still need after‑school and weekend childcare.

Getting CPR and First Aid certified (Red Cross or American Heart Association) lets you charge 5–5–10 more per hour.

Where to find work: Care.com and Sittercity are the main platforms. Local Facebook groups (“[Your City] Parents & Sitters”) often generate higher‑paying, word‑of‑mouth gigs.

Scaling up: Offer a “date night” package (Fri/Sat evenings) at a premium rate. Or offer backup care for when regular nannies are sick—families will pay $30+/hour for same‑day coverage.

Emerging & AI‑Powered Hustles (2026‑Specific)

These opportunities barely existed three years ago. They directly involve artificial intelligence—either training it, writing instructions for it, or using it to test other people’s websites.

The pay can be excellent ($30–150/hour for prompt engineering).

The catch: you need to stay current as AI tools change monthly.

22. AI Prompt Engineering

Average hourly rate in 2026: $30–150

Prompt engineering means writing precise instructions for AI models (ChatGPT, Midjourney, Claude) to get useful outputs. Upwork postings for prompt engineering rose 40% year‑over‑year in early 2026.

Who hires prompt engineers: Marketing agencies, e‑commerce stores, content publishers, and software teams.

Portfolio starter: Create a free GitHub or Notion page showing 20 prompts you wrote, along with the AI’s output. Categorize them (e.g., “SEO blog outlines,” “social media captions,” “ad copy”).

23. AI Training & Data Annotation

Average hourly rate in 2026: $20–40+

Companies training large language models need humans to label data, rank AI responses, and check for accuracy. Platforms like DataAnnotation.tech (considered the gold standard) pay hourly for remote work.

What you will do: Answer prompts, classify text, compare two AI outputs, or write short responses. No deep tech skills required—just strong English reading/writing ability.

Other platforms: Amazon Mechanical Turk (lower pay, easier tasks), Appen, and Scale AI have regular openings.

24. User Testing (Websites & Apps)

Average hourly rate in 2026: $10–60 per test (most tests take 15–20 minutes)

Companies pay everyday people to test new websites, apps, and prototypes. You record your screen and voice while completing tasks out loud. You do not need technical experience—just honest, clear feedback.

Top platforms: UserTesting (pays $10 to $60 per test, avg 1–2 tests per week), UserFeel ($3–30 per test), and TryMyUI. UserTesting pays via PayPal about two weeks after completion.

Maximizing earnings: Fill out every screener survey honestly. The system matches you with tests where your profile fits perfectly. Have a quiet room and a decent microphone (even a phone headset works).

25. Podcast & YouTube Channel Management

Average hourly rate in 2026: $30–100

Creators need help with audio editing, show notes, SEO titles, thumbnails, and schedules. You can offer a “done‑for‑you” package for smaller shows.

Key tools: Descript (audio/video editing), Canva (thumbnails and social graphics), TubeBuddy (YouTube SEO), Headliner (audiogram videos for promotion).

2026 tactic: Many podcasts now upload full episodes as YouTube videos. YouTube ad rates range from 2–2–15 per 1,000 views depending on niche. If you help a podcast grow YouTube viewers, you can negotiate a percentage of their ad revenue on top of your base fee.

26. Online Tutoring (including AI‑Assisted)

Average hourly rate in 2026: $35–120

If you enjoy working with kids or teens and enjoy learning, you may like tutoring. You can personalize your services in many ways, including focusing on a specific subject or age group or offering virtual or in‑person tutoring.

The global online tutoring market is growing at 19.9% CAGR and is expected to reach $168.6 billion in 2026.

Within this, the AI‑powered personal tutoring segment is growing even faster, at 29.2% CAGR.

Platforms: Wyzant (keep 75% of what you charge), Tutor.com (set schedule, supplied student), and Skooli (instant help model). For high school test prep, PrepNow pays 30–30–55/hour.

AI advantage: Use Udemy’s AI learning assistant to generate practice quizzes based on what your student gets wrong. Create custom worksheets with Canva AI in seconds. Your human role shifts from “explaining basics” to “diagnosing why the student is stuck.”

Passive & Semi‑Passive Hustles

Passive income sounds like magic, but real passive hustles require an upfront time investment. You write an ebook once, design a template once, or record a course once—then you sell it repeatedly without recreating the work.

The challenge is building an audience or finding a marketplace. Once you do, each sale costs you almost nothing.

27. Selling Digital Products

Average hourly rate in 2026: Passive; successful sellers earn $500–10,000/month

Digital products sell while you sleep. The most profitable categories in 2026 are Notion templates, Canva kits, budget spreadsheets, Lightroom presets, and printable planners. Once created, each sale costs you nothing but transaction fees.

Platforms to sell: Gumroad (takes 10% but has built‑in audience), Payhip (5% fee, cleaner design), Etsy (for printables), and Creative Market (for design assets).

First digital product to make: A simple budgeting spreadsheet in Google Sheets with 3–5 tabs (income tracker, expense log, savings goal). Sell for $12. Write a clear product page and share in budgeting Facebook groups.

28. Online Course Creation

Average hourly rate in 2026: Highly variable; top courses generate six figures

This is not like a typical teaching job; here, you package your expertise into a video‑based course. AI tools now help build outlines, slide decks, and quizzes very quickly.

CourseCreator AI (a 2026 SaaS platform) generates a full structured course from your expertise input in about 48 hours.

Best platforms: Thinkific is best for beginners. Teachable offers flexible payments. Kajabi is an all‑in‑one system (courses + email + community) but starts at 149/month.

Pricing reality: A 4‑hour course sells for $97 to $297. Most creators get their first sales through their existing audience (email list, YouTube, or social media). If you have zero audience, start with digital products first, then add a course later.

29. Short‑Form Content Faceless Channels

Average monthly earnings: $500–30,000 (ad revenue + affiliate)

You run a YouTube Shorts, TikTok, or Instagram Reels channel without showing your face.

Examples: history facts, top 10 lists, movie trivia, wealth quotes, Reddit stories. Use stock footage, text overlays, and AI voiceover.

Tools: CapCut (free, excellent for text‑based shorts), ElevenLabs (AI voiceover), Pexels (free stock clips).

Monetization path: Shorts ad revenue is low (around $0.05 to $0.10 per 1,000 views). The real money comes from affiliate links (e.g., “Link in bio for the full checklist”) and selling the channel once it hits 100,000 subscribers.

30. Stock Photography & Video

Rate per download: $0.25–5 for microstock; $50–500 for boutique

You upload high‑quality photos or short video clips to stock sites. Each time someone downloads your file, you earn a commission. Shutterstock and Adobe Stock pay around 15–40% of the sale price.

2026 tactic: Use AI‑assisted cameras (like the new iPhone or Pixel models) to capture “authentic, imperfect” images—the opposite of corporate stock. Canva’s 2026 trend report highlights demand for real, unposed moments over polished AI art.

Getting accepted: Submit 10–20 of your best photos to multiple sites. Once accepted, upload in batches of 50–100. The law of large numbers applies: more files = more downloads.

Green & Eco‑Friendly Hustles (Rising in 2026)

Sustainability is no longer a niche selling point. Small businesses and homeowners actively seek ways to reduce waste and lower energy bills.

These three hustles let you earn money while keeping usable items out of landfills or helping others operate more efficiently.

31. Green Consulting for Small Businesses

Average hourly rate in 2026: $50–200

Small businesses want to reduce waste, lower energy bills, and market themselves as sustainable but do not know where to start. You help them with audits, supplier swaps, and certification applications (e.g., B Corp Pending or Climate Neutral Certified).

No degree required: Read up on circular economy, take a free online course from UN CC:e‑Learn, and create a 10‑page “Green Audit Checklist.” Charge $500 for a half‑day onsite walkthrough.

Your sales pitch: “I will save you more in efficiency than my fee.” Focus on quick wins like switching to LED lighting, installing programmable thermostats, and sourcing recycled office paper.

32. Used Furniture Flipping

Average hourly rate in 2026: $21–80 (depends on restoration skill)

If you prefer large‑scale projects, you might make a business out of repurposing second‑hand furniture. With this side hustle, you purchase used furniture needing repair or attention and refurbish it into a ready‑to‑use product.

You can then sell that piece at a profit because of the work and value you’ve added to it. You buy cheap used furniture (thrift stores, estate sales, curb alerts), clean, repair, paint or refinish it, and resell for 3–5× what you paid. Mid‑century modern and solid wood pieces have the highest resale value.

Top sales channels: Facebook Marketplace (no fees), Chairish (higher‑end pieces), and Kaiyo (they handle pickup and delivery for a cut).

Starter set: A palm sander, paintbrushes, chalk paint (no primer needed), and wood filler. Watch a few YouTube restoration channels before your first project.

33. E‑Waste Recycling & Resale

Average hourly rate in 2026: $20–60

Electronic waste (old phones, laptops, tablets, cables) is a growing problem and an opportunity. You collect e‑waste, wipe data securely, test what works, and resell functional items.

Broken devices go to a specialized recycler (often, you get paid per pound for precious metals inside).

Where to find e‑waste: Office building cleanouts, schools, recycling events, and Facebook Marketplace “free stuff” listings.

Safety: Physical hazards include sharp metal and broken glass. Chemical hazards include batteries and capacitors. Wear gloves, eye protection, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Many cities now have e‑waste drop‑off days where you can collect without competition.

How to Launch Any Side Hustle in 2026 (Nine Steps)

The ideas above cover many possibilities. Now you need a system to go from idea to first paying customer. Use this nine‑step plan.

Step 1: Get clear on why you are doing this.

Most people say “to make extra money,” but that is too vague. A sharp “why” keeps you going when things get slow. Some valid whys:

“I need an extra $500/month to pay off credit card debt this year.”
“I want to test if this could replace my full‑time income in 24 months.”
“I need a creative outlet that also pays for my hobby.”

Write your why down and stick it where you will see it every day.

Step 2: Match your skills and schedule to the right hustle.

Make two lists:

The first list: what you already know (social media, writing, math, childcare, dog handling).
The second list: how many hours you truly have each week (be honest—subtract sleep, work, commuting, family time).

Pick a hustle that sits at the intersection of those two lists. Do not pick a hustle that requires learning a totally new skill and finding clients and buying expensive gear.

Step 3: Check the market demand in your area (for local hustles).

If you plan to offer lawn care, call three local providers and ask how far out they are booked. If no one answers or they are booked solid for weeks, demand is high. If they immediately try to sell you a package, demand is normal—competition exists but you can win with better service.

For online hustles, search Upwork for your chosen service. Filter by “past 30 days” and see how many jobs are posted. Hundreds of posts = demand.

Step 4: Get your first win fast—within seven days.

Do not spend weeks building a perfect website, designing a logo, or waiting for the “right moment.” Do something that leads to a paid task within one week.

Examples:

Post in a local Facebook group: “I will edit your resume and cover letter for $20. First three responses get done tonight.”
Message five local small business owners: “I will write one week of Instagram posts for you free. If you like them, pay me $50/week going forward.”
List a gig on TaskRabbit: “I will assemble your Amazon furniture—$40 per piece, same day.”

Step 5: Set up simple payment and tracking.

Do not open a business bank account yet. Do create a separate free PayPal Business or Venmo Business account. Use a free invoicing tool like Wave (also does basic accounting). Track every expense in a Google Sheet: mileage, supplies, platform fees, and any software subscriptions.

Legal check: If you earn more than $400 net in a year from self‑employment, you must file Schedule C with your taxes and pay self‑employment tax (currently 15.3%). The 2026 standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile. Estimated taxes are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.

Step 6: Price for profit, not just to get the job.

A common mistake is charging half of what you should. Use this formula:

(Hourly rate you want) × (hours the task takes) + (cost of materials × 2) + (15% pad for surprises)

For example, if you want to charge $30 per hour for a dog-walking job that takes one hour, you'll need to account for your materials. Let's say you use two poop bags at a cost of $0.10 each. The cost of materials would be 2 poop bags × $0.10 = $0.20.

Now, add your desired hourly wage to this cost:

$30 (hourly rate) + $0.20 (materials) = $30.20.

Next, apply the 15% fee to that total:

$30.20 × 0.15 = $4.53 (approximately).

Finally, add this fee to the subtotal:

$30.20 + $4.53 = about $34.73.

So your price should be approximately $34.73.

Check online averages: ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor publish current rates for almost every hustle. If your price is more than 30% above the average, you need excellent reviews or a unique selling point (e.g., “CPR‑certified dog walker”).

Step 7: Get reviews and a social proof system.

Your first three clients are for practice and testimonials, not profit. Offer a discount or a free service in exchange for a written review on Google, Facebook, or the platform you use.

Once you have three five‑star reviews, raise your price to market rate. Keep asking every satisfied client for a review. Do this consistently and you will outrank most competitors.

Step 8: Avoid the five mistakes that kill most side hustles.

After analyzing dozens of failed side businesses, these mistakes appear again and again:

Mistake 1: Not keeping records from day one. Missing receipts lead to overpaying taxes. Use Wave or QuickBooks Self‑Employed from the first dollar.
Mistake 2: Underestimating time. Multiply your first estimate by 1.5 for the real time needed. Then price accordingly.
Mistake 3: Mixing business and personal money. Get a separate checking account (many online banks like Novo or Lili have free business accounts). Run all hustle income and expenses through it.
Mistake 4: Trying to do everything yourself. Use AI tools for scheduling, email drafts, and social posts. Use Zapier free tier to connect apps. Outsource what you hate (e.g., pay someone $10/hour on Fiverr to research potential leads while you focus on the work).
Mistake 5: Waiting for perfection before launching. Perfection is the enemy of paid. Launch with a minimum viable offer. Improve as you go.

Step 9: Build momentum and decide about scaling.

After one month, ask yourself three questions:

Am I making at least minimum wage for my area on this hustle?
Do I enjoy the actual work?
Does this conflict with my main job or personal life?

If yes to the first two and no to the third, double down.

Raise prices, add services, and consider turning it into a registered LLC or sole proprietorship.

If the answer is no to any of those questions, do not quit entirely, go change something. Adjust your pricing, change the type of client you target, or modify your service offering.

A side hustle that meets your needs is better than a side hustle that matches some list on the internet.

Final Thoughts

Side hustles in 2026 are not just about the extra $200 at the end of the month.

They are a safety net when your main industry shifts, a testing ground for a future business, and a way to learn skills that your day job does not teach.

Simply:

Pick one idea from this guide.
Spend no more than $50 on startup costs.
Set a timer for seven days to get your first paid task.
After that, the momentum will carry you.

You already have the most important tool: the willingness to try.

Recharge Acquires Subscription Platform Skio for $105 Million Cash After Startup Raised $8 Million

2026-05-01T10:10:00.000-04:00

Recharge has completed the acquisition of subscription management platform Skio in a deal valued at $105 million in cash.

Credit: Oisin O'Connor / LinkedIn

The exit represents a significant multiple for the Y Combinator alum, which had secured only $8 million in venture capital since its founding in 2020.

Skio founder Kennan Frost announced the sale on Thursday and provided details of the company's rapid growth from a niche Shopify app into a major market player processing billions of dollars in annual transactions.

According to a post by Frost on social media platform X, the company had reached $32 million in annual recurring revenue and processed approximately $4 billion in payments before the sale.

On the other hand, Recharge CEO Oisin O'Connor posted a heartfelt acquisition message starting with:

"Recharge just acquired Skio for $105M, the largest private acquisition in ecom tech. 5 years ago, I thought Recharge was dead..."

The startup emerged from the Winter 2021 batch of Y Combinator and established itself as a direct competitor to Recharge by focusing on a streamlined user experience for e-commerce brands.

Frost, a former software engineer at Pinterest and a college dropout, started the venture after leaving his previous role during the early months of the pandemic following a period of personal difficulty.

"Skio just sold for $105M cash at close on $8M raised," Frost stated in his announcement.

The founder credited the success of the company to a lean operational model and a move toward profitability early in its lifecycle.

Frost stepped away from day-to-day management about two years ago to allow a professional leadership team to scale the business while he explored other projects.

The sale effectively merges two of the largest providers of recurring billing tools in the Shopify ecosystem.

The transaction comes as the e-commerce sector sees increased consolidation among software providers that assist direct-to-consumer brands with retention and revenue growth.

Skio differentiated itself by offering faster site speeds and a customer portal that merchants found more intuitive than older systems. By acquiring its most prominent rival, Recharge gains a substantial base of merchants and the modern infrastructure that helped Skio gain market share quickly.

The merger allows Recharge to integrate Skio’s features into its broader suite of tools for online merchants.

The two companies were once fierce rivals and the deal now aligns their resources to better compete with a growing number of smaller subscription apps entering the market.

Frost is now focusing his efforts on a new company called Icon, which utilizes artificial intelligence to generate advertising content, and the Skio staff will work with Recharge to ensure a transition for existing users.

Oreo Returns Firecracker Cookies with Popping Candy for Limited Summer Run

2026-05-01T06:46:00.037-04:00

Mondelez International is reintroducing a fan favorite to its permanent seasonal rotation with the return of Oreo Firecracker cookies.

Credit: Oreo

The product is scheduled to arrive at major retailers across the United States starting Monday, May 11, marking its first appearance since a limited engagement in 2024.

These cookies feature the signature chocolate wafer paired with a bright red creme that contains carbonated popping candy intended to simulate the sensation of fireworks.

According to a product listing update on the company’s official website, the 2026 version maintains the same recipe that previously gained traction on social media.

The popping candy is embedded throughout the creme layer and provides a distinct crackling effect upon consumption.

This specific variety has historically been one of the most requested limited editions in the brand’s portfolio, often selling out before the July 4 holiday.

"The feedback from our community regarding the Firecracker flavor has been consistent and enthusiastic," a spokesperson for Mondelez International said in a statement shared with retail partners. "We are bringing this variety back to the shelves to help celebrate the upcoming summer season with the sensory experience our fans enjoy."

Industry trackers and snack-focused social media accounts like Snackolator first flagged the return of the flavor late last month after spotting internal distribution manifests.

These early reports suggested that the packaging would retain its traditional blue aesthetic with red and white starburst accents.

Retailers such as Walmart and Target have already begun designating shelf space for the incoming stock in their seasonal aisles.

The strategy of reviving nostalgic or high-sensory flavors aligns with broader trends in the snack industry.

By utilizing ingredients that offer a physical sensation like popping candy, Oreo creates a product that translates well to short-form video platforms where users film their reactions to the crackling sound.

This follows the successful launch of other experiential products like the Space Dunk Oreos which also used similar carbonated crystals to create a "galactic" feel.

Packs are expected to retail at a suggested price of 5 dollars and 29 cents for a family-size container.

Credit: Oreo

Some regional grocery chains may see stock as early as this weekend because of varying delivery schedules from local distribution hubs.

The production run for this flavor is strictly limited and Mondelez has indicated that once the current inventory is depleted, the cookies will return to the brand's flavor vault.

Shoppers can find the cookies in the cookie aisle and special summer displays at most national supermarket chains.

The company has not announced any plans to make the Firecracker flavor a permanent fixture of its year-round lineup.

Which app provides the highest instant pledge margin in India?

2026-05-01T04:34:00.001-04:00

In today’s fast-paced trading environment, capital efficiency has become an important element in the trading process. The Indian traders are now increasingly relying on margin pledging, which helps them derive liquidity from their own portfolio without selling their holdings. This makes instant pledge margin an important criterion while selecting a brokerage platform.

Many brokers in India offer a margin pledging feature, but the real competition comes from the speed of execution, availability of securities, margin usability, and additional benefits such as automated trading.

With the increase in popularity of algorithmic trading and the availability of free trading API platforms, the selection of brokerage platforms has shifted towards a combination of margin efficiency and flexible execution capability. In this blog, we will discuss some applications that offer instant pledge margin in India.

What is the instant pledge margin?

Pledge margin is a mechanism where traders use their existing securities, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs, as collateral to receive additional trading margin. This allows traders to take larger positions, engage in F&O trading, or execute intraday trades without depositing more cash upfront. The margin received can be utilised for equity intraday trades and F&O positions.

A deduction known as a haircut is applied to the value of the pledged securities to account for price risk. The usable collateral value is calculated based on the previous day's closing price after this haircut is applied.

Historically, acquiring margin by pledging the existing holding might take until the following trading day, which was not useful in cases when there was a need to get capital instantly, but with the introduction of instant pledging, this delay has been reduced to only few minutes, making it more accessible for traders to instantly receive margin to adjust positions, covering losses, or meeting sudden increases in margin requirements.

Apps offering instant pledge margin in India

Several leading brokerage platforms in India offer instant pledge margin facilities, each with its unique benefits. Some of those brokers with highest instant pledge margin are mentioned below:

Dhan

The Dhan platform allows users to get an instant pledge margin on over 1450+ scrips. Dhan's system provides interest-free margins for Buy Today Sell Tomorrow trades and allows pledging to unlock margin for options buying across all segments.

The charge for pledging, unpledging, and invocation on Dhan is ₹15 per request per ISIN, plus GST. Shares are pledged almost instantly on Dhan, with margin benefits received within minutes of pledging. Traders can simply unpledge their holdings between 9 am and 3 pm on Dhan.

Zerodha

Zerodha is known for its instant pledging feature in the Indian financial markets. Zerodha allows traders to receive collateral margin in approximately 15 minutes. On Zerodha, traders can pledge their holdings between 8 AM and 5 PM on trading days.

The cost for pledging on Zerodha is ₹30 + GST per request per ISIN, with no additional charges for unpledging. After the trader's pledging request is successful, they will see a P icon next to their pledged quantity in their holdings on the Kite platform.

Upstox

Upstox facilitates instant margin pledge for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, allowing up to 90% funding for trading. Upstox offers an interest-free option for intraday trading and a cashless facility, which allows traders to use full margin even without maintaining a 50:50 cash-to-collateral ratio with a negligible interest rate of 0.05% on the shortfall amount. Upstox charges ₹20 +GST for pledging and unpledging per scrip.

Groww

Groww supports cashless trading with pledge margin in Margin Trading Facility(MTF), allowing users to trade without upfront cash by using existing stocks and other eligible securities as collateral. For pledging and unpledging holdings, Groww charges a one-time fee of ₹20+GST. On using pledged margin with an MTF order, interest is levied on the amount borrowed, not the whole amount on Groww.

AngelOne

The Angel One instant margin pledge allows traders to pledge their existing dematerialised stocks to get instant margin against shares. The entire procedure is completely online and involves OTP authentication through CDSL. Traders get funds within a few minutes in their accounts. Angel One charges a flat fee of ₹20+GST for both margin pledging and unpledging.

The bottom line

The introduction of the instant margin pledge feature has truly revolutionised trading in India. Instant pledge margin has made trading more affordable and accessible for retail investors and provides traders with an avenue to control larger positions by leveraging their existing securities without having to add more upfront cash.

Therefore, choosing the right platform for instant pledge margin in India is not just about the quantum of margin, but about how efficiently it can be accessed and deployed. Thus, before selecting an app, traders should evaluate platforms based on both margin capability and technological strength to make the right choice.