Singapore is a place where life often feels like a never-ending balancing act. Between high living costs, ambitious career goals, and the desire to still afford bubble tea without guilt, it’s little wonder so many Singaporeans are hunting for extra ways to pad their wallets. But beyond the obvious Grab driving, food delivery, and part-time tuition, there exists a hidden layer of income opportunities: the secret side hustles.
These aren’t the jobs you shout about at the kopi tiam. Instead, they’re quiet, sometimes quirky ventures that Singaporeans use to earn on the sly—hustles that combine flexibility, passion, and, occasionally, a healthy dose of mischief. If you’ve ever wondered how people around you seem to afford that Bali getaway while still paying off their BTO, chances are, they’ve got a side gig you’ve never heard of.
So, let’s peel back the curtain and explore the underground (but perfectly legal) world of Singapore’s unconventional hustles.
Why Secret Side Hustles Appeal to Singaporeans
First things first—why the secrecy? After all, work is work, and Singapore is famously pragmatic about money.
- Flexibility and anonymity. Many prefer hustles that don’t clash with their 9-to-5. Something you can do at night, on weekends, or even hidden behind a laptop feels far less risky than picking up a shift at Starbucks when your boss might pop by for a latte.
- Tapping into passions. Some of these gigs are hobbies turned into cash generators. For instance, the sneakerhead who flips limited-edition trainers or the foodie who hosts hush-hush supper clubs.
- Avoiding awkward questions. Let’s face it—moonlighting can sometimes raise eyebrows with employers, especially in corporate settings where “focus” is the buzzword. A discreet hustle keeps the peace.
- The thrill factor. There’s a small but undeniable allure in doing something under-the-radar. It’s not illegal, but it feels a little rebellious—like skipping school but with extra cash at the end.
The Quirky Hustles Hiding in Plain Sight
Here’s where things get interesting. Beyond tutoring or delivery apps, Singaporeans have found all sorts of niche ways to earn.
1. Ghostwriting Blogs, Books, and LinkedIn Posts
Singapore’s corporate world is buzzing with executives desperate to appear more “thought-leader” than they really are. Enter the ghostwriter. From polishing speeches to crafting witty LinkedIn posts, ghostwriters can earn between $500 to $2,000 per project, depending on complexity. The beauty? No one needs to know it’s you—they get the glory, you get the cash.
Risks: Burnout if deadlines stack up. And, ironically, no recognition.
2. Mystery Shopping
Ever wanted to be paid to complain politely? Mystery shoppers are hired to pose as regular customers while secretly rating service quality. From testing bank tellers’ courtesy to grading bubble tea outlets’ efficiency, assignments can pay anywhere from $20 to $100 per visit.
Risks: Jobs can be sporadic, and reports require thoroughness—if you’re sloppy, you won’t get repeat gigs.
3. Pet-Sitting and Dog Walking
In a city of long working hours, pet owners are desperate for reliable help. Apps and word-of-mouth networks connect sitters with clients. Rates range from $20 for a dog walk to $50–$100 per day for pet boarding. Animal lovers often don’t see it as “work” at all.
Risks: Pets can be unpredictable. Also, juggling multiple bookings can turn chaotic.
4. Micro-Influencing
Forget needing 100,000 followers. Even accounts with 1,000 to 5,000 highly engaged followers can snag sponsored deals from niche brands. Whether it’s reviewing skincare or showcasing your HDB-friendly plant collection, a single post can earn $50–$300, with freebies on top.
Risks: Payment isn’t always prompt, and the line between “authentic content” and “advert” gets blurry.
5. Sneaker Reselling
Limited-edition trainers from Nike or Adidas can be flipped for serious mark-ups. Hustlers queue at launches, use bots for online drops, or join resale groups. A single pair can net anywhere from $100 to $1,000 profit, depending on rarity.
Risks: Highly competitive, with upfront costs. Also, your home may start resembling a shoe warehouse.
6. Private Supper Clubs
Some foodies secretly turn their HDB kitchens into underground restaurants, hosting small groups for curated menus. Guests pay $50–$120 per head, and the experience feels more personal than dining out.
Risks: Space constraints, nosey neighbours, and the ever-present risk of running afoul of HDB regulations.
7. Digital Asset Flipping
From domain names to in-game skins, digital hustlers buy low and sell high. A catchy .sg domain could fetch hundreds, while rare gaming items can trade for thousands.
Risks: Volatile markets and scams. You need street-smarts and patience.
8. Language or Dialect Coaching
Not just tuition—expats and locals alike are hunting for conversational Malay, Tamil, or dialect lessons. Sessions fetch $40–$80 an hour and often happen over Zoom.
Risks: Requires patience and planning lessons.
9. Renting Out Odd Things
From camera gear to party props, rental platforms let you earn by lending out items gathering dust. Think $20–$100 per rental, depending on demand.
Risks: Damage or loss of your items. Trust is key.
Balancing Hustles with a Day Job
Juggling a side hustle with full-time work requires strategy. Here’s how Singaporeans pull it off:
- Time-boxing: Many allocate a strict window—two evenings a week or Sunday afternoons—to avoid burnout.
- Boundaries: Keeping hustles separate from office hours avoids awkward run-ins (don’t edit ghostwritten posts during Zoom calls).
- Automation: Tools like scheduling apps, e-commerce platforms, or pet-sitting portals help streamline tasks.
- Prioritisation: Some side hustles scale better than others. If supper clubs drain you but ghostwriting pays more with less stress, you know which deserves focus.
The Legal and Ethical Side
Secret doesn’t mean illegal, but Singaporeans must tread carefully.
- Employer restrictions. Many contracts require disclosure of secondary employment, especially if there’s a conflict of interest. Moonlighting in the same industry could spell trouble.
- Taxes. All income—yes, even from pet-sitting or mystery shopping—technically needs to be declared to IRAS. Skipping this might feel sly but risks penalties down the line.
- Regulatory grey areas. Running supper clubs or large-scale sneaker trading could bump into licensing or business registration requirements.
- Personal integrity. Some hustles test ethical boundaries. For instance, ghostwriting an executive’s “authentic” thought leadership post. Can you live with the irony?
Tips Before You Start Hustling on the Sly
If the idea of secret side gigs excites you, here are a few practical steps:
- Start small. Test the waters before throwing thousands into sneakers or crypto assets.
- Pick what you enjoy. Passion makes late-night hours more bearable.
- Protect your privacy. Use separate emails or pseudonyms if necessary, especially for online hustles.
- Build a buffer. Not all hustles provide steady income—expect dry spells.
- Stay professional. Even sly gigs thrive on reputation. Deliver what you promise, or word spreads fast.
- Exit gracefully. If a hustle becomes more stress than joy, know when to quit.
A Quiet Revolution
In a country where financial prudence is practically a national sport, it’s unsurprising that so many Singaporeans dabble in hidden hustles. These ventures allow people to stretch their creative muscles, indulge their passions, and build extra security—all while flying under the radar.
Secret side hustles aren’t about escaping the system; they’re about bending it just enough to carve out breathing space in an expensive city. And who knows? Today’s “sly little gig” could be tomorrow’s thriving business. After all, many successful entrepreneurs once started with a side hustle nobody took seriously.
So the next time your colleague casually mentions they “just got back from Tokyo” or your neighbour upgrades their car sooner than expected, don’t be too quick to assume it’s a generous bonus. They might just be earning on the sly.