What if you could become wealthy while only working two days a week? It sounds like an idyllic scenario, one where you’d be free to do things that you love without working yourself to the bone.
As it turns out, working only on weekends isn’t just a pipe dream. Experts say it’s within your grasp with the right strategies.
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Steve Templeton, CEO of PracticePro 365, recommended focusing on strategies that generate passive income. “As weekend workers, individuals should concentrate on generating investment income,” he said.
Here are some of the top ways to become rich by working less.
Earning passive income doesn’t need to be difficult. You can start this week.
Real Estate Side Hustles
According to Dennis Shirshikov, head of growth at Summer and professor of finance at City University of New York, real estate — particularly short-term vacation rentals — is a prime example of a wealth-building opportunity that can be managed on weekends.
“Platforms like Airbnb allow property owners or managers to generate passive income without the need for daily oversight,” he said.
You could own a property or partner with owners as a property manager, handling bookings, cleanings and guest relations exclusively on weekends.
“Even with just one or two properties, this can yield significant profits,” Shirshikov added. “In fact, many part-time property managers earn more than full-time employees in other sectors, simply by optimizing operations during peak weekend times.”
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Investing in Dividend Stocks
Investing in dividend-paying stocks is another strategy for building wealth on a weekend schedule.
“This doesn’t require constant attention — researching companies and building a diversified portfolio can largely be done during weekend hours,” said Shirshikov.
The key here, he explained, is focusing on high-quality companies with reliable dividends. “Over time, compounding those dividends and reinvesting them can lead to substantial wealth accumulation.”
He noted that investors who dedicate time on the weekends to staying updated on market trends and adjusting their portfolios accordingly can set themselves up for long-term financial gains, all without the grind of a traditional 9-to-5.
E-commerce and Online Businesses
Shirshikov observed that building an e-commerce business can be a highly lucrative weekend project as well.
“Whether through dropshipping, creating a brand, or leveraging platforms like Etsy or Amazon, weekend hours can be spent sourcing products, handling customer service, or fine-tuning marketing efforts,” he said.
What’s great about this model is the scalability. It allows someone to start small, perhaps working a few hours every weekend, and then expand as demand grows.
“Many successful online entrepreneurs started by dedicating their weekends to building the foundation of what would become a passive-income machine.”
Freelance Consulting or Coaching
Leveraging expertise in a specific field by offering freelance consulting or coaching services is an excellent way to build wealth with limited hours.
“This could be anything from financial planning to fitness coaching — whatever your skill set, there’s a market for high-quality, specialized advice,” Shirshikov said. “The best part is that this can be scheduled around your availability, often on weekends.”
With platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and LinkedIn, consultants can scale their client base significantly, creating both immediate income and long-term wealth as they grow their reputation and client list.
Templeton agreed with this approach. “Specialized skills such as consulting, graphic design, or web development can be obtained by people who can then provide these services on a freelance basis and charge high rates,” he said.
When pursuing very specific kinds of work that is also in very high demand, he explained that the income that is made is a lot higher and doesn’t take as long.
“Building a brand and good reputation with clients on sites such as Upwork or Fiverr will also be critical in reaching those clients who require such services during the weekend”
Real Estate Wholesaling
“Wholesaling real estate is an excellent strategy for those who are looking to build wealth but don’t want to commit to traditional work hours,” said Shirshikov.
This involves finding distressed properties, putting them under contract, and then selling the contract to an investor for a profit. “All the legwork — negotiating deals, marketing properties — can be done on weekends.”
Shirshikov noted that it’s one of those rare opportunities where you don’t need much upfront capital, just the willingness to learn and hustle. “Many part-time wholesalers make impressive profits working a few hours on weekends.”
Peer-to-Peer Lending
“For those with capital to invest, peer-to-peer lending platforms like LendingClub or Prosper allow you to lend money to individuals or small businesses and collect interest,” Shirshikov continued.
This doesn’t require a daily time commitment, making it ideal for weekend wealth builders. “The risk is higher than traditional investments, but the returns can also be substantial.”
By dedicating a few hours each weekend to reviewing potential borrowers and reinvesting returns, he said you can gradually build a significant portfolio. “The automation features many platforms offer make this approach even more attractive for those with limited time.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Top Ways To Become Rich by Only Working on the Weekends
