Rising everyday costs drive interest in flexible local work
Thunder Bay households feeling the pinch from routine expenses are increasingly looking to side hustles — part-time, flexible work that can be scheduled around a main job, school or family commitments. While overall inflation has eased compared with earlier periods, the costs people notice most, including groceries and transportation, continue to climb.
Statistics Canada data cited for June 2026 show the national Consumer Price Index rose 2.8 per cent year over year, while average hourly wages increased 3.3 per cent. That national-level picture masks the sharper increases many households report for specific essentials: food purchased from stores was up 3.9 per cent and transportation costs jumped 6.7 per cent.
| Indicator | Change (year over year, June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Consumer Price Index | +2.8% |
| Average hourly wages | +3.3% |
| Food (store purchases) | +3.9% |
| Transportation | +6.7% |
For many in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, taking on a second scheduled job is not practical. Shift work, family responsibilities, transportation costs and long distances to employers can make traditional part-time positions difficult to maintain. That is where side hustles — work that is often more flexible — can be a better fit.
Practical considerations before starting
Not all side hustles are equally suitable. A strong option is one that:
- costs little to start;
- uses skills or equipment you already have;
- can be scheduled around your primary commitments;
- has customers locally or online; and
- doesn’t require taking on debt and can be scaled back when needed.
It’s also important to realise that gross earnings are not the same as take-home pay. Expenses such as gasoline, vehicle maintenance, supplies, platform fees, insurance and taxes reduce net income and should be factored into decisions about whether a side hustle is worthwhile.
Examples of accessible side hustles for Thunder Bay
Some of the easier options to start locally include services that require minimal upfront investment and can be timed around other obligations.
“The best side hustle isn’t necessarily the one promising the most money; it’s the one that fits your life and still produces a worthwhile return after expenses,”
One example that often suits people with limited spare time is dog walking and pet sitting. These services can be provided before or after a regular work shift, on weekends, or during short gaps in a schedule. They typically require little equipment beyond leashes and basic pet supplies, and they can be offered within local neighbourhoods to minimise travel time and costs.
Other options that align with the principles above — low startup cost, flexible scheduling, local demand — include offering handy-person tasks, lawn and yard care, tutoring, online freelance work, or selling homemade goods through local markets or online platforms. The key is to choose something that fits local demand in Thunder Bay and the surrounding region while keeping ongoing costs controlled.
Local context shapes viability
Thunder Bay’s mix of urban and rural communities affects which side hustles make sense. Longer travel distances can make gig work that requires driving less profitable once fuel and vehicle wear are considered. Conversely, services that can be delivered on foot, by bicycle, or remotely may retain more of their earnings for the worker.
For residents considering a side hustle, careful budgeting and a frank assessment of time and expenses are essential. Planning ahead — including estimating net income after costs and taxes — helps avoid surprises and ensures that additional work provides a meaningful boost to household finances.
As everyday costs continue to be a concern, many Thunder Bay residents are weighing these flexible options to supplement income without upending existing schedules and responsibilities.
