This Side Hustle Could Pay You $2,000 or More a Month -- and It's Totally Flexible

There are plenty of good reasons to get yourself a side hustle. For one thing, the extra money could simply give you more financial breathing room.

Want to spring for takeout because you're too tired to cook? With extra side hustle income, extras like that won't necessarily bust your budget.

A side hustle could also be your ticket to meeting your financial goals, whether it's saving up to buy a home, paying off debt, or building a nest egg for your retirement.

But if you're going to get a side hustle, it pays to pick up a lucrative one. And you may also want to focus on a gig that's flexible.

If you're looking for a way to bring in a nice amount of money without having to commit to a preset schedule, then you may want to become a mobile notary -- someone who provides notary services at different locations, as opposed to a single one. While you'll have to put in a little bit of work to get your license and cover some upfront costs, it could more than pay off in the long run.

How does a large income boost sound to you?

Data from the National Notary Association found that more than half of full-time mobile notaries earn $2,000 or more a month. Now you may be thinking, "If this is a side hustle, how am I supposed to maintain full-time hours?"

But depending on how demanding your primary job is, it may be feasible to put in a lot of hours each week as a notary -- especially if you're willing to give up your weekends for a period of time.

Even if you're only looking to take on a part-time side hustle, you could be looking at quite the nice payday by becoming a notary. That's because 43% of part-time notaries earn more than $500 a month, and almost 30% earn more than $1,000 per month.

What is a notary, anyway?

A notary is someone who witnesses the signing of important documents and puts their stamp of approval on them. If you're starting a business, you may need a notary when you sign the documents that make your venture official. You may also need a notary when you're putting a loan into place.

One nice thing about being a notary is that you get to meet and interact with different people. And as a mobile notary, you can meet clients anywhere.

How to become a notary

The process of becoming a notary can vary from state to state. Generally, you'll need to be 18 years old and a legal resident of the state you're applying in without a criminal record. You may also need to undergo a background check.

Some states will require you to take a training course to become a notary, which might take three to six hours. You might spend up to $100 for this training, which means there's the potential to make that money back quickly. You can also generally undergo notary training online.

Now you may need to make a bigger investment in becoming a notary in the form of paying for a notary bond. This acts as insurance of sorts if you make a mistake that results in someone's financial losses -- for example, if you authorize a document you shouldn't have. The cost of a notary bond typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. But it can be as low as $500.

But let's say you have to spend $5,000. If you're able to earn $1,000 a month as a part-time notary, you'll break even in five months. From there, you'll get to enjoy ongoing profits.

Of course, if you're going to spend that money, you should be prepared to work as a notary -- at least on a part-time basis -- for a long enough time to recoup your investment and then some. But all told, it's possible to become a notary in about eight weeks. So if you're looking for a side hustle that's flexible and pays well, this could be a good option to pursue.