Hi, it’s Ariel, Michelle’s editor. Over the past few years, you’ve seen me on Making Sense of Cents discussing frugality, living in a small house, and writing and editing strategies. I work as a freelance editor for Michelle, and recently, I turned that side gig into my full-time job.
I started freelancing as an editor for Michelle three years ago, but it wasn’t until six months ago that I decided to go full-time. Today, I want to share the honest truth about turning my side hustle into a full-time career.
For full disclosure, Michelle is more than just a colleague; she’s my sister-in-law, and we’ve known each other for nearly 15 years. She and Wes once rented a room from us, where she worked tirelessly on side hustles while Wes and I stayed up late watching Lost on Netflix. Her work ethic is something I’ve come to admire deeply.
I didn’t initially understand the concept of a “side hustle.” Reading personal finance blogs wasn’t my thing until I started working for Michelle. As I read more, I noticed a common theme: side hustles could offer financial flexibility. However, I had always worked multiple part-time jobs with fixed hours and little room for growth, which I now see as different from a side hustle. A side hustle is something you can grow and control, potentially turning it into a full-time income.
My husband and I needed extra income when I started working for Michelle. We had made poor financial decisions early in our marriage, like maxing out credit cards and buying a house we couldn’t afford. When I began side hustling, we were working on paying off those debts. The extra $300 a month I earned was crucial in helping us avoid further debt and pay off our credit cards.
Balancing a side hustle with other commitments is tough. I was also finishing my bachelor’s degree, working around 80-90 hours a week between school and jobs. My husband was pursuing his graduate degree, so our family time was limited, and our date nights often involved working side by side on the sofa.
As graduation approached, I had to decide what to do next. My husband would earn more with his graduate degree, but we had over $100,000 in student loan debt. I didn’t want a traditional full-time job because it would limit my time with our kids, and I’d be entering the workforce much later than my peers. I considered juggling several part-time jobs but wanted to make a real financial contribution to our family’s future.
Then, my Dad passed away. His death reinforced my desire to be present for my family. Selling his home allowed us to pay off our house and build our emergency fund, providing the financial stability to pursue my side hustle full-time.
With our debt mostly cleared, I decided to see if I could turn my editing work into a full-time income. To my surprise, my business grew. I picked up several clients through my website and word of mouth, taking on various editing and writing jobs. Eventually, I landed two significant clients, Millennial Money Man and Laptop Empires, which boosted my income.
Despite the stability from these clients, freelancing means I lose income if I take time off. I also have more expenses now, like hiring an editor for my work. From earning $300 a month, I’m now making around $4,000 monthly, with my first $5,000+ month recently. It’s gratifying and feels like I’ve achieved full-time income status.
I still keep one of my part-time jobs for stability as I grow my business. Owning a business can be scary, and I’m not sure when I’ll leave that job for good.
Turning a side hustle into a full-time job isn’t easy, and there’s no magic formula for success. It requires hard work and dedication. Many personal finance bloggers started their businesses similarly, turning side gigs into full-time ventures.
With no mortgage, credit card debt, or car payments, my husband’s income covers most of our bills, allowing us to use my earnings to pay off student loans and enjoy a few family vacations. I feel a deep responsibility to honor my Dad’s contribution by making the most of what he’s given us.
Do you have a side hustle? Are you thinking about turning it into a full-time job? Share your experiences in the comments!