I love talking about side hustles and finding ways to make extra money. On my blog, Making Sense of Cents, I often discuss how side jobs have transformed my life, helping me pay off $40,000 in student loans. These side gigs eventually turned into my full-time business, allowing me to earn a good income, travel full-time, and maintain a great work-life balance.
Side hustling is a favorite topic of mine because it has had such a positive impact on my life, and I believe it can do the same for others. Many people are catching on to the benefits; over 44 million Americans and 50% of millennials have a side hustle.
While cutting expenses is important, earning more money can be incredibly beneficial too. There’s no limit to how much you can make, and extra income can help pay off debt, save money, test business ideas, and achieve financial freedom.
**Choosing a Side Hustle**
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick a side hustle. Here are some questions to help you decide:
– Are you passionate about it? Passion can help you stick with it, but it’s not a necessity.
– Can you make money from it? Just because someone else can doesn’t mean you will.
– Do you have the time? Make sure it fits into your schedule.
– Are you skilled, or can you learn the skills needed? Some skills are teachable, others might not be worth the effort.
– How much money do you need to start? Ensure you can afford the initial investment.
– What’s your dream side hustle? What do you envision yourself doing?
– Will your day job allow it? Some jobs have restrictions on outside work, so check your employer’s policies.
**Earnings from a Side Job**
Earnings can vary widely depending on the side hustle, the time you devote, and your effort. Here are some estimates:
– Teaching English: $14 – $26 an hour
– Picking up trash: $30 an hour
– Virtual assistant: $500+ a month
– Online surveys: $1 to $10+ per survey
– Blogging: $0 to millions a year
– Writing articles: $15 to $1,000+ per article
– Renting a room: $300 to $1,000+ a month
– Mystery shopping: $3 to $100+ per shop
– Mowing lawns: $20 and up per lawn
– Dog sitting: $25 to $100 per day
**Getting Paid**
How you get paid depends on your client and your preferences. Options include checks, cash, PayPal, credit cards, and direct deposits. It’s also a good idea to set aside money for taxes.
**Finding Time for Your Side Hustle**
Everyone can find some time for a side hustle. Consider how much time you spend on TV, social media, and other non-essential activities. Even a few hours a week can make a difference. Here are some tips:
– Wake up earlier or stay up later.
– Use your lunch hour.
– Take vacation days for side hustling.
– Reduce time spent on TV and social media.
– Use breaks strategically.
**Maintaining Work-Life Balance**
Balancing a side hustle with your main job is crucial. Here are some tips:
– Outsource tasks to make more money.
– Focus on one task at a time.
– Leave work at work.
– Stay organized to avoid wasting time.
– Eliminate time-sucks like TV and social media.
– Create a smooth schedule.
**Growing Your Side Hustle**
To grow your side hustle, consider these strategies:
– Promote your services to friends, family, and on social media.
– Place ads in your local community.
– Attend networking events.
– Start a website for potential customers.
– Reach out to potential clients directly.
– Ask past customers to spread the word.
– Post on Craigslist.
**Types of Side Jobs**
There are countless side hustle ideas, including:
– Part-time jobs found on sites like Snagajob and Craigslist.
– Starting a blog.
– Selling items you no longer need.
– Renting out a room in your home.
– Answering surveys.
– Using Swagbucks for online searches.
– Testing websites.
**Ensuring Your Side Hustle Doesn’t Interfere with Your Day Job**
Check your employer’s policies to ensure your side hustle doesn’t conflict with your day job. Avoid working on your side hustle during work hours unless it’s during your lunch break. Make sure the quality of your work at your main job doesn’t suffer.
**Final Tips**
Side hustling can be rewarding but isn’t always easy. Here are some final tips:
– Choose something you enjoy or are passionate about.
– Find a flexible side job.
– Ease into it if needed.
– Pay your taxes and seek legal advice if necessary.
What side hustle ideas are you interested in trying? What do you think about side hustling?