You got time and you need cash. Let’s figure it out.
Whether you’re in dire financial straits or you just need to save up a little extra for the holidays, there are times where you need to pick up a few extra bucks without going as far as getting an entire second job. This, to use the common parlance, is known as a side hustle; a little unofficial job where you can invest some free time to get a minor financial return. If you’ve got the time and the skills, a side hustle can be surprisingly profitable, but you need to consider a few things before committing to one.
First, consider your personal resources in this endeavor. What are you bringing to the table here? The nice thing about side hustles is that you don’t necessarily need to be an expert in a particular field if you’re just trying to pick up some pocket money. Do you have a crafting hobby like sewing or crocheting? Do you have a car and a good driving record? Are you a decent writer? All of these skills offer opportunities for side hustles including, in the order of skills we just listed, craft-making for Etsy, delivery driving and ride-sharing, and online proofreading. If you have something you’re good at and enjoy, make use of it.
More important than what you do, though, is how much you can do it. Assuming you’re still working a full-time job, your time for pursuing side hustles may be limited. It’s all well and good to want to work for some extra money, and if you don’t mind giving up some leisure time, more power to you. But you shouldn’t dedicate all of your leisure time to this. If you’re just going back and forth nonstop between regular work and side hustle, you’re going to run yourself ragged. Try to find a good balance when deciding how much time to invest.
Once you’ve got the logistics worked out, get working. Your side hustle may not seem immediately profitable, but if you keep at it, you may find yourself with an impressive little nest egg.
