How to Find the Perfect Side-Hustle for Your Schedule
Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to pursue a project you are passionate about while still working your day job. The gig economy opens up doors for side jobs constantly and is limited only by the amount of time and commitment you are willing to bring to it. However, deciding to get a side-hustle and picking the right one can be daunting. The good news is if you choose one that ends up not working out, there are always more to choose from.
The following ideas can help you narrow down the type of side-hustle right for you and your lifestyle. Learning how to carve out a few hours a day can pay off handsomely. Additionally, you may find the side-hustle is so fulfilling that it becomes your main occupation eventually. Many startups begin this way. Read through this list to start making forward progress on your side project today.
A List of Your Skills
A good way to figure out the best side-hustle project or job for you is to make a concrete list of the skills and talents you bring to the table. Are you really good at organization? Can you type extremely fast? Maybe you can speak another language fluently.
These are all skills that can translate into a side-hustle. Make sure the skills you list are those tasks you enjoy doing. There is little point in taking on a side gig if you are not going to like doing it.
Select a Side-Hustle You Will Enjoy
Setting aside time to work additional hours a week after working your main job can be difficult if you do not like what you have chosen as a side gig. Think about the types of hobbies you enjoy and perhaps it will spark an idea for your side gig.
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Do you like caring for animals, making crafts, gardening? Look for a side hustle that incorporates those elements. Is it a side-hustle you can do with a friend, child or spouse? Having someone else helping out can make the expenditure of time easier to take.
How much time do you have?
Take some time to reflect back through your weekly schedule. Chances are really good you have at least a few days a week where you have some solid blocks of time you can devote to the new job. Be realistic about how much time you have to devote to the project.
Can you get up a little earlier in the morning or plan to set aside a few evenings a week to just focus on the side-hustle? Take into consideration your energy levels. There is no point in setting aside time at night to do the side-gig when you are bound to fall asleep on the keyboard.
Side Jobs That Do Not Take a Lot of Time
If you have determined you do not have a lot of time to give to a side hustle and you are okay not making a great deal of money, then the following side-hustles may be of interest to you. On average you can expect to make a few hundred dollars at most from these:
- Dog walking
- Babysitting
- Sewing/alterations
- Online survey taker
- Rideshare driver
- Delivery service
- Sell items on Etsy, Amazon or eBay
- Clean pools
How much money do you want to make?
You are probably considering a side-gig for the extra cash for something specific. What is that something for you? Write it down. Having the goal clear in your mind, with a set amount clearly determined helps you to gauge your success and forward momentum.
Part-Time Jobs That Earn More Money
It also helps you to know what type of side-gig you need to pursue. Not all side jobs are created equal and the pay reflects that. Small projects like taking online surveys or dog walking will make less money than you would make as a virtual assistant or as a private tutor. The higher paying side-hustles include:
- Blogging.
- Tutoring.
- Photography.
- Freelance writing.
- Virtual assistant.
- Driving for a rideshare company.
- Graphic design.
- Airbnb.
If you have enough time to put in 15 to 20 hours for a part-time gig, then you may be able to earn more money than with the jobs listed above. The following are some side hustle jobs offering a high-dollar return for your investment of time:
- Notary public service
- Online tutoring
- Furniture assembler
- Work for errand-running services
- Virtual assistant
- Catering
- Cleaning.
The Side Hustle Must Remain Flexible and Expandable
Your side hustle project or job cannot interfere with your main job. It is not worth doing a side gig if it compromises your major source of income, even if you like your side gig better. Choose a gig flexible both in deadlines and schedules.
The gig also needs to be expandable. It should allow for job growth so it can become a source of income when you retire, become a fall back income if you lose your job or offers you a way to take it to the next level and make it your main job. Seasonal work, for example, does not give you the chance to expand because there will predictably be slow times when there is zero income.
Make Sure the Side Hustle Does Make Money
The whole reason you take on a side gig is to make some extra cash, right? So even if you really enjoy the idea of a particular side gig, if it does not offer you enough money to meet your determined goals, you need to continue the search.
Keep in mind that if you select a side gig requiring you to regularly purchase your own materials, then you have to figure that into your overall profits. For example, when making wedding cakes, you have to buy all of the materials to make it. If you do not charge enough for your services, it is not going to be worth continuing to do.
The better strategy is to aim at a happy middle ground with a side hustle. Find one that does not overly tax your energy reserves, that you have time for, one you enjoy, and one that pays you a decent amount of money for the investment of time and energy.
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