Bridge your income with a side hustle

When you need cash quickly to cover a bill or expense, it can seem like there are little options available to you. But with new types of work emerging due to the #Coronavirus pandemic, there are new opportunities opening up to help you bridge the gap between your income and your expenses. Some of these options have been around for a long time, however they have recently boomed in popularity both with workers and consumers. Find out which side hustles work best for your lifestyle so you can start earning some extra cash right away.

What do I need to do to be successful at a side hustle?

The most difficult thing about trying to earn money when you work a side hustle is that your success all depends upon you. In order to actually be successful with your side hustle, there are some skills you’ll need to lean into.

1. Get ready to be your own boss

Your earnings depend upon you being motivated enough to push yourself to work, even with no boss or schedule structure to require you to do it. It can be hard to stick to something you’re not required to do by any structure. Even if you have to set a schedule or target for yourself, be ready to give yourself targets so you can earn what you need.

2. Beware of perfectionism

One of the main reasons people don’t follow through on a side hustle is because the reality of starting a side hustle doesn’t match up with their dream of how they thought it might go. If things don’t go perfectly at first, don’t despair. Every new venture has a learning curve. If you stick with it, you will find your footing.

3. Learn as you go

There’s no set blueprint for how you run your hustle best. As you gain more insight into what works (or doesn’t work) for you, be sure to apply your learnings so you can continue to build on your success.

What are my side hustle options?

Now that you know what you need to succeed, you’ll need to understand what side hustles are available for you. Review these opportunities and click the links included in the text below to explore further so you can get involved.

Become a freelance worker online

Do you have professional skills like writing, administrative skills, or graphic arts talents? Online freelance sites like Upwork and Freelancer can help you find the perfect place to market yourself. On sites like these, employers put out listings for the freelance jobs they need and freelancers bid on the jobs. Once you complete a task for the employer, you get paid through the site’s payment processing system.

Teach english or tutor online

If you have teaching experience or skills, you could earn over $20/hr in your spare time teaching english online through services like VIPKid and EF, Education First. With this side hustle, you make your own hours and pick up 25 minute classes whenever you have time. Depending on how many classes you complete and when you decide to work, your earnings will increase.

Deliver food to hungry customers

Do you want a side hustle where you can get out and about? You might be best suited to a delivery job. The good news is that there are many opportunities available in the meal and grocery delivery space for you to choose from. One reliable option is Amazon Flex which could earn you up to $300 extra dollars per week for roughly 10 hours of work.

Sell your arts and crafts online

Do you have crafty hobbies like sewing, jewelry making, or candle making? If you’re a handicrafter at heart, consider selling some of your crafts for money as a side hustle. Online storefronts like Etsy or Amazon Handmade are set up to help crafters market their wares to consumers in one place. When you sell through these sites, you'll get exposure to customers and access to their storefront management tools that will help you build a successful storefront.

But what if I already have a job?

Many people who work a side hustle also have a job. If you're worried about splitting your time effectively, you can make yourself a side hustle work schedule for yourself to make sure you don't take time away from your main job. If you're worried about your workplace having a problem with your side hustle, check in with your manager or check your employee handbook to see if there are guidelines you should follow when opening a new stream of income. Whatever you do, make your side hustle work in the best way for you! The flexibility of working a side hustle means you can work as much or as little as you want based on your availability and your need for more income.

What side hustle do you want to try?