How to (Side) Hustle

Even if you are currently in possession of a full-time job with benefits, you could definitely benefit from having extra cash on hand, especially as gift-giving holidays loom across the horizon. Working a part-time job to improve your cash stash can help you save money to an investment account, pay off debt faster, or put toward big purchases. In order for your side hustle to be sustainable, you need to find a job that will help pay the bills while you focus on your full-time work and let you have the time you need to take care of yourself, whatever that looks like.

Here are a few tips to help you find a side hustle that will help you save money and develop your skills:

• Be realistic about your schedule. If you’re working 60+ hours per week, or you don’t have very much flexibility with your full-time work, think critically about how much extra time, if any, you have available to spend on another project. You don’t want to be sacrificing time or energy you could be putting into your full-time work or self-care on a part-time job.
• Consider your interests. Have you always wanted to learn to ice skate? Do you love animals? Are you an excellent wine bottle-opener? Search the internet for part-time work at your local ice rink or sign up to pet-sit on one of the popular apps. Many restaurants and bars look for part-time waitstaff or bartenders once a season. Personally, I love to read, so I host a book club once a month on behalf of a wellness-focused organization. I also cat-sit periodically for a colleague. You are more likely to stick with something part-time if you’re interested in it.
• Practice goal-setting. By setting a savings goal, you are practicing intentionality with your time. If you don’t love going to work after work, even if the responsibilities and time commitment are drastically different, set a goal and a time limit within which you must reach it. After you’ve accomplished your goal, you can refocus your attention on other, non-work-related commitments.
• Phone a friend. The same rules apply as when looking for full-time work. Ask your friends, family members and, depending on your office culture, your colleagues if they are looking for babysitters, pet sitters, or additional help with miscellaneous projects part-time. Follow your local businesses on Instagram or Facebook and look for posts that advertise ‘help wanted’. By communicating with an informal network, you are more likely to find a part-time job you’re interested in.