Today, I’m going to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about having a side job. If you’re considering getting a side gig or starting a small business on the side, you probably have a few queries yourself. I had plenty of questions before I started, too.
Having a side job can significantly impact your life. I know this firsthand because side hustles helped me pay off $40,000 in student loans. My blog, which started as a side gig, eventually became my full-time business. I now enjoy a good income, travel full-time, and maintain a great work-life balance.
However, not every side hustle will suit everyone. With so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? Many of the common questions I get revolve around this very issue.
Extra income can help you pay off debt, save more, test out business ideas, and achieve financial freedom. Below, I’ll answer some of the most common questions about having a side job:
**1. How do you find a side hustle?**
There are countless side hustles out there, which can be overwhelming. To find the best one for you, ask yourself:
– Are you passionate about it?
– Can you realistically make money from it?
– Do you have the time for it?
– Do you have or can you acquire the necessary skills?
– How much money do you need to start?
– Will your day job allow it?
Answering these questions will help narrow down your options. Creating a pros and cons list can also be useful.
**2. How much money can I make from a side job?**
The earnings from a side job can vary widely. You might make a few dollars a week or thousands of dollars a month, depending on the job, the time you invest, and your efforts. Here are some examples:
– Teaching English online: $14 – $26 an hour
– Picking up trash: $30 an hour
– Virtual assistant: $500+ a month
– Taking surveys: $1 to $5+ per survey
– Blogging: $0 to millions a year
– Writing articles: $15 to $1000+ 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
**3. How do you get paid with a side job?**
Payment methods depend on your client or customer. If you work for someone else, you’ll likely get paid via direct deposit or check. If you work for yourself, you can choose to be paid by check, cash, PayPal, credit card, or direct deposit. Payment frequency can vary from monthly to task-based.
**4. How can I find time for my side job idea?**
Finding time for a side job requires some planning. Track how you spend your time for a week to identify time-wasters. Options for making time include waking up earlier, staying up later, using lunch breaks, and cutting down on TV or social media.
**5. How can I balance my day job, side job, and life?**
Balancing everything can be challenging. I managed a full-time job, college, a side job, volunteer work, and home life all at once. To maintain balance:
– Outsource tasks when possible
– Focus on one task at a time
– Leave work at work
– Stay organized
– Eliminate time-wasters
– Create a smooth schedule
**6. How can I find clients and grow my side income?**
To grow your side hustle and find clients:
– Promote to friends and family
– Use social media
– Attend networking events
– Start a website
– Reach out directly to potential clients
– Ask current clients to spread the word
– Post on Craigslist
**7. What is a good side job?**
There are numerous side jobs to consider, including working online, offline, for yourself, or for someone else. Some ideas include blogging, selling on Amazon FBA, online tutoring, running Facebook ads, taking surveys, bookkeeping, transcription, proofreading, and voice acting.
**8. Should I tell my boss about my side hustle?**
Some day jobs have restrictions on side work. Check your employment contract or consult HR if you’re unsure. Avoid working on your side hustle during work hours unless it’s your lunch break. Make sure your side job doesn’t conflict with your day job or reduce the quality of your work.
**9. Do I have to pay taxes on a side job?**
Yes, side jobs are subject to taxes. Research how to handle taxes for your side hustle, including quarterly payments and keeping business finances separate from personal ones.
**10. How do I avoid side job scams?**
Work-from-home scams are common. To avoid them:
– Verify the company with the Better Business Bureau
– Research online for any scam reports
– Be cautious with personal information
– Avoid clicking suspicious links
– Trust your gut—if something feels off, move on
What side hustle ideas are you interested in trying? What do you think about side hustling? Are there any questions about having a side job that I didn’t cover?