How do you generate more income when it feels like you’re already zapped and just plain exhausted? I’m a firm believer in the side hustle – working outside your “normal” job to make additional money, but as someone that has been on the debt-free journey for a long time, I know that it’s not always super easy to find ways to make more money that accommodate the your season of life.
So what do you do? How do you make more money without losing your sanity or sacrificing so much time and energy that you can’t even function anymore?
Do What You Like
Unless you’re hardcore struggling, as in you can’t even keep your lights on, take the time to evaluate what you like doing. Then attempt to see if you can find any opportunities doing something that, you enjoy doing. I’ve found that when you do something that you enjoy, you are less likely to stress about doing it and about the sacrifice involved doing it.
Do What You’re Good At
What skills do you possess? Do you have any teaching skills? If so, maybe you can contact local churches or homeschool groups and offer to write their homeschool or preschool curriculums for a nominal fee. If you’re like my book editor, do you have English teaching experience because you may be able to freelance out editing work for bloggers, authors, or even businesses. Are you an accountant? Freelance out your services for bookkeeping or even tax prep. If you’re an Administrative Assistant, try to freelance out your services as a Virtual Assistant.
Don’t possess any professional skills that you think will be able to generate an income? What about cleaning – how well do you keep your home clean? You may be able to post your cleaning services on sites like TaskRabbit.com or if you’re good with kids, you can post your services for nannying or even as a Mother’s Helper.
Make a list of your skill sets and see if there are any potential opportunities outside of your normal work. If you’re struggling to come up with a list of skill sets, ask your spouse, best friend, or sibling what they think you’re good at. You may be surprised.
Do What It Takes
For two years I walked dogs for several people for extra money. This wasn’t always easy especially when I was hugely pregnant walking dogs in the Georgia heat nor was it easy attempting to get two little kids out of my car and into several different homes, leashing dogs and then walking said dogs. There were days that I downright hated having to drive over to the neighborhood where I walked those dogs because honestly, I had better things to do with my time, but I knew that the money was imperative to our debt-payoff plan.
Sometimes we just have to suck it up and do what it takes to build up our savings accounts, debt-payoff plan, or even just help out our budgets or even pay for a debt-free Christmas.
Related Post: 4 Ways for SAHMs to Make Money
Set a Goal
This may seem like a strange thing to do when it comes to generating more income but many years ago when I was truly struggling, I needed to earn some extra cash fast. I was working full time as an Administrative Assistant and going to school full-time but I needed to add a second job to the mix. I didn’t have the internet at home (because I couldn’t afford it) so I had no choice but to seek employment outside of my living room.
I took on a second job as a waitress and trust me when I tell you that I hated every second working that job. I hated coming home smelling like food, I hated wearing those ugly shoes, I hated driving to that restaurant. I flat-out hated it, but I set myself a goal.
My goal was that when I got the next credit card in my debt-snowball paid off, I could quit. The balance on that card wasn’t high, it was about $450 but at the time that might as well have been $4,500 because I was broke and if I wasn’t working that second job, it would have taken me over a year to pay off that small balance.
So, I set my goal and I stuck to it and reminded myself of it daily as I worked in that gross restaurant and you know what? In one month I was able to earn enough from my second job to pay off that credit card so I was able to quit. That entire month was a nightmare and exhausting but it was well-worth it as I was $450 out of the hole.
Related Post: 3 Steps to Setting Financial Goals
If you’re wondering how to generate more income, these ways will help you figure out how you can balance it all, but definitely don’t forget that sometimes, we just have to do what it takes. Sit down, set your goals, make a list of your skill sets, what you enjoy doing, and figure out from there what opportunities may lay ahead for you.
Chances are there are plenty of opportunities just waiting for you.
What advice can you give to someone looking to secure a way to make extra income?
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I remind my readers (primarily trying to get out of debt) that second jobs don’t have to be forever. That said, sometimes you are lucky enough to hit on a business idea that turns out to be more profitable and fun than your full time job!
So true Kirsten!
The “do what it takes” part is especially important. When there is a will there is a way, but the will part is what deters some people.
I don’t have any children but I am a part time caregiver for my mom. I can’t work full time out of the home. I agree that dog walking is a smart way to make side money. I do dog boarding for Rover.com and I love it. I get to make extra money while sitting at home. The challenge is just getting started. Thanks for the great tips!
I am totally pro side hustling, as well as working as a waitress I sell my makes on etsy, and sell unwanted things on Gumtree, ebay and depop. I am in the process of selling everything to get rid of my debts whilst decluttering.
Great article though, you’ve got me interested in joining task rabbit, hopefully I can find some success too.
Katherine x
I’ve never heard of Gumtree – I will have to check them out!
These are great tips! While my boyfriend and I have good regular jobs, both of us frequently talk about the side hustle and the dream to one day be in charge of making our own living. Until something big takes off, these ideas are really helpful. I really liked the story you told about only keeping that second job until you had reached a goal. A good reminder that second jobs can be as temporary as you want!
I love that you said do what it takes, even when it is not easy. I was able to homeschool/tutor a student 3 days a week for about 3 months in my home. It was hard because the student was very high maintenance! LOL Plus I had my 9 month old son to take care of while I taught. But it was just the money that we needed because a month later my husband had a dental emergency, and the money I made from tutoring covered the bill! Thank you for the encouragement!
Oh I love your story Emily! Sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do! 🙂
You are a trooper Jessi! I so admire your work ethic. PS .. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a Dog Walker. I just love to walk. One day, I will 🙂
You know I found your blog on accident but I believe in faith and there are no accidents. I’m in the process of loading up a plyboard trailer I bought for $500.00, trying to fit what little bit of life I have due to my husband after only 18 months emailed me from work telling me he’s not in love anymore and wants a divorce. I don’t have family, not close friends anymore, I realized he was really all I had. I’m dealing with health issues so I haven’t been able to work for the last few years, anymore, was turned down for disability due that he made too much, so he was my sole provider. I have been trying to build a business, DIY, all handmade Home decor, I started on etsy.com but just had to suspend it due to no money to keep it up and with the move I couldn’t get anything done and shipped but I’m ramblibg sorry. I am leaving my personal things and storing them in our, his garage now and heading to TN, I found a store there that I can sell my home decor in once I get there and settled, but reading your site, it gave me hope, strength, I can do it and rebuild my life, Im still trying to figure out how to even get my website to look right so I can get my home decor and crafts on it to sell to start making some kind of income, I read a different section of your blog everyday, with all the tips on budgetting, you are awesome to share, I hope I will be as good as a blogger as you once I figure out how to work it and set it up, lol. They say wordpress is easy, ugh, for who? Lol. Thank you again for bringing so many great budget tips that will help a girl like me who has no income and is trying to make this world of blogging and creative design my full time career, Its about the only thing I can do for work due to my health. You are a wonderful inspiration and I enjoy waiting for your next story or tip.
STAY COLIRFUL!!
Thank you so much for your kind words Diana! I hate hearing of your struggles but I LOVE your positive attitude — I’m convinced that is half the battle when dealing with hard times and you are a true inspiration! TN is gorgeous! You will love it and the communities in TN are typically so generous and loving. I know this is going to be an amazing opportunity for you. I’m cheering you on! 🙂
This is my favorite part and something I needed to be reminded of: “…but definitely don’t forget that sometimes, we just have to do what it takes.” I need to do a little more of that!
Thanks for your honest words! Great post!