One of the top things keeping people from following their dreams is lack of money, and one of the top things keeping people from making money is lack of time. I feel like I am always hearing from my 20-something year old peers that there just “isn’t enough time to work full-time and get good grades.” But I disagree!
You don’t have to pick up more minimum wage jobs with wacky schedules to make more money! What has helped me work 3 part-time jobs, on top of being a full-time student, is finding jobs that work around my schedule and not the other way around!
Here are 6 tips to help you become a rock star at side hustlin’:
1.Talk to people!
If you are looking for extra money on the side, the best thing that will help you is to talk to people you know!
I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten side jobs by just talking to people I work and go to school with. Whether they need someone to watch their house for the weekend, or help them with a house project, it’s an easy way to make money and relationships.
2. Get creative
Love to paint? draw? take pictures? knit cute scarves? Freakin’ sell that stuff!
People are always looking for cute handmade items. Turn your hobby into a business and make money doing what you love!
3. Don’t let location limit you
Try and find side jobs that you can do from home!
- Be a virtual assistant
- Help businesses with their social media outreach
- Write
- Become a medical scribe
- Tech Support
I mean, lets be real…there’s not much better than working from home and making money in your jammies!
4. Don’t let “flex” positions scare you off
More often than not, these positions allow you to pick up extra hours if your schedule permits! When people call in sick, businesses call their flex employees to fill in. It may only be a few hours a week, but it adds up if you are looking to make extra money!
With summer right around the corner, people are going to want to go on vacations and companies will need employees that can cover that time off. And since you aren’t obligated to work 40 hours/week, it keeps you’re schedule open to go out and enjoy your summer as well!
5. Start babysitting/ nannying/ caregiving
Since I can remember, I have always babysat. You get to make your own schedule, get paid under the table, and typically it is not very hard work (if you like kids, that is! )
Last year, I made a profile on care.com and I have had the greatest experience! It is almost like a facebook for babysitters.. parents see your profile and message you if they are interested in meeting you and having you watch their kids. I have been contacted by over 20 families in my area and have worked for 5 of them that fit into my schedule. Each week, I babysit for 3 families on a set schedule that works around my classes and my “real job.” The best part is, you can pick up as many extra hours (or as little) as you want!
Pro Tip: Don’t meet these people at their houses! Go to a public place and talk over coffee or meet their kids at a park. There are some weird people out there..
6. Try new things!
The reason you are reading this article is because one of my boyfriend’s sister talked to me about needing help with her business. If you had told me two months ago that I would be writing blog posts and interacting with people over social media for her business, I would have said you were crazy! But here I am, a few weeks later totally LOVING something I never even thought about trying.
When an opportunity presents itself to learn something new, why the heck would you not take it?! You may just find something you never knew you were passionate about.
Thanks for reading! Comment below and share how you make extra side money!
Hustle on!
-Kaelyn Moody