How to Get a Side Hustle

When you're out of work, finding ways to make ends meet becomes crucial. Although many people are able to receive unemployment benefits that can help in the short term, not everyone is so lucky. For those who were self-employed, had quit their jobs or have seen their benefits run out, making enough money to get by becomes a matter of survival.

If you aren't having luck finding work in your field, there are other ways to make money in the short term. So, what is a "side hustle?" It's a term for work that you find on the side. This work can be doing things like walking dogs, cutting grass or doing home repairs. Anything you can do to earn a little cash would fall under the category of a side hustle.

But what if you don't know how to do any of those things? Don't worry, no matter what your skills are, there's bound to be a way to make money from them. The challenge is to find them and capitalize on them. Think about the business idea that you've always had in the back of your mind. There has to be something that you've thought you would be good at or things that your friends and family compliment you on. For example, if you are an excellent cook, you could start a catering business or even sell healthy, packed lunches to office workers. Look for fun, exciting things to do, and get creative. There are plenty of resources online that can give you specific tips for getting your side hustle going, depending on your interests. One great article at LaborAcademy offers a good list of ways to get your side hustle started, which I'll elaborate on:

1. "Don't let a lack of money stop you." Many of the people I've talked to about side work have said that they wanted to do something but didn't have the money or the resources to get started. Don't let your fear keep you from taking risks. No matter how much money you have, there is a way to get started. Make a list of your resources and your skills and come up with an idea. You can always start small and grow it into something more as you begin to earn money.
    
2. "You do have time." Not having enough time to devote to a side job is another big excuse to not take a chance. Even 30 minutes to spend each day can be enough. You'll be surprised at how easy it gets to find the time to do something you're excited about. So, set aside whatever time you can give and trust that you'll find the time once your business gets off the ground.
    
3. "It's not as hard as you think." Take a look around you, wherever you are. Think about the people you see and ask yourself what needs aren't being met. This is a great way to find inspiration for business ideas that will work. Find a problem and offer the solution. Maybe your friends complain about not having time to do errands when they're at work. Why not offer your services, for a fee, to do those errands?

Getting a side hustle takes a great deal of focus, but it can really pay off. While you're looking for your next career, a side job can help you from sinking in debt.

What types of work have you done to make some extra money? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.

Photo by flickr user: Victor1558