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So you want to start a side hustle – but how do you choose the right one for you?
Side hustle ideas are everywhere, especially for Moms who want to earn extra money while spending more time with their kids.
Start by asking yourself these 7 questions:
1. Why Do You Want a Side Hustle?
Before you choose one, think about why you want it in the first place.
Are you:
- Looking for some quick cash?
- Trying to earn extra income each month?
- Hoping to start a blog or another way to earn money over time?
Your answer can help you choose one that works for you.
Some ideas can help you earn money quickly, while others take longer but have the potential to become a steady source of income.
Once you know what you’re hoping to achieve, it’ll be much easier to find the right fit.
2. What Do You Enjoy?
Think about the things you naturally enjoy doing in your free time.
Maybe one of these sounds like you:
- Love to shop? Get paid to grocery shop with Shipt.
- Creative at heart? Sell handmade crafts on Etsy.
- Animal lover? Consider dog walking or pet sitting.
- Always taking pictures? Start a photography business.
You don’t have to turn your favorite hobby into a business, but if you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll be much more likely to stick with it.
Not every side hustle starts with a hobby. Sometimes it starts with a skill you already have.
3. What Skills Do You Already Have?
You probably already have a skill set that could help you earn extra money. Here are a few ideas:
Side Hustles for Moms
- Great with kids? Babysit, become a Nanny, or start a home daycare business.
- Enjoy writing and sharing your experiences? Start a blog for passive income.
- Don’t mind cleaning? Make money on a flexible schedule by cleaning homes.
- Like helping others? Run errands and complete household tasks with TaskRabbit.
- Good at decluttering? Sell unwanted items for extra cash or become a professional organizer.
Think about your current or previous job. Do you have office skills like bookkeeping, graphic design, customer service, or administrative experience?
Side Hustles for Office Skills
- Good with numbers? Start a bookkeeping service.
- Enjoy writing? Write articles or emails for businesses as a freelancer.
- Like graphic design? Design logos or websites on Fiverr.
- Organized and detail-oriented? Become a Virtual Assistant or Social Media Manager.
You may not have thought of this, but did you realize your car can help you earn extra income?
Side Hustles that Use Your Car
- Need extra cash on your own schedule? Deliver food with DoorDash.
- Already shopping for groceries? Get paid to shop and deliver with Instacart or Shipt.
- Have a Walmart nearby? Shop and deliver customer orders as a Spark Driver.
Now that you’ve thought about your skills and interests, let’s consider the time element.
4. How Much Time Do You Have?
Before you pick one, think about how much time you realistically have each week.
Different opportunities require different amounts of time and flexibility.
For example, Door Dashing or grocery shopping with Shipt lets you work whenever you have free time.
Cleaning houses requires more of a regular schedule, while freelancing often comes with client deadlines.
Starting a blog gives you the flexibility to work whenever you want, but it usually takes much longer to build into a profitable business. (I typically spend 15-30 hours a week creating content and growing my blogs).
The good news is that blogging can become a great source of passive income over time. Many successful bloggers eventually earn a few thousand dollars a month or more, but it takes patience and consistent effort.
So be realistic. Estimating the time involved up front can save you a lot of frustration.
5. Will This Side Hustle Make Money?
Everyone wants a way to earn extra money doing something they enjoy.. But just because you love doing something doesn’t always mean it will put money in your pocket.
Consider how much money you could realistically earn after expenses and fees, along with the time you’ll invest.
For example, maybe you love making handmade candles or personalized gifts to sell on Etsy. If each item takes hours to make and you’re paying for supplies, shipping, and Etsy fees, your profit may be much lower than you expected.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Just make sure it’s a side hustle that can realistically help you reach your financial goals.
6. What About FAST Cash?
Not every side gig has to become a full-time business. Sometimes you just need to earn a little extra money as quickly as possible.
If that’s your goal, consider side hustles that let you start earning right away, such as:
- Sell items you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
- Earn cashback, rewards, and free gift cards with money-saving apps.
- Complete online surveys for extra cash or gift cards.
- Deliver groceries, DoorDash, pet sit, or babysit in your local area.
These ideas probably won’t replace a full-time income, but they can be a great way to earn extra money when you need it.
7. Which Side Hustles Are Best for Long-Term Income?
Here are three side hustles I personally use and recommens:
1. Start a Blog
Starting a blog changed my life. It gave me the flexibility to work from home with my kids and to build a solid business over time.
If you’re interested in starting a blog, I recommend Ana Sykes’ free blogging course. It’s a beginner-friendly course that teaches you how to start, grow, and monetize your first blog.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the primary way I earn money from this blog. What is it?
It’s simply a way you earn commissions by recommending products or services you genuinely like and use.
If you’d like to learn more, I recommend Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s free affiliate marketing course. It’s a great way to learn the basics.
3. Make Money with Pinterest
If you enjoy using Pinterest, it’s a fun side hustle you may not have considered. I’ve used Pinterest for years, and it still helps me grow my income.
If you want to learn Pinterest marketing, I love Carly Campbell’s course. If you’re creative, you’ll enjoy Nadalie’s pin design course. She makes designing pins easy and profitable.
Still Can’t Decide?
Don’t stress! There are hundreds of side hustle ideas, and there’s no single “right” choice.
My family used to joke and ask, “What’s your business THIS month?” because I was always chasing the next big idea. Looking back, I wish I had spent less time trying every new side hustle I heard about instead of sticking with the ones that were already working.
Choose one side hustle that interests you and give it your best effort for at least 3 – 6 months. If it’s not the right fit, you can always try something else.
If you found this helpful, save it to Pinterest to refer to later or share it with a friend. 😀
