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With the , gas and other essentials on the rise, inflation is undercutting the amount we can buy with every dollar, and wages are not keeping up. If you need an easy way to earn some extra money each month, consider starting a side hustle. A side hustle can provide a supplemental income through regular freelance work or even occasional tasks. About one-third of American adults have a side job, according to a 2021 Harris Poll .
A side hustle could make life more comfortable or nudge you closer to achieving a particular financial goal, such as contributing to an emergency fund, or . Before getting started, however, it’s important to consider how the work will impact your time, job security, overall goals and, of course, your taxes.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your side gig. For more, check out these . Plus, learn how .
Be realistic about how much time you have
A side hustle can be a hefty responsibility. Even if the gig requires only a modest time commitment, that’s on top of your full-time job — plus other commitments and relationships that require your time.
That means your side hustle work may spill into nights and weekends, or times you might otherwise recharge, connect with friends and family or pursue hobbies.
It’s important to prioritize your mental health and your full-time job over any side endeavors, and set clear boundaries of time and effort before embarking on your side hustle journey.
Forest McCall, a marketing manager who side hustles by running a blog, does not stick to a set number of hours per week, but rather bases his workload on how he’s feeling. “Some weeks I may feel more refreshed than others, so my side hustle hours vary week to week, for an average of 15 hours per week.”
Set clear boundaries and hours before committing to a new venture, especially one where clients are involved. If your extra work is making it impossible to evenly balance your time and obligations, don’t be afraid to pause and give yourself some time off. Just be sure to communicate your hiatus to your second boss or clientele.
Promote your side hustle to your network
No matter which industry your side hustle is in, finding and building your clientele is paramount. If you’re side hustling in an industry you’re familiar with, leverage your existing connections by sending an introductory email or a LinkedIn InMail (as long as you’re complying with your primary job’s rules, of course). This can help you find business opportunities and browse available freelance job listings.
Don’t be afraid to let relatives or friends know about your side gig, either. Even if they’re unable to hire you, they may offer you some valuable advice as you start out, or be willing to lend you helpful materials. And don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth.
Lastly, make sure to exhaust the apps. So many side hustles, from tutoring to photography and food delivery, have corresponding apps designed to simplify the process and connect providers to clients. Well-known side hustle apps include , and , but search around to find something that matches you. For example, is a great app for creative freelancers. Remember, this is an investment of time and effort — and sometimes tools and supplies — and you owe it to yourself to make full use of the connections and resources you already have.
Give your money a mission
Having a purpose will generate energy for your side hustle. “Side hustles can be extremely helpful to help meet your financial and life goals,” said McCall. A concrete savings goal, which could be a monthly entertainment budget or a , will help you stay engaged.
A side hustle can offer you more financial flexibility to pay down debt, plan for retirement and explore other ways to — but it can also help you explore roles in different industries and digitain even lead you to a new passion.
Sometimes, a side hustle can evolve into a lucrative main hustle. “My side hustle has completely changed my life and I am so happy that I started it.” said McCall. “I was able to use the skills from my education and career to launch my side hustle just over two years ago, and it has been tremendous.”
Look out for noncompete clauses
If there’s considerable overlap or correlation between the industry of your side hustle and your primary job, make sure it doesn’t conflict with your current employment agreement. Some jobs may require you to sign noncompete clauses, which prohibit you from working in an industry that could be considered competition with your primary employer. In this case, it may be better to seek extra work in a different industry — for example tutoring part-time if you work as a sales representative full-time.
For more guidance, have a conversation with your manager or human resources department regarding your side gig. Some companies may require approving any side gigs you take on, while others may be more lax. Some simple research and transparent communication can save you a lot of complications and difficulty.