Top 10 Realistic Side Hustle Ideas!

Cindy C
4 min readFeb 28, 2023

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I’m a big believer in making more money, and I believe that everyone should have a side hustle. Side hustling can help you earn that extra money that will help you reach your financial goals faster, whether it’s paying off student loans or saving for retirement.

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Here are our picks of The Best (Most Realistic) Side Hustles that you can do today to start earning more money:

  1. Freelance writing or editing (medium.com is a great place to start your writing) or you can offer your services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.
  2. Online tutoring: You can offer online tutoring services in subjects you are knowledgeable about like Cafetalk, check mine here.
  3. Social media management: You can help businesses manage their social media presence by creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments and messages, and analyzing data.
  4. Virtual assistant: You can offer administrative support to businesses or individuals remotely.
  5. Graphic design: If you have a creative eye and design skills, you can offer graphic design services to businesses.
  6. Pet sitting or dog walking: You can offer pet-sitting or dog-walking services in your local area.
  7. Event planning: You can offer event planning services for birthdays, weddings, or corporate events.
  8. Home cleaning services: You can offer cleaning services for homes and offices.
  9. Start a blog: Starting and growing a blog takes time, but I estimate you can earn at least $700 per month after a year if you do it consistently (it’s a lot of work). A blog, on the other hand, has nearly limitless growth potential! So, if you want a long-term side hustle, this could be it.
  10. Food delivery services: You can start a food delivery service in your local area.

But…
There are several key factors to succeed in a side hustle, some of which include:

  1. Time management: Since you’ll likely be juggling your side hustle with your main job or other responsibilities, it’s important to manage your time effectively to ensure you can complete tasks on time and meet deadlines.
  2. Passion and interest: Choose a side hustle that you’re passionate about and that aligns with your interests, as it will keep you motivated and engaged in the work.
  3. Consistency and persistence: Consistently putting in the work and not giving up in the face of challenges is key to building a successful side hustle.
  4. Networking and marketing: Building relationships with potential customers or clients and marketing your side hustle effectively can help you attract more business and grow your brand.
  5. Continuous learning and improvement: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and continually seek ways to improve your skills and offerings to better serve your customers or clients.
  6. Financial planning: Manage your finances carefully and set goals for how much you want to earn from your side hustle, as this can help motivate you to keep working towards your objectives.
  7. Work-life balance: It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between your side hustle and your personal life to prevent burnout and maintain your overall well-being.

Final Thought!! — Is it worth it to get a side hustle?

Whether having a side hustle is worth it depends on your personal circumstances and goals. Here are some potential benefits and drawbacks to consider:

Benefits of having a side hustle:

  1. Additional income: Having a side hustle can provide an additional source of income that can help you achieve financial goals or alleviate financial stress.
  2. Skill development: A side hustle can provide an opportunity to develop new skills or refine existing ones, which can enhance your resume and potentially lead to better job opportunities.
  3. Flexibility: Many side hustles offer flexible work schedules, allowing you to work around other commitments like a full-time job or family obligations.
  4. Entrepreneurial experience: A side hustle can offer the experience of running your own business and building a brand from scratch, which can be valuable for future endeavors.

Drawbacks of having a side hustle:

  1. Time constraints: Juggling a side hustle with a full-time job or other responsibilities can be time-consuming and potentially lead to burnout if not managed properly.
  2. Financial risks: Starting a side hustle can involve upfront costs or financial risks, such as investing in equipment or inventory, with no guarantee of a return on investment.
  3. Lack of stability: Unlike a full-time job, side hustles may not offer the same level of stability or consistency in terms of income or workload.
  4. Potential conflicts of interest: If your side hustle is in the same industry or market as your full-time job, it could potentially create conflicts of interest or ethical concerns.

Overall, whether having a side hustle is worth it depends on your personal goals, financial situation, and willingness to commit time and resources to building your business.

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Cindy C

Hi, It's Cindy - a Pescatarian, a Structure engineer by degree, and an Inner engineering enthusiast by heart! LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccolijn/)