What are some flexible side hustle ideas that work on your time?
If you are a parent, you may want a flexible side hustle to pursue during school hours, when your children are out of the house. But if you are a teacher or student, you may want a side hustle only outside of school hours. Depending on your interests and skills, you may want to consider the following options:
- A monetized podcast or social media account.
- Graphic design.
- Photography.
- Proofreading or copy editing.
- Copywriting or blogging.
- Coding.
Many flexible side hustles require computer skills that can allow you to set your own schedule.
If you prefer to do something more hands-on after spending the day in a classroom, many students and teachers find that the gig economy offers several opportunities. For example, you might:
- Drive for a ride-hailing or food delivery service.
- Use a dog-walking or pet-sitting app.
- Sell handmade crafts online.
It is important to keep in mind that some side hustles require you to account for gas and mileage on your car, or other costs to perform the work. Costs may be hefty if you pursue a specialty side hustle that requires specialized equipment, like photography. Of course, if you have a special skill, you may set your rates to account for these costs in a customized Photography Contract or a freelance contract.
How can I manage my school workload or kids and a side hustle?
It is all about time management, setting your priorities, and communicating clear expectations to your clients. If you sell handmade crafts, for example, you may want to set a specific day for shipping, and make sure your customers know which day you ship out on. When you start to earn enough money with your side hustle and see an opportunity to grow the business, you may consider hiring an employee to work while you are in school, or otherwise occupied.
At the start of the school year, it may help to limit your time spent on a side hustle to develop a schedule and figure out how to manage your time. Know your own limits. If you wake up at 5 a.m. every morning for school, you may want a side hustle that you can do in the late afternoon or weekends, rather than late at night.
One of the least time-consuming ways to earn additional income is to find passive income opportunities that do not require a lot of time. If you have a parking spot, extra bedroom, or a car, you may be able to rent those out. Photographers may shoot stock photography to sell online. Graphic designers can set up storefronts on websites that allow users to sell custom designs printed on shirts, mugs, calendars and more, without having to do anything except upload the designs and market the storefront.
How can I find legitimate work-from-home jobs?
Legitimate work-from-home jobs typically are structured like regular jobs where a person works at a business, but the work gets done from their home.
Some work-from-home opportunities take advantage of individuals eager to make additional income. If an opportunity requires you to buy inventory or recruit others to work under you, it may be a good idea to research whether it is really an opportunity at all. Multi-level marketing schemes, or pyramid schemes, still exist and rarely deliver on the promises of monthly income. If a job seems too good to be true, it may not be a legitimate opportunity.
Finding the right remote opportunity depends on your skill set and availability. Businesses increasingly offer remote positions, but many are full time, meaning that you are expected to be available in the same way as if you worked in-person in their office. Many job descriptions specify whether the position is full- or part-time. When you apply or interview, it is important to explain your availability and schedule.
Can I make money from something I am passionate about?
It is important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family. When starting out, treat a side hustle as a source of extra cash, not a second full-time income. Some people pursue a passion and make good money from it. For example, hobby photographers may be able to do more than just offset equipment and transportation costs with freelance income.
Getting creative about your hobby or business can help you make money from it. For example, if you love nature photography, you may want to consider specializing in outdoor wedding photography or family portraits to blend what you love with something that may generate more income.
How do I start a side hustle business?
Side hustles may involve starting your own small business, even if you are working through an app. It is important to do your homework and understand your legal obligations. Make sure you know:
- How taxes will work for your business.
- Your state laws surrounding small business formation.
- How you can protect your business.
Also, be prepared to network and go out to find clients, rather than waiting for them to come to you. You may want to consider using bookkeeping software to help you keep track of both your expenses and income.
If you start your own business, there are minimum requirements to get you off the ground. Forming an LLC may help reduce personal liability for anything related to your business.
If you have more questions about your school year side hustle, reach out to a Rocket Lawyer network attorney for affordable legal advice.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
