How to Find a Side Hustle That Fits Your Lifestyle

When you’re trying to make money on the side, it can be tempting to think that the only way to do that is by giving up your free time. After all, how could you possibly find the time to take on another job in your free hours? Well, actually, there are plenty of ways—you just need to think outside of the box.

If you’re exploring ideas for a side hustle, here are some ways you can find one that doesn’t involve trading away your evenings or weekends. Instead of putting your personal passions on the back burner until retirement, look for side hustles that let you leverage those things about yourself and build them into a profitable business venture. Here are some ways you might be able

Networking

This may not be the most obvious way to make a side income, but it’s definitely one of the best. You’ve got plenty of built-in networks—both personal and professional—that you can take advantage of without needing to invest much of your own time. Use your network to find clients for your side business, or even for your main work. If you don’t have a side business yet, you can use your networks to find people who can help you get started.

Networking should be a key part of any business owner’s strategy, but it can be easy to fall into the trap of only getting together with people who are just like you. Expand your professional network to include people from different industries and backgrounds, who are in different stages of their careers.

Online Courses

Educational platforms like Udemy and Skillshare have made it easier than ever to turn your skills into a source of income. If you have expertise in a particular topic, consider creating an online course that can be purchased through these platforms and taken by learners around the world. You can choose a topic you’re passionate about, and you don’t have to deal with the logistics of hosting or scheduling classes in person.

Online course platforms also offer ways for you to build a community around your course, which can help you connect with more people and make more money. You can also use your platform to recommend additional resources and products that you like, which can help you increase your income.

Service-Based Businesses

If you have a particular set of skills, you may be able to turn them into a profitable business. For example, many healthcare professionals work at home, taking care of patients on a telemedicine platform or providing virtual therapy. If you have medical expertise, you can also consider offering your services to others through sites like HealthTap and Zocdoc.

If you’re in a service-based business, you can take advantage of the flexibility of working from home. This can help you schedule your work to be more in line with your family’s schedule, or you can choose to work more when your kids are in school.

Freelancing

If you have a skill that can be done online, such as programming or graphic design, you may be able to turn it into a full-time or side business. There are a number of websites that connect skilled workers with people who need help with specific projects, both for personal and business needs. If you’re a programmer, for example, you can turn to online platforms like Upwork or PeoplePerHour to find work.

Freelancing lets you set your own schedule, and you can often choose your own hours. Plus, you can find work through websites that match you with clients in your area, which means you can work from home, where you’re most productive and comfortable.

Write a Book or e-Course

If you have expertise in a particular field, consider turning it into an e-book or written course. This is a great option if you have expertise in a specific topic, or have built a following around a particular passion.

If you have a particular expertise, writing a book is a great way to put that knowledge to work for you. You’ll also have something to sell for years down the road, even after the hype around your book has died down.

If you’re passionate about a particular subject, you can turn your knowledge into an e-course that can be sold through a platform like Teachable. You can write the course yourself, or hire a ghostwriter to do the heavy lifting.

There are plenty of ways to find a side hustle that doesn’t require you to sacrifice your free time. You can also find ways to make money that fit in with your current life situation, whether your kids are in school or your spouse works full-time.

When you’re looking for ways to make money on the side, keep in mind that you don’t need to quit your day job. Instead, look for ways to leverage your existing skills and passions to create a side income from home.