23 Ways to Make Money: Side Hustles

Sometimes you need to supplement your income; you need ways to make money on the side apart from your regular job. Other times you may have gotten furloughed (as so many people have recently with the government shutdown) or laid-off and need to make money to stay afloat until you get back to work. Enter the side hustle. Strap on your entrepreneurial hat and gloves and get to work on different ways to make money. I’ve listed twenty-three below to help you get started.

1) Online merchant. Sell items online at places like Amazon, Ebay, etc. You can sell things you don’t use that are already around your house. Those boots you’ve only worn once that hurt your feet, sell them. The tennis rackets that were only used a few times before being put in a corner to collect dust, sell them. If you have collector’s items of toys, games etc. consider selling a piece or two. If you bought a toy for $5 and it can now sell for $200 online, that’s a nice return on investment and supplemental income.

2) Self-published author. Have you already written a collection of short stories or a collection of poems? Put them together and read it through to make sure there is flow or ask a person you trust to proofread it. Once you’re satisfied, self publish it. Put your new work in the proper format for the site on which you plan to sell it, and give it a reasonable price. This will bring in some passive income, a nice way to make money that won’t require constant work.

3) Freelance writer or editor. If you already have a great knowledge base in your industry you can write about it for others. There are writers and editors for every subject or industry. You can put the word out that you’re available, charge a low introductory price to get feedback and testimonials from the first few jobs to build more credibility. You can also sign-up on sites like elance.com and fiverr.com to promote your services and get clients.

4) Barber or stylist. Styling hair is a great way to make money. If you already have clippers and regularly cut the hair of siblings, friends, or your children then you may be able to expand and make a little money. Let your current “nonpaying customers” know you are looking to expand and what your price point is. You’ll already have positive word of mouth recommendations.

5) Babysitter. I often see ads or hear people asking about babysitters. If you have the patience and the knowledge to watch children then this may be a nice side hustle for you. Determine if you need any certifications to give yourself an extra boost or credibility. Research the going rate so you can be competitive.

6) Dog walker. People love their pets and some would spend all day with their four-legged friend if they could, but they need to go to work. They would love it if you could pop in and take their friend for a walk.

7) Pet sitter or house sitter. Has a friend or relative ever asked you to watch their house or go over and feed their cat? Well this is also an avenue for a side hustle or a way to make money. You could become a freelance pet or house sitter. People will pay for peace of mind and to make sure furry or feathered friends stay in good health.

8) Personal assistant. Busy executives and professionals may need an assistant outside of work to assist with everyday errands such as picking up drying cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. If you don’t mind running around a bit this may be a great way to bring in side income. Some people use the term gopher, but I like the term personal assistant. I’ve seen some charge about $50 per hour for these services. Now just starting, I don’t suggest this pricing until you’ve gained positive referrals and recommendations.

9) Personal shopper. Some people just don’t have time to go shopping. You can do it for them; yes they will pay you for it. Say they need a great outfit for the important meeting or office party, they’ll let you know what they’re looking for and you have to hunt it down. So if shopping is something that you like to do then try this out.

10) Seamstress or quilter. If you’re good with a needle, you can make some money. If you sew, crochet or knit you can sell your creations on sites like Etsy.com where people buy homemade items such as hats, blankets, scarves, gloves, doilies etc. If you sew particularly well you could also tailor clothes for individuals.

11) Scheduler. Busy people who aren’t great with organization or just feel they don’t have the time will pay you to create their schedules. If you’re familiar with programs like Google calendar or Outlook, you can try this side hustle. I’ve seen many ads on craigslist for this.

12) Tutor. People are always looking for others who have mastered a subject to tutor themselves or their children. If there is a subject in which you have higher than average knowledge you can tutor in that subject. The most common subjects are math, science, English and test prep (SAT, GRE, MCAT). However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of opportunities for other subjects like foreign languages.

13) House cleaner. If you don’t mind scrubbing and using a little elbow grease then you can try house cleaning. House cleaners or housekeepers are still quite common. Do the same mentioned above to gain credibility and get the word out.

14)  Lawn care specialist. Cutting grass and hedges around the house is often outsourced to others. So if you know what you’re doing and have the tools then this may be an option. You could also do things like rake, bag and haul leaves. Clean out gutters etc.

15) Photographer. Already have the equipment and have taken pictures at friends’ events for free? You could start making money here. Turn your hobby into a moneymaker. This is definitely for the person who is already doing photography as a hobby and has the necessary equipment and skill. I do not suggest offering to take pictures at someone’s special event without some experience.

20) Clinical trial subject. You can sign-up for clinical trials that are offering compensation for participation. The description will tell you what is expected of you and the time commitment that is required, usually the longer the commitment the higher the compensation.

21) Workout coach or personal trainer. If you’re really into fitness and health and offer advice to friends and family anyway, you can begin to get paid for this also. Many individuals who are ready to get started working out, want an accountability partner who knows what he/she is doing…and yes they’ll pay you for it.

22) IT troubleshooter. Technology is very important in our daily lives. When it works awesome, when it doesn’t …well you know. So if you’re technologically savvy and know how to fix most problems or problems tied to a specific device or machine then people will definitely pay you to help them.

23) Landlord. If you have an extra bedroom or a part of your house than can be used as a mini apartment, then rent it out. Renting out rooms can bring you in an extra couple hundred a month. Be careful and make sure to check backgrounds and other items to maintain your safety.

A few notes:

As you may have noticed there is a running theme throughout this article. If you have a hobby or a passion that you’re already involved in, you have the knowledge necessary to make money from it. Be creative and think outside the box. Start with an introductory rate and get great recommendations and testimonials.

For every site mentioned check the rules and fees to make sure that it is a lucrative option for you. For each side hustle, do your research so you’ll know exactly what it entails (advantages and disadvantages), how to get started, how you can be competitive and will know what you need for credibility. You can also look up companies that are already hiring freelancers and sign up with them.

Prepare to pay taxes on your side hustle. Fill out a 1099 estimated income tax form to state how much money you’ve earned from your side hustle. Unfortunately or fortunately (depends on how you look at it) the government wants to get paid too.

Do you have a side hustle? What is it and how did you get started? I would love to hear from you.

About the author: Maria James has a compassion for people that makes her involvement in Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation a sure fit. She is a biomedical scientist who is public health conscience and has always worked for the betterment of others. Maria is the founder of Pocket of Money, LLC which provides tools and tips to help you take control of your money and live your best life. Dr. James is our resident Money Scientist.

Negative vs Positive Thinking

Miracles happen every day and in that split second everything can change. In the darkest periods of my life, I remember calling out to GOD asking for a miracle to change my circumstance. With a face full of tears, knees weak with shame and disappointment, I prayed for a blessing. I wept for a saving grace.  At one point I remember when I prayed to be saved from myself because the way I was heading there was nothing left to destroy but me.

Mentally, physically, emotionally, financially I have been torn. I have been defeated. But eventually when I got tired of what my grandmother calls having my “own personal pity party", I would surface from my hours, weeks and sometimes months of self-inflicted agony and decide to give my life everything I had left. I always rose from the living dead with the "what's the worst that could happen?" fighting spirit and then and only then would I start speaking life back into myself. When I started speaking life back in to my situation GOD would send a Blessing. 

The hardest part is to believe in yourself when you feel there is nothing left to believe in. You have to do the hardest job on the planet and truly believe in yourself and do the work to elevate your circumstances and continue to push for all the things you desire in the mist of your mess. I promise you, there is a blessing in your storm. All you have to do is BELIEVE IT and not the fairytale belief when you sit and wait on the lawd but the Belief that your work is not in vein.

The Belief that your actions will produce favor.

The Belief and Power of Positivity and Action.

Seasons do and will change but are you prepared for what the next season of your life will look like?

A negative mind will NEVER give you a positive life. Change your mind. Change your LIFE. 

About the Author: Monokia Nance is a powerful award winning speaker, author and brand manager, with more than a decade of experience working with some of the top brands in the nation. Her acclaimed strategies are impacting the masses for a lifetime, not just for a moment. Her life's work is to help women (and some 5 star men) to identify and deliver their life’s purpose, dominate their marketplace and create millions. Monokia is not only the CEO of Monokia Brand Management she is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation Inc. 

The Life You Want Tour Nuggets

Our team was blessed to participate in the DC Oprah’s the Life You Want tour which had so many aha moments. 

Here are some amazing quotable nuggets. The first section is from Oprah and then we share some nuggets from Mark Nepo, Rob Bell and  Iyanla Vanzant.

You must have sunrise faith. The sun will always rise no matter how dark it gets.- Oprah

With the rising of the sun, you ask, “What will make of this NEW day?”

I want us all to fulfill our greatest potential. To find one calling, and summon the courage to live it.

Turn up the volume on your life, you are co-creating it.

What have you been called to do?

Your job, if you are here is to honor your calling.

Create the highest, grandest vision for your life. Then let every step move you in that direction.

Your life is constantly speaking to you.  It always comes in a whisper. Pay attention to the whispers.

The ordinary moments of your life are creating the extraordinary of your life.

With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas — thought by thought, choice by choice.

Nothing you were meant to have was meant to stay with you.

The only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life of your dreams.

Ask yourself what does YES feel like. Energy is everything. Be responsible for the energy you bring into this room. 

Together, we rise. After you’ve done all you can do surrender. Whatever you are going through is to get you through. Make a shift and be grateful for it instead of complaining about it.  You are living the reality if your beliefs right now.

Every one of us is looking for the same thing — we want to know we matter. We want to know we were heard.

Strive to be full of yourself, a cup running over so you can give to others.

With the setting of the sun, my heart I filled with gratitude for yet another day to live on purpose.

The longest journey of your life is from your head to your heart. – Mark Nepo

Two key lessons:  No one can live your life for you. No one can do it alone.

Our light is revealed as our gift strikes against the needs of the world.

The life you want begins by embracing the life you have. -Rob Bell

Excessive pain will render you unconscious. – Iyanla Vanzant

Life is really on your side.  Life talks you must learn to listen. If you made it through you past, you passed. Life always tells you the truth your job is to recognize and accept it.

5 Steps to Free Yourself from the Guilt of Being a Passionate Parent Living Your Life on Purpose!

          

It’s after 10 o’clock on a Sunday night and I just plopped down on the couch with my son to watch the movie, “Curious George.”  Together we’re cherishing the moments, and enjoying all the short-lived freedoms that the summer months bring…then about 15 minutes into the movie, I get a call and it’s the transitional home I volunteer for as a Life Coach-I had to answer.  A sincerely compelling voice greets me on the other end, it’s the house mom who apologizes for the short notice and is wondering if I can go to court with a resident as a support in the morning, as in about 8 hours from now.  How can I resist?  After all, just a few days ago after hearing her story, I was moved and inspired to advocate for her, and here is God answering my prayers!  I’d wondered:  “How can I be of help?”  “What can I do to make a difference?”  “How can I use my story of victory to help encourage her through her process?”  So without hesitation and full of gratitude, I eagerly respond, “YES!”

           But wait, here it comes…My son had just came back home earlier that day after having spent some time at his dad’s.  We were just swapping hugs & kisses, expressing I love you and I missed you’s.  Now here mommy is again whisked away by her passion for living her life on purpose.  But before I allowed the guilt to set in, I reminded myself of these 5 simple steps that I employ frequently so that I remain guilt free:

#1 Communicate on your child’s level.

We’re all aware that in all healthy relationships, communication is key.  However, sometimes we don’t share our passions with our children, assuming they can’t understand.  Children are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for.  My son loves his cars.  He likes to talk about them, design them, write stories about them, build them out of Legos, and conveniently build “parking lots” all over the house where I’ll step on them so that I may feel the depth of his passion!  So what I did was juxtapose our passions by saying, “You know how mommy calls you to eat and I have to repeat myself several times because you’re engrossed in finishing one of your Lego cars?  Well, that’s how mommy feels about the work she does with the girls at the Sierra House and when I’m writing,” he responded with an illuminated smile, “Ohhh yeah, yeah, I get it!”  Use your knowledge of your child’s passion to leverage the conversation and come to a mutual understanding.  They get it.

           #2 Invite them into your world.

Each year when I attend the Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation Annual Conference, I love to be reunited with all the women who attend.  The women in attendance are the embodiment of passionate living on purpose.  Many of the women are wives, mothers, and single mothers too.  It always brings me joy when I see one mom in particular, who faithfully brings her daughter who is a child with special needs.  Having worked for the special needs population as a nurse, I know how the parents struggle with guilt.  Many of the parents neglect living fully so that they can tend to the demands of parenting a child with special needs, as well as to avoid the social stigma attached to the role.  But not this mom, her daughter’s presence is a light in the room and she brings so much love, youthfulness, laughter and dance into the space; I don’t know that it would be the same without her; she teaches us that sisterhood knows no boundaries.   Seek out communities in alignment with your passions that are supportive of your needs as a parent, they do exist.  Sometimes my son will come with me to the Sierra House when we do creative activities like vision boarding during group.  Help them to feel included by sharing in your excitement.

           #3 Help your child to discover and nurture their interests.

It’s never too early to get your child’s wheels turning in regards to discovering their passions and divine purpose.  Get them to think BIG!  In many foreign countries, it’s custom to take notice of a child’s gifting and those involved in that child’s upbringing, nurture and invest in those qualities accordingly.  These children grow to become confident and productive young adults who start making contributions to the improvement of their societies early on.  When people encounter my son, Amen, they often say things like, “Oh!  So one day you can learn to be an auto mechanic and fix the cars!”  So what we did one year for his Black History project was research African-American designers in the automobile industry and did his project on Earl Lucas, one of only 25 in the world.  You don’t have to wait for a school project though, spend a Saturday afternoon creating a vision board together.  The thing is to get them to see the possibilities beyond the average roles regularly presented to them, keep them motivated to press towards the high mark, and help them to develop a heart for servicing the greater good of the world.  The best time to begin instilling these values is when they are young and the imagination is ripe.  This will also help to strengthen their self-esteem before the world or experience comes in and triggers doubt.

          

#4 Create balance.

This weekend I found myself over-committed and overwhelmed, leaving me to make cancellations and back out of my plans.  Sometimes us passionate ones give way too many yeses before checking in with ourselves first.  Establish healthy boundaries to protect the values you hold and those of your family.  Ask yourself if you have the capacity to fulfill the agreements you make with others.  Commit to keeping track of your obligations to avoid disappointing others, people tend to understand a justified “no” better than a broken promise.  Get yourself a planner to help you stay mindful of where you need to be, what free time you have for family, and to be sure you square away time for self-care. 

   

           #5 Know that having the freedom to express yourself makes life better for us all!

What we have inside of us, is vital for the continual healing of ourselves, our homes, the community, our nation, and ultimately our world.  Think, “If mama isn’t happy, then nobody’s happy!”  Your family is happy to see you happy.  That thing that you do, that no one else can do like you do, is making this world a better place to live in.  Living on purpose is not about you, but it is about us all.  You are out there being the change that we so need to see, and your children will thank you for assuring that they would inherit a world wherein you made an impact so that they could thrive, be safe, and have access to opportunity so they can become all they are destined to be!

I hope by now that you are inspired to keep on living on purpose, passionately and guilt free!  With communication, sharing, your leadership and example your children will become your biggest cheerleaders.  Free yourself from the weight of self-condemnation for operating in the world as your highest self.   Lastly, pat yourself on the back for modeling excellence to the little ones who are forever watching, for they are our future.    

About to the author: Jonae N. Potter-Gill coaches young women who are in transition.  She is a mom, student, and Licensed Practical Nurse by profession.