Side Hustle

I believe that every one who is head of their household should have a side hustle.  No.  Actually, if you make over $200k a year, you probably work long enough to where you don't have time for one, and quite frankly, you make enough as it is.

But, for most of the rest of us out there (incomes less than $70k), a side hustle is a great way to scratch a little ground out, make a little buffer on Murphy.  While I didn't understand it while I was growing up, my Dad spent Saturday mornings and a couple evenings a week preparing taxes at the local tax office.  I can only assume that dedication to our family is what helped pay for us kids to go to college.  His side hustle is something he still does today, for a few months each year, even though he lives now 140 miles away from the job.  He enjoys the work, the people, the money is good, and since he's working there for over 20 years, is pretty well vested in the firm.

My side hustle history started right out of college.  Two weeks before I started my full-time State engineering job, I quit my job at Pizza Hut, where I had delivered pizza for three years during college.  I spent those two weeks relaxing, but anxious to start making some money again.  I hadn't worked for two months at my full-time job when I went back to the Hut to ask about delivering a few days a week.  I went on to work my full-time job, and my side hustle, delivering pizza for about 3 more years.  In that time, I got married, paid off my credit card, engagement ring and car.

I ended up finally quitting that pizza delivery job when I accepted a new full-time position and when my wife graduated college (dual income household then).  I only had the full-time job until January of last year when I contacted a friend about doing some weekend contract work for his race timing company.  We hit it off well, and I worked for him all last year, and am doing the same this year.  That job, and some connections, have led to other, smaller, contract jobs measuring running courses.  It's been an awesome ride, so far, even when I get up at 3:00 a.m. on a weekend morning to drive across the state to time a 5k.

With the extra income, we've managed to avoid lifestyle creep, but have also been able to more easily absorb some bumps in the road.  There are so many great side hustle opportunities out there, get yours today!