We live in the golden age of side hustling. If you’re looking to make some extra money in order to pay off debt, save more, or even to buy that shiny new toy, there’s really no excuse for why you can’t do it.
Compare the nature of a part-time gig today, as compared to just a few years ago. There wasn’t a sharing economy or on-demand economy. Things like Uber and Airbnb didn’t exist. When I was in college, making extra money meant either finding a part-time job or figuring out a way to make your own job. Finding a part-time job meant working when your boss told you to work. That’s a problem for people who want flexibility. And creating your own job meant figuring out a skill you had and finding customers, not to mention you probably needed to spend some money in order to get your hustle started.
In contrast, look at the wealth of options available today. There are entire marketplaces on the internet where you can sell goods and services without needing to make the jump into starting a full-fledged business. And on-demand apps like Uber or Postmates make it incredibly easy to earn money, anytime you want, for as long as you feel like doing it.
If you want to make some extra money on the side, then you are living in the right time in history.
You Have Flexibility To Side Hustle Whenever You Want
The ability to work whenever you want has to be the biggest reason that we’re living in the golden age of side hustling. Has there ever been a time where you could choose to work at any moment of the day, whenever you felt like it? Or where you could earn money basically doing things you’re already doing and using stuff you already have?
Just think about how you can side hustle today using the technology that’s out there. There’s no need to pick up a second job or work any set schedules. You don’t need to work full days. Heck, you don’t even need to work full hours at a time!
If you’re an Uber driver, for example, all you have to do is turn on your app and drive someone around for as long as you want. If I’m feeling bored or want a bit of exercise, I can turn on Postmates and make a quick delivery on my bike. I can literally work and make money whenever I feel like it!
The great thing about side hustling today is that it doesn’t require you to stick it out for the long haul. You can start most side hustles without spending any money at all. If you find out that a particular side hustle isn’t for you, all you have to do is quit doing it. At most, you lose a little bit of your time.
There Are Very Few Barriers To Entry
Technology has also greatly decreased barriers of entry to the point where there are almost none if you’re looking to start a side hustle.
Take your typical on-demand economy gig like Uber or Postmates. It’s not the same as a job, so you don’t have to interview for it. Just sign up, go through some background checks, and get started. Or take a platform site like Airbnb. All you have to do is take some time to set up a spare room, take some photos, read some blog posts, and set up your listing. You can have a fully-fledged money-making opportunity ready to go in just a few hours.
My wife’s brief foray into the bike messenger delivery world is a great example of how easy it is to get started hustling. Postmates was offering up a referral bonus for referring new Postmates couriers. Because I’m always looking for ways to make some extra money, I had my wife sign up to be a Postmate.
The sign-up process couldn’t have been simpler. All she had to do was fill out a form, watch a few online videos, and take a multiple-choice quiz to show that she had watched the video. She didn’t even take the quiz – we just left the videos running in the background and I answered the questions for her in about 5 seconds. We didn’t even have to get off the couch in order to sign up. She was up and running a few days later once her application was approved.
Given how easy it is to get started side hustling, what excuse do you have not to try a side hustle?
You Can Get More From Side Hustling Than Just Money
Side hustling today allows you to work whenever you want, in a manner that has never been possible. Few barriers to entry mean that it’s easy to get started making money right away.
But one of the biggest benefits of side hustling today isn’t just the ability to make more money. It’s the ability to make money doing things that benefit you beyond just making money.
For example, we already know that we should all get out and exercise more. Most of us spend our days sitting in front of a computer. By signing up to deliver food on my bike with apps like Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, I’m able to exercise, keep myself active, and make a little money to boot – all on my own time.
You can also get a benefit beyond just making money by starting up an online business or using a platform website like Airbnb or eBay. Why not try setting up a small business and using it as a test run in entrepreneurship. It’s a cheap, low-risk way to get some first-hand experience in this area.
Finally, another great benefit about side hustling – you’ll learn how to handle your taxes. When you’re side hustling in today’s economy, you’re likely going to be an independent contractor and/or sole proprietor. You won’t have the luxury of an employer taking the taxes out for you. It’s always pretty surprising to me how little people understand their taxes. But when you’re side hustling, by necessity, you’ll have to learn.
The Only Thing Holding You Back Is Not Getting Started
Side hustling doesn’t have to become a full-fledged business. Indeed, not all of us are trying to become full-time entrepreneurs.
But I do think there is room for everyone to become a micro-entrepreneur. With how technology works today, you can start side hustling almost immediately.
Bringing in a little bit of extra money might not seem like all that much. You probably won’t think it’s a life-changing amount. But add it up over time, and you’ll find your side hustle is worth a lot more than you think. There really hasn’t ever been a better time in history to be a side hustler.
All you have to do is just get started.
What do you think? Am I right? Has there ever been an easier time to start a side hustle?
More Recommended Ebike/Scooters
Check out these other ebikes/scooters I've had the chance to do a review for:
- GEN3 Outcross Bike – The GEN3 Outcross is a solid, affordable fat tire ebike that does a good job of doing what I need it to do. It works great for city riding, giving me a smooth ride in all conditions. It’s works really well as a winter ebike since the fat tires give it good traction over snow and ice. Check out my GEN3 Outcross Review.
- Himiway Escape Bike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Bike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.
More Recommended Investing App Bonuses
For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:
- M1 Finance ($50) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $50 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
- SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with $100 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
- Moomoo (5 free stocks) – Moomoo is a free investing app currently offering 5 free stocks (usually worth around $75-$100) if you open an account using a referral link and deposit $2,000. Read my Moomoo referral bonus guide for more information.
- Webull (5 free stocks) – Webull also gives you 5 free stock valued between $3-$3,000 each if you open an account using my referral link. Here’s a guide I wrote about how to earn your free stocks using Webull.
- Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
- Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.
More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses
If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.
- Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
- SoFi Money ($25) - SoFi Money is a free checking account from SoFi. They’re currently a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link. This is a good bank that is also 100% free, so you won’t have to worry about managing this account. Here’s a post I wrote with instructions on how to earn your SoFi Money bonus: SoFi Money Referral Bonus: Step By Step Guide.
- Brex ($250) – Brex is a free business cash management account that is offering new users a $250 Amazon gift card if you sign up using a referral link and meet certain requirements. It’s an easy bonus to earn and well worth doing. Here is my Brex Card Referral Bonus Step By Step Guide.
- Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link.Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
- Spiral ($50) – Spiral is a fintech bank that's currently offering new customers a $50 signup bonus after opening a free checking account with them. The Spiral referral bonus is especially good because it's a free checking account and doesn't require a direct deposit to earn the bonus. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Spiral Bank bonus.
- Nearside ($90) - Nearside is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 signup bonus and a $50 referral bonus if you open a Nearside business checking account using a referral link. Filling out the application should only take you a few minutes. And the bonus terms are easy to meet. Check out my Nearside signup and referral bonus guide here.
- OnJuno ($100) – OnJuno is a fintech/neobank that is currently offering a $100 referral bonus if you open an account using a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $250 or more. The account has no fees or minimum balance requirements. Even better, the bonus posts immediately after you meet the requirements. If you can meet the direct deposit requirements, OnJuno is an easy bank bonus that’s worth snagging. Check out my OnJuno referral bonus guide here.
- Fairwinds Credit Union ($100) – Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a referral bonus for users that sign up using a referral link. Fairwinds has no fees or minimum balance, so this is a particularly easy bonus to earn. Since this is a smaller credit union, my gut instinct tells me this offer won’t be around long, so if you’re in a position to meet the bonus requirements, grab this bonus before it’s gone. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Fairwinds Credit Union bonus.
- Albert ($150) – If you can manage to do a real direct deposit, Albert is an easy account you can use to earn a referral bonus. Here’s a review about Albert I wrote. And here’s a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Albert referral bonus.
- Fifth Third Bank ($350) – Fifth Third Bank is currently offering new customers a $350 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements. This offer is limited to customers in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and South Carolina. If you live or visit one of these states, make sure to take advantage of this high bonus. Check out my post on Fifth Third Bank to learn more.
- Varo ($50) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $50 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.
- One Finance ($50) – One Finance is a fintech bank that’s currently offering a $50 signup bonus if you open an account using a One Finance referral link and have a direct deposit of $250 or more. This is a completely free bank account with no minimum balance requirement, so if you can meet the requirements, it’s worth doing. Check out my One Finance referral bonus guide here.
- Netspend ($20 + 5% Interest Savings Account) – Netspend is a company that provides 5% interest savings accounts. If you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get a $20 signup bonus once you make your first deposit into your Netspend account of $40 or more. That means you get a 5% interest savings account and a free $20 to start! Make sure to check out my in-depth guide on how to set up these accounts.
Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.
Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.
Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:
- Personal Capital. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.
- SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link.
- Brex. Brex is a free business cash management account that is currently offering new users a $250 Amazon gift card if you sign up using a referral link and meet certain requirements.
- M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $50 for opening an account.
- Albert. A great free app I use to track my finances and save more money. You can also earn a $150 signup bonus if you open a free Albert cash account.
Feel free to send Kevin a message here.
After reading this article I really have no excuse not to start a side hustle. There are plenty of options, even though in NL we might have slightly less opportunity than you guys. A little extra income every month can really start a snowball effect.
Admittedly, I don’t know the side hustle world over in the Netherlands, but I imagine there must be opportunities over there as well. You are right. Even just a little bit means a little more you can save, and you don’t even have to use up a lot of your time to do it.
I would agree. Due to the internet nowadays there is an infinite number of business models one can apply to earn money and have access to marketplaces all over the world. However, this requires some flexibility and an entrepreneurial thinking. It’s to some extent different from the concept of a “traditional job”.
Good read and interesting points.
Cheers
Thanks Financial Shaper! Definitely true. Having the internet and smart phones just really opens up a lot of opportunities. I know for myself I don’t want a second job. I want a side hustle, which to me means something I can do on my own time, whenever I want.
I think it is so exciting! There are so many options out there. I actually have a post for next wednesday about finding the kind of side hustle that meets your long term goals. This week I took on my very first freelance writing client writing the website core content for their side hustle app! It’s something I am super passionate about, so it is awesome to get to work with a brand new app to explain this stuff to the world. The barriers have really never been lower!
That’s awesome that you got your first freelance client! I’ll have to check it out if you can share it!
I am so excited. It’s the first time in my life I have been PAID to write. What? I’m saving the check. =) But it is 2x as cool because I am creating the content marketing strategy, which I love. I am throwing a link into my side hustle post, but I will write a full post about it because it is such a good business model for rural areas (which many options are not.)
You are absolutely correct when you say side hustles are easier than ever. I mean between Youtube stars, blogging, the Amazon MTurk and Uber, if you want to earn money there are more ways than ever if you want to earn income.
It’s crazy how many ways there are to make money out there. Everything you do doesn’t have to become a full fledged business either. For many people, just bringing in a little bit extra can make a big difference!
You’re side hustle posts are really inspiring. It’s amazing how technology has made it so easy to earn extra money on the side. Where was this when I was a broke college student with an irregular schedule?
I know! I really wish we had all these on-demand stuff back when I was in college. These gigs are really perfect for college kids for sure.
I totally agree. The barriers to entry thing I believe is the key. Traditionally even to get folks to know your business existed either required preexisting contacts or expensive advertising. These days web hosting is cheap, sites that mention you business like the sharing sites for over only take a cut of earnings. So it’s really that initial find the customer stage that’s changed for the better. But that of course is more then half the battle. Great post.
Exactly. You really didn’t have a lot of flexibility either. If you were going to start something, you sort of had to do it. Now though, you don’t even have to. You can just start something out and see if it’s for you. And if it’s not, all you’ve lost is some time.
I totally agree with your perspective on side hustles here. And I think you’ve done a great job being a living example of it (especially with the way you’ve integrated it into your life with dog sitting and bike deliveries). It’s never been easier to get up and running to make a little bit of extra cash!
Exactly! It’s pretty shocking how easy it is to make a solid amount of side money without doing much additional work. Picking things that have a lot of flexibility and that incorporate things you’re already doing is a great way to get some additional income. There’s really no other time in history where this type of side hustling was possible!
Very inspiring post, FP! Being on the verge of a number of new side hustles myself, it’s a great read, and encouraging. So true that we live in a world where there are so many possibilities!
Thanks Mystery Money Man! Keep hustling! There’s so many options out there. I spent a lot of this past weekend biking around making deliveries. Legs are sore now from all that exercise, but made a few bucks as well!
You are absolutely right that there has never been an easier time to start a side hustle. Everyone has the opportunity to be their own media channel with social media like snapchat, instagram, Twitter, and so on. Great read!
Thanks Graham! It’s crazy how many opportunities have opened up with the way technology works now. There are ways to work now that just weren’t possible even 5 years ago. If you had brought up Uber or Airbnb back in 2005, it would’ve seemed crazy. Now, it’s so common place that we don’t even think twice about it. You can literally just make money whenever you feel like it, which wasn’t really possible before.
I love the Homer Simpson GIF!
Haha, thanks!