With concern over inflation rates and the rising cost of living, the need to earn more money has never been more dire. Many people turn to side jobs to supplement their income. There are many creative ways to earn extra cash—such as driving for a rideshare app, walking dogs, or even writing a lifestyle blog. Yet balancing your main job and side hustle involves some special considerations. Here are 15 tips to help you manage your side jobs better.
Choose the Right Side Gig
Once you decide you’d like to make a little extra money, your next step is to choose your side job. You’ll be working more hours than you’re used to, so consider choosing something you are passionate about. Don’t choose a job you hate; instead, pick something you’re passionate about that doesn’t feel like work. This will motivate you to stick with it. Also, make sure it works with your current schedule.
Know Your Purpose
When you decide you want to pursue a side job, it is best to know your purpose. Do you need the extra money because you are saving up for a house? Are you and your significant other planning on becoming parents? Knowing your purpose will motivate you to keep working hard. Set a financial goal and work toward it.
Know Your Limit
Some people are workaholics and enjoy being busy. They quickly say yes to every new opportunity that will bring in extra income. However, this can lead to feeling tired and overworked. Before starting your side job, it is best to know how much you can handle. Making money is important, but your physical and mental health should be the top priority.
Don’t Jeopardize Your Main Job
Making money on the side is nice, but your main job should come first. Don’t work on your side hustle during your primary job, as it will impact your performance. Also, ensure that your side gig aligns with your professional reputation. Avoid side jobs that could conflict with your main role, and work your side hustle at appropriate times.
Maintain Your Relationships
More jobs mean less free time. Life isn’t only about work and making money. Sure, it’s essential, but it shouldn’t impact your relationships with friends and family. Relationships require attention and effort. If you are too tired to commit to maintaining a relationship, you could lose the ones you care about most. Make sure to find a healthy work-life balance. Block off your schedule to get coffee with friends or spend time with extended family. Little things go a long way.
Track Your Finances
This tip is helpful even if you don’t have a side job: keep track of your finances. What are your monthly bills? What are you spending your money on? Knowing where your money goes is crucial, especially if you make a valiant effort to earn more. Keep a notebook, file your bank statements, or work with a financial advisor. Looking at your finances may reveal small changes in your spending that would no longer necessitate a side job.
Re-evaluate Side Gig
It is easy to get swept up in the rat race. So, check in with yourself. Is your side job working for you? Is it helping you reach your financial goals? Do you have enough time to do what you love and spend time with the people you care about? A good rule of thumb is to re-evaluate your side job once every month. You might discover it’s not working for you. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plan or change your goals.
Manage Your Time
One important thing to consider when deciding to tack on a side job is time. Be sure you have free time available to spend on extra work. If you are already working 40+ hours on your main job, taking on other work may not be realistic. However, your side hustle will also determine how much time and energy you need to designate. Don’t try to do more than what you can handle.
Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis
One strategy to help you determine whether a side hustle will be a good idea is to complete a cost-benefit analysis. Know how much you will benefit from the extra work and what you stand to lose. Writing things down will help you think clearly. It’ll also help you stay motivated when you experience doubt or forget why you work more.
Stay Healthy
Your main job is exhausting as it is. Taking on more work guarantees you will be more tired, which is why it is extra important to stay healthy. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Your main priority should be yourself, then work.
Prioritize Personal Care
One thing that can help you manage your main job and your side hustle is to treat yourself to a personal care day. Schedule a massage, go to the spa, or do something to restore your body. It is paramount to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself in these ways will help you to perform your work.
Avoid Burnout
Juggling multiple jobs can be exhausting. It can be physically and mentally demanding. You must know when you need to slow down. You don’t want to overwork yourself. It could lead to poor work performance and even ruin your relationships. Take care of yourself and know when you need to take a break. People will understand if you need to take some time off. Wait to respond to those emails until after you return.
Watch Your Spending
Watch your spending as you rake in the dough with your multiple jobs. If you are always working, you might assume you have a bottomless wallet. You might spend your money without thinking clearly. Be aware of what you are spending your money on. Keep track in a notebook or word processor. Watch your bank accounts. You may be making more money with a side hustle, but you could discover you’re spending more than you realize.
Your Side Gig Should Not Feel Like Work
We all get caught up in the monotonous droll of the work week. It is easy to become immersed in your work life, get distracted, and lose sight of your priorities. If you hate your side job, maybe it’s time for a change. Your side job should not be adding more stress to your current workload. It shouldn’t feel like work at all. It should be fun and easy, something you can do in your free time.
Carve Out Downtime
You are a busy bee with a primary job and multiple side jobs, not to mention a family. As you hustle to make ends meet, ensure you are kind to yourself and schedule downtime. It sounds unnecessary, but it works. You are more likely to relax when you block out specific times in your schedule. Try: no work on Sundays. Or: no working past 7 pm. When you work so often, give yourself time to chill and reset. Plan to do something relaxing like read a book, watch TV, or take a bath.
