One of the ways many people are getting out of debt or making extra money is by working a side gig. The concept is nothing new. Plenty of teachers, police officers and underpaid white collar workers have been making extra money on the weekends or in the summer by working second jobs. These jobs help supplement their income so they can either live comfortably, pay off existing debt or save for the future.
If you were to believe the internet, making extra money is both easy and profitable. From writing content for AI bots, to freelancing on FIVERR or starting a YouTube channel, there’s free money out there you just need to get started. All of these options will provide you with the extra cash you need. The reality is more nuanced than that.
Regardless of what you decide to do, all of these options require effort. Once you have something up and running or develop a client list you may be able to step off the gas, but there is almost always a level of upfront work. An Instagram model with 5 million followers pouting her lips while singing Taylor Swift is the exception to the rule.
I’m not saying you can’t make money on social media. Plenty of people make enough to supplement their income or more. I just wouldn’t bank on this as your retirement plan. There are too many variables and potential impediments to success.
In doing research on this in the past, I usually stumble upon sites offering money to perform surveys. Don’t fall for it. If it sounds too good to be true it most likely is. This would definitely fall into that category. The amount of time needed to make $20 isn’t worth the effort.
The reality is, nothing beats actually doing the work and getting paid once the work is finished. It’s no secret that skilled tradesmen (or women) are in high demand. Each of us experiences this when we hire someone to do any kind of home improvement. The prices are often astronomical and the time it would take to complete the job is longer than you’d expect.
I’ve spoken of this before, but I’m not a handy guy. I wish I was, but I’m not. Plenty of other people are. There is an incredible opportunity to make real money on the side by offering home services at an affordable price. Simply by arriving when you say you will and doing the work at a reasonable price, I can all but guarantee your phone would be ringing nonstop.
There may be easier ways to make money but tried and true hard work cannot be replaced. Talk to anyone who owns a business or manages a labor force, the biggest issue is finding people who will actually show up on a daily basis. If this is the case for full time jobs, imagine how much harder it is to find someone to perform a side job on your behalf. Obviously the bar has been set pretty low.
If you believe the internet, easy riches are plentiful and for the taking. As should be the case with most things, don’t believe the internet. If you’re looking to make a little extra cash to supplement your income, focus on the things you’re good at. Whether that’s building, fixing or (in my case) writing, put your effort into your strengths and avoid false promises.
Why should you trust me?
You’re reading my side gig as we speak.
