In a post-pandemic world the working public has realised something all at the same time; working from home is amazing. Why should we have to commute to a cramped office and sit in front of a computer when we can do exactly the same work from the comfort of our own homes? 

It’s a very valid question, and although some companies are trying to return to the days before COVID-19 wreaked havoc across the planet, it’s too late for some. We’ve had a taste of spending more time with loved ones, enjoying our own homes and being able to get outdoors more. 

We have also come across a slightly tricky inflation situation; things are getting significantly more expensive and no one is getting paid any more than before. What’s the answer to all this chaos?

Introducing the side hustle. Having a second job has been around for a while, but the side hustle is something slightly different; in this day and age everyone has a computer at home, lots of people have hobbies, a skill, or the capability to produce something.

Why not make some money from your computer alongside your full-time job? Earn extra income, enjoy what you do, and be in control of your own time. Sounds amazing.  

Should you Start a Side Hustle? 

There are plenty of great things about having a side hustle alongside your regular 9 to 5, and the extra money speaks for itself. 73% of people in the UK begin a side hustle to increase their life satisfaction by following a passion of theirs. Side hustles are also a great way to ‘top up’ your regular income, and you can learn a whole lot along the way. 

It will take more than just buying a domain and selling stuff online, but it does not have to take much more than that. Selling second-hand clothes can be a lucrative venture if you’ve got a good eye, baking sweet treats for locals will allow you to explore a new passion, and consulting with businesses in a specific area can lead to great things. 

If you’re a particularly artistic person you could sell commissioned pieces of art, (plenty of people want paintings of their pets!) proofreading and blog writing is a great way to go for those with literary experience; you could even do more of your regular job as a freelancer. 

The modern world offers itself to those brave enough to explore new things, but let’s just take a look at some of the things that you should think about before you dive head first into a new world.

The Money Won’t Come Straight Away

Depending on what you do, the money won’t just come rolling in immediately. Some freelance platforms are review based, meaning you’ll have to build a reputation first which can take time. 

Be prepared to go a fair while without any success. Several months could go by where it feels like a real chore and the money is not there, so don’t be financially dependent on your side hustle, just view it as extra cash. 

The Hours Can be Brutal 

One of the great things about working for yourself is that your hours are your own to control, so you can work whenever you want. That’s all well and good when it’s your only job, but your side hustle will be running alongside your full-time job. 

That means you could be working a full day then have to head home to work some more. You may even lose weekends to it; a deadline is a deadline and sometimes you just have to get work done. Success isn’t free and hopefully your effort will be rewarded. 

Don’t Forget About the Tax Man

Earning extra money is something we all want. You can save up for that dream holiday or new car; just don’t forget about your taxes. 

In the UK the government will let you earn up to 1,000 pounds without registering it as income. So if you’re successful, you’ll likely need to register straight away. The penalties are large for tax evasion and can even include jail time, so don’t let your side hustle dream become a nightmare. 

Don’t Rush

As we already know, the money won’t come straight away. But the money won’t come at all if you rush your project and don’t take care. People aren’t stupid and if you’re going to get them to part ways with their hard earned cash, then you’d better do a good job. 

Take your time and be thorough, produce a useful and brilliant product or service that people will be happy to use. 

You’ll be Your Own Boss 

Although you won’t be your own boss at your regular job, the sense of satisfaction you’ll get from earning your own money is pretty amazing. 

You won’t have to attend meetings, follow orders, or do things for someone else. Your time will be your own, and you’ll be able to pick and choose the work you do. Make the most of it, and savour the occasions when it works well. 

Your Main Job 

As you progress with your side project it is important to remember where the big bucks really come from. The extra income is a wonderful bonus, but you should make sure you aren’t taking time away from your full-time job. 

Some contracts actually won’t allow you to participate in other jobs, so make sure you are within your rights to work away from the office. If you’re one of the lucky few whose side hustle overtakes your 9 to 5 in terms of earning then congratulations, you may well be able to change jobs! 

Fortune Favours Those Who Hustle

So there you have it, some of the things you should expect when starting your own side hustle. 

Put your unique talent or skill to good use, offer people help with difficult things you find easy; take your time, be thorough and hopefully you’ll make some good money alongside your regular income.

You’ll learn lots of new things and who knows, maybe you’ll get to turn your side hustle into your retirement plan!

Featured image by Andrew Neel from Pexels