5 Side Hustles I Tried (And What Worked)
I’ve tried multiple side hustles—some made me real money, others crashed and burned—so here’s the truth about what actually worked.
- Alyana Aguja
- 3 min read
I still remember the first time I realized my regular paycheck wasn’t going to cover everything. It was right after Emily’s car needed repairs, and we also had a medical bill come in the same week. No matter how carefully Mary and I budgeted, life always seemed to throw something extra at us. That’s when I knew it was time to get creative. I started looking for ways to bring in a little extra income without sacrificing time with my family.
Maybe you’ve faced a similar situation—your regular income covers the basics, but you need a little breathing room. I’ve been there. Today, I’m sharing five side hustles I personally tried, including what worked and how they helped us stay afloat without burning out.
1. Freelance Writing (Winner!)
Glenn Carstens-Peters from Unsplash
This was revolutionary. I began with content mills (which didn’t pay much), but once I had a portfolio, I gained private clients who paid $50+ an article. If you can write and sell yourself, this side hustle has money-making potential.
2. Dropshipping (Flop)
Mediamodifier from Unsplash
I fell for the promise of earning passive income while I slept. Reality? Hundreds of customer complaints, shipping delays, and thin profit margins. If you don’t have a marketing budget or tolerance for supplier headaches, it’s a hard grind.
3. Online Tutoring (Worked, But Draining)
Sergey Zolkin from Unsplash
Teaching subjects I was already familiar with was a no-brainer. I earned good money, particularly with one-on-one tutoring, but the burnout was real. If you enjoy teaching and don’t care about the hours, this can be a good hustle.
4. Flipping Items on eBay (Surprisingly Good)
appshunter.io from Unsplash
I began by selling used gadgets and soon discovered that people pay absurd prices for secondhand goods. Garage sales, thrift shops, and Facebook Marketplace became goldmines. It is work, but the margins are crazy if you know what to sell.
5. YouTube (Slow Burn, But Worth It)
Alexander Shatov from Unsplash
I leaped in expecting I’d go viral immediately—yeah, that didn’t occur. But after several months of regularity, I began making money from ads and sponsorships. If you are patient and love creating content, YouTube can be a long-term cash producer.
Trying out different side hustles taught me that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some worked better than others, but every attempt taught me something new about how to manage my time and earn extra income without sacrificing my health or family life. It wasn’t about chasing every opportunity—it was about finding what fit. Here are five key takeaways you can apply today:
Start with skills you already have: I used my handyman skills to pick up small repair jobs around the neighborhood. Fixing leaky faucets or patching drywall earned me extra cash without much extra effort.
Consider flexible gig work: I drove for a local delivery service during weekends. It allowed me to choose my own hours and brought in steady income without interfering with my weekdays.
Sell unused items around the house: Mary and I did a big cleanout and listed things like old tools, furniture, and kids’ toys online. It cleared up space and gave us a financial boost.
Look into seasonal work: One year, I picked up shifts at a hardware store during the holiday rush. The extra paychecks were perfect for covering holiday expenses.
Test online opportunities cautiously: I tried a few online surveys and freelance tasks. While not all were worth the time, some added a bit of extra money during slower months.
Adding even a little extra income each month made a big difference over time. Start by choosing one side hustle that fits your skills and lifestyle—you might be surprised how much it helps without adding too much stress.