[Average read time: 2 minutes]
I started my first side hustle long before I ever heard the term “side hustle.”
After college, I moved back to Los Angeles and decided to put my after-work hours to use by trying to build an online business.
It took quite a bit of work because I didn’t know what I was doing, but eventually my little project grew into a fun and profitable little operation.
All virtual and all in my spare time.
I was ecstatic.
But it wasn’t exactly a quick-win. If I had to start over, I’d choose a faster path, like one of the options below.
The reason is action breeds results and results breed action.
In that spirit, here are 4 side hustles you can start this week to create extra income and entrepreneurial momentum:
Hustle #1: Sell a Service
You’ve got some skills, right?
(By definition, if you’ve ever held a job, you have at least one skill worth paying for.)
Action:
Post an ad on Craigslist for your services. It will take 5 minutes, and all of a sudden you have a FREE ad for people to pay you for your skills on the 10th most popular site in the country.
Huge exposure = huge opportunity.
This is actually how I got my first resume clients which started my writing biz.
Pro Tip: You can also take a look at the “Gigs” section to find people in search of a service you could offer.
Hustle #2: Get Your Share On
The “Sharing Economy” is booming for side hustlers.
Action:
Sign up with Airbnb, Lyft, Uber, TaskRabbit, or Rover.
Many of these have some built-in requirements, and work better if you are in or near a big city, but it’s simple to get started and you can begin earning right away.
Hustle #3: Buy Low, Sell High
Buying low and selling high is not just advice for stock investors; it’s for side hustlers too.
Action:
Browse Craigslist (or visit local garage sales) for items that appear to be undervalued.
Maybe it’s a piece of furniture, some electronics, or even an appliance. There’s even an entire section of Craigslist dedicated just to free stuff.
Your goal is to acquire something freely or cheaply and re-sell it.
You can even do this at retailers like Walmart and compare the prices at Amazon using your smartphone.
Hustle #4: De-Clutter and Profit
Continuing on the idea of selling above, you may already be sitting on a closet or garage full of potential “inventory.”
Action:
List one item you already own (but do not use) for sale on eBay or Craigslist.
It will serve the purpose of helping you clear out the unnecessary clutter in your life and turn it into cash instead.
It feels GREAT to receive even just a few bucks for something that’s been sitting around collecting dust!
Recently, I Threw Out Everything I Owned; I sold some things too and I haven’t looked back since.
Next Steps
Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing to remember is that you need to take action.
Learning without action is entertainment.
P.S. When it comes to achieving your version of success, don’t forget your macros:
Want to read more of my stuff? Here are some of my faves:
Business & Performance
- Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You
- Slow Your Roll [5 Tips to Starting the Right Way]
- 100 FREE Online Business Courses [Harvard and Other Top Universities]
- 6 Life Changing Benefits to Having a Side Hustle
- 7 Things I Value More Than Money and Success
- 10 Important Skills They Don’t Teach in School
- 13 Unique Tips to Being a Better Writer
Minimalism
- I Threw Out Everything I Owned
- My Whole Life is Worth $561
- 9 Surprising Benefits to Being a Minimalist
Relationships
- A Letter to My Son and Daughter
- I Met Someone New and Decided to Leave My Wife and Girlfriend
- Surviving to Thriving [4 Critical Steps]
- The Shitty Person Checklist
About Ed
Ed Escoto is a dad to two cool kids! Other than his kids, his passions revolve around creating things and adding life to his years.
He is an Analyst, writer, self-proclaimed minimalist, and the author of seven books in multiple genres. Several of his books became Amazon #1 Best Sellers and #1 New Releases. His most recent book was My First Spanish Numbers Colors Shapes – the fifth book in his children’s book series [DH Books].
Divorced Before 30 was his debut into writing. He shares his story about overcoming the challenges of divorce, moving forward, and becoming a better version of himself. He shares everything: the ups, the downs, and every OH SHIT moment in between.
His life was planned out and then life happened! Married and divorced before his 30th birthday, started several businesses, but most failed, and a career that once focused entirely on numbers is now a combination of numbers, words, and art.
