I type this post while recovering from an unfamiliar sensation: An earthquake. Having lived my whole life on the East Coast, I have never had the experience of the ground shaking for no particular reason. Unexpectedly cool days aside, today I’d like to talk to you about brainstorming for potential sources of income. Even if you have your daily 9-5 job, chances are you could always use some extra money either to pad your savings or fund your travels. Here are some starting points:
Stick to What You Know
Personally, I hate the cliche that you should make money from what you’re passionate about, since in many cases, passion does not equate to income. Yet if you are looking to make money on the side, hobbies are a great place to start. My recent foray into Fiverr has taught me that while certain hobbies may not be able to replace your full time job, they can act as a useful supplement. Even Craigslist Arbitrage can be a valuable asset if you are buying and selling items that you can discern the value of.
Get Creative
One of the biggest issues people (myself included) seem to have is that they’re not willing to go outside of the box when it comes to earning more money. Generally, people that need more than they bring in look for a new job or look for a part time job to fill up the rest of their waking hours with. Instead, try to find activities that you can do each and every day for a small amount of money. Many tiny business ideas can be started for as little as $100.
Be Consistent
If you find yourself a source of income, you need to be able to harness that opportunity and, if possible, scale it. It can be an adjustment to learn to motivate yourself to get things done if you are used to an office environment where it is always someone’s job to keep you doing what you are supposed to. If you find an idea you are willing to move forward with, hit it and hit it hard.