Top Side Hustle Ideas For Making Money

Whether it is to gather and put towards funding your own independent business venture, or simply just to have a little bit more financial freedom to focus on yourself, we all could do with a little more cash on the side. For those looking to maximize their productivity, here are five side hustle ideas for making money and enjoying massive success. 

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Side Hustles Are Smart

One of the best places to start when thinking of ways to become more productive is by figuring out which of your passions that you can monetize and turn into a valid business, rather than something that you just do as a hobby. This could include anything from writing, to graphic design, to programming, to arts and crafts, and with online e-commerce marketplaces readily available in the modern day, it has become easier than ever to start building and selling from your own digital storefront corner of the internet. 

5 Simple Smart Side Hustles

1. Sell Online

If you want to make some extra room in your home, you could even kill two birds with one online stone and sell some of your old items on sites such as eBay or Amazon, not only clearing space but also making some extra pocket money. You can also start a direct selling company or join an affiliate marketing program for extra passive income. Be an online selling side hustler for extra income without much overhead.

2. Coaching, Teaching, And Tutoring

Talented in a certain field, and have some knowledge that you think might have some worth? Remote consulting and coaching are also growing in popularity on the internet, and some are even doing it as a full-time gig. You might decide to condense some of your knowledge into a teachable course, or maybe even write some guides or e-books on your subject of choice. Or if you are into education, you could become a tutor or join / start an educational franchise.

3. Social Media Marketing Freelancer

Spend tons of time trawling through social media, not achieving anything? Social media doesn’t always have to be a wasteful time sink, providing you use the right platforms. Threads, for example, a relatively new social media platform that is aimed at young creatives looking for feedback and collaboration opportunities, is a great way of finding inspiration for your next project. 

4. Plot Your Next Full Time Gig

OK so this isn't technically a side hustle (unless you are working on it while earning full time and/or side gig cash), but it could be lead to a big payout. If you’re looking for your next gig altogether, LinkedIn is a good way of reaching out to different professionals within your field, and getting your name out there in a positive way, rather than through memes (however funny they may be). The more time you spend working on your future career, the more valuable the payoff will be.

5. Invest In Property Or Real Estate Assets

If you have the money, real estate can be a great side hustle to earn plentiful profits and/or passive income through rental properties. If you’re an investor looking for your next successful venture, or perhaps just have some money saved away that you want to put into something worthwhile (rather than leaving it to collect dust in a bank account), you might decide to put into purchasing an investment property. When ran properly as a business and taken seriously (without too much personal attachment) 

Property investment company RW Invest have shown some of the benefits of buying for buy-to-let purchases across the UK in their articles and guides, and state that “ when faced with the decision between unstable investment classes and a fluctuating stock market, the UK’s buy to let property market often comes out on top”. 

Selling The Spare Room Side Hustle Hard

Rent out your spare room for extra income if you are able and feel comfortable doing so. Renting out your spare room is a great way to make extra money, even during these tough times. There are plenty of people looking for a cheap room, and if you are willing to be a little bit laid back about rent price, so much the better! It is best for us to help one another out in these difficult times, and this is one great way to do it. Put your ad on Craigslist for a spare room, and encourage everyone in your family and your prospective new roommate to get tested for health safety! 

5 More Side Hustles To Make More Money

Sell Services On Fiverr - Fiverr is a great way to make money for your quirky skills and talents and you don't even have to leave your home. Fiverr is one of many outsourcing and freelance websites that will pay you for odd jobs and skills you may have, some of which can be done electronically over the internet. Give this simple side hustle a shot to learn and earn while working with diverse customers around the world. 

Walk Dogs And Clean Houses - Walking dogs is a great way to help people, make money, and also get exercise. During these times when people don't want to leave their house, you can do it for them. Just make sure you keep your face mask on while walking pets during this side hustle! You will literally be hustling to walk as many dogs as possible to get them their exercise and letting them do their business!

Nobody wants to clean their house any longer (not that they ever really wanted to), but you can profit off of that lazy attitude with this side hustle! It is a great thing to do for everyone because the cleaner our houses can be, the more we can stay free of germs and diseases. So help out your neighbor and make more money simultaneously. 

Have Yard Sales - We are all stuck at home more than ever, so what better than to do some bring cleaning? This is a great side hustle because you can clear out your home, help other people get some things they need, and make a quick dollar all at once. 

Sign Up For TaskRabbit - Task Rabbit is an app you can use from your phone that will get you in touch with people that need some small tasks like cleaning and moving done. It is a great way for you to connect with people in need who can't do things like lift heavy things such as senior citizens, or anyone else who is too time-constrained to do simple tasks that need doing. There are some Task Rabbit alternatives as well for more random gigs and side jobs to earn extra money.

Create And Sell On Etsy - Sell things on Etsy.com especially if you're a crafty or artsy person, Etsy can be a great way to share your talents. Whatever crafts you are into, now is the time to do it, especially if you are stuck at home with nothing better to do! Make that birdhouse, do that embroidery, paint coffee mugs, or whatever else you like to do, and post them up on Etsy to see if you can garner customer interest! 

Smart Side Hustle Conclusion

For more specific information on this side hustle investment strategy, as well as some pointers on some of the things to look out for along the way, perhaps start by checking out one of their numerous guides on the matter. 

Now get out there and hustle hard fellow side hustlers! Hustle hard and turn your side hustle into your full time hustle with increased income. 

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Step-By-Step Guide For Job Applicants

If you are applying for a job in the UK, especially one that involves working with vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly, you may be required to undergo a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This guide will take you through the DBS check process step by step, ensuring you understand what to expect and how to prepare. 

Step-By-Step Guide To The DBS Check Process 

Here is what you need to know about the whole criminal record check process. 

1. Determine The Level of DBS Check Required 

The first step is understanding which level of DBS check is required for your role. Your employer will inform you of the type of check necessary. If you are unsure, it is crucial to ask, as this will determine the depth of the criminal record checks you will undergo. 

2. Complete The DBS Application Form 

Once you know which level of check is needed, your employer will provide you with a DBS application form. If you are applying for a Basic DBS check, you can apply directly through the DBS website. For Standard or Enhanced checks, your employer, or a registered body (like Eurocom CI), will usually submit the application on your behalf. 

3. Submit Identification Documents 

To process your DBS check, you will need to provide identification documents. These typically include: 

- A valid passport or driving license 

- Proof of address (such as a utility bill or bank statement) 

- Your National Insurance number 

- These documents are used to verify your identity and ensure the information provided on the application is accurate. 

4. Application Processing 

Once your application and identification documents are submitted, the DBS will begin processing your check. This involves searching various databases, including police records, to gather the necessary information. For Standard and Enhanced checks, local police forces may be contacted for any additional relevant information. The time taken for processing can vary, but typically, a Basic DBS check takes around 14 days, while Standard and Enhanced checks may take longer. 

5. Receive Your DBS Certificate 

After the DBS has completed its checks, you will receive a DBS certificate, which will detail the findings of your criminal record check. For Basic checks, the certificate is sent directly to you, while for Standard and Enhanced checks, it is sent to both you and your employer. It is important to review the certificate carefully. If you believe any of the information is incorrect, you can request a recheck. 

6. Share Your DBS Certificate With Your Employer 

For jobs requiring Standard or Enhanced DBS checks, your employer will need to see your certificate. They may take a copy for their records, but remember, the certificate is your property, and you are not obliged to hand it over permanently. 

7. Update Service (Optional) 

If you are likely to need another DBS check in the future, consider subscribing to the DBS Update Service. This service allows employers to check your certificate online, potentially saving you time and money when applying for new roles. It also helps maintain an up-to-date record that can be used for multiple applications. 

Understanding The Importance Of Criminal Record Checks 

Criminal record checks are a crucial part of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring workplace safety. Whether the company is selling funky socks for men, cows or anything in between, they are important. By understanding the DBS check process and what it entails, you can approach your job application with confidence, knowing you are fully prepared. 

Whether you are applying for a job in healthcare, education or any other sector requiring a DBS check, being informed about the criminal record check process will help you navigate the application smoothly and efficiently.

How To Navigate A Mid-Career Financial Journey

When a person reaches their early forties, they approach the mid-point of their career. With work experience of almost twenty years and about twenty years to retire, an individual might experience the stage of a Mid-Career Financial Journey. Such a stage in life is critical in terms of both career opportunities and finance. There are vital financial planning and strategies to exercise when one reaches the mid-management or senior management roles in her career. Because the earning scope and career opportunities are more, planning the mid-career financial journey is easy. 

Handling Unexpected Circumstances 

No one expects employment loss at the prime of their mid-career journey. Given the present market condition, uncertainty has become common. It is easier to handle economic uncertainty when one is younger. Dealing with the same becomes increasingly challenging with age and piling responsibilities. In the mid-career financial stage, career opportunities are restricted, but financial obligations towards family and children increase. Sensible financial planning demands creating a future emergency fund that meets a few months of expenses in case of unexpected employment loss. 

Reducing Debts And Work Towards Debt-Free Future 

Debt comes in multiple forms and tags along an interest with it. People without solid financial knowledge aren’t aware of the extent of such expenses. When a significant savings amount goes towards interest costs, it damages the future financial goals. By the time one reaches her 40s, in the Mid-Career Financial Journey, the only debt should be her home loan or mortgage. If there are other forms of debt, like car loans, personal loans, credit card loans, etc., people should pay them off at the earliest. Such types of debts are mostly lifestyle desires, and aspirations and the expense of servicing them can have long-term detrimental impacts. The focus is to pay the short-term debts first, then long-term loans, and secure future financial goals. 

Adequate Medical And Health Coverage 

Health is one of the pivotal aspects of everyone’s life. Health risks are higher for both men and women in their early 40s. Men and women are susceptible to different health conditions. Therefore, one should pick a comprehensive health/medical insurance policy that covers the entire family. When an individual is responsible for the healthcare demands of her senior citizen parents, it becomes more vital. When an employer offers health insurance coverage, reviewing the features and benefits and deciding on additional coverage is necessary. Mediclaim for the family is ideal because, in case of unemployment or a job switch, the family doesn’t suffer from a lack of healthcare due to financial burden. 

Investing In The Education Of Children 

Education in the USA is becoming expensive every year. Data over the past few years show that the education and healthcare sectors witnessed the highest inflation. Catering to the education of kids and retirement goals becomes challenging to handle when Mid-Career Financial Journey planning is not good enough. Unless and until there is a saving backup, investing in the education of children is necessary from the early career stage. In case savings didn’t start in the early 20s, financial planning should begin in the 40s. A financial planner helps to create an ideal finance action strategy. Depending on one’s personal circumstances, assets and liabilities, family goals, income, and savings, the age of the children, saving estimates are done. 

Investing In Retirement Planning 

Many people ignore paying attention to retirement planning until the end. They prioritize short-term needs at the cost of long-term demands. Not taking retirement planning seriously in the forties is a serious matter. No one can predict the future, especially when the economic condition is weak, and people are losing their jobs. Given the ever-evolving market and technology, finding a new career scope in the forties is tough. People in their early 40s should realize it and start preparing financially for their retirement plans. Retirement planning is a vital mid-career financial decision that every employee should consider. The earlier one begins retirement planning, the easier it is. You never know what the future could bring, and you may find that in your 70s you need the support of an assisted living facility such as benchmark at rye due to health reasons. This is why you have to take into account your finances and what they may be used for. 

Careers Conclusion 

The early 40s is a vital stage for people from both professional and personal angles. It is the period when most employees experience the prime of their careers. Therefore, it is pivotal to strategize and review the Mid-Career Financial Journey. The above-mentioned are pivotal to-dos that help a person attain success in long-term financial objectives.

5 Perks To Ask For In Salary Negotiation

No matter what profession you’re in, when it comes to talking about money, most of us freeze up. This is perfectly normal when you consider that part of our upbringing is spent being taught not to be greedy or put on airs. Then suddenly we’re told to know our worth and walk away from a good job if they don’t want to shell out for the money we deserve. 

In a time of employee and skill shortages, job seekers and current employees have more power of employers and recruiters.

There’s a fine line to walk between negotiating your salary and being demanding and irrational. Not every job has the cushion to give you higher pay, but there are other perks you can request instead. If you’ve hit the cap of what your employer is able to pay you, that’s not the end of the negotiations. A lot of benefits are only available to the squeaky wheels who ask for them, so go ahead and make some noise at the bargaining table! 

These 5 benefits are regular perks to most jobs and should be top talking points when negotiating or renegotiating salaries. Check with your employer before you sign on the dotted line to see how you can negotiate some, or all, of them into your next contract. 

1. Bump Up Your P.T.O. (Paid Time Off)

Every good employer wants their staff to have a solid work life balance. This is particularly true when the job is as high-pressure and stress as it is in the medical field for example. As a physician, if you aren’t there, the patients aren’t seen and the insurances aren’t billed. However, savvy managers know you’re more likely to show up and not call in sick if you are healthy and happy. Even if you can only negotiate an extra eight hours, that’s a workday off or two well-deserved half days. Take it on a Friday and enjoy a long-weekend holiday! 

2. The Work Schedule 

Doctors’ hours are notoriously flexible. The medical office or hospital where you work might be open a set time, but that does not mean you have to be there on the same schedule. If they want to keep you on their payroll, and you can afford to be a little choosy, try to negotiate some better hours. You may have to work weekends, but a rotating shift is better than every weekend. Your start/end hours can be moved around, too. For those early birds, offer to take the crack-of-dawn shift. If you’d rather sleep in, ask for at least a few days where you can go in an hour later and make up that time elsewhere. You might be surprised how much pull you have with your own schedule if you just ask! 

3. Boost Your On-Call Compensation 

Does your medical facility have an option for an on-call physician? If so, before you agree to this schedule, check into the compensation plan. The on-call pay scale might be a per-day stipend or an annual one. If it’s hourly, do you get paid wait time or only when you’re called in? How much you’ll make while you’re on-call might or might not be worth putting your personal plans on hold. Don’t agree to this shift unless you’ve negotiated a rate that works for you and your career path. 

4. Education Perks 

As a doctor, you probably have huge student loans, ongoing continuing education credits to pay for, and possible further studies on the horizon. Does your job have benefits that will help you with any of these? Many medical facilities will cover their physicians’ continuing education courses as long as the class providers are on the approved list of organizations. Some employers will pay towards future studies in your specialization or help you make student loan payments, too. You may have to agree to a contract for a certain time period. 

5. Health And Wellness Coverage 

If you’re an employee, you will likely receive health insurance. But what other perks are there beyond the basic deductible and copay coverage? Some employers offer benefits that encourage a health staff, such as gym memberships, paid wellness checkups, and nutritional offerings for on-site meals. If a family is in your future, ask about the parental benefits of maternity and paternity leave, too. Look into the laws of your state and be sure you’re getting at least the minimum time off, then negotiate for a bit more job compensation. 

Compensation Conclusion

Employees with a solid reputation have a lot more leeway with salary and benefit negotiations than they might know. Even if you’re newly graduated or new to an industry, if you come highly recommended you can easily negotiate some perks. A business coach could help you with your negotiation skills and confidence at work. There are also additional resources and writings to help you be more confident. Don’t blindly sign a contract without attempting to give yourself at least a few of these five benefits. You’ll be glad you did when you’re enjoying your work/life personal balance!

Why Companies Can't Find New Workers To Hire And Startup Solutions

More than 8 million job opportunities remain open in the United States, yet millions of people remain unemployed. Currently, there is a higher demand for workers to increase productivity and hopefully revive the U.S economy than at any time in recent memory. Yet surprisingly, the unemployed population is not attempting to fill the open opportunities. The trend is finally starting to change, but it's still a glaring problem for the American economy for now and future months.

For various reasons, adults in this group, skilled and unskilled, are hesitant to return to work or look for new jobs. Because of this, many companies are finding it difficult to find new workers to fill their job openings. The question many of us are asking is why are new employees tough to find and what can be done about the hiring shortage? 

Reasons Why It Is Difficult To Find New Hires 

These are the reasons why it's harder to hire right now despite a high number of people still out of the workforce.

1. Government Unemployed Benefits 

One of the most commonly cited reasons for our current underemployed issues is government aid. Unemployed benefit payments are suspected to be contributing to an unwillingness among unemployed persons to find new jobs. The federal benefits are funds offered to unemployed persons in the United States to help them afford basic requirements. This benefit policy has been helpful, especially to workers who are fired, laid off, or retired during the pandemic. Without the unemployment benefits, many families would be struggling to provide basic needs. 

However, the increase in unemployment benefits has made work less appealing to those at the bottom of the income bracket. Why go to work, and potentially be exposed to a deadly virus, when you can make as much or more staying safe at home? But unemployment extras and other financial protection benefits have ended or are ending soon, which will soon cause more people to re-enter the workforce out of necessity.

2. Fear Of Getting Infected With Covid-19 

Many businesses were forced to lay off employees while others closed down due to the pandemic. Fortunately, the infection rates went down, and many states opened up businesses by lifting restrictions. However, despite the mass Covid-19 vaccination in the United States, people are still fearful of contracting Covid-19. The pandemic has claimed many lives, and the emergence of Covid-19 variants has renewed that fear in many. Even with vaccine rollouts and decreased infections, many potential workers are hesitant to return to the traditional workplace. Thus, it is still challenging for businesses to hire qualified people since they may want to stay home and stay safe. 

3. Lack Of Child Care 

Closed daycare centers and the school also contribute to an unwillingness among people to take new jobs. Since they were closed, or due to financial strife, parents were forced to stay back at home and look after their children instead of working. Even after they opened, a significant number of parents and guardians insist on taking care of their children to ensure they stay safe from Covid-19 infection. As a result, companies seeking to employ more people and adequately supply the demanding market remain with fewer options. It is anticipated the struggle to get interested hires will continue to affect businesses until the pandemic ends and all daycares and schools reopen. 

4. Desire To Get Better Jobs 

Debatably, unemployed individuals are unwilling to engage in the currently open job opportunities hoping they will get better jobs with higher income and better working conditions if they wait. A higher percentage of the jobs currently available are paying low income, and work conditions are not favorable. Individuals with savings or stimulus checks to rely on and survive have no desire to rejoin the labor force only to earn insufficient incomes. Others have come up with various means of generating income without being fully employed. Therefore, they feel dissuaded to take the open jobs until an opportunity they are interested in comes along. 

How To Find New Hire Prospects 

Companies need to strategize on how to get the required qualified workers to increase production and stabilize the U.S economy. It is more manageable to find new hires when you coherently understand why you were previously not finding workers. 

Defensibly, the Government needs to review the federal benefits policy so that some beneficiaries can be excluded to encourage them to go back to work. Furthermore, the business owners seeking new hires should allow workers to work from home or make the workplace safer from catching Covid-19. Additionally, companies should offer better incomes, employee benefits, and favorable work conditions to attract and persuade workers. 

Importantly, companies should note that looking for new prospects from a willing multitude will make their search effective and more manageable. Waiting for potential workers to approach you and interviews can be time-consuming. Luckily, recruiter marketplaces have made it easier to find quality workers effortlessly. In a recruiter marketplace (ex. high5hire.com), you streamline your business using various approaches and select the best candidates. The recruiter marketplace connects quality workers to open jobs. People searching for jobs from digital platforms can find your company easily in a recruiter marketplace. 

Hiring Help

Federal and state governments along with private companies have played a significant role in the lack of new hires in the United States. Therefore, the Government needs to review federal benefits to allow more people to take open jobs willingly. On the other hand, companies should increase wages, employee benefits and be aggressive in using recruiter marketplaces to find new prospects. A sufficient supply of employees will lead to increased production and a better economy.