I started side hustling three months ago. Before then, I had never really considered making money online and had no idea what opportunities were out there.
Well, I managed to generate almost £500 in my very first month, and I can’t believe I didn’t get on this sooner!
These three months have really gone quickly, but I’ve learned a lot already.
Here are some of the things I’ve learned since I started my money making project:
Time management is essential
Side hustling alongside a full time job is not easy. It takes time and discipline. Time management is never something I’ve been great at, but seeing the money add up is a great motivator!
My number one tip is finding the best time of day to work on each task:
I check in with apps like OnePulse and Spare5 when I have an spare minute, like when I’m waiting for the train.
I use my lunch breaks at work to catch up on my personal finance reading list, and sometimes for blog-related tasks such as social media.
In the evenings, I like to set myself one main goal for each day. Otherwise I end up with 30 items on my to do list and hop from task to task without completing anything!
So, if it’s a big night for football and I know there’ll be lots of offers on, I’ll make sure I set aside an hour for matched betting.
Otherwise, my main goal might be to publish a new blog post.
After that, I might see if there are any tests available on What Users Do, or have a look at the less time-sensitive matched betting offers. But by ticking off my major goal first, I know I’m making steady progress day after day.
Making money is addictive!
When I started looking for ways to make money online, the first thing I thought of was filling in surveys. I thought I might make a few pounds a month, maybe.
I had no idea about more lucrative money makers like matched betting, and I definitely had no idea how many different ways there are to generate an extra income!
Now I have some idea of what’s out there, I keep raising my money making goals month after month. I also have a huuuuge list of other side hustles that I want to try. I’m excited for the future, and looking forward to seeing my income go up!
Side hustling is empowering
The money is awesome. But do you know what is also awesome, and a completely unexpected benefit of side hustling?
The way it changes your outlook.
I used to feel completely powerless when it came to money. I take home whatever my boss wants to pay me, and there’s not a lot I can do about it.
Wrong! Now I’ve taken responsibility for my own income, and it gives me a lot of confidence knowing I am not 100% dependent on my job any more.
I am not anywhere near making a full time income yet, but I know that if the worst did happen and I was made redundant, I could up the matched betting, kick start some of the other side hustle ideas I have stored away, and I’ll be ok.
I have a secret plan to have my side income match my salary by the end of next year. It’s a great motivator when I’m having a bad day at work, and it’s fun to have a double money-making life that nobody at work knows about!
There is so much to learn about personal finance – and I love it!
When I started this project, my main goal was to make more money. Just a little bit of extra money each month, to pad out my salary and make my budget stretch a little bit further.
Then I fell down the crazy and wonderful rabbit hole of personal finance blogs. I came across ridiculously inspiring communities of people who have turned their side hustles into full-time income, who make six figures a month blogging, and who have retired in their 20s or 30s thanks to crazy high savings rates.
I am still very proud of myself for being able to generate an extra couple of hundred a month, but now I know this is very much just the tip of the iceberg.
As well as making extra money through my side hustles, I am also inspired to learn more about investing, financial independence and money management.
I know I am just at the beginning of this journey and it feels great to have to much to look forward to!
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