5 Side Hustles That Skyrocket My Income And Can Boost Yours, Too.
Discover the secrets to side hustles that can boost your income and transform your future!
As much as I love sharing tips on managing finances, I know there’s only so much we can cut from our expenses. Tracking and eliminating unnecessary spending is a great first step, but there's a limit to how much you can save.
That’s why I've always looked for ways to earn more. Even as a teenager, I took jobs to boost my pocket money. In the past years, I have tried several side hustles until I discovered blogging as my favorite one.
I am aware that there are numerous opportunities in the outside world to earn additional income.
But which one is the best? I can´t say which one is the best for you.
But I will explore five profitable side business ideas that have helped my husband and me increase our income.Â
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a lot of time or experience to start making money on the side. Whether you're saving for retirement, looking for extra spending money, or wanting to pursue a passion project, a side hustle could be the perfect solution.
If you follow along, I will share five profitable side business ideas with you, all I have tried myself, along with a helpful checklist to get you started.
A Side Hustle—Your Ticket to Financial Freedom?
Ever wonder why so many people are jumping on the side hustle bandwagon—nearly every second American? The benefits are huge!
Financial freedom is the biggest perk—you get to control how much you earn.
And the best part? You can start small and grow it over time.
But another truth is that many need a side hustle to pay for their regular living expenses, followed by building a discretionary income for spending.
Regardless of what your reason is, it´s always a chance. Because side hustles also give you the chance to explore your passions and learn new skills.
Want to turn your hobby into a business? This is the perfect opportunity to do that.
My main reason for having a side hustle has always been to create additional income—not only to cover regular expenses but also to save for vacations.
To me, that’s what financial freedom is all about: making enough money to have the freedom to choose how I spend my time and resources.
5 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas to Boost Your Income
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are five side hustle ideas to boost your income.
Based on my experience, I highly recommend giving these a try to start earning money right away.
1. Teaching
Do you have a skill or knowledge others might want to learn? Teaching can be a great side hustle.
Although I haven't been educated to be a teacher, I worked for two years as a real teacher. It was here in Turkey for German children who have lived here for a while to be rehabilitated. A friend´s wife was asking me, and so I started teaching real school subjects like math and German.
It was fun, a great and new experience, but also a lot of work. I earned between $400 and $600 per month, depending on the number of hours I worked.
You don't need to teach in a real school, as there are much better options today. You can also teach online anything from music, languages, or even knitting! Sites like Udemy or Teachable are great platforms to start.
2. Renting a Room in Your House or Apartment
If you have an extra room in your house or a guest house you rarely use, renting it out can provide a steady source of income. Not only is it one of the best side hustle ideas to boost your income, but it's also a great way to meet new people.
When we bought our flat here in Turkey, we initially planned to rent out one of the rooms. We renovated the apartment to create a separate space with its own bathroom and balcony.
We've been doing this for years, and while platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com weren’t available here 15 years ago, they've made things much easier recently. In the past two years, we’ve managed to save money quickly by renting out the room just during the summer, as we travel in the winter.
Each year, we’ve earned between $6,000 and $8,000, which we use for our winter vacations in Southeast Asia.
Websites like Airbnb and Booking.com make it easy to list your space and handle bookings, plus they offer helpful guidance to get started and manage your accommodations efficiently.
3. Starting a Blog
This one is close to my heart!Â
Starting a blog can be a fantastic way to share your knowledge, connect with others, and make money through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing. I’ve found blogging to be one of the most flexible side hustles.
While it takes time to grow, the potential to make passive income is huge.
As my husband and I are not always living in the same place, discovering blogging as a side hustle was a game changer.Â
And yes, when I started 6 years ago, it was my goal to make money with it and boost our income. The best part of blogging is that you can do it wherever you are, you can set your own timetable to work on, and you can generate a steady income.
I was able to make my first $100 after 6 months through affiliate marketing. Now I make a steady income between $500 and $1500 a month. I am not one of those 6-figure bloggers yet.Â
But as my blog is still my side hustle, I am proud of my additional income. My goal is to grow it into my full-time business and, yes, become a six-figure blogger.
You can earn through:
ads
affiliate marketing
sponsored posts
selling your own products like
printables
templates
eBooks
workbooks
courses
memberships, and more.
Resources:
Start A Blog And Make Money: The Ultimate Guide For Women 40+
Monetizing Your Blog: 5 Easy Steps to Make Your First Dollar
4. Selling Handmade Crafts
If you're creative, you can turn your handmade products into a business. Whether it's jewelry, custom home décor, or personalized gifts, selling on platforms like Etsy can be lucrative.
Before Etsy became the platform it is today, I used it to sell my own handmade products. I enjoy sewing and used to make bags and similar items on my sewing machine.
I started this side hustle in Germany, but after moving to Turkey, I found it challenging to earn much from this income stream. Transporting products from Turkey to abroad was complicated and expensive at the time. Today, I focus on my blog, which is why I decided to give up this side job.
However, through my blogging journey, I met many people who successfully sell their handmade products on Etsy.
5. Designing and Creating Websites
Although it almost seems like we don't need a website anymore because of platforms like Substack or Medium, a well-designed website can be like a business card for your business.Â
If you love coding and designing, you can create visually appealing and user-friendly website templates for various platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify and sell them through marketplaces such as Envato Market or Gumroad.
Not only can you make money from your designs, but you can also enjoy the creative process of bringing your ideas to life.
I created my first website in 1996 using a Microsoft program I can't quite remember. I didn't have any formal training; I taught myself through trial and error. Over time, I learned more and more, and it became easier for me.
So I started to build websites first for our business and later for friends and others. I made between $400 and $600 for the website template.
But since I started blogging, I stopped this.
How to Start a Side Hustle
Starting a side hustle can seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think.
Before starting a side hustle, I want to ask you:
What´s your reason?
Why do you want to start a side hustle?
Find a deep reason—a reason that motivates you and keeps you going even in the down phases.
The main reason for me to start a side hustle was my desire to work independently and earn my own money.
Here’s how to get started:
Pick something you’re passionate about or excellent at.
Research possibilities.
Take small steps and scale gradually.
Use online platforms like Etsy, Udemy, or Airbnb to reach customers easily.
Stay consistent—the money will come as you grow your side hustle.
Managing Your Side Hustle Besides Your Main Job
Balancing a side hustle with your regular job can be tricky. You have to be careful with your time and your energy.
I always kept my focus on what my priority was. When we were running our business in Germany, this was my primary focus. So I planned my blogging work around it.
A lot of the work for my blog I can schedule in advance and do it during my downtime using my smartphone.
Here are some tips to help:
Set a schedule and stick to it.
Automate tasks where possible (use scheduling apps or hire a virtual assistant).
Take breaks to avoid burnout.
Remember, consistency is key. You don’t have to hustle 24/7, but staying on top of your side hustle regularly will pay off in the long run.
What do you think? Ready to Start Your Side Hustle?
Starting a side hustle can be a life-changing decision, providing you with the extra cash and freedom you’ve been searching for. The key is to choose something that aligns with your interests and fits your schedule.
These are my favorite side hustle ideas to boost your income based on my experiences. However, there are many more options available to explore.
Don’t get overwhelmed; instead, start with something that resonates with your passion and knowledge and, most importantly, fits your life and current job.
It's all about creating opportunities to improve your finances and quality of life, setting you on the path to success.
Ready to start your wealth journey? 🪙
The Women’s Wealth Journey was created to help you unlock your potential! Achieve financial freedom by mastering your money, saving and investing with confidence, and boosting your income through rewarding side hustles.
Here are some additional resources to get you started:
The Zero-Based Budget Template: Designed specifically to empower you to manage your money effectively and confidently.
FREE Dollars & Percentages Spreadsheet: Simplify budgeting through percentages.
FREE Side Hustle Starter Checklist to turn your skills and passions into a profitable side hustle
P.S. Don’t forget to grab your free Side Hustle Starter Checklist to guide you through your first steps! Also join my tribe for more tips on how to grow your side hustle into a thriving business.