My Financial Rock Bottom: How a Side Hustle Saved Me

Let me tell you a secret.

Just a couple of years ago, I was broke.

And I mean, really broke.

Like, checking my bank account for the hundredth time and seeing a big, fat, depressing zero kind of broke.

I had a decent job, a steady paycheck, and what seemed like a good career path.

But life, as it often does, had other plans.

A few unexpected emergencies—a car repair here, an emergency vet bill there—and suddenly, my perfectly balanced budget was a house of cards collapsing in on itself.

I remember sitting at my kitchen table, staring at a pile of bills that seemed to multiply overnight, and feeling this cold dread.

My stomach was in knots, and I felt trapped.

The 9-to-5 grind, which I once thought was my safety net, was starting to feel like a cage.

I was working hard, but I was living paycheck to paycheck, and it was soul-crushing.

I knew something had to change, and fast.

That’s when I started hearing about side hustles.

Honestly, at first, I was skeptical.

I thought it was just for people who had some special skill or some secret inside scoop.

I certainly didn’t feel like I had anything special to offer.

My biggest talent seemed to be binge-watching entire seasons of TV shows in one weekend.

Not exactly a lucrative skill, right?

But desperation is a powerful motivator.

I started digging, reading every blog post and watching every video I could find about making extra money.

I was looking for anything that could help me climb out of this hole.

I didn’t want to just survive; I wanted to thrive.

I wanted to build a life where I didn’t have to panic every time an unexpected expense popped up.

And you know what?

It worked.

Within six months, I had made over $10,000 from various side hustles.

It wasn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.

It was a lot of hard work, a lot of late nights, and a lot of trial and error.

But it was the most liberating feeling I had ever experienced.

That extra money wasn’t just cash; it was freedom.

It was the peace of mind of knowing I could handle life’s curveballs.

It was the first step on a journey that completely changed my life.

And I’m going to share exactly how I did it.

If you’re in that same spot I was, feeling stuck and overwhelmed by your finances, I want you to know that you’re not alone.

And more importantly, I want you to know that there’s a way out.

This isn’t some generic, boring blog post.

This is my story, a story of trial, error, and eventual triumph.

So, grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let’s talk about how to start building your own side hustle empire.

It’s easier than you think, I promise.

The Mindset Shift: From Employee to Side Hustle Entrepreneur

Before we dive into the specific side hustles, we have to talk about the most important thing of all: your mindset.

This is the part that a lot of people skip, and it’s a huge mistake.

You see, for most of our lives, we’re taught to be good employees.

We’re told to show up on time, do what we’re told, and collect our paycheck at the end of the week.

There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s a completely different way of thinking than being an entrepreneur.

When you have a side hustle, you are the boss.

You are the CEO, the marketing department, the customer service team, and the coffee runner all in one.

That might sound scary, but it’s also incredibly liberating.

The first step in this journey for me was to stop thinking, “How can I earn a little extra money?” and start thinking, “How can I build a small business?”

It’s a subtle but powerful change.

For example, if you just want to “make some money,” you might do a few surveys online and get a few bucks.

But if you think of it as “building a business,” you’ll start to ask different questions.

You’ll ask, “What problems can I solve for other people?”

You’ll ask, “What skills do I already have that someone would pay for?”

You’ll start seeing opportunities everywhere.

For me, the big mindset shift was realizing that my value wasn’t tied to my hourly wage at my day job.

My value was in my ability to create something, to solve a problem, and to deliver that solution to someone who needed it.

I realized that I had skills I wasn’t even using.

I was a decent writer; I had a knack for social media.

These weren’t just hobbies; they were potential services I could offer.

My first attempts were a little clumsy, to be honest.

I tried to do a little bit of everything and ended up doing nothing particularly well.

I felt like I was running around with my hair on fire, chasing every shiny new idea.

I’d try to start a blog one week, and the next week I’d be trying to sell crafts on Etsy.

It was a mess.

The key was to find one thing and stick with it long enough to see results.

I had to learn to be patient, to be persistent, and to be okay with not being perfect from day one.

I had to learn to treat my side hustle like a real business, with a clear plan and a clear goal.

Once I made that mental shift, everything else started to fall into place.

The second part of the mindset shift is understanding that you’re going to fail.

And that’s okay!

In fact, it’s a good thing.

You’re not going to pick the perfect side hustle on your first try.

You’re going to try something that you think is a brilliant idea, and it’s going to flop.

I sure did.

My first attempt at selling digital prints on Etsy was a complete bust.

I spent weeks creating designs, listing them, and promoting them.

I made exactly one sale, and it was to my mom.

Bless her heart.

I could have given up right then and there.

But instead, I learned from it.

I learned that I needed to do better market research.

I learned that my marketing strategy was nonexistent.

I learned that not every idea is a winner, and that’s just part of the game.

The most important part of this entire journey is learning to be resilient.

When you hit a wall, you don’t stop.

You take a deep breath, you learn why you hit that wall, and you find a way to go around it.

That’s the entrepreneurial spirit.

Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of not trying at all.

And with that, let’s get to the good stuff—the side hustles themselves.

The First 3 Side Hustles: My Quick Wins (and a Few Failures)

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

These are the first three side hustles I tried that actually started putting real money in my pocket.

They weren’t all home runs, but they were the ones that gave me the confidence to keep going.

And trust me, that first sale, no matter how small, is a feeling you’ll never forget.

1. Freelance Writing: My First Real Paycheck

Remember how I said I was a decent writer?

Well, it turns out “decent” is good enough to get started.

I started by offering my services on freelance platforms.

My initial rates were embarrassingly low, but my goal wasn’t to get rich; it was to build a portfolio and get a few good reviews.

I wrote blog posts for small businesses, product descriptions for e-commerce stores, and even some social media captions.

The first job I landed was for a small marketing company, writing a 500-word blog post about the benefits of using a particular type of software.

I think I got paid about $25 for it.

It took me a solid six hours because I was so nervous about getting it right.

But when I got that little notification that the money had been transferred to my account, I felt like I had just won the lottery.

Over time, I got faster and better.

I started to specialize a bit, focusing on topics I genuinely enjoyed, like personal finance and marketing.

My rates started to climb.

Within a few months, I was making a few hundred dollars a month from freelance writing alone.

It’s a great side hustle because the barrier to entry is low if you have solid grammar and a passion for a particular subject.

You can start with what you know and build from there.

The most important thing is to just start.

2. Social Media Management: Turning a Hobby into Cash

My second side hustle was a direct result of my first.

While writing content for small businesses, I noticed they often needed help with the social media side of things, too.

They needed someone to post their content, engage with their audience, and build their brand online.

This was something I already did for fun, so it was a natural fit.

My first client was a local coffee shop.

I was already a regular there, so I just went up to the owner and said, “Hey, I love your coffee, and I love your brand. I think I could help you grow your social media presence for a few hours a week.”

To my surprise, she said yes.

We started with a trial period, and I was in charge of posting three times a week on Instagram and Facebook, responding to comments, and coming up with a content calendar.

It was a lot of work, but I was having a blast.

I was getting paid to be creative and hang out on social media.

What a concept!

The key here is finding a problem that a small business has and offering a solution.

Most small business owners are great at what they do—baking delicious pastries or fixing cars—but they don’t have the time or expertise to manage their online presence.

That’s where you come in.

3. Reselling on eBay and Facebook Marketplace: The “Treasure Hunter” Hustle

Okay, this one is a little bit different, and it’s a ton of fun.

I’ve always loved a good bargain, and I’ve always had an eye for things that people might want.

My first foray into reselling was with a dusty old stereo receiver I found at a thrift store for $15.

It looked old, but it was in great shape, and it was a brand I recognized.

I did a quick search on my phone and saw that similar models were selling for $150 to $200 online.

I bought it, cleaned it up, took some good pictures, and listed it on eBay.

A few days later, it sold for $175.

After shipping and fees, I walked away with over $140 in profit for a few hours of work.

I was hooked.

This side hustle turned me into a professional treasure hunter.

I started going to yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores every weekend, looking for things I could flip for a profit.

I learned what to look for—vintage clothing, collectible toys, electronics, and even old furniture.

The profit margins can be huge, but it does require some startup capital and a good eye.

The best part? It’s like a game.

Every trip to the thrift store is a new adventure, and you never know what you’re going to find.

It’s not a consistent income, but it’s a fantastic way to pad your bank account with some quick cash when you need it.

For more inspiration, check out this guide on selling on eBay:

Start Selling on eBay Today!

Next 4 Side Hustles: My Scaling Strategy and What Worked Best

Once I had the confidence from those first few wins, I started to think bigger.

I moved beyond the “one-off” gigs and started to look for ways to build more sustainable, scalable income streams.

This is where the real money started to come in.

I still loved the variety, but I was ready to build something that could grow beyond my own two hands.

4. Affiliate Marketing: Earning While You Sleep

Affiliate marketing is probably one of the most passive forms of income you can create.

The basic idea is simple: you promote a company’s product or service, and you get a commission every time someone buys it through your unique link.

I had a small blog and a growing social media following from my freelance work, so I decided to put it to good use.

I started by reviewing products and services I already used and loved.

For example, I wrote a post about my favorite project management tool, and I included my affiliate link.

I didn’t have to sell anything directly or handle any customer service.

My job was just to recommend a great product and let the company handle the rest.

The best part about this side hustle is that it can work while you’re not.

I remember waking up one morning and seeing a notification that I had made a few sales overnight while I was sleeping.

That feeling is the closest thing to magic I’ve ever experienced.

It takes time to build an audience and a reputation, but once you do, it can be a steady and reliable source of passive income.

5. Print-on-Demand (POD): My Creative Outlet

This one is a fantastic option for anyone with a creative streak, but you don’t even have to be a great artist.

Print-on-demand is a service where you upload a design to a website, and they handle everything else—printing the design on a t-shirt, mug, or phone case, and shipping it directly to the customer.

All you have to do is create a cool design and promote it.

I used a very simple, text-based design on some t-shirts.

I created a few funny shirts with sayings related to my niche, and they took off.

I was shocked at how easy it was.

I created the designs in about an hour using a free online tool, uploaded them to a POD platform, and then I just had to share the link with my followers.

The best part is there’s no inventory to manage and no upfront costs, other than a little bit of time.

This is another great side hustle that can run in the background, generating sales while you’re busy with other things.

For a detailed breakdown of how to get started, I recommend checking out this guide:

Learn About Print-on-Demand with Shopify!

6. Virtual Assistant Services: The Ultimate ‘Flexible’ Side Hustle

As my side hustle journey progressed, I started to realize that many other entrepreneurs were drowning in administrative tasks.

They needed help with things like scheduling, email management, social media, and research.

This is where offering Virtual Assistant (VA) services came in.

This is a great hustle because you can leverage skills you probably already have from your day job.

If you’re organized, good with technology, and reliable, you can be a successful VA.

I started by offering a few hours a week to a friend who ran a small online business.

I was in charge of managing her inbox and scheduling her podcast interviews.

It was a low-stress way to earn some extra money, and it was incredibly flexible.

I could do the work whenever I had a free moment, whether it was during my lunch break or late at night.

The best part about being a VA is that you get to see how other successful businesses are run from the inside.

It’s like getting paid to get an education in entrepreneurship.

Many VAs specialize in one area, like bookkeeping, social media, or marketing, and then they can charge a premium for their expertise.

7. E-Commerce and Dropshipping: My Biggest Challenge (and Reward)

This was the big one.

I had some success with reselling, but I wanted to build something more scalable.

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell a product online without ever having to hold any inventory.

When a customer places an order on your website, you purchase the product from a third-party supplier, and they ship it directly to the customer.

You are the middleman, and you get to keep the difference.

I decided to dropship products in a niche I was interested in—home decor.

I created a simple website using a platform like Shopify and started listing products I found on a wholesale marketplace.

This was a steep learning curve.

I had to learn about website design, digital marketing, and customer service.

There were a lot of late nights spent troubleshooting and trying to figure out why my ads weren’t working.

But when I got my first sale from a complete stranger, it was a moment of pure bliss.

It proved that my little business was real.

This side hustle requires the most effort and dedication up front, but the potential for growth is immense.

It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be incredibly rewarding.

Here’s a fantastic resource from Forbes that breaks down the pros and cons of dropshipping:

Read the Forbes Guide to Dropshipping!

From Side Hustle to Main Gig: How to Scale Up Your Income

So, you’ve tried a few of these, and you’re starting to get some traction.

You’re making a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars a month.

That’s incredible!

But what if you want to take it to the next level?

How do you go from a side hustle that pays for your coffee to a business that could replace your 9-to-5?

The answer is scaling.

This is where you stop trading your time for money and start building systems that work for you.

My biggest breakthrough came when I started to think about automation and delegation.

At first, I was doing everything myself—writing, social media, shipping, customer service—and I was starting to burn out.

I was working all day at my job and then all night on my side hustles.

It was exhausting.

I realized I couldn’t do it all forever if I wanted to grow.

The first thing I delegated was my social media content.

I found a great virtual assistant who was a wizard with graphic design and scheduling.

I was so hesitant to spend the money at first.

It felt wrong to pay someone else when I could do it myself.

But the minute I hired her, I had an extra five hours a week back in my life.

Those five hours were suddenly free for me to focus on higher-level tasks, like finding new clients for my freelance writing business or building out new products for my e-commerce store.

It was a game-changer.

The other key to scaling is to think about how you can automate your processes.

For my dropshipping store, I set up automatic order fulfillment and automated email sequences.

For my freelance writing business, I created templates for my pitches and contracts.

I used tools and software to do the heavy lifting for me, freeing up my time and energy.

Scaling isn’t just about making more money; it’s about building a more efficient and sustainable business.

It’s about creating a system that can run without you having to be involved in every single little detail.

And that, my friends, is the true definition of financial freedom.

You’re not just working for your money; you’re building an asset that works for you.

This is the fun part, where you get to become a true strategist and a business owner, not just a glorified employee working on the side.

Don’t Wait Another Day: Your Side Hustle Journey Starts Now

I’ve told you my story and shared the exact side hustles that helped me go from broke and stressed to confident and financially stable.

But here’s the thing.

My story isn’t special.

My side hustles weren’t unique or groundbreaking.

The only thing that was special was that I decided to take action.

I didn’t wait for the perfect idea or the perfect moment.

I just started with what I had and where I was.

If you’re feeling that familiar knot of financial anxiety in your stomach, or if you’re just looking for a way to add a little more padding to your bank account, now is the time.

Don’t fall into the trap of analysis paralysis.

You don’t need to read another blog post or watch another YouTube video.

You have enough information to get started right now.

Pick one of these side hustles that sounds even remotely interesting to you.

Then, take a single, tiny step toward it today.

Create a profile on a freelance website.

List one old item on eBay.

Brainstorm a few simple t-shirt designs.

The first step is always the hardest, but once you take it, the momentum will carry you forward.

Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to pursue your financial goals.

You have the power to create the life you want, and it all starts with a simple decision.

Your future self will thank you.