5 Side Hustles I Tried Last Year (and How Much I Actually Earned)

Last year, I embarked on a personal mission: to explore the world of side hustles not just as a concept, but as a lived reality. Like many, I was curious about boosting my income, diversifying my financial streams, and perhaps discovering a passion project that could grow into something more. The internet is flooded with “get rich quick” schemes and exaggerated earning claims, so I decided to cut through the noise and share a transparent, no-fluff account of my own journey. This isn’t a theoretical guide; it’s a look at the five distinct side hustles I genuinely pursued over 12 months, the effort involved, and crucially, how much money I actually put in my pocket from each.

In an era where the cost of living seems to perpetually climb, and the dream of financial freedom feels increasingly distant for many, the allure of a side hustle is undeniable. It promises not just extra cash, but also the potential for creative expression, skill development, and a sense of control over one’s economic destiny. My experiment was born from a desire to truly understand what it takes to succeed in this landscape, moving beyond the headlines and into the nitty-gritty of effort versus reward. I wanted to see if the hype matched the reality, and what tangible results an average person, with an average full-time job, could achieve.

My Year-Long Experiment: The Drive Behind My Five Side Hustles

The motivation behind diving headfirst into the side hustle economy was twofold. First, like many, I wanted to build a financial safety net and accelerate my savings goals, particularly for a down payment on a house. The thought of having multiple income streams, even small ones, provided a comforting sense of security against unexpected expenses or economic downturns. Second, I was genuinely intrigued by the idea of monetizing existing skills and learning new ones outside my regular 9-to-5. I wasn’t looking for a replacement for my full-time job, but rather a sustainable way to earn extra cash and test different avenues of entrepreneurship. My approach was experimental: I didn’t stick with one thing for the entire year, but rather rotated through or layered on different ventures, giving each a fair shot. This allowed me to compare time investments, skill requirements, and, most importantly, the actual return on effort.

I tracked everything meticulously – hours spent, materials purchased, platform fees, and every single dollar earned. This detailed record-keeping is what allows me to provide such a transparent breakdown. I used a simple spreadsheet to log my time daily, categorizing it by hustle, and cross-referenced this with income reports from various platforms. This level of detail, I believe, is crucial for anyone serious about understanding the true profitability of their ventures. My goal here is to offer a realistic perspective for anyone considering their own side hustle journey, highlighting both the successes and the stumbling blocks. I believe understanding the true effort-to-reward ratio is far more valuable than aspirational income figures.

Hustle #1 & #2: Monetizing Skills with Freelance Writing and Online Tutoring

My first foray into the side hustle world leveraged skills I already possessed: writing and teaching. These felt like natural starting points, requiring minimal upfront investment beyond my time and existing knowledge, which was perfect for a beginner. The barrier to entry was low, making them ideal for dipping my toes into the side hustle waters.

Freelance Content Writing: The Reality of Word-for-Cash

As someone who enjoys writing and has a knack for research, this seemed like a logical choice. I focused on content writing for blogs and websites, primarily finding gigs through platforms like Upwork and direct outreach to small businesses. My niche gravitated towards lifestyle, personal finance, and SaaS (Software as a Service) content, writing everything from long-form blog posts and articles to website copy and email newsletters. The initial phase was challenging – building a portfolio from scratch, understanding client expectations, navigating feedback, and dealing with the occasional rejection. I started with lower-paying jobs, sometimes as little as $0.05 per word, to gain experience and testimonials, gradually increasing my rates as my confidence and skill grew. By the end of my 6-month stint, I was commanding $0.10-$0.12 per word for established clients, and even secured a few retainer clients for ongoing work. I dedicated roughly 5-10 hours per week to this, often late evenings or weekends, fitting it around my full-time job. Learning to manage multiple projects and effectively communicate with diverse clients was a skill in itself.

• Time Investment: Approximately 200 hours over 6 months (averaging 8 hours/week).
• Challenges: Finding consistent clients, managing multiple deadlines, dealing with extensive revisions, and competing with a global pool of lower-priced writers. Overcoming imposter syndrome was also a significant mental hurdle, especially when pitching for higher-paying projects. There were weeks with no work, followed by weeks where I felt overwhelmed.
• Key Takeaway: Building a strong portfolio and nurturing client relationships is paramount. Quality over quantity eventually pays off, allowing you to charge higher rates. Don’t be afraid to niche down and showcase your unique voice. Learning to effectively pitch and negotiate also dramatically impacts earnings. (See my guide to starting freelance writing)
• Actual Earnings: $1,500 (This equates to an average of $7.50/hour, but my hourly rate improved significantly towards the end, reaching closer to $15-$20/hour for specific projects.)

Online Tutoring: Sharing Knowledge for a Steady Stream

I also have a background in a specific academic subject (high school mathematics and introductory physics), so I decided to offer online tutoring to students. I used a couple of well-known tutoring platforms that handle client matching and payments, and also marketed my services through local community groups and word-of-mouth. This side hustle was more predictable in terms of hourly rates, typically ranging from $25-$35 per hour depending on the subject and student’s level. However, it required me to be available during specific times, usually after school hours or on weekends, which definitely ate into my leisure time. It was incredibly rewarding to help students grasp difficult concepts, but the scheduling could be a constant juggle, especially trying to accommodate different time zones or last-minute requests. I found that building rapport with students and their parents led to consistent bookings and referrals.

• Time Investment: Approximately 100 hours over 4 months (averaging 6-7 hours/week).
• Challenges: Inconsistent demand, adapting teaching styles to individual student needs, and the mental energy required to explain complex topics repeatedly. Finding a quiet, distraction-free environment for sessions was also crucial.
• Key Takeaway: Word-of-mouth referrals are golden. Delivering consistent, high-quality instruction builds trust and a steady client base. While hourly rates are good, the scalability is limited