Not too long ago, I did an interview with The Epoch Times. They were writing about how more Americans are taking on second jobs to make ends meet.
The tone of the article suggested this was purely a negative sign — proof that the economy is broken and people are struggling.
And while I absolutely recognize that many people are feeling the squeeze…my response surprised them.
Because the truth is:
I’m a big supporter of side income.
Not because people should have to hustle endlessly to survive.
But because I’ve lived what it can do.
Let Me Take You Back
Years ago, I quit my job to become a full-time real estate investor.
It sounded bold. Ambitious. Exciting.
It was also…financially terrifying.
I quickly found myself in over my head and drowning in debt.
So while I worked to turn things around, here was my reality:
I woke up at 4:30 AM to be at The Container Store by 5:00 AM, where I stocked shelves.
After that shift, I changed clothes in the bathroom and ran across the street to work at Crate & Barrel.
Then I’d go home and work on my real estate business.
And at night, I’d head to LaLa’s Wine Bar and serve tables until 10:00 PM.
I did this for months.
No days off. No glamour. Just grit.
It was a grind.
But slowly, things shifted.
Debts started disappearing.
Cash flow stabilized.
I could breathe again.
That season didn’t define me.
It strengthened me.
People Have Always Felt the Squeeze
Inflation today is real. Just ask any Gen Zer trying to rent an apartment.
But here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough:
People have always felt financial pressure.
When you’re young, you usually have more time than money.
And that time can be leveraged.
Side hustles aren’t new. Delivering pizzas, bartending, tutoring — these have been around forever.
What is new? The sheer number of options available now.
You can:
- Walk dogs
- Rent out a spare room
- Tutor online
- Refinish and resell furniture
- Rent your car on Turo
- Manage properties
- Sell digital products
- Freelance from your laptop
- Sell items on Facebook Marketplace
Little to no upfront cost. Massive flexibility.
If You Have Debt…Get a Side Hustle
I’ll say this clearly:
If you’re carrying high-interest debt, a side hustle can be one of the fastest ways to reclaim control.
It shortens the timeline.
It builds momentum.
It restores confidence.
And it doesn’t have to be forever.
Sometimes it’s just a season.
Looking To Earn More Money….Get a Side Hustle.
Maybe you don’t have debt that needs to be paid off, but what could you do with extra money every month?
Maybe you start maxing out your Roth IRA?
Pay cash for a vacation.
Put money away to buy your first home.
Tackle your home renovation project.
The opportunities are endless….
It Also Diversifies Your Risk
Lately, I’ve spoken with quite a few people who were unexpectedly laid off.
The ones who already had a small side income?
They had options.
Some went full-time with it sooner than planned.
Some used it as a financial bridge while job hunting.
That’s not desperation.
That’s diversification.
Real-Life Examples I’ve Seen
- A teacher who tutors in the evenings and summers
- A flight attendant who rents her home while she’s traveling
- A real estate agent who also manages rentals for consistent monthly income
- A doctor who owns the building in which her practice operates
- A Starbucks employee leveraging health insurance and tuition benefits while working towards her Master’s degree
These aren’t “struggling” people.
They’re strategic.
Side Hustles Don’t Disappear — They Evolve
Here’s something most people miss:
Side hustles don’t go away when you build wealth.
They just look different.
Instead of delivering pizzas, you might:
- Manage your rental properties
- Own equity in a growing business
- Invest in dividend-paying stocks
- Become a silent partner in a company
The average millionaire has multiple income streams. Some studies say seven.
Not because they’re greedy.
Because they understand leverage.
Start Active. Transition to Passive.
In the beginning, side income usually costs time.
Later, it buys you freedom.
You transition from trading hours for dollars…
to building systems that pay you back.
That evolution is powerful.
The Bottom Line
I don’t believe side hustles are a sign of failure.
I believe they’re often the backbone of wealth building.
They build resilience.
They build skill.
They build confidence.
They create options.
And there is absolutely nothing shameful about creating more income for yourself.
In fact, I’d argue it makes you more dynamic, more capable, and more prepared for whatever comes next.
Sometimes a second job isn’t a setback.
Sometimes it’s the setup.
