Hey Reader, If you’re feeling a little late to the game, you’re not alone. Most of us aren’t “planning ahead” anymore. We’re finishing shopping, dealing with shipping cutoffs, and hoping January doesn’t come with too much credit-card regret. The good news: there are still a few last-minute ways to save real money on Christmas, even if you’ve already bought some gifts. Here are the ones that actually still work: Cancel or pause quiet subscriptions. This is the fastest win. Every year, I find...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Every year around this time, my household starts to feel the holiday squeeze. Gifts, travel, random school events, food… it all piles up faster than I’d like to admit. And because of that, I’ve unintentionally fallen into this routine where my income always spikes in November and early December — not from some grand plan, just from habit. For example: My Pokémon flipping side hustle always picks up. Collectors buy vintage packs as Christmas gifts, and demand pushes prices up on the singles...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hey there, If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder on your side hustle but not earning more… you’re not imagining it. We just published a breakdown I think every gig worker and online seller should read: 👉 Who Really Profits From the Side Hustle Economy?https://dollarsprout.com/who-profits-from-side-hustle-platforms/ Platforms like Fiverr, Uber, Etsy, Upwork — they’ve made it incredibly easy for people to earn. But once you dig into the fees, algorithms, promotions, and “visibility...
20 days ago • 1 min read
I’ve started more side hustles than I can count — and burned out on plenty of them. When I was a teenager, I used to buy computer memory wholesale and resell it on eBay. It made money… but daily post office trips (before I could even drive) wore me -- and mostly my mom -- out, fast. Later, I flipped Pokémon cards — still do, actually — but the market’s gotten so volatile that finding inventory feels like gambling. More recently, I tried launching another blog while raising four kids, running...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader,If you earned extra income from a side hustle this year, there’s good news — many of your everyday business expenses will be deductible. From mileage and phone bills to startup costs and supplies, our CPA-approved guide breaks down what you can legally write off for the 2025 tax year (and what you can’t). Even if you’re not filing yet, it’s worth bookmarking this one — a few minutes of prep now can make tax season a whole lot easier. 👉 Read (and save) the full guide:...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
When a fire destroyed Brian Watkins’ home, he lost nearly everything — except decades of knowledge about antiques and collectibles. With no savings and two kids to care for, he needed a way to rebuild fast. That’s when he found JustAnswer — a site where real experts get paid to help people online. Today, Brian earns $4K–$10K a month appraising vintage items from home — coins, toys, furniture, you name it — all while being there for his kids. We’re not affiliated with JustAnswer; we just love...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The upcoming tax season doesn’t have to be stressful — but for most side hustlers, it usually is. Unlike a W-2 job, no one’s setting money aside for you. That means if you’re freelancing, driving deliveries, or running an Etsy shop, April can sneak up fast (and with it, a tax bill you didn’t see coming). We put together a simple 9-step checklist to help you stay organized, avoid penalties, and take advantage of new 2025 tax deductions — including: ✅ A $25,000 “No Tax on Tips” deduction for...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Nearly half of American workers now have multiple income streams. For many, it feels like the only way to stay afloat. Others are chasing the flexibility and control that side hustles promise. But there’s a catch. Gig work may offer freedom, but it can also stall careers, flatten pay, and leave people running on empty. We call it the Freedom Trap — and it’s a growing reality for millions in 2025. In our latest feature, we break down: Why gig work is booming right now The surprising...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Side hustles today come with a lot of pressure — build a brand, grow an audience, scale to six figures. But what if that’s not the only way? Lately, more people are turning to a different kind of extra income: old-school W-2 jobs. We’re talking bookstore shifts, museum front desks, wine tasting rooms — low-lift, local gigs that offer steady pay and a break from the chaos of gig apps and freelancing. No self-employment tax. No chasing invoices. No late-night client emails. Just...
4 months ago • 1 min read