We help everyday people earn more on their own terms. Since 2015, our team has tested hundreds of legit side hustles, small business ideas, and income apps to help readers boost their income and gain more financial freedom. Join our 200,000+ community and get proven, actionable ways to make extra money online or offline — no fluff, no hype.
Why most side hustles fizzle — and how to keep yours from burning out
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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 my business, and freelancing on the side. The domain’s still active, the hosting’s still paid — but the site itself is basically a blank WordPress theme. Even Jeff once spent thousands launching a candle brand — full branding, products, a custom website, inventory. By the time it was ready to sell, he was so burned out he could barely find the energy to market it. So yeah, I get it. Burnout happens to the best of us. In our latest feature, we dig into why so many side hustles quietly fizzle out — and what actually helps people build ones that last. From creators and freelancers to therapists juggling 15 income streams, their stories hit home. — Ben Huber |
DollarSprout
We help everyday people earn more on their own terms. Since 2015, our team has tested hundreds of legit side hustles, small business ideas, and income apps to help readers boost their income and gain more financial freedom. Join our 200,000+ community and get proven, actionable ways to make extra money online or offline — no fluff, no hype.
Most side hustles don’t start with a big idea. They start small — sometimes almost by accident. Aaron’s story is a good example. Like me, he grew up collecting Pokémon cards, later got deep into vintage watches, and started selling a few pieces from his own collection. No website. No ads. No plan to turn it into a business. Over time, that turned into something real. In a strong month, his vintage watch side hustle has brought in around $10,000 — largely by using Instagram Stories,...
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...
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...