The best side hustle for a young adult does two jobs: it brings in some income and it builds skills that help your main career. Choose one that matches where you want to go, test it small for a month, protect your time and your main job, and track every dollar from the start. Side income usually comes with tax obligations, so check with a tax professional early.
Decide what the side hustle is for
Before picking an idea, decide what you want from it. The answer changes which option makes sense.
- Skill building: experience you can put on a resume, like design, writing, video editing, coding or sales.
- Testing a business idea: seeing whether people will pay for something you might do full time.
- Building a network: work that puts you in contact with people in a field you want to join.
- Extra income with flexible hours: fine as a goal, but be honest that it may not build much else.
Side hustles that tend to build skills
- Freelance services: writing, editing, graphic design, simple websites, social media management or video editing for small businesses.
- Teaching and coaching skills you already have: music lessons, sports instruction, language practice or helping people learn software.
- Hands-on services: handyman work, detailing, moving help or yard work, which teach pricing, scheduling and customer service.
- Making and selling: crafts, prints, refurbished items or reselling, which teach marketing, inventory and online selling.
- Event and hospitality work: catering, event staffing or photography, which build reliability and connections.
If you are thinking of turning it into your main income, see careers without a degree, which covers starting a business as a path.
Test it small before you commit
- Pick one idea and describe it in one sentence: who you help and what you do.
- Find three to five first customers through people you know or local groups.
- Deliver the work well and ask for honest feedback.
- After a month, look at what you earned, how many hours it took and what you learned.
- Keep it, adjust it or drop it. Dropping an idea that does not work is a good result.
Be wary of anything that asks you to pay upfront for a starter kit, recruit others to earn, or promises easy money. Those patterns often signal a bad deal.
Protect your time and your main job
- Set a weekly hour limit and put side hustle time on your calendar.
- Check your employment agreement or handbook for rules about outside work, conflicts of interest or using company equipment.
- Keep your side hustle off company time.
- Watch for burnout signs: missed sleep, slipping work or no free time at all. Our guide to work-life balance can help.
Handle the money side
This is general information, not tax or financial advice. Income from self-employment generally has to be reported, and it can come with tax obligations that an employer would otherwise handle, including self-employment tax and possibly estimated payments during the year. Rules depend on your situation and state, so check with a tax professional, and see the IRS’s self-employed tax center for the basics.
- Open a separate account for side income and expenses.
- Keep receipts and a simple log of income and costs.
- Set aside part of every payment for taxes so you are not caught short.
- Fold side income into your budget. See budgeting for young adults.
Where a mentor helps
A side hustle can easily become either a big distraction or a project you never start. A mentor helps you choose one that fits your goals, set realistic weekly hours, follow through on the first customers and stay organized with money. Learn more about money and life skills mentoring and career and education mentoring.
Related
- Budgeting for young adults
- Credit score basics
- Careers without a degree
- How to get a job with no experience
Common questions
What is a good side hustle for a young adult?
One that uses or builds skills you want for your career, such as freelance design, writing, teaching a skill or hands-on services. Test it with a few customers before committing more time.
Do I have to pay taxes on side hustle income?
Self-employment income generally has to be reported and can carry tax obligations, including self-employment tax. Rules vary, so check with a tax professional and the IRS website.
Can I have a side hustle with a full-time job?
Often yes, but check your employer’s rules on outside work and conflicts of interest, and keep side work off company time and equipment.
How many hours should I spend on a side hustle?
Set a weekly limit that protects your sleep, main job and relationships. Many people start with a few hours a week and adjust after a month.
Get started
Want help choosing a side project and following through? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.