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Why Turning Hobbies Into Hustles Can Ruin the Fun

December 17th, 2024 Posted in Business, Entrepreneurship
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Think about this for a moment (maybe this has quite literally happened to you); you’re curled up on the sofa, knitting needles clicking away while you binge a TV show. Bliss. Then it hits you, people sell scarves on Etsy, don’t they? Suddenly, you’re spiraling: pricing out yarn, Googling shipping costs, and wondering if you could squeeze out some extra cash. What started as a soothing end to your day is now another item on your never-ending to-do list. Now yes, sometimes hobbies could very well make you rich, there’s more than enough content online that even states that.

Why Turning Hobbies Into Hustles Can Ruin the Fun

But at the same time, hustle culture loves to tell people that every free moment is just an untapped business opportunity. It can literally be anything from streaming video games, selling art, or flipping furniture, apparently, if you’re good at it, you’re wasting potential by not cashing in. The problem is, that mindset can turn even the things you love into a chore.

Even just basic care like eating, sleeping, skincare, and exercising has quite literally pushed people to try and make money (and again, it’s due to hustle culture). Now, if you want to make money from doing these, sure, go ahead. But don’t feel pressured!

Hobbies are Supposed to Be Fun, Not Another Job

Hobbies exist for a reason. They’re your escape from emails, deadlines, and whatever else the day has thrown at you. So, painting, gaming, baking, these things are supposed to be yours, a way to unwind and recharge. So, slapping a price tag on them can mess with the entire point.

Actually, you can take video gaming, for example. Loads of people stream their games on Twitch and genuinely enjoy the experience. But if you’re only doing it because “everyone else is,” it can suck the fun right out of it. One minute you’re deep into a quest, the next you’re stressed about view counts, wondering why your followers haven’t grown this week. 

Seriously, if you love playing casino games on RedPokies, then don’t outright feel you need to show the world your wins and losses, because you don’t. The same goes for literally everything else under the sun, do it for you, not because you feel like you have to show it off.

Monetising Isn’t as Easy as It Looks

Sure, social media makes it look effortless. You’ve seen the posts: “I made £100 thousand by selling candles!” or “Passive income in my sleep!” What they don’t show is the messy reality, the hours spent trialing products, the upfront costs, and the stressed-out customer complaints. Seriously, is it worth it? Was it easy at all? Chances are no, no it wasn’t. 

You need to keep in mind that turning a hobby into a side hustle comes with baggage. If you’re baking for fun, a lopsided cake is still a win because, well, cake. But if you’re baking to sell? That crooked layer might leave you panicking about your reputation.

Free Time Doesn’t Have to Be “Productive”

Here’s a wild thought: doing things for no reason other than enjoyment is enough. It used to be in the past, so why not now? For example, watching YouTube videos without simultaneously grinding out survey cash? Totally fine. Playing games purely because you love them? Absolutely allowed.

Money Can Change How You Feel About a Hobby

Essentially, turning hobbies into hustles can make them feel more like obligations than escapes. If you’re baking, drawing, or gaming for the sheer joy of it, mistakes are part of the charm. Who cares if your cake leans a bit or your painting looks more “experimental” than planned? It’s all about having fun. The second you add money into the mix, though, and suddenly expectations shoot up.

Sometimes, Nothing is the Best Thing to Do

For the most part, free time has value all on its own. Just think about it, you’re sitting down with a good book, losing yourself in a game, or wandering around a park just because it feels nice. Now, that’s what time off is supposed to look like. It’s a chance to hit pause, breathe, and enjoy something for you.

If It Feels Right, Do It

Now, there are some people who want to test the wasters, they want to make money. By all means, go ahead, just don’t try and pressure or guilt yourself into it. The next time you’re tempted to turn a hobby into a side hustle, ask yourself one question: Is this still bringing me joy? If the answer is no, it might be time to hit pause and remember why you started in the first place.

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Simple Ways To Lighten Your Financial Load

October 31st, 2024 Posted in Money Tips
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Financial stress is one of those burdens that can turn up on anyone: perhaps a surprise repair on the car, a major home maintenance problem, or just the cost of living inching up. Whatever the reason may be, lightening the weight of these money worries is something that we all need now and then. There are so many different ways that we can cut back and lighten the load, you just need to know where to look to make the biggest difference. 

Simple Ways To Lighten Your Financial Load - savings tracker image

Photo by Bich Tran:

Start With A Spending Detox

Think of this step as a fresh start. Look into your last few bank statements and get honest about where your money’s going. You’ll probably spot a few surprises, like that meal delivery service you don’t even like or subscriptions you’ve forgotten about. Sometimes it’s just a matter of tweaking small habits, like making coffee at home or cutting out some takeout nights. These little savings add up, and every bit can help you feel more in control. 

Sell Off What You Don’t Use

We’ve all got items lying around that we don’t need — like that tech you upgraded but didn’t sell, or furniture that’s just gathering dust. Start looking at your space with fresh eyes. Unused items, particularly ones with value, can actually make you a nice chunk of cash if you’re ready to part with them. And if you own a car that’s more of a cost than a convenience, car buyers can help you sell it fast, making it easy to save on monthly insurance and maintenance costs. 

Tap Into A Side Hustle

A little extra income goes a long way, especially if you’re looking to tackle financial stress. Thanks to the digital world, there are so many options out there: freelancing, consulting, tutoring, selling crafts, you name it. The great thing? It doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment. Just a few hours a week can bring in that extra money to put towards debt or savings. There’s something pretty empowering about creating an additional income stream — it can make you feel more resilient financially.

Build A “Life Happens” Fund

Emergencies don’t exactly RSVP. The washer breaks, or the car battery dies, and suddenly, your finances take a hit. That’s why having an emergency fund — even a modest one — can make all the difference. If you can, try to set aside a little each month, aiming first for £400, then gradually building up to a few months of expenses. Automate those transfers so you’re not even tempted to skip them. Trust me, this “just in case” fund can give you serious peace of mind, knowing you’ve got a safety net for life’s most unexpected moments.

Concluding Thoughts

Financial stress is a lot more common than we tend to admit, but there are real ways to get ahead of it. And it all comes down to taking manageable steps — every single one you take puts you closer to financial freedom. So go easy on yourself, and remember that small changes really can make a really big difference.

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Strapped For Cash? Here Are Some Solutions

October 9th, 2024 Posted in Money Tips
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Are you struggling for money right now? Maybe you’re not too worse for wear in the financial department, but you could definitely use a little bit of extra cash, right? Who doesn’t in this economy, and the only way to get the money that you need is to figure out a plan. There are a range of different options that you can consider here, it’s just a case of finding which one, or which ones work best for you. 

The good news is that if you can’t really come up with any right now, you’re not alone in that. Many people struggle to come up with new ideas, but that’s what we’re going to be looking at today. In this article, we’re going to be discussing some of your options, so keep reading down below if you want to know more!

Photo by Photo Source: Kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-white-long-sleeves-taking-photos-of-a-handbag-5717978/

Sell your old items

The first option that we’ve got for you is to sell some of your old items. We’re not talking about the ones that you still use or that you have some kind of attachment to, obviously. We’re talking about the ones that you no longer want or need, and are simply taking up space in your home for no reason other than that you’re too lazy to throw them away. It happens to the best of us, but now you might be in a position to benefit from this.

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You could set up a platform where you are taking pictures of the things that you’re not using anymore and offer them to someone else. There are loads of apps and websites that let you do this, and you can make some decent money. For example, if you have an old phone that still works, you can sell your phone to a business who refurbishes them, or someone who uses the pieces for parts. Or, if you have a whole bunch of old clothes that you don’t wear anymore for whatever reason, someone else might be looking for what you’ve got. It’s worth a shot at the very least. 

Freelance Work

Have you ever thought about doing some freelance work? It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the industry that you’re in for your day job, as long as you have the right credentials to be offering a service. Or, at the very least, you can prove that you are able to offer it. 

Things like this are great for you to make some money on the side when you need it, and you don’t have to offer these services when you don’t. You can complete them whenever you have the time, and you don’t have a boss getting up your backside. As long as you complete your work in a timely manner and by the deadline that you set, you should be all good! Of course, reviews are really going to help you make this happen, so encourage the people you work for on a freelance basis to leave one for you. 

Start A Blog

In the same kind of vein, you could consider starting a blog. It’s going to take some time to build your blog up to a point where you can make some money from it, but it is possible if you put your mind to it and dedicate yourself. You’ll need to post regularly, engage with people in the comment section, and generally have fun with it. But, you’re also going to need to keep an eye on what posts are being read and have positive notes, as well as which ones don’t.

Yes, it’s your blog and you should be able to post whatever you want. But, you also need to make sure that you’re posting things that people want to read. If you’re not getting views and interactions, then you’re not going to be paid for what you’re posting. That’s something to think about and keep in mind as much as you can if this is a path you want to go down.

Log More Hours At Work

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-teacup-infront-of-laptop-on-top-of-table-inside-the-room-925786/

If you have the opportunity to pick up some overtime and you are able to do it, don’t pass it up. If you have other commitments that you cannot change, if you’re approaching burnout, or if there is another genuine reason you can’t, then there’s nothing wrong with that.

However, if you need the extra cash and it’s completely possible for you to do the overtime, then why wouldn’t you? It’s worth the extra time that you have to spend at work for the extra money that you’re going to get. Also, keep in mind that in most companies, overtime is paid at a higher rate. We are completely aware that this one is not an option for everyone so don’t jump on the defense straight away; but some people could try saving a little better. This doesn’t really erase the need for some more money, but it does make the need a little less urgent.

Try Saving A Little Better

You don’t need to stress about getting this money asap because you have some savings behind you to tide you over for a little while. Of course, you don’t want to deplete all of your savings, but they’re there if you do need them.

In order to save better, you need to plan a little better. Take some time to write out your budget so that you know where you are at all times. Make sure that all of your bills are included here, and then ensure that you’re taking time to update this as and when necessary. We understand that all the budgeting in the world couldn’t stretch some people’s money far enough, but we’re not talking about you. We’re talking about people who just blow the excess money they do have, and leave themselves in a tricky situation. Think ahead, plan ahead, and you will be better off for it. 

Downsize Your Life

The final thing that we’re going to be talking about is downsizing your life. This is not the solution that anyone wants to hear, and it is more often than not the last ditch solution that people will use. But it’s a solution and one we’re going to have to look at. If you’re finding yourself strapped for cash, it could be possible that this is because of your lifestyle. 

It’s a good plan to, even temporarily, try to downsize your life. Roll back on the big spending and just try to get the essentials for a little while until you’re in a better place financially. We’re not saying that you can’t treat yourself to something nice every now and then, but maybe just tone it down a little. It’s not going to be the end of the world, and your finances will certainly thank you for it. It’s doable if you want it to be.

At the end of the day, if you’re strapped for cash then there are so many options for you. They might not all be doable in your current situation, and some might not work out properly, but you’ve got to try. Eventually you will figure out what you’re doing and what method of making a little more money works for you, and then you can go from there. Try out all of the options on the list, but take comfort in the fact that there are even more where they came from if you need them. 

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Four Ways To Grow Your Finances

July 19th, 2021 Posted in Money Tips
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Finances are at the heart of every household and even though money doesn’t buy you happiness, it can help make life a little more comfortable. Everyone has the ability to improve their finances in some way or the other and not simply need to live paycheck to paycheck. Here are four ways to grow your finances.

Four Ways To Grow Your Finances - piggy bank and coins image
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Invest Your Money

There are many ways to invest your money but not everyone takes the opportunity to do so. It’s always important that you do your research before you start investing money because not all investments are easily understandable. The stock market for example is something that takes time to learn and understand before spending your money.

It’s always best to start off small when investing and work your way up to the bigger investments as you become more knowledgeable and confident. It’s also worth noting that you should only invest money that you are willing to lose. Investments carry risks and so that’s why many avoid them for fear of losing out. However, a lot of investments can be fruitful.

Rent Out Your Property

If you’ve got space on your property or you have a spare property that’s going unused, why not rent it out? Whether that’s using an Airbnb management system like OptiNest to renting it out through other holiday sites or a local estate agent.

There can be many benefits to renting out your property and it can provide an additional income that can turn into a hefty amount over time. It might require a bit of effort on your part, but that effort can be worth it for the income that you’ll create because of it.

Track Your Spending Habits

Tracking your spending habits is a great way to grow your finances. A lot of people don’t actually manage their finances correctly and so end up spending more money than they can afford to spend. It’s good to budget your money and to find ways of cutting back in order to save money every month.

You’d be surprised by how much you can save over time by tracking your spending habits and looking for those areas of concern that you can focus on reducing. If you struggle budgeting, then try laying out your expenditures on a spreadsheet so you can see it all more clearly.

Start A Side Hustle

A side hustle is something that can start off as an idea and turn into something big if you have the right idea. Spending time on the side hustle is going to help it grow and it’s something that you’ll be able to do on the side, along with any current job that you have.

Side hustles can start at any age or at any point in your life, so why not give it a go? You may fail but you may end up making some extra cash!

Growing your finances can be done, so use these tips to start off your journey to healthier finances for you and your family.

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Ways To Make Money Outside Your 9-5

June 10th, 2021 Posted in Entrepreneurship, Money Tips
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In the past, most households would manage and survive one person’s income and often the woman would stay at home to look after the home and raise the kids. Although outdated still a lifestyle choice for many, but the norm and most common practice is having two working adults in the home now. The cost of living has increased a lot and so has the need to generate more income into the household. Things don’t stop there, so many people are looking for extra ways to bring in more money on a monthly basis now on top of their normal jobs and salaries that they receive. If this is something you want to do then here are a few ways you can look to make money. Why not give them a go and see where you end up.

Ways To Make Money Outside Your 9-5 - think differently about things sign image
Photo by Ivan Bertolazzi from Pexels

Start An Online Business

This was a very popular choice of passing time during the lockdown. So many people have started businesses especially as their jobs were at risk it gave them a buffer. Your online business can be anything that suits you, the possibilities are endless. If you are particularly creative you can use that to your advantage. If you paint, sew, knit, or even make pottery, this can be used. By using these hobbies to then generate income is a very popular option especially amongst the younger generation. 

Invest In Stocks And Crypto 

Again, this is becoming a fast favorite and so many people are getting interested in the stock market and investing their money for a greater return. It can be quite daunting trying to enter the world without any prior knowledge, but there are so many books and online help to explain it to you in layman’s terms. There is Bitcoin and holding ETH all amazing options and ways to help generate more income in the long term rather than an immediate increase,

Blogging And Writing 

This is a concept that takes a bit of time in order to be able to earn money but it is a nice little money bank when needed. If you have an interest in writing when starting to write a blog you need to think about the reader all the time. It is important to write about something you have an interest and passion in. It can come across to the reader if you aren’t interested in what you are writing about and can put them off. With blogging there are different ways you can make money, the main two are by sponsored ads on your website and then payment to write about a certain subject or to go alongside something you were gifted to review and promote. You can also then branch out into using the social media accounts linked with your blog to generate income through Ad posts. This is like blogging on a smaller scale on social media. You will take some photos and review and promote the products or service and receive payment for your time and reaching your audience.

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