Making Money Outside of Your Full-Time Career

**jeffrey** · 08-22-2009, 12:16 AM

This site was originally an activity outside my then full time job. When we started the site, it was basically like having two full time jobs - I would work 8 hours and then come home and work another 6 on the website. This is now my full time job, but it took 4 years of earning nothing with those long hours before we were able to accomplish it. The thing was, we'd probably still be doing it even if it wasn't making any money because that is what we wanted to do. The fact that it does is a little icing on the cake.

**rduell** · 08-22-2009, 04:16 AM

Well, my full-time job is a librarian but I work 2 nights a week as a receptionist for Weight Watchers. The pay is not great, but it keeps me accountable for my weight. We have to weigh in every month and be at goal weight or below. I make about $25 a meeting, depending on product sales and mileage.

I also have a job as a bookkeeper for one of our libraries. I spend hardly any time on that (maybe about an hour a month, if that) and get $60 a month.

Not big money earners, but it helps. With the classes I take each semester I don't think I could find much more time for other jobs.

**TBH** · 08-22-2009, 07:32 AM

Well, I'm a strange case because I have a whole collection of jobs, not one full time job.

I guess my blog is money-on-the-side. At its peak I was making a couple hundred dollars a month from it. Not that I almost never update it, I'm making less, maybe $50-100 per month. Pretty good for something I put so little energy into.

**buildmybudget** · 08-22-2009, 08:11 AM

Just find something that you love to do and start doing it in your free time. If you put in enough time, chances are you'll make a little extra money. With a little luck you can turn it into a full time job. For myself, I use BuildMyBudget.com to help individuals see where they are headed financially so they can make decisions today to help them reach their financial goals. Most people just look in the rearview mirror when budgeting, I enjoy helping them look ahead.

**NickLeavens** · 08-22-2009, 01:17 PM

I write on a freelance basis for some business journals that publish stories related to my area of expertise. Doesn't take too long, and if you enjoy writing - it should be fun and easy, plus a nice bonus to say you've been published in magazines.

**reptile411** · 08-22-2009, 06:57 PM

i love landscaping. i started mowing lawns, now i own a landscape company, work 2 days a week for more than double my 9-5 hourly pay. life is good. now i just need the guts to leave my 9-5.

**Justice44** · 08-22-2009, 09:59 PM

What was your motivation?

Originally posted by jeffrey View Post

This site was originally an activity outside my then full time job. When we started the site, it was basically like having two full time jobs - I would work 8 hours and then come home and work another 6 on the website. This is now my full time job, but it took 4 years of earning nothing with those long hours before we were able to accomplish it. The thing was, we'd probably still be doing it even if it wasn't making any money because that is what we wanted to do. The fact that it does is a little icing on the cake.

Hi Jeffrey,

Why did you want to start this website?

P.S. I am glad that you did.

**Justice44** · 08-22-2009, 10:02 PM

Why do you lack the courage?

Originally posted by reptile411 View Post

i love landscaping. i started mowing lawns, now i own a landscape company, work 2 days a week for more than double my 9-5 hourly pay. life is good. now i just need the guts to leave my 9-5.

Why do you lack the courage to leave your 9 to 5? Why did start your own company?

**jeffrey** · 08-22-2009, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Justice44 View Post

Hi Jeffrey,

Why did you want to start this website?

At the time, there were a lot of personal finance sites, but they focused mainly on investing. There weren't as many that focused on the saving / frugal aspect.

**hawkster** · 08-24-2009, 12:19 AM

I have a full time job that pays well, I do too however paint houses on the weekends. I'm in my busy time now and its nothing to pull in a grand or more painting a house.

By the way...how do you make money blogging?

**Justice44** · 08-24-2009, 04:05 AM

Re: Blogging

Originally posted by hawkster View Post

I have a full time job that pays well, I do too however paint houses on the weekends. I'm in my busy time now and its nothing to pull in a grand or more painting a house.

By the way...how do you make money blogging?

Hi Hawkster,

How many hours do you invest in painting a house?

**MikeFallon** · 08-24-2009, 07:33 AM

Besides my main jobs I have a few websites and blogs that average a few hundred dollars a month. Not earth-shattering but it helps.

**sk24iam** · 08-26-2009, 06:51 AM

I started a financial gaming website which earns ad revenue as an outside income. I only spend about an hour a day on it 5 days a week. This is mostly for marketing the site as well as upkeeping. I don't make a whole lot of money from it considering I put a majority of it back into the site but the revenues will continue to grow as well as the sites value.

**wnlbutterfly** · 08-27-2009, 01:45 PM

My full-time job is substitute teaching (and there are times with it is FULL time and times when it is PART time). Then Jan-Apr I am a tax preparer on weekends, and during the fall I do a couple of craft shows (used to be more). I was also working at an Afterschool program last two years, but I asked to be cut back (due to conflicts with other staff members...a lot of stress).

Had a diet online support website for awhile that earned some money but we (co-founders) finally went to a "no-fee" membership, strictly email based support now.

OH, I did Census work this spring (just verifying addresses), I won't be doing any more of that though.

Making Money Outside of Your Full-Time Career