Side hustle and flexible job ideas

[plazma_za]

Hi Carb community,

I wanted to find from you all what you do as a side hustle or flexible job? To give you an idea and the background to my question, I have been offered a job, which is paying less from my current job (on a basic salary scale) however is less hours and offers commission. My idea is to use the freed up time to try and generate the difference of the two jobs, which covers my cost of living. The idea is to find an opportunity or job that requires effort and not time. For example, something that pays per task done, not for 3 hours of work. I hope that makes sense.

I look forward to see what you guys do.

 

[goldfritter]

Maybe check some previous threads on this question:

Search results for query: Hustle

carbonite.co.za

 

[SpaceWalker]

These types of threads and topics are always interesting to me.

If there was a side job/hustle out there that would really earn anyone a substantial income, why would they share it with the world?

Carb is essentially the epitome of side hustles, what do you think all the Resellers are? I bet you some guys do make a few R, but it's hardly the type of income you retire on.

Work is work, jobs are jobs. My personal road in life has seen me invest so much time and energy to attempt to use the Internet as a revenue stream, but when reality strikes, you have to face it. An 8-5 job with a steady income will always yield better returns. Unless you marry rich or inherit big, which I don't plan to either and inheritance is not on the table either.

Life isn't easy and time is valuable, but you also need to face the facts. We work, we earn, we die.

 

[L0phostrix]

I'm trying to start a watch business, and am already R10 000 down.

Don't be like me

 

[TheJudge]

There are obvious high risk, high reward side hussles like taking hostages or underground meth labs. For you though is there maybe a hobby that has an end product you could sell?

 

[SpaceWalker]

I'm trying to start a watch business, and am already R10 000 down.

Don't be like me

As I said as well.

I'm a skilled web designer, I'm good at online marketing. I own my own business, although I'm not actively trading or doing business with it. I have Partnership Agreements with a ton of International Companies and it has only cost me money. Everything from paying CIPC and Accountant fees, domains, registration fees and hosting accounts. It's just a shit show. My actual job has been more rewarding with way more income than attempting my own business.

 

[plazma_za]

These types of threads and topics are always interesting to me.

If there was a side job/hustle out there that would really earn anyone a substantial income, why would they share it with the world?

Carb is essentially the epitome of side hustles, what do you think all the Resellers are? I bet you some guys do make a few R, but it's hardly the type of income you retire on.

Work is work, jobs are jobs. My personal road in life has seen me invest so much time and energy to attempt to use the Internet as a revenue stream, but when reality strikes, you have to face it. An 8-5 job with a steady income will always yield better returns. Unless you marry rich or inherit big, which I don't plan to either and inheritance is not on the table either.

Life isn't easy and time is valuable, but you also need to face the facts. We work, we earn, we die.

I 100% agree and have seen that if something is too good to be true, then it is. My purpose of this post was to see if there was something out there that someone has come across that is flexible in it's job or hustle, not to replace their income, but to increase it, even slightly. As mentioned, I am looking at moving from a 9 hour work day to a 6 hour work day, which frees up 3 hours of my day at the cost of reducing my basic salary. This means I will have about 3 hours extra a day to find a second stream of income that can help recover some of that basic lost. You may be asking; "Why would you move if it is less income that you are dependent on?". Well, besides the quality of life benefits, there is the opportunity of earning commission that could boast my income well above my current role, but I can't afford failure, which is why I am looking at other options in terms of second streams of income. Hope that makes sense?

 

[TheJudge]

I 100% agree and have seen that if something is too good to be true, then it is. My purpose of this post was to see if there was something out there that someone has come across that is flexible in it's job or hustle, not to replace their income, but to increase it, even slightly. As mentioned, I am looking at moving from a 9 hour work day to a 6 hour work day, which frees up 3 hours of my day at the cost of reducing my basic salary. This means I will have about 3 hours extra a day to find a second stream of income that can help recover some of that basic lost. You may be asking; "Why would you move if it is less income that you are dependent on?". Well, besides the quality of life benefits, there is the opportunity of earning commission that could boast my income well above my current role, but I can't afford failure, which is why I am looking at other options in terms of second streams of income. Hope that makes sense?

To give you ideas though we'd need to know your core competencies and interests.

I have friends that paint, do graphic design, consult, do pottery, make mead and sell honey, sell soap, detail cars, do woodwork, flip PCs, teach/tutor, have weekend renovation businesses, author kids books. As you see the list is long, I'm just scratching the surface of what friends do.

Passive income is in a different bracket and normally require base capital to generate returns. Shares, property (rentals etc)

 

[Dom]

Hi Carb community,

I wanted to find from you all what you do as a side hustle or flexible job? To give you an idea and the background to my question, I have been offered a job, which is paying less from my current job (on a basic salary scale) however is less hours and offers commission. My idea is to use the freed up time to try and generate the difference of the two jobs, which covers my cost of living. The idea is to find an opportunity or job that requires effort and not time. For example, something that pays per task done, not for 3 hours of work. I hope that makes sense.

I look forward to see what you guys do.

I have @Jack Rabbit Group on the side - what is your skillset?

As I always say, if you earn income from more than one source & are self-employed (as a result of the hustle) (informal or a business entity), you need to pay Provisional Tax (need year starting on 1 March 2024 - second payment required at the end of Feb).

PM me if you want help/more info on the above!

 

[Dom]

As I said as well.

I'm a skilled web designer, I'm good at online marketing. I own my own business, although I'm not actively trading or doing business with it. I have Partnership Agreements with a ton of International Companies and it has only cost me money. Everything from paying CIPC and Accountant fees, domains, registration fees and hosting accounts. It's just a shit show. My actual job has been more rewarding with way more income than attempting my own business.

PM @Jack Rabbit Group if you want a comparison on possibly leaning up the accounting fees

 

[Scrooloose]

If your new job is commission based, I'm not so sure you're going to have all that much free time. The more work you put in, the greater your returns will be in terms of commission. So maybe use that "extra time" to just make the new job pay better.

 

[SpaceWalker]

PM @Jack Rabbit Group if you want a comparison on possibly leaning up the accounting fees

Not going to happen, but thanks. Accountant fees are the least of your worries when it comes to running a business. Everything is an expense in some way or form.

 

[SpaceWalker]

I 100% agree and have seen that if something is too good to be true, then it is. My purpose of this post was to see if there was something out there that someone has come across that is flexible in it's job or hustle, not to replace their income, but to increase it, even slightly. As mentioned, I am looking at moving from a 9 hour work day to a 6 hour work day, which frees up 3 hours of my day at the cost of reducing my basic salary. This means I will have about 3 hours extra a day to find a second stream of income that can help recover some of that basic lost. You may be asking; "Why would you move if it is less income that you are dependent on?". Well, besides the quality of life benefits, there is the opportunity of earning commission that could boast my income well above my current role, but I can't afford failure, which is why I am looking at other options in terms of second streams of income. Hope that makes sense?

What I know of commission based roles with basic salary is that you are expendable. Also, many places require that you achieve some sort of target, if not, there's the door. So just make sure what you're heading into.

As for finding something lucrative to do in 3 hours a day,. If something that like that existed, we all would be doing it.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

An 8-5 job with a steady income will always yield better returns.

If you want the safety, you have to tolerate the anguish.

"Cool this job pays 2k more, but man will it get you into a mental overdraft."

"Cool I don't make as much by myself compared to being employed, but I am in control of where I want this company to go. And I am waking up each day for myself instead of for the man."

"Cool, I dont really have to work right now because I am perfectly fine leeching off of others"

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Accountant fees are the least of your worries when it comes to running a business.

Where are you getting this from?

 

[SpaceWalker]

If you want the safety, you have to tolerate the anguish.

"Cool this job pays 2k more, but man will it get you into a mental overdraft."

"Cool I don't make as much by myself compared to being employed, but I am in control of where I want this company to go. And I am waking up each day for myself instead of for the man."

"Cool, I dont really have to work right now because I am perfectly fine leeching off of others"

Where are you getting this from?

As I said, I've spent a lot of time and effort to launch my own business. You need money to make money. Not everyone has cash lying around to spend at a whim. Give me 1 Million Rand and I'll have my business functioning as it should within 3 months.

Give me a job, working for the man, having security and a more rewarding experience and I'll do that any day. The job I have and the work I do has more meaning and gave me much more knowledge and experience than running my own business for 10 years would. Although I don't earn top bar, I am content and that's enough for me.

 

[souljazk]

Something I've been thinking of setting up as a side business that won't really involve me much, besides for initial capital (low at < R10k) and website + some advertising + bit and bobs.

Food stall - popcorn and pancakes.

Everyone loves these, you can train anyone to make popcorn or pancakes. The kernels don't spoil and a <R20 bag will make approx 5-6 2L containers of popcorn. Sell those at R15-20ea and essentially every R20 spent on Kernels becomes R75-R120. Obv you have to factor in gas (loadshedding proof) , 1-2 staff, transport, spices, salt etc. Use a set measuring spoon and you can get a better estimate on how many bags you can get per packet of kernels. A large 2L bag of popcorn catches the eye and if you brand the plastic or paper bag, bonus.

Pancakes- easy to make with or without milk - sell 2-3 , or more for R20 or so. Incl cinnamon, fresh lemon and sugar and charge R5-10 more for Nutella, honey, syrup etc etc. Again, the trick is to know how many units you can produce VS your base cost. You want to aim for 500% markup, as other costs etc will prob bring you down to 200-300% Nett profit. You can even add drops of food colouring so that kiddies get something like 1x red, 1x, blue, 1x green etc pancake, charge R5extra for 5x different colours.

Ideally this will produce you income with min $, brains or eventually, time, as staff will be doing the sales etc etc. I'm sure a roster of college students could fit this gap. You could give them a flat rate for the day /per hour, and incentivise them with a % of the days sales.

 

[SpaceWalker]

Something I've been thinking of setting up as a side business that won't really involve me much, besides for initial capital (low at < R10k) and website + some advertising + bit and bobs.

Food stall - popcorn and pancakes.

Everyone loves these, you can train anyone to make popcorn or pancakes. The kernels don't spoil and a <R20 bag will make approx 5-6 2L containers of popcorn. Sell those at R15-20ea and essentially every R20 spent on Kernels becomes R75-R120. Obv you have to factor in gas (loadshedding proof) , 1-2 staff, transport, spices, salt etc. Use a set measing spoon and you can get a better estimate on how many bags you can get per packet of kernels.

Pancakes- easy to make with or without milk - sell 2-3 , or more for R20 or so. Incl cinnamon, fresh lemon and sugar and charge R5-10 more for Nutella, honey, syrup etc etc. Again, the trick is to know how many units you can produce VS your base cost. You want to aim for 500% markup, as other costs etc will prob bring you down to 200-300% Nett profit.

Ideally this will produce you income with min $, brains or eventually, time, as staff will be doing the sales etc etc. I'm sure a roster of college students could fit this gap. You could give them a flat rate for the day /per hour, and incentivise them with a % of the days sales.

American Pickle.

I don't want to rain on your idea, it is solid. But you get cunts in life that will give you over to the health department/food inspectors just because you are doing better than them.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Give me 1 Million Rand and I'll have my business functioning as it should within 3 months.

Give me. give me. What business? 3 months is a very short time. If you could guarantee the above, you would've had a R2m investment already.

Not everyone has cash lying around to spend at a whim.

Not everyone wants to start with nothing and do the shit work.

gave me much more knowledge and experience than running my own business for 10 years would

And then what. Do you just collect and display experience?


"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

 

[Dom]

Something I've been thinking of setting up as a side business that won't really involve me much, besides for initial capital (low at < R10k) and website + some advertising + bit and bobs.

Food stall - popcorn and pancakes.

Everyone loves these, you can train anyone to make popcorn or pancakes. The kernels don't spoil and a <R20 bag will make approx 5-6 2L containers of popcorn. Sell those at R15-20ea and essentially every R20 spent on Kernels becomes R75-R120. Obv you have to factor in gas (loadshedding proof) , 1-2 staff, transport, spices, salt etc. Use a set measing spoon and you can get a better estimate on how many bags you can get per packet of kernels.

Pancakes- easy to make with or without milk - sell 2-3 , or more for R20 or so. Incl cinnamon, fresh lemon and sugar and charge R5-10 more for Nutella, honey, syrup etc etc. Again, the trick is to know how many units you can produce VS your base cost. You want to aim for 500% markup, as other costs etc will prob bring you down to 200-300% Nett profit.

Ideally this will produce you income with min $, brains or eventually, time, as staff will be doing the sales etc etc. I'm sure a roster of college students could fit this gap. You could give them a flat rate for the day /per hour, and incentivise them with a % of the days sales.

This is a possible easy win but is not specialised & thus competition/market saturation will be a big factor.

 

[souljazk]

American Pickle.

I don't want to rain on your idea, it is solid. But you get cunts in life that will give you over to the health department/food inspectors just because you are doing better than them.

Thank you, I totally agree. Which is why I left Peanut butter out of my reply , aswell as out of what I will do, if I do take this little plunge.

Like any business, its not without its "gotcha's" but I see this as something simple, where ideally 1 person takes the money / operations, and the other cooks, largly to streamline things, but also to avoid someone dealing with money and food, gross.

Another idea is Ai art on canvas , mugs, hoodies etc either via a custom website or Etsy etc. I have a prox 2000 decent Ai art works that I've made that I think are cool. In theory this could be sold at markets / school markets etc. Some stock on hand so clients can see the quality of the canvas and prints and either order and pay or buy if I have what they want on hand.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

But you get cunts in life that will give you over to the health department/food inspectors just because you are doing better than them.

Exhibit A - Inaction

 

[TheJudge]

Thank you, I totally agree. Which is why I left Peanut butter out of my reply , aswell as out of what I will do, if I do take this little plunge.

Like any business, its not without its "gotcha's" but I see this as something simple, where ideally 1 person takes the money / operations, and the other cooks, largly to streamline things, but also to avoid someone dealing with money and food, gross.

Another idea is Ai art on canvas , mugs, hoodies etc either via a custom website or Etsy etc. I have a prox 2000 decent Ai art works that I've made that I think are cool. In theory this could be sold at markets / school markets etc. Some stock on hand so clients can see the quality of the canvas and prints and either order and pay or buy if I have what they want on hand.

Depending on the nature of the pics you could also add them to stock pic sites to see if they get picked up. We source a lot of our book covers via stock pic sites via the cover designers.

 

[SpaceWalker]

Exhibit A - Inaction

Facing the facts isn't inaction. If you can run it by the health department or whoever is in charge of these things, then no inaction took place.

Depending on the nature of the pics you could also add them to stock pic sites to see if they get picked up. We source a lot of our book covers via stock pic sites via the cover designers.

You can also use Freepik.com with Attribution. Use the image and note somewhere, even how small that the specific designer is attributed for the work.

https://support.freepik.com/s/article/Attribution-How-when-and-where?language=en_US

 

[souljazk]

This is a possible easy win but is not specialised & thus competition/market saturation will be a big factor.

Agreed 10000%. The beauty is that too many people are too lazy to start this kind of thing up. For me I dont have the costs of making a website, business cards, automating social media and designing branding for a gazeebo. These should still come in at under R10k as I mentioned earlier.

 

[SpaceWalker]

Give me. give me. What business? 3 months is a very short time. If you could guarantee the above, you would've had a R2m investment already.

Not everyone wants to start with nothing and do the shit work.


And then what. Do you just collect and display experience?


"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

Why do you have the slightest fucking sense of righteousness that you can dictate my life or actions Cunt?

You have zero idea who I am, what I've done, where I am heading. You are not my God you snotnose twat.

 

[eyesuc]

Why do you have the slightest fucking sense of righteousness that you can dictate my life or actions Cunt?

You have zero idea who I am, what I've done, where I am heading. You are not my God you snotnose twat.

What would Jesus do?

 

[SpaceWalker]

What would Jesus do?

What I did.

 

[souljazk]

Depending on the nature of the pics you could also add them to stock pic sites to see if they get picked up. We source a lot of our book covers via stock pic sites via the cover designers.

If you're in the XXX book market then my art is up your ally Thank you for the idea, I was under the impression that those places didnt accept Ai work.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Why do you have the slightest fucking sense of righteousness that you can dictate my life or actions Cunt?

You have zero idea who I am, what I've done, where I am heading. You are not my God you snotnose twat.

I was merely asking questions to your "jannie jammergat" claims. To show you there are different mindsets and ways of looking at things.

But yes.. My bad. You seem to have your mind and emotions all figured out right?

You are embarrasing yourself.