Whether you already have a job, are a stay-at-home parent, or just want an extra income source for “fun money,” there are a billion ways to earn extra income, and they inundate you the second you do a quick Google search.
To top it off, you’re immediately blasted with millions of jobs that may or may not be legitimate in mere seconds. It’s overwhelming! And for some of us, it’s scary enough to keep us from pursuing an extra income opportunity at all.
So what should you do? Of course, you should first verify that what you think might be a good prospect is actually a real, honest job and not an annoying get-rich-quick scam or pyramid scheme.
Then, your next step is to identify if it’s a good fit for you. To help make that task easier, we’ve compiled a five-question checklist of things to consider when you’re looking for a career for extra income. Use it to narrow down your options and find the best extra income opportunity for you!
☐ Will this extra income opportunity be fun?
Let’s face it: If you had a choice to make $100,000 either digging ditches or planning and hosting wine tasting events, you’d no doubt choose the latter. Because when you’re leading a team of enthusiastic and vibrant entrepreneurs to succeed in their passions, there’s nothing more fun!
Watch this 20-minute video for a taste of what being a Wine Guide is like.
So take time to consider the ins and outs of what your extra income source requires. Is it going to be another job that drags you down, makes you sigh when you wake up in the morning, or burns you out? If so, perhaps you should keep looking for a job that won’t feel like a burden.
☐ Will it be fulfilling?
“I’m learning something.”
“I’m appreciated.”
“I’m recognized.”
“I’ve made a contribution to better myself, my family, and my community.”
Can you say any (or all) of the statements above about your job? While what specifically defines fulfillment for each of us varies, the idea that extra income opportunities from home or outside of the home should bring us fulfillment is universal. No matter what we’re doing, if we can find work that aligns with our values and makes us feel good about its mission, we feel fulfilled. This is when it becomes more than just a job—because it feels good to “work.”
☐ Is there a possibility to make friends?
Study after study shows that we are social creatures. But we all know this intrinsically—we don’t need a study to show us that being in community with others makes us feel good.
An extra income opportunity that fits you should be one where you have the opportunity to:
- Collaborate.
- Learn from peers.
- Be around people with similar mindsets and goals.
- Raise the “high water mark”—that is, surround yourself with people who teach you and help you improve.
☐ Can I control my own schedule?
If you’re picking an extra income opportunity, you shouldn’t feel like someone else owns your time. Here’s what controlling your own schedule specifically looks like:
- You can work around your childrens’ activities.
- You can be flexible regarding your family’s needs.
- You don’t have a boss who determines when you show up and leave, or forces you to be there no matter the circumstances.
- You get to find a balance between all of the things you enjoy in your life on your own terms.
- You can earn extra income at home or away from home.
An extra income opportunity that fits for you should put you in control of your time and give you a flexible schedule.
☐ Am I in control of my financial future?
Last but certainly not least, extra income opportunities should give you authority over how much you want to earn. Whether you’d like to earn a little extra spending cash or want to put the pedal to the metal and eventually make a career from your extra income source, look for a company that lets you set the tachometer on your earnings and control your financial reward yourself.
Identifying The Opportunity That Fits You
If you’re looking for an extra income opportunity that is fun, fulfilling, flexible, friendship-oriented, and financially rewarding, take a look at these stories from Traveling Vineyard Wine Guides—people who were at one point looking for extra income opportunities just like you. As a Wine Guide, you’ll have the opportunity to build a team, become an elite leader, host tastings on your schedule and at your own pace, and build lasting friendships.
The best part? You control how you run your business. There’s no ceiling on how much you can earn, and the only person who decides how much you achieve is you.