65 Side Hustles
Free Online Workshop

5 Side Hustles Video Transcript

0:10
Hello and welcome to 65 Side Hustles. My name is Catherine Lopez and I’m a financial education specialist with the Credit Counselling Society. This recorded session is designed to give you practical ideas for earning extra income, along with a realistic framework for deciding whether a side hustle actually fits your life. You can pause or revisit any part of this presentation as needed.

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Let’s get started

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Very briefly, the Credit Counselling Society is a non-profit organization that provides free education and confidential financial counselling for Canadians.

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In this session, we’ll walk you through what a side hustle is, why someone might choose to have one, and what to think about before starting. And then we’ll spend most of our time exploring side hustle ideas across different categories.

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Some of these may spark an immediate, “That’s me,” reaction and others may not, and that’s completely fine.

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By the end of this session, you should have a clearer sense of why people choose side hustles, what matters before committing to one, and how to identify opportunities that fit your skills, interests, and lifestyle.

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A side hustle is simply an additional source of income outside of your primary job or role. It can be online or in person, structured or flexible, seasonal or ongoing.

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Some side hustles are essentially small businesses. Others are just ways to earn extra money using things you already do, already own, or already know how to do.

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There are only two sides to the money equation: income and expenses.

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You can only reduce expenses so much, and at some point earning more becomes a lever that creates movement.

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Extra income can help pay down debts faster, build savings, fund goals or create breathing room when income is unpredictable.

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Side hustles can also offer flexibility, skills development, and in some cases, a path into something bigger or simply something temporary that fills a gap.

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Before choosing a side hustle, it’s important to slow down and check in with reality.

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How much time can you actually commit without burning yourself out?

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Will this side hustle stay completely separate from your main job?

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And how can your existing interests, skills, or experience translate into income?

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The best side hustles usually sit at the intersection of what you’re already good at and what people already pay for.

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A side hustle should add to your life, not quietly take it over. Think about sustainability. Is this short term income to reach a specific goal or something longer term?

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How does it fit into your work life balance, and how will it impact your energy levels?

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Burnout is a real thing, and a side hustle that works on paper but drains you emotionally or physically usually doesn’t last.

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This is where expectations matter. Side hustles almost always come with costs. Things like supplies, software, fuel, insurance, marketing, licensing, or even your time. You want to make sure you separate and understand the cost of these things while you’re moving through your side hustle and think about whether or not it’s worth it.

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One way to manage these expectations is to use a separate account for side hustle income. This can make tracking easier and reduce any confusion.

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We’re going to talk more about this later, but setting aside taxes right when you get paid is also another thing you should think about doing. You shouldn’t set aside money later on, you just set it right at the time that you do get paid.

4:11
When you earn self-employed income taxes don’t come off automatically. That responsibility shifts to you.

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This isn’t something to avoid. It’s part of responsible financial planning for yourself and a for your side hustle. If self-employment income is part of your plan, professional advice is worth it.

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Most people pursue side hustles to pay down debt, fund education, safer retirement, cover home repairs, or create flexibility. This. Knowing your why helps you decide how much time and effort makes sense to put towards your side hustle. It can also give you an end point if you feel that your side hustle is no longer worth the income that you’re driving in.

4:54
Tracking in matters income, expenses, mileage, and receipts. They cannot manage themselves. So when you have these expenses as part of side hustle, you can use a spreadsheet, notebook, or app to try and keep track of these expenses. Consistency matters more than perfection. You don’t have to be perfect at expense tracking, but if you do it on a regular basis, it will allow you to keep on top of the things that matter.

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Now let’s get into the ideas of side hustles. As you listen, think less about what sounds impressive and more about what fits you.

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Start with the first section, teaching. If you know something well, someone wants to learn it. Tutoring, workshops, language instruction, recreation classes, online courses, and skill based teaching are all popular options. Many people also monetize teaching through short videos, private lessons, or community programming. If teaching requires certification, factor that in, but don’t assume education always needs formal credentials

6:02
using your vehicle. Vehicles create income opportunities through ride-share, food delivery, seniors transportation, hauling, designated driver services and more. Insurance requirements do matter here, so do your research first. But for people who already drive a lot, this can be a very viable option.

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Monetize your passion. Creative skills, tech skills, outdoor work performance, beauty services, organizing, cooking, photography, and freelance work all translate well into side income.

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Additional modern ideas not listed on here could include things like social media management for small businesses or Canva design or template creations. Even short form video editing or podcast editing or show notes. These are different skills that you already have. Would be a great way to incorporate within a side hustle.

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Use your space. Using your space as a side hustle as one of the most overlooked income opportunities, especially because it often involves assets you already have. This could mean renting out a room in your home, hosting short term rentals where permitted, or renting out storage spaces, a garage, or even a parking spot. Some people rent out their yard or home for photo shoots, events, or film productions, which can bring in a surprising amount of income for a very little ongoing

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effort. If you have land, extra parking or storage, all of these can be monetized, renting space for gardening, parking, recreational vehicles, or even storing seasonal equipment. Some people even rent out tools, trailers or specialty equipment that they only use occasionally. But before you commit to any space based side hustles, make sure you understand municipal rules, insurance requirements, and any licensing that may be involved. When done

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properly, though, these types of side hustles can generate relatively passive income and work especially well for people who want flexibility rather than additional work hours.

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What if you’re already doing it? One of the easiest ways to start a side hustle is to look at what you’re already doing and then ask whether or not someone would pay you to do it for them.

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Dog walking, car detailing, housekeeping, meal preparation, yard work, snow removal, window washing, and gutter cleaning are all services people regularly outsource. These hustles work because they solve everyday problems and save people time. A more unique option is offering convenience services like standing in line for high demand product releases or handling small errands for busy households or seniors. These types of services don’t require any special equipment.

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Best reliability and trust. If you find yourself thinking, well I’m doing this anyway, there’s a good chance it could be turned into income with very little setup

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using your expertise. Expertise based side hustles are powerful because they’re often higher paying and more flexible. If you write well, you can freelance, blog, edit or help businesses refine website content. If you speak more than one language, translation, interpretation or transcription services are consistently in demand. Travel planning, DJ-ing, tutoring, and personal shopping are all examples of people paying for experience rather than physical labour.

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Some newer expertise based hustles that aren’t always obvious include resume optimization as spreadsheet setup, digital organization, even CRM cleanups, even having businesses hire you for writing up AI prompts or basic automation setup. The key here is not to underestimate what you know. If people regularly ask you for help with something, there’s a strong chance that skill has value in the market.

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Side hustles don’t always need to be permanent or ongoing. Seasonal, casual, or contract work can be a great option if you want extra income without a long term commitment. This might include election work, tax season support, temp agency placements, retail during peak seasons, or short term administrative rules with municipalities. Even things like mystery shopping and product testing are also options, though these should always be researched

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carefully to avoid scams.

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Customer service from work has also grown significantly and is often remote, so this makes it accessible for many people. These types of side hustles work well for people who want flexibility, predictable time frames, or income boosts tied to specific goals.

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Side hustles work best when they’re organized. Keeping a reliable calendar, tracking income and expenses, saving receipts, and setting aside money for taxes every time you get paid will make a huge difference over time. Disorganization is one of the biggest reasons side hustles become stressful instead of helpful.

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Equally important is work life balance. Just because you can work more doesn’t mean that you should always work more. A side hustle that leaves you exhausted or resentful usually doesn’t last and often costs more than it earns. The goal is extra income that fits into your life, not one that takes it over.

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Something that you should be aware of is that extra income can affect taxes, benefits, insurance, licensing, and cash flow. So before you take on a side hustle, be aware and do your research. How much will your side hustle income impact these benefits that you may already be receiving?

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Once you’ve identified why you want to side hustle and what you might offer, the next step is simply to begin. Start with an idea, yet organize and track your income and expenses from day one, and be willing to adjust as you go. Most successful side hustles evolve over time. Things like selling items is another common and effective option. This might include flipping items online, selling things at markets, even hosting garage sales or working in direct sales if you go this route,

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very cautious with high fee or multi level marketing models and focus on products that you actually believe in.

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At this point, you should have a solid understanding of what side hustles are, what to consider before starting, and how to identify opportunities that align with your skills, time, and your goals.

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If you’d like more tools, budgeting resources, or if you would like to have a free and confidential credit counselling session with one of our credit counsellors on debts that you’re trying to manage, please feel free to give us a call. The information on the screen explains how to reach out to us. I hope this presentation helps you think differently and creatively about income opportunities. I wish you all the best as you explore what might work for you. Thank you so much for joining me today and have a fantastic day.