You know the three reasons why people go into teaching, right?
June.
July.
And August.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this joke. But I can tell you that I’ve never actually heard a teacher tell it.
Why? Because we know how short summers are getting, and we also understand how much work there is to be done. That’s especially the case for me this summer. Not only am I switching grade levels (again), but I have three different courses to prep for (again).
Still, I’ve decided that I want to continue side hustling a bit this summer. Extra streams of income are like a security blanket, and it seems like a healthier way to deal with work stress than, say, eating my body weight in chocolate or drinking sangria by the pitcher.
In case you’d like a peek at how I’m hustling this summer, I thought I’d share my plans and how much I anticipate earning each week.
Tutoring
I’ve really tried to shed this side hustle over the past few years. Not because I don’t love it. I do. In fact, I think it’s probably my favorite parts of teaching distilled down into one hour sessions. Instead, I’ve tried to walk away from tutoring in order to prioritize time with my son.
The good news, though, is that he’s taking 2-3 hour naps each day, so I’m going to try to squeeze in a few sessions each week. It won’t make me rich. But I’ll be happy to snag $50 or $100 a week. Plus, I’m working with two kiddos in my neighborhood who are just delights!
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Freelancing
I’ve really hit my stride with freelancing. I’m working with people I really enjoy, and I’m writing about things that I really love. Plus, I’m paid fairly and on time.
Now, excuse me while I go knock on every piece of wood I can find.
I’m trying to focus on things other than money this summer (a post on that soon!), so I’m not actually pursuing additional writing or editing. Instead, I’ll continue working with the clients I already have. I anticipate averaging more than $100 a week.
Teacher Training
Our district is adopting a new testing platform (groan!), and I’m on the committee that gets to provide staff training (yay!). I really love teaching, and I actually very much enjoy teaching other teachers…even though we are notoriously terrible students.
Because I have some summer work to do, I will get a very small stipend sometime in the fall for the work. This will amount to peanuts in terms of a weekly rate, but it’ll be really helpful when I’m evaluated during the school year and need to show leadership.
Apps & Other Things
I’m going to continue to play around with selling online. In fact, my big focus on decluttering. I’m also still enjoying apps like Drop and Job Spotter. I’m going to use all my app earnings to fund Christmas this year. I’m hoping we’ll have some leftover for a staycation, too! I don’t expect to earn too much. Maybe $10-$20 a week unless I start selling designer items again.
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So Tell Me…Do you have any side hustles lined up? Are you traveling at all this summer?
You’re array of side hustles put my meagre attempts to shame! I’ve been doing some freelance social media consulting (which I know is lol considering my own social media presence is dismal). But I’m good at telling other people how to improve their SM, and apparently I really like it! I also want to expand my writing for freelance but I just genuinely don’t know how to go about it.
We’ve already been to Nova Scotia this summer and we’re going away to Europe for two weeks in July. That trip will be here before we know it!
It’s so true that teachers never tell that joke! As a teacher, the best I could ever do was (mostly) carve out July. Even then, I often had classes or something else.
Like you, I typically had some kind of stipended leadership work. I also did adjunct professor work a few summers – but that was more work than it was worth, and I found it healthy to take at least a little time away from teaching. Teaching adults is draining in a different way, but it’s still draining.
Good luck with your side hustles!
Wow! Congrats on that freelance work. What you are pulling off is inspiring. I’m curious to hear how and why you are focusing on things other than money. I look forward to that post.
Good luck changing grade levels and prepping for the kiddos. My position underwent a complete change this year as well. It’s the first year I don’t have to move rooms though, so I’m trying to look on the bright side:)
Like PFI said, July is about the only hope for carving out some peace around here!
No side hustles lined up, but then again I already do a weekend of overtime each month. So that’s sort of a side hustle, right?
Sounds like you’ll be keeping plenty busy this summer, so good luck!
That’s some pretty killer income diversification, Penny. Especially over the summer while you’re prepping three new courses.
I’ve never been good at finding different income streams and went the other route, just leaning into my main gig. It’s riskier, for sure: I think those with multiple income streams will be in a much better position when the next recession hits.
Best of luck this summer. I’d love to hear more about your freelancing, too!