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Financial Fitness Task 28: Find a Side Gig #30DaysofGOOD

A little padding is welcome when unexpected expenses come up.


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Things are easier said than done, or so the old adage goes, and we couldn't agree more. That's why we do The GOOD 30-Day Challenge (#30DaysofGOOD), a monthly attempt to live better. Our challenge for January? Financial fitness.

Find a side gig.

Before I came to GOOD, I was accustomed to hustling. I cobbled together a living with radio producer jobs, freelance articles, and speaking gigs. Now that I have a full-time position, I just pursue the extra work I really want, and it's provided me with padding when unexpected expenses come up.

It's easy to slack off on the hunt if you know a paycheck is coming. But a little extra in a savings account can mean the difference between a low balance and financial disaster. Even if you're a meticulous budgeter, a car breakdown or emergency surgery can screw you over. So be proactive about picking up extra cash—do odd jobs, pick up a weekend bartending shift, babysit. Today, I made a list of a few freelance pieces I wanted to write, and followed up with a professor who had mentioned she wanted to bring me to her college. You never know when you'll get an unwelcome bill.

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Come back tomorrow for the next task in our financial fitness challenge.
Vote here for your favorite financial fitness project. The submission with the most votes wins $500.\n

Photo via (cc) Flickr user photologue_np


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