This post is sponsored by VIPKID. All opinions are my own.

I don’t like the phrase “side hustle.”

There, I said it. I’ve finally come clean.

I cringe whenever I hear it, and here’s why. Side hustles are no longer just a way for people to make extra money. They’ve become such a regular piece of our lives that they aren’t just something we engage in every once and a while. They’ve become something we’re engaged in all of the time.

In many areas around the country, the economy is shifting in such a way where “gig” culture is the standard way people make a living. So, instead of “side hustles” being what we used to consider new and different ways to earn extra money, they’ve now taken on the characteristics of average 9-5’s. They’ve become taxing, time-consuming, and unfulfilling. Pair that with the toxic culture of “team no sleep,” and you’ve created a perfect recipe for burnout.

I experienced this first hand when I took on an extra job to pay for an all-inclusive invite-only luxury beachside retreat. In my mind, the work was only supposed to be a means to an end. I would pay for this trip and then I could leave. I told myself I could push through the long weekend hours, time away from home, and lack of sleep. I even tried to mentally trick myself by giving my hustle a cute name so that it wouldn’t sound like a part-time job. But, in reality, all I was doing was setting myself up with hundreds of reasons for why I should quit.

Many people will admit that the idea of picking up a side hustle is no longer tempting.  Even hobbies once purposed as a relaxing way to unwind are now encroaching on the side hustle mantra of making money in your spare time.

So, the question becomes, how can we make these part-time jobs that help us achieve financial goals sexy again? Are there opportunities out there that will allow you to fall back in love with having a side hustle?  To answer this question, one must create a checklist of the things that you want your ideal side job to have. What do you value the most? Is it making extra money or spending time with your family? What are your non-negotiables when it comes to flexibility, and how much is your time worth? Now, when it comes to earning extra money, some might feel that “beggars can’t be choosers,” but in a world where millions of “side hustles” exist it would be naive of us to think that we can’t find one that meets either all our a vast majority of our needs.

I’m pretty sure VIPKID, must have been thinking along these lines when they created part-time opportunities that were flexible yet fulfilling, allowed you to make a difference, and the chance to inspire future generations. If you haven’t heard of VIPKID, it’s one of the largest global teaching companies and was named number nine on Glassdoor’s list of “best places to work in 2020.”

Not only are the schedules flexible making it easy for you to navigate between your regular 9-5 and juggling home life, but you can also work from anywhere as long as there is hi-speed Wi-Fi. If that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, maybe this will. In 2020 the minimum wage in a majority of states sits stagnantly at $7.25 an hour. The negotiated starting pay for VIPKID can range from $14-$22. Pair that with the fact that there are no transportation costs or other “going to work” related expenses such as food, uniforms, etc. the money you earn can go a lot further towards your goals.

To become a VIPKID teacher, you must meet the following requirements. Teacher applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, have at least one-year teaching experience with children, and eligibility to work in the United States or Canada.

Believe it or not, there are companies out there that value their employees and want to help them achieve their goals while living more fulfilling lives. The framework of VIPKID is perfectly set up so that you can fall back in love with making money in your spare time.  I’ve already set in motion my plans to explore VIPKID as a way to earn additional money to help me fully fund my ROTH IRA or potentially use the extra income to help with the down payment on our next home

You can gather more information on VIPKID through this link [ LEARN MORE ABOUT VIPKID]. Should you decide to sign up, let me know in the comments below as I’d love to hear about your experience and how you fell in love with having a side hustle all over again.