Balancing It All: How I Found the Perfect Side Hustle as a Single Mom (And Why You Can Too!)

If you’ve ever tried to get a grip on your finances, you’ve probably entertained the idea of starting a side hustle at some point. After all, who doesn’t want a little extra cash to throw at that mountain of debt or (dare we dream?) build an emergency fund? For me, increasing my income was essential because while my 9-to-5 job paid the bills, it didn’t leave much wiggle room for anything beyond day-to-day expenses. Debt? Savings? Forget about it. I was stuck in the infamous paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and I knew the only way out was to earn more and start tackling my financial goals.

Now, if you’ve ever looked into the realities of being a single mom, you know it’s not exactly a walk in the park. According to The Life of a Single Mom, there are more than 15 million single moms in the U.S., raising 22 million kids. That’s a lot of responsibility—and a lot of mouths to feed. Unfortunately, many of these moms face financial hardships. Around 40% of single mothers are in low-income jobs with no access to paid leave, and about a third spend more than half their income on housing. If that doesn’t sound like a juggling act, I don’t know what does. And childcare? Well, let’s just say it can cost more than half of a single mom’s annual income.

So, what does all this mean? It means that increasing income isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for single moms. While you could try to change jobs or go back to school, that requires time and resources most single moms don’t have. Enter side hustles. But wait—before you get too excited, single moms face a unique set of challenges when it comes to picking up extra work. Who’s going to watch the kids while you work? Will the extra income even be worth it once you factor in the cost of childcare? And let’s not forget the million-dollar question: when will you ever get to rest, or—gasp—spend time with your kids?

I get it. It’s a lot. But don’t worry, I’m here to share how I overcame some of these obstacles—and how you can, too. So, let’s dive in! I’ll kick things off with my own story and wrap up with some practical tips to help you find a side hustle that actually works for your life. Because, hey, if I can do it, so can you!

The Single Mom Struggle is Real

Being a single mom on the hunt for a side hustle? Not as easy as it sounds. My parents are still young and busy with their own careers, so I don’t have the same level of childcare support that some of my peers with retired parents have. When I do need a little help with the kids, I usually have to pay for it. But honestly? I don’t mind one bit.

First, having young parents means I’ll hopefully get to keep them around for many years to come. And when they do spend time with my kids, they’re not just sitting in rocking chairs—they can actually run, play, and keep up with all the chaos. They’re like your favorite playground buddies, always ready to jump into the fun with the kids.

Second, I’ve been blessed with the most incredible nanny—seriously, I’m convinced she was sent straight from Heaven. Without her, my house would be a disaster, my hair would be gray before its time, I’d probably forget to eat, and the dishes? Well, let’s just say they’d be forming their own ecosystem.

But, let’s be real, nanny services aren’t free, and that blessing can get expensive real quick.

So, I’m thinking: how do I work more to make extra cash without paying more for childcare? My genius solution? Remote work. Perfect, right? I could do it overnight while the kids are asleep and avoid interfering with my day job. But… wait a minute. When do I sleep? Suddenly, I’m terrified of burnout. My mental health is waving a white flag, and I’m picturing a future where I’m running on empty and barely hanging onto my relationship with my kids. Oh, and did I mention that most of those overnight jobs came with requirements I didn’t even come close to meeting? It felt like a never-ending puzzle with no solution.

I spent months going in circles, convincing myself that a side hustle just wasn’t in the cards for a single mom like me. I’d be stuck living paycheck to paycheck, doing my best to bring in a couple of extra dollars during the two hours of Door Dash deliveries I could manage during my daughter’s extracurricular activities, baby in tow, until the kids were old enough to not need a babysitter anymore. I seriously wondered if I’d ever catch a break.

But eventually… the stars aligned. I found the perfect side hustle that actually worked for me. It wasn’t quick or easy, but hey—at least I didn’t have to deliver burritos with a baby on my hip for a few extra bucks anymore!

My (Very Scientific) Approach to Finding the Perfect Side Hustle

First, I went full detective mode—assessing the classic trifecta: my skills, my interests, and my very limited time. What am I actually good at? What won’t make me want to pull my hair out? And, crucially, when can I squeeze in side hustle hours between, you know, life?

I jotted down all my answers, hoping they’d magically form a map to a golden opportunity. Then, I played matchmaker with my ideas, looking for that sweet spot where my skills, interests, and time all clicked together.

Next, I asked myself the tough question. What was priority for me? Was it about the money? Flexibility? Or minimal upfront costs (because, let’s be honest, I’m not trying to sell my kidney to fund this)? For me, the winning formula was clear: it had to fit into my already jam-packed life without stealing time from my kids or my precious self-care time (because I’m already barely keeping my sanity intact).

In short, it needed to be something I could do while simultaneously juggling everything else, without draining the last vestiges of my energy. The hustle is real, but I’m not trying to make it a full-time burnout.

My Purrfect Side Hustle

I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, Aryn, enough suspense—what’s the magical side hustle you picked?!” Well, buckle up, because it wasn’t some mind-blowing tech startup or revolutionary business idea. It was something, let’s say, paws-itively purrfect for me.

I chose… drumroll please…

Pet Sitting!

How did I land on that, you ask? Well, here’s the thing: I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by pets. I’m basically a walking, talking pet care manual. (Seriously, if you need to know anything about feeding goldfish or making sure a dog doesn’t eat socks, I’m your person.) Plus, I have kids, so I’m already a pro at managing tiny creatures who need constant attention, food, and emotional support.

And as a single mom, I needed something that wouldn’t interfere with my day job or require me to be awake 24/7 (because to be frank, I’m barely functioning on eight hours of sleep, let alone zero). The best part? I could choose how I wanted to care for the pets. I could either go to clients’ homes or let them crash at mine. And guess what? I opted for the latter, because it meant I didn’t have to run around like a headless chicken trying to juggle work, kids, and pet care. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about additional childcare.

Having pets come stay with me also gave my kids a chance to bond with furry friends without me having to pay for a therapy session afterward. It was win-win. Plus, it seemed like a solid way to make some extra cash if I put the effort in to building a loyal clientele. And, most importantly, it didn’t drain my mental health because I absolutely LOVE animals. I mean, I can’t walk past a stray dog without offering it snacks, a place on my couch, and a spot in my will.

So, how did I get started? Enter: Rover. It’s an app where people find reputable pet sitters in their area, and lucky for me, I didn’t need to drop a dime to join. Sure, they take a cut of my earnings (because apparently, the Rover empire needs to eat too), but honestly, it was worth it to have an established platform to build my credibility. The real hustle, though, was getting my name out there.

I started with family and friends—because who else are you gonna trust with your pet, right? I had them leave glowing reviews about my services. And bam, that’s how I landed my first client. Maybe it was my undeniable pet care charm (or maybe just sheer luck), but either way, they left me a raving review. From there, it snowballed, and soon I was getting repeat clients and referrals.

Tails of Triumph: My Adventure in Pet Sitting So Far

It hasn’t been a completely smooth ride (I mean, who knew my toddler’s finger would look like the ultimate enemy to a toy-possessed pup?), but I’ve learned a lot along the way. There was that one week of nonstop barking that tested my patience in ways I didn’t think possible, and of course, the time my chihuahua thought it was her personal mission to challenge a dog three times her size. But hey, nothing says “experience” like dodging a potential doggy UFC match in your living room.

Over time, I’ve figured out which dogs are the best fit for my family—size, breed, neutering status, and whether they’re kennel trained are now part of my careful screening process. It’s meant turning down some clients (and yes, a bit of potential income), but I’ve learned along the way that my kids’ safety and my own sanity are non-negotiable–because no amount of extra cash is worth a hospital bill or a full-blown mental meltdown. Sometimes, “no” is the wisest choice.

Fast forward to a year later, and I’ve got a steady stream of regular clients, plus the perk of hanging out with adorable animals every day. And the occasional piddle puddle on the floor and muddy paw print on the couch? Totally worth it for the extra income and the joy of puppy snuggles!

Tips for Finding the Right Side Hustle For You

Take Stock of Your Superpowers
First things first—what are you actually good at? And I don’t mean just your “I can type 80 words per minute” skills (though, if that’s you, good for you). Think beyond just the professional stuff. What do your friends and family always turn to you for? Are you the reigning champion of managing chaos? Do you have a knack for fixing things? Are you the tech guru that prevents everyone from throwing their devices out the nearest window in sheer frustration? Don’t forget to ask the people around you what they think you are good at. They might see strengths in you that you haven’t noticed yet. Who knows—”You’re always so good at calming down kids” might actually mean you’re great at managing a pet-sitting empire.

Get in Touch with Your Inner Child
Next, what do you actually enjoy doing? No, not just watching Netflix for six hours straight (though, no judgment). What lights you up? This could be anything from your hobbies, to what excites you about your current job, to the things you love in your personal life. Think about the people and environments you thrive in. Are you a social butterfly who loves chatting with strangers? Or are you a homebody who values peace and quiet? Do you get energy from being around animals, or is your ideal day spent with a good book? Write it all down. The more you love what you’re doing, the less it’ll feel like “extra work” and more like “I’m just getting paid to do what I already enjoy.” Easy peasy.

Time: The Ultimate Puzzle
Now, let’s talk reality: Do you even have time for a side hustle? If your days are already filled with the sweet chaos of life—kids, dogs, that weird obsession with rearranging your living room—be honest about when you can fit something else in. If you’re already juggling a full plate, figure out what you can manage—maybe it’s a few hours here and there, or weekends only. If you’ve got limited time, that’s totally okay. It just means you’ll need to find something that fits seamlessly into your life, like I did. You also need to be honest with yourself about whether you can afford to factor in additional childcare or not. Flexibility is key! You don’t want to add stress, just fun—and a bit of extra cash.

Find the Magical Intersection of Skills, Joy, and Time
This is where the magic happens: find the sweet spot where your skills, interests, and available time overlap. For example, if you love animals, are great at taking care of things (and people), and can spare a few hours, pet-sitting might be your calling. Or maybe you love talking to people but have a weird sleep schedule—guess what? Customer service or retail during off-hours is your side hustle goldmine. If you have a talent for weird, dramatic voices when reading bedtime stories, audiobook narration might just be your ticket to fame (or at least extra income).

Finally, Prioritize.
Ask yourself what really matters. Is it the sweet sound of cash flowing in? Or maybe you’re more into low start-up costs (because who has time for another subscription, right?). Do you crave flexibility, or is time your most precious commodity? Write it down and rank it like you’re making a top 10 list of your favorite pizza toppings. This will help you zero in on the side hustle that lines up with what you actually want out of life—not just what sounds good in theory.

In the end, it’s about finding something that suits your strengths, sparks joy, and fits into your life without adding unnecessary stress. That way, when you’re cashing in, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the jackpot without the burnout. There’s no one-size-fits-all, but with a little brainstorming and flexibility, you’ll find the right hustle for you!

Ready to Find Your Perfect Side Hustle?

Finding the right side hustle for me wasn’t exactly a smooth ride (more like a bumpy rollercoaster with a few unexpected loop-de-loops), but it’s been totally worth it. It’s helped ease my worry about everyday expenses and allowed me to throw more money at my debt and savings. Slowly but surely, it’s turning into a trusty shovel to help me dig my way out of this financial mountain I’ve been climbing.

So, are you on the hunt for the perfect side hustle too? Spill the beans—I’d love to hear what you’re considering! Or, if you tried my tips for finding the right gig, let me know how it went in the comments below. Let’s swap stories and maybe a little hustle inspiration while we’re at it!