Lessonpills

1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

Think about your hobbies and skills. If you could turn one of them into a way to earn extra money, which one would you choose and why?
Besides a regular salary from a main job, what are some good reasons for wanting to earn extra income?
What are some popular or interesting ways people in your country make extra money outside of their normal jobs?

2

Starting a Side Hustle

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer these questions in your own words based on the ideas in the article.

01What is a 'side hustle' and how is it different from a 'main job'?

Sample answerA side hustle is a job you do to make extra money, but it's not your primary source of income. Your main job is the one you do for most of your working hours.

02According to the article, what is the main benefit of having a side hustle?

Sample answerThe main benefit is gaining more 'financial flexibility'. This means you have extra money for things like saving, paying off debt, or just feeling less worried about expenses.

03What is an 'initial investment' and why might it be necessary for a side hustle?

Sample answerIt's the money you need to spend at the very beginning. You might need it to buy equipment, materials, or software before you can start earning money from your side hustle.

04In what way is 'passive income' different from the money you earn from a regular side hustle?

Sample answerPassive income is money you can earn with very little active work, maybe after you've set something up. A regular side hustle usually requires you to actively work for the money you make.

4

Useful expressions for side hustles

Vocabulary

These expressions will help you talk more naturally about making extra money and starting new projects.

Examples

To make ends meet — to have just enough money to pay for the things you need, like food and rent.

This is a common idiom to explain why someone needs more money. Example: 'With prices so high, many people get a side hustle just to make ends meet.'

To get something off the ground — to start a new project or business successfully.

Use this phrase to talk about the difficult beginning stages of a new venture. Example: 'You might need a small loan to get your business idea off the ground.'

A steady stream of income — a regular and reliable source of money.

This collocation is useful for talking about financial goals. It's the opposite of irregular or one-time payments. Example: 'My goal is to build a side hustle that provides a steady stream of income.'

To be your own boss — to work for yourself instead of for an employer.

This phrase describes the freedom and independence of being self-employed. Example: 'The best thing about freelancing is that you get to be your own boss.'

To turn a hobby into a business — to start making money from something you enjoy doing in your free time.

This is a very common way people start side hustles. It connects passion with work. Example: 'He loved photography, so he decided to turn his hobby into a business.'

5

Vocabulary for side hustles

Here are some more useful words and phrases for talking about money and work.

Match each word or phrase with its definition.

Drag or click to match

Definitions

6

Grammar: Modals for suggestions

Grammar

We use modal verbs like 'could', 'should', and 'might' to give suggestions and advice. When discussing ideas for a side hustle, these words are very useful for exploring options and recommending actions.

Examples

You could start a blog about personal finance to earn some passive income.

Use 'could' to suggest one of many possibilities. It's a gentle and open suggestion.

If you want to be successful, you should create a business plan first.

Use 'should' for stronger advice. It means 'I think this is a very good and important idea'.

You might want to try selling your photos online; it doesn't require a big initial investment.

Use 'might' to offer a tentative or less direct suggestion. It's often more polite than 'should'.

Key points

Use 'could' and 'might' to suggest possibilities.
Use 'should' to give stronger advice or a recommendation.
Never use 'to' after these modal verbs (e.g., say 'you could start', not 'you could to start').

7

Find the mistake

Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.

01You could to ask a financial advisor for help with your initial investment.

Corrected version

You could to ask a financial advisor for help with your initial investment.

02It's difficult to make the ends meet with just one salary these days.

Corrected version

It's difficult to make ~~the~~ ends meet with just one salary these days.

03A steady stream of income make people feel more financially secure.

Corrected version

A steady stream of income ~~make~~ makes people feel more financially secure.

04He mights start a blog to earn some passive income from advertising.

Corrected version

He ~~mights~~ might start a blog to earn some passive income from advertising.

05She is thinking for starting a side hustle to save more money.

Corrected version

She is thinking ~~for~~ about starting a side hustle to save more money.

06We needed a lot of help to get our new business off the grounded.

Corrected version

We needed a lot of help to get our new business off the ~~grounded.~~ ground.

07He wants to turn his hobby for a business, but he doesn't know where to start.

Corrected version

He wants to turn his hobby ~~for~~ into a business, but he doesn't know where to start.

8

Useful phrases: brainstorming side hustle ideas

Vocabulary

When you're discussing new ideas for a side hustle with a friend or colleague, it's important to know how to suggest, agree, and express concerns politely. These phrases will help you have a more natural and productive conversation.

Examples

What if you started... [selling your photos online]?

Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this to propose a new possibility in a friendly, low-pressure way. It's softer and more collaborative than saying 'You should...'.

That sounds promising.

Register: Neutral. Use this to show you think an idea has a good chance of success and you want to encourage the other person. It's a positive way to agree.

The only thing is, [it might be hard to find customers].

Register: Informal/Neutral. This is a polite way to introduce a potential problem or concern without sounding negative. It shows you're thinking seriously about the idea.

We could build on that and... [also offer video editing services].

Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this to add to someone else's idea and improve it. It shows you are listening and want to contribute collaboratively.

How would that work in practice?

Register: Neutral. Use this when an idea sounds interesting, but you need more specific details about the practical steps before you can form a full opinion.

What's the start-up cost for something like that?

Register: Neutral. A practical and important question for any new business idea. It shows you are thinking realistically about the financial side of the project.

9

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank

01With rising prices, many people are starting side hustles just to make ends .

02It takes a lot of hard work and a good plan to get a new business off the .

03Selling digital products online can create a steady of income that doesn't require much daily effort.

04The best part about freelancing is that you get to be your own and set your own schedule.

05If you love baking, you could turn your into a business by selling cakes and cookies.

10

Words to take with you

Vocabulary

These expressions are not in the article but will help you discuss this topic more fluently.

Examples

A nest egg — a sum of money saved for the future.

Use this to talk about savings for a specific long-term goal, like retirement or buying a house. You can 'build a nest egg'. Example: 'I'm hoping my side hustle will help me build a small nest egg.'

To test the waters — to try something first before deciding to get more involved.

This is great advice for someone starting a new business. It means to start small. Example: 'You could test the waters by offering your services to friends and family first.'

Lucrative — producing a lot of money; profitable.

This is a useful adjective to describe a successful business. You can talk about a 'lucrative side hustle' or a 'lucrative business idea'. Example: 'He found a lucrative side hustle teaching guitar online.'

To dip into your savings — to spend some of the money you have saved.

We often use this when we have to spend savings on something unexpected or for an investment. Example: 'I had to dip into my savings to buy a new laptop for my freelance work.'

To have multiple streams of income — to earn money from more than one source.

This is a key goal for many people with side hustles. It describes the financial security that comes from not depending on a single job. Example: 'Financial advisors often say it's smart to have multiple streams of income.'

11

Choose the best answer for each question.

01What is the main goal of achieving 'financial flexibility' through a side hustle?

02Which of the following is the best example of a side hustle that could generate 'passive income'?

03When starting a side hustle like selling handmade crafts online, what does an 'initial investment' usually refer to?

04Which of the following is NOT a good piece of advice for someone starting a side hustle?

12

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

In your country, are side hustles usually for people who need to make ends meet, or for those who want to turn a hobby into a business? Explain your view.
Some people think it's better to focus only on your main job for a promotion. Others believe having a side hustle for a steady stream of income is safer. Which idea do you agree with more, and why?
Imagine a friend wants to get a new project off the ground. What advice could you give them about balancing work and their side hustle? What should they consider before trying to be their own boss part-time?