Why You Should Start A Side Hustle In Your 40s
- Hillary Huyghue-Matias
- Feb 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 17
A couple of months ago, I did a quick grocery run to pick up a few items. When I got to the checkout counter, I scanned my items, which were 2 packs of water, a dozen eggs, and a pack of bacon. The total rang up to over $50! I did a double take to see if there was a pricing error, or if I had accidentally picked up a pack of sparkling water laden with golden flakes. There I was, having just bought three different items that didn't even make a complete breakfast, utterly shocked at the current cost of basic necessities. My 40-something brain took a quick trip down memory lane, back to a time when $50 could fill your cart and still leave you enough change to splurge on a pack of gum.
Needless to say, everyone's pockets are feeling the effects of inflation and high prices. Unfortunately, many employers aren't making up for the increased costs. To cope, some people have tried to stretch that dollar a little further by scaling back on items that used to be weekly must-haves but are now considered splurges. Others are finding ways to bring in a little extra cash by taking up gig work, also known as side hustles.
40-Year-Olds: The Pioneers of Side Hustles
Perhaps you've heard the terms 'side hustle' and 'gig work' before, but aren't exactly sure what they mean. After all, for us Gen Xers and Millennials, 'hustles' and 'gigs' had different meanings back in the day. Basically, a side hustle is a secondary job or income-generating activity that a person does in addition to their main job or daily responsibilities. They are typically flexible, can be done part-time, and often involve a personal interest or skill. And believe it or not, you've probably been 'side hustling' since your preteen days. Did you spend your summer vacation selling lemonade at a makeshift stand? Did you have a paper route? Or were you the kid that bought lollipops and candy wholesale and sold them for twice the amount on the school bus to your classmates? If you've done any of these, you've had a side hustle way before the government started cracking down on child employment laws. In fact, kids from our generation are the OG's of side hustles. (OG meaning someone who has been around for a long time, is authentic, or is exceptionally skilled at something - 2025slang).
Looking to splurge once more on your favorite seasonal Costco products? Or perhaps you're aiming to plan that well-deserved island getaway for next year? Here are 3 side hustles perfect for starting in your 40s, all offering flexibility, with many being possible from the comfort of your own home.
Turn Your Expertise Into a Side Hustle
When considering a side hustle, start by thinking about the things that you already know how to do or enjoy doing in your free time. Are you skilled at knitting or painting? Are you great at fixing things? Do you have a green thumb and everybody seeks your advice on gardening tips? All of these skills can easily be turned into side hustles and can be done from home on your time. With social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and WhatsApp, you can market your products and sell them without needing to pay for advertising. You might need to invest in a quality camera and an updated smartphone especially if you plan to include videos into your posts. The other day, I discovered a woman on Instagram with more than 100K followers and she posts videos showing people how to properly clean their bathroom and other parts of the house! Yep, side hustling is perfect for those with a flair for cleanliness and a sprinkle of OCD.
When choosing a side hustle, it's good to try and think of a 'niche' or special segment of that market. For example, if you are an expert in plants, perhaps specialize in indoor plants that are great for the person with a black thumb. A friend of mine, who enjoys painting, observed a shortage of artists creating pet portraits and has since developed a successful side hustle. Check out one of her paintings below and be sure to visit her Instagram page here.
Empower Others With Your Side Hustle
Another popular side hustle for those in their 40s is teaching English online. It can be a game-changer—you get to work from home, avoid rush-hour traffic, and meet and interact with people from all over the world. You can choose to teach children or adults. What you will need is a good laptop, a noise-canceling headset, a strong internet connection, and a webcam. To work on most platforms, you'll need a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, and many require a 4-year Bachelor's Degree. Most platforms don't require formal teaching experience, but if you've done some form of tutoring, that is a plus. Do you help your child with their homework? Have you ever done community outreach or educational work? If so, you most likely qualify to start teaching English online. By the way, did you know that by day I'm an Online Teacher-Trainer? I can say first-hand how rewarding and fun teaching English online can be.
What do you do if you're geared up and eager to teach English online as a side hustle and you have all of the equipment, the TEFL certificate, tutoring experience but don't have a 4-year Bachelor's Degree? With USILACS University you can earn an accelerated Bachelor's Degree for life-experience. Click on this link for more information and receive an extra $100 off tuition.
Get Moving With Your Side Hustle
So maybe you're in your 40s, work from home, and would like a side hustle that will allow you to leave the house and interact with the outside world. If that's the case, there are many side hustles you can do if you're not a homebody. Are you an animal lover? Consider pet-sitting or dog walking. Platforms like Rover.com and Care.com, allow you to promote your services and get paid to play with pets. These side hustles can help you stay active, making them ideal if you want to incorporate more exercise into your life.
Do you enjoy ordering food from services such as DoorDash and UberEats? Consider joining the team and using your vehicle to become a delivery partner. This can be quite profitable, particularly if you reside in a city with high demand. In certain locations, some delivery partners even opt for a bicycle. Burn calories while earning money? That's a win-win situation!
40: Thriving, Hustling, and Surviving!
Taking up a side hustle in your 40s is not only possible; it can be incredibly fulfilling. Whether it’s turning a hobby into a business, teaching English online, or offering on-demand services, your wealth of life experience, skills, and perspectives are invaluable assets. This is the perfect time to explore your passions, challenge yourself, and create new income streams. Remember, it’s never too late to start something new, and the journey will bring personal growth and financial reward. As the saying goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." So take the leap and start your side hustle today! Your future self will thank you and, who knows? Tomorrow's grocery run might allow you to purchase that coveted carton of brown eggs.
What about you? Are you contemplating taking up a side hustle?
Please comment, like, and share this post!
Above are links to some of my favorite Amazon products, so feel free to take a look!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read