Sure, there’s such a thing as a fun 9-to-5 job. But mostly, those of us hunkered down working five days a week only do it so that we can afford the lifestyle we want to live. The problem is when even working those 40 hours (at least!) leaves your bank account and your life wanting more.

Not earning enough money at their day jobs is one reason why 37 percent of Americans have a side hustle, according to a Bankrate.com study. Another reason is that it doesn’t scratch their creative itch. A side hustle, or a side gig or freelance job, is a great way to earn additional income, as well as indulge additional interests. If you’re interested in bringing home a little extra bacon and fulfilling that creative desire, and maybe even walking away from office life altogether one day, we’ve got a few ways to help you spread your wings and fly.

Choosing your hustle

First of all, what is it you want to do? Whether you have a knack for woodworking or jewelry making, painting or photography, you can turn those skills into dollars by offering your wares to the public. A site like Etsy makes doing business a breeze, and it’s not the only player out there. Even Amazon is in the business of helping out side hustlers.

If you’re more a people person than a creative one, sales or consultant opportunities like Rodan + Fields or LuLaRoe might be a good match. If you’re interested in freelancing within your field, creating a profile on freelance job sites can help you connect with others in need of your talents. Craigslist was once the standard, but there are plenty of other options, so you can choose your favorite or use as many as you like to expand your reach. The trick is to choose what you enjoy doing, because even if it’s not generating millions of dollars (yet), getting paid for doing what you love makes every dollar earned that much more valuable.

Managing the additional dough

According to the same Bankrate study, side hustlers can earn an average of $686 per month. That works out to more than $8,000 annually. It’s not enough to live off of, but it’s enough to have a little extra fun. Take a vacation or splurge on some nice dinners – with or without the kids. You can also be more conservative by saving, investing, or paying off debts and other bills.

One big thing to consider is the taxes you’ll pay on that extra income. Figure out what tax bracket you’re in, and save that percentage from each incoming payment. This way, when taxes are due in April, you won’t have to scramble to come up with what you owe or pay unexpected penalties.

Balancing work, life, and the hustle

The trickiest part about having a side hustle is finding the time for it. If you’re keeping your day job, you’ll need to focus on your side gig during what used to be your non-work hours. For 9-to-5ers, that means hustling early mornings, late nights, and weekends.

While you’re busy juggling your jobs, don’t forget about family and leisure time. All work and no play is a surefire recipe for burnout. Setting and sticking to a schedule is important, but so is being flexible with that schedule. Just like any commitment you make, it requires effort and dedication to see it through.

Taking on a side hustle is not the only way to provide you with a little more financial security and a sense of purpose. Having a life insurance policy can do that, too. Finding the right life insurance policy is simple, and buying coverage now gives your family a way to replace your income (from your day job and side hustle) if something unexpected happens to you. Unlike side hustles, which may not be for everyone, life insurance is definitely something worth committing to.

At eFinancial, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.