So you’ve chosen to take on a side hustle to pursue a passion and/or make some extra cash? Great! Deciding to move forward is half the battle.
Now that you’ve mustered the enthusiasm and a base level of commitment, you’ll need the tools to take your business and/or services to the next level.
Keep in mind that life is all about balance and you don’t want your new gig to take up *too* much of your precious time. (It’s called a side hustle and not a main hustle, after all.)
To get your started, here are five completely free apps to consider as you embark on this new, yet exciting journey. Each is aimed to make your calendar more organized and streamlined so that you can also manage personal interests, the responsibilities of your day job, as well as this endeavor.
1. For Side Hustle Opportunities: Upwork
If the idea of taking on additional work sounds appealing, but you’ve yet to land said work, an app such as Upwork helps to connect freelancers to remote job opportunities from around the country. Users can search, save, and apply for gigs, as well as limit all communication with employers to the app itself. This means that the ability to chat, save files, share progress, and even receive payments can be carried out in one place, all without having to rely on a portfolio of other apps. Another highlight includes the ability to bid on temporary projects without the awkwardness of negotiating either over the phone or via email.
2. For Organization: Trello
Life can be overwhelming while managing a full-time job, personal responsibilities, and a side hustle. An app like Trello is essential to organize every aspect of your daily itinerary with cards, checklists, and boards that help to identify and prioritize important tasks. You can assign due dates, rearrange priorities, and highlight assignments that require extra attention. It’s completely customizable and designed to cater to individual organizational preferences. Turn on notifications for looming deadline reminders and even add locations so that you can plan ahead for events that require off-site attendance.
3. For Scheduling: Calendly
Should you run a side hustle that requires clients to book their own appointments, there is no scheduling app better than Calendly. Not only will you be able to view upcoming meeting details, but you can also set very specific guidelines on availability and communication preferences. The app also allows invitees to video call directly from the app so that you’re not relying on other services to step in and assist. Ultimately, if you’re looking for peak productivity without having to give a second thought to behind-the-scenes operations, Calendly acts as the executive assistant we all could benefit from having in our careers.
4. For Invoicing and Financial Planning: Wave
While side hustle income may be supplemental, it’s still important to monitor payments for personal and tax purposes. Wave allows users to send invoices, upload receipts, monitor business expenses, and add optional credit card and banking information to track deposits from clients. This also makes a wonderful app for any person who simply wants to put more of an effort into their finances so that they can save up for major purchases or investments. Consider it adulting 101, but presented in a manner that’s simple, easy, and even educational for the self-proclaimed money-saving newb.
5. For Mindfulness and Meditation Insight Timer
Your work is only as good as your mental health. Take a break, set intentions, or simply clear your mind with the most-used meditation app in the world (which also happens to be free!). Guided meditations and talks are led by experts, neuroscientists, psychologists, and teachers from institutions such as Stanford and Harvard. There are also thousands of music tracks provided by major artists to help “calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply, and improve happiness.” In addition to a built-in timer to accommodate your specific needs, there are also thousands of discussion groups and community features so that you can post about pain points and successes with a like-minded, wellness-forward community.
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