Teri Monroe, Author at Beating Broke

6 Amazing Jobs That Were Once Considered Side Hustles

June 10, 2025 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

side hustles that have become jobs — Image Source: Pexels

Not long ago, some of today’s most lucrative careers were considered side gigs or hobbies. As technology evolved and cultural norms shifted, these once “just-for-fun” jobs turned into full-blown professions. Many of these side hustles turned jobs also allow you to work for yourself. Today, according to the US Bureau of Labor, there were 9.84 million self-employed people in the United States in 2024. Here are six amazing jobs that were once considered side hustles:

1. Social Media Manager

What started as casually posting on Facebook or Instagram has evolved into a vital business role. For example, 90% of local businesses use social media as part of their marketing strategy, while 78% of them rely on social media to help drive revenue. Today, social media managers shape brand identity, drive sales, and manage entire digital marketing campaigns. In the US, Social Media Managers can expect to earn between $40,000 and $160,000 annually, with an average salary of around $73,547 according to Built In.

2. YouTuber or Content Creator

Uploading videos for fun used to be a hobby. Now, content creators on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch can build empires, earn sponsorships, and even launch product lines. The creator economy is now a multi-billion-dollar industry.

3. Freelance Graphic Designer

Once considered gig work for art or communications students, freelance design is now a booming business. Many companies outsource their graphic design work to freelancers instead of having in-house departments. In 2022, 47% of outsourced creative services were graphic design, making it the most outsourced, according to Statista. With platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and direct brand contracting, talented designers are making sustainable incomes, Additionally, many freelancers are even launching their own agencies.

4. Virtual Assistant

What started as a part-time admin gig has become a legitimate remote career. According to Entrepreneur, businesses can save as much as 78% of their operating costs by hiring virtual assistants compared to in-house workers. Virtual assistants now handle everything from executive support to social media and project management, often for multiple clients at once.

5. Etsy Seller or Handmade Business Owner

Crafting used to be a weekend hobby. Now, Etsy sellers create thriving e-commerce businesses. Many sellers earn full-time incomes selling handmade jewelry, art, and decor. Platforms like Etsy allow sellers to have a global reach without building their own sites or investing in advertising.

6. Blogger or Copywriter

Once seen as a creative outlet, writing blogs and website content is now a career. SEO knowledge and niche expertise can turn writing into a six-figure freelance or corporate job, with bloggers earning money through ads, affiliate links, and sponsorships. In the U.S., there are approximately 131,200 employed copywriters.

Side Hustles Turned Jobs

These jobs prove that passion projects and side hustles can turn into powerful careers. What was once “just a side hustle” might be tomorrow’s dream job. So, don’t underestimate the value of your interests. Anything can become a lucrative business or job if you give it the time to grow.

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Teri Monroe

Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.

Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear

June 5, 2025 By Teri Monroe 1 Comment

What is privilege? — Image Source: Pexels

When you think of privilege, you probably think of someone who has been fed with a silver spoon. We use it to describe everything from race and gender to wealth and education. If you have invisible advantages, you’re privileged. But does privilege really exist anymore, or are we all just trying to get by? Has privilege disappeared among economic instability, political polarization, and cultural fragmentation? The answer is yes, but not in the way we are accustomed to.

Is Privilege a Thing of The Past?

In 2025, as inflation eats away at middle-class stability, job markets are reshaped by AI, and even the wealthy grapple with climate anxiety and social unrest, some ask: Does anyone actually have privilege? The uncomfortable answer is that privilege hasn’t disappeared. It’s just become more layered, more hidden, and more complex than the culture wars allow us to admit.

Thinking about privilege is often ignored today. Many of us don’t have this conversation because of fatigue. We’re so tired of hearing about privilege when we are struggling. But it’s important to get to the truth and not look at privilege as a dirty word for someone who has never struggled in life.

In fact, the very idea of privilege has been politicized, weaponized, and oversimplified. People hear the word and shut down because they associate it with blame or guilt. But privilege isn’t always something you choose — it’s often just something you were born into. And acknowledging it doesn’t mean you haven’t worked hard.

The New Privileged Class

So who is the privileged class? Maybe it’s just people who haven’t endured as much hardship. It’s not to say that they have avoided the chaos of life altogether, but have struggled less than some. Privilege today can look like having access to private insurance and good health. It can be a college degree with no student debt. It may even be citizenship in a country that has a strong democracy and no war. Maybe for others, it looks like having a stable job where you can afford childcare.

It could even mean something as simple as generational wealth, like having parents who could help with a down payment on a home, or who didn’t pass down debt. In today’s world, even time and mental space are privileges. The ability to plan ahead, rest, or pursue personal growth is not universal.

Respecting Each Other’s Experiences

We shouldn’t write off each other’s experiences and situations. Just because someone is privileged in one area of their life doesn’t mean that their experiences aren’t valid. No one today is privileged in the same way we once thought about it. Maybe only the ultra-wealthy are truly privileged. In reality, the middle class has all but disappeared in the US, and we all struggle to some extent. Ignoring privilege doesn’t eliminate inequality. But reframing the conversation may help. When we truly walk in each other’s shoes, we can find common ground and understanding.

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5 Hidden Barriers That Quietly Punish the Working Poor

June 3, 2025 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

Why the working poor are stuck in poverty — Image Source: Pexels

In 2020, 37.2 million people, or 11.4 percent of the nation’s population, lived below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With many Americans considered the working poor, it’s important to consider why so many can’t get out of poverty. The reality is that it is extremely difficult to escape the cycle when the system is inequitable.

The working poor face a number of challenges that often go unnoticed or are misunderstood. These barriers aren’t always immediately obvious, but they can have a profound impact on their ability to break free from poverty. Here are five hidden barriers that quietly punish the working poor.

1. Lack of Affordable Childcare

Many working parents in low-income households face the challenge of finding affordable, high-quality childcare. For example, the cost of childcare in 2022 for one child ranged from $6,552 to $15,600. This high cost isn’t feasible for many American families. In addition, many parents living in poverty don’t have a strong support system of family or friends that can help watch their children. Without this support, parents may be forced to choose between working to make ends meet or staying home to care for their children. Plus, if childcare is unreliable, parents may get their hours cut or lose their jobs altogether.

2. Inaccessible Transportation

Transportation is another hidden barrier that can trap people in poverty. Many low-income workers rely on public transportation, which is not available in all areas. In other cities, public transit is antiquated, and it’s hard to get from place to place on time. Workers may spend hours on public transit trying to get to their jobs.

For those who own a car, the costs of maintenance, fuel, registration, and insurance can quickly add up, leaving little room for savings. In addition, if an individual has their license revoked because they couldn’t pay for a driver’s license renewal, insurance premiums, car inspections, or registration renewal, they often are left high and dry with nothing to fall back on. If someone who is poor can’t pay their car payments, their car can also get repossessed. All of these issues tend to be overwhelming and hard to dig out of. Without reliable transportation, workers can lose jobs or miss out on better-paying opportunities that are located farther away.

3. Inadequate or No Health Insurance

Even though many working poor individuals may be employed full-time, they often lack access to affordable healthcare. Some jobs don’t offer health insurance, or the premiums and out-of-pocket costs are unaffordable for low-income individuals. Plus, policies may have high deductibles that workers can’t even afford. This means that minor health issues are often ignored and can lead to serious conditions. Workers may delay seeking treatment until the problem becomes catastrophic. Medical debt can be crushing and hard to pay off. Ultimately, this can lead to bankruptcy or financial ruin.

4. Debt Traps

Many working poor individuals turn to payday loans or high-interest credit cards to make ends meet. These financial products often come with astronomical fees and interest rates, which make it nearly impossible for borrowers to pay off their debt. Plus, these lenders are very predatory and are illegal in some states. If individuals don’t pay back these loans on time, they can owe interest of as much as 300%-400%. This cycle of borrowing and never-ending debt can leave workers stuck in poverty for years, as they pay off loans that barely cover the interest, let alone the principal.

In addition to predatory loans, it can be extremely hard to pay off high-interest credit cards. Missed payments and accounts in collections can destroy your credit for years to come. The working poor often can’t afford more than the minimum payments, and if that, then interest continues to compound.

5. Lack of Access to Assistance Programs

In some cases, some of the people who need assistance the most don’t qualify. For example, you may not qualify for programs, like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), if you don’t have a permanent address. Without assistance, the working poor often have to choose between feeding their families, paying bills, or other essentials. This can continue the cycle of poverty. When the poor need it most, there is often nowhere to turn.

Escaping Barriers for the Working Poor

These barriers don’t just affect an individual’s ability to succeed; they also create a cycle of poverty that’s difficult to escape. Solving these issues would require coordinated policy changes, community support, and a reevaluation of how society treats its most vulnerable workers.

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